Sonic Triple Trouble Coming the the 3DS in March

While I don't get the hoopla over Game Gear games coming to the 3DS, Sonic Triple Trouble fans should be happy to hear that the game will be coming to the Nintendo 3DS in March.  Shinobi and Dragon Crystal are two other Game Gear games set to release alongside Triple Trouble on March 14th in Japan. The games are said to also release in Europe and America in mid-March.

It's great to see Game Gear games rereleased to modern day consoles, but given the file size and game length of these oldies (but goodies!) I wonder why SEGA doesn't just release a Game Gear Collection or release a load of games at once to buy. Staggering the release of a few titles isn't as epic as, say, releasing fifty games in one go. Price them individually or as a massive bundle.

[Source: ONM]

In other news, yes I know MegaUpload is down and with its death went my custom Genesis cart designs of Sonic 4 and Sonic Generations. I have the original files and will fix the links as soon as I can.

Say "I Love You" With the Gift of a SEGA App

From 2/11 through to 2/14, SEGA will be having a Valentine's Day sale on a ton of iOS and Android apps. Given how often they hold sales, a majority of fans already have these apps. Still, the prices are great, especially for games like Super Monkey Ball 2 and Sonic CD. Check out the full list over at SEGA's blog!

In other news, things have been pretty busy over at SEGAbits. Aside from the usual articles and features, the podcast has returned and I was up last night recording another episode with SEGAbits heads George and Sharky. The show should be up later today and is worth a listen, despite it being a rather try news week. We still found stuff to talk about. Perhaps the oddest bit is when we create a new superhero.

News from the Future: Sonic 4 Episode 3 Logo Revealed

Sonic 4 Episode 2's logo reveal is old news. Via a time hole, I was able to jump ahead to 2013 when SEGA revealed the Sonic 4 Episode 3 logo. It looks alright, pretty much what I expected. Looks like Knuckles will be playable, which isn't too big a surprise. In other news, this time taking place in the present, I finally have the ability to make videos in HD! So to test out our new camera (yes, it is the family camera, as it was bought with wedding money) I made a short tour of my Sonic shelves. I do have more Sonic stuff, but it's either boxed or in book form, which isn't as fun to show off. I do plan to show off my Sonic kid's books in the near future, as well as some Japanese SEGA books. In the meantime, enjoy the video:

Introducing the SEGA Fusion!

It's 2012, and SEGA is BACK in the hardware race! Okay, not really. But this is still pretty awesome. A crazy SEGA fan has crammed a SEGA CD, 32X and Genesis into a Saturn shell and dubbed it the "SEGA Fusion". Check out the video above in which he shows off the innards, and plays some games on it. At the moment, he is not accepting requests to build more of them, but never say never.

Sonic 4 Episode 1 HD Arrives on the iPad

SEGA has given iPad owners an early Christmas present this year, Sonic 4 Episode 1 is now in HD on the iPad! For only $1.99, iPad owners can play the game in HD, no longer having to upscale the original iOS release. It'll be like holding an HD tv really close to your face. I can only imagine players getting dizzy when the screen rotates with Sonic as he goes through loops. Based on the screens, this is an HD version of the iOS release, meaning no new act 2's for Casino Street and Lost Labyrinth. Still, at $1.99 it's a good price. Check it out on the app store!

Sonic CD Hits the iOS and Android TODAY!

Waaaaaay way back in 2009 I talked about Christian Whitehead's fan made port of Sonic CD. Two and a half years ago I said, "Hopes are high for SEGA to move ahead with this advanced port, and if the final release is anything like what Whitehead has now, it would make for an awesome port". Here we are now years later, and we finally are getting what we wished for... and then some! The iOS release of Sonic CD, out today for $1.99, is beyond perfect. It implements Sonic 2-like physics, including the spin dash, it features BOTH soundtracks AND as an added bonus gives players the option to play as Tails. A hint at what to expect from Sonic 4 Episode 2?

Best of all, the app is universal and can be played on even the oldest of hardware. Any reader of this blog should know that I have a first gen iPod Touch. Why haven't I upgraded? Because aside from a handful of games that don't support my device, I can still listen to music, watch movies, surf the web and play a number of great games like Whitehead's Sonic CD. Why discard a device when you can do all that? Also, Gamestop won't buy it back because I engraved "Don't Panic" on the back of the thing. Screw them.

So if you have an iOS device, or own an Android device, a 360 or a PS3, download this game now!

