At this year’s Tokyo Game Show, SEGA marked its 60th anniversary in a special ‘fan-get-together’ that focused on the company’s history, and presented information on games recent and soon-to-released.

SEGA History

The CEO of SEGA, Haruki Satomi, mentioned that the company originally began as a jukebox producer, with the ‘SEGA 1000’ model jukeboxes launched in 1960 being the first made in Japan. It wasn’t until 1965 that the company turned its attention to video games, starting with their first arcade cabinet, called Periscope.

In the 80’s, SEGA emerged as a solid name in the video game industry, through the creation of the UFO Catcher claw-machine game, and various, popular arcade titles, like Space Harrier. Many of these arcade titles used SEGA’s new ‘body sensation’ technology – meaning that the game reacted to the physical movements of the player in the seated cabinet.

1983 also marked the year SEGA entered the console market, with the release of the SEGA 1000 (not to be confused with the jukebox of the same name). This was followed by the SEGA Mk.III, the SEGA Genesis/MegaDrive, the GameGear, the SEGA Saturn, and the SEGA Dreamcast. The Dreamcast, made in 1998, would be the company’s last console, as – due to poor sales – the company decided to focus on software going forwards.

Game franchises such as Sonic, Phantasy Star, and the more recently acquired Atlus’ titles, have ensured the company has thrived despite this narrower focus.

Video Game News

More information about Phantasy Star 2’s sister-title, Phantasy Star: New Genesis, was revealed. There will be three classes at launch: Force, Hunter, and Ranger. The Force focuses on techniques, and is similar to a typical magic user; the Hunter is melee focused, and uses swords; the Ranger has been optimised to be more like the Gunner class of Phantasy Star Online 2, using rifles.

The game is designed to cut-down on loading screens, and provide a seamless play experience – players can go from the ship to the field without any loads. The maps are large, open-world experiences, but fall into different categories based on threat level – Exploration maps tend to have tamer monsters, whilst Battle maps have lots of aggressive types. Additionally, healing items won’t be in the game: Players get access to the Resta healing technique, and pick up ‘Resta Signs’ in the map to charge uses.

The fully dubbed New Genesis introduction video may be watched below.

Puyo-Puyo Tetris 2 is heading to mobiles and all modern consoles! The sequel to the popular mash-up title, players will now be able to fight against eachother using differing match-ups! One player could be playing Puyo-Puyo, whilst the other could be playing Tetris, or even Puyo-Tetris! A new skill-mode, and 4 player matches will also be introduced, alongside a brand new story campaign! The title launches December 10th.

Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! is a mobile game releasing September 23rd in Japan. The title focuses on rhythm gameplay to make idol characters dance to and perform various songs. Popular virtual idols like Hatsune Miku, and bands like Go, Go, JUMP!, are featured.

SEGA announced the desire to create a new, and ongoing Virtua Fighter e-Sports tournament, though details would be revealed at a ‘later date’.

Other titles were briefly touched on, but only their titles were shown.

What do you think of SEGA’s reveals so far