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing appears in latest iPod Touch commercial

While most people find the Apple iPod ads to be pretty annoying (I liked the old silhouette ads), SEGA fans should crack a smile at the iOS version of Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing getting a nod in the latest iPod Touch ad. At the ten second mark the game makes an appearance. This is a pretty awesome bit of show for the game, considering it makes it look like Apple believes it is the best kart racer on the platform. Which it actually is. The game is a lot of fun, and is only $1.99. So if you have an iOS device, download the game asap.

The Nomad Junkyard is finally on Twitter!

After years of begrudgingly avoiding Twitter, I've finally joined. Want to follow my "tweets"? Follow me here: http://twitter.com/#!/SEGANomad

I think my hesitance towards Twitter was in part because I friggin' hate when people post about nothing, like for example: "just ate a grape"and "saw a red car". Hopefully I won't succumb to this level of idiocy, and won't post something every five minutes. Mainly, I intend to use Twitter to highlight the various posts I make around the web or to make comments on current happenings in the SEGA world.

So, without further ado, let the great experiment begin!

Classic Game Room HD: PAC-ATTACK

CGR strikes again, with a review of the underrated and highly complicated puzzle game PAC-ATTACK for the Game Gear. I discovered this game a few months back in a collection of Genesis roms. I was expecting a Pac-Man platformer, and it turned out to be something completely different! Instead, the game plays like a cross between Pac-Man and Tetris. It sounds odd, and it is, but it works! As Mark mentions, you feel like you're doing multiple things at once, and you are. Its a very tricky, but unique puzzle game.

Arts & Crafts: Make your own Sonic Generations Genesis box!

NEW DOWNLOAD LINK (added 3/19/2015)

Back in late 2010 I put together a nifty Sonic the Hedgehog 4 mock Genesis box complete with cover art, a cartridge sticker and a fake instruction manual. The project was a mini labor of love for both retro Genesis box designs and my favorite SEGA franchise. Today, as Sonic Generations releases, I'm happy to present another Genesis box design, this time for Sonic Generations. I figured, as the series focuses on both modern and classic, it would be fitting to provide a classic version of the game case. As the actual Generations cases for 360 and PS3 tout 3D support, I thought I'd throw Master System fans a bone and added the "SegaScope 3-D" logo to the case. Let's get started!

Here's what you'll need:

• The files, available here 
• A plastic Genesis or Mega Drive case and game cartridge
• Two 8.5"x11" sheets of printer paper 
• One 8.5"x14" sheet of printer paper, or whatever can fit a 7"x11" image 
• Tape, plain or double sided 

Print the cartridge sticker and instruction manual on the 8.5"x11" pieces of paper, cut on the edge. Fold the manual in half and place a piece of tape inside to keep it shut. Use double sided tape or loops of regular tape to stick the sticker to the cartridge. Print the cover on the larger piece of paper, trim and place in the Genesis box, place the cartridge and manual inside the box. And presto: a retro Sonic Generations Genesis box that doesn't require a time hole to produce. Enjoy!

SEGA Celebrates Halloween via an App Store Sale!

SEGA's getting into the Halloween sprit by way of an app store sale! Okay, so it really isn't Halloween related, though the port of Virtua FIghter 2 is pretty scary. The prices are great, with Brick People and ChuChu Rocket! being the standout titles. Check out the list below:

• Brick People – $1.99 → $.99
• Brick People for iPad – $2.99 → $.99
• ChuChu Rocket – $2.99 → $.99
• ChuChu Rocket! HD for iPad – $4.99 → $.99
• Gunstar Heroes – $2.99 → $0.99
• Virtua Fighter 2 – $1.99 → $0.99

In other handheld news, Sonic Generations for the 3DS has been given a date: November 22nd! You'll note I don't mention the 3DS too often on this blog, as I don't own one. However, with the releases of Shinobi and Sonic Generations, I may just take the plunge and get my hands on a 3DS. I have yet to play any DS titles, and really would like to try the Rush titles and Colors DS. I've also developed a Phoenix Wright obsession thanks to the iPod Touch port of the first game. Since Capcom have yet to confirm more Wright titles for the iOS, I might as well get a 3DS so I can enjoy all the titles as well as new releases.

[Source: Touch Arcade]

Brick People Out Now for iOS!

If only it supported iOS 3.0...

SEGA Blog has announced the release of Brick People, an iOS version of the Japanese arcade title which used real blocks and a large video screen to create the illusion of tiny people climbing on the real blocks. SEGA Blog describes the game:

Build brick steps and structures to help the hungry Brick People reach a collection of delicious snacks. The fun-loving Brick People have varied abilities that can help you complete missions, but be careful as the Brick Monster will create obstacles and throw them in the path of these tasty treats! Aside from utilising the iOS’s multi-touch interface to enable quick brick stacking, BrickPeople will allow players to race against each other to become the best bricklayer. Use Bluetooth to compete against friends in multiplayer matchups, or use an iPad to compete head-to-head on a single device. Players can also compete with others around the world when posting high scores on the Game Center leaderboards.

I would love to try the game out! Unfortunately, it does not support older devices. Only iOS 4.0 and above, which is pretty lame. I can play Sonic 4, Chu Chu Rocket and All-Star Racing on my first gen iPod Touch, and yet a simple game featuring little people climbing on bricks is too much for my device to handle. However, if you have a current gen iOS device, check the title out! It's at the low price of 99 cents!

[Source: SEGA Blog]

Sonic CD heading to mobile devices!

While a Sonic CD rerelease was leaked by Microsoft's Major Nelson earlier this week, the game has just been revealed to be releasing on iOS, Android and Windows Phone mobile devices! What more, the game is said to have iOS exclusive features (Game Center achievements?) and sounds like it will feature the original soundtrack.

The trailer itself is quite interesting, as it directly ties Sonic 4 into Sonic CD by peppering in images of Metal Sonic (who appeared post-credits in Sonic 4) and stating "THIS HOLIDAY SEE HOW IT ALL STARTED". I'd assume they mean, play Sonic CD to see how the Metal Sonic rivalry began. Personally, I think SEGA realized that Sonic 4 Episode 2 was not going to be released in 2011, and to keep the idea alive they rereleased Sonic CD as a stand-in, making the 2012 Episode 2 wait less of an annoyance. Hey! If SEGA wants to delay Episode 3, and give us Chaotix, I'll be more than happy!

The Best VMU Games

Happy summer, all! Boy has it been a hot one. Thankfully, a majority of the places I spend my time are well air conditioned. I can't think of a proper segue from talking about the weather to Dreamcast VMUs, so I'll just start talking about the VMU. Check out my latest entry to my weekly series over at SEGAbits: The Weekly Five: The Best VMU Games. Where I list off my five favorite VMU games.

After all that typing about the VMU, I'm starting to get the itch for some Dreamcast gaming! With 9/9 coming up, I really should get into some more obscure titles that take advantage of the VMU. Perhaps I'll start playing a bit of Zombie Revenge to raise my own little zombie, or start fresh with a chao? Well, once I make my decision, I'll be sure to share my experiences here at the Nomad Junkyard. I think it's about time the VMU got a little love.

SEGA Says "Happy 20th Sonic" with All-Stars Racing iOS!

 First off: Happy 20th Birthday Sonic! I had to say it.

Secondly, SEGA said "happy birthday" in their own way by offering up a new iOS Sonic game. Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing has released for all iOS devices and is at a reduced birthday price of $1.99! After the festivities die down, the app will be $4.99. I downloaded the game this morning, and to my delight it plays on the first generation iPod Touch, meaning every iOS device will be able to play the game!

The game kicks off with the full CG intro as seen in the console version of the game. From there, you're presented with a slick menu featuring high quality menu music as heard in the console versions. So no downgraded Nintendo DS music to be found. Very nice. Menu options include: single player, multiplayer, shopping, achievements, leaderboards, OpenFeint (a mobile social gaming network that tracks scores, achievements and saves ones game to "the cloud"), licence and options. Single player features grand prix, single race, time trial and missions. So expect to see every single player mode from the console versions in this mobile version.

That isn't to say that the game is 1:1 with the console versions. Tracks and characters are derived from the Nintendo DS version of the game, however graphics have been improved and sounds match those from the home console versions. The character roster has been cut down to ten: Sonic, Tails, Eggman, Aiai, Billy, Amigo, Beat, the Chu Chus, B.D. Joe and Ryo. While I was sad to see certain characters not appearing in the game, it's still a rather solid cast and great for a $2 game. At least Ryo is still there!

 Tracks have also been trimmed, with only twelve appearing. Sonic's casino tracks are absent, as are a number of other tracks. However, considering many tracks in SASASR are in similar environments, there isn't much lost in that regard. You sill see the curian mansion, Amigo's crazy world, Billy's hot and cold environments, the GG's turf and Eggman's fleet. You just won't see any casino track.

 The game controls well for an iOS title. Players are given the choice of tilting the device like a wheel or controlling the left and right steering with a slider. I've yet to master the controls, but I have gone from placing last to placing third within 15 minutes so there is hope for me yet.

I'll hold off on saying more, as I'd like to officially review the title next week, but suffice to say things are looking very very good for the title and it is a must download for Sonic fans, racing fans and plain ol' SEGA fans. I mean, it's only $2!

Again, Happy Birthday Sonic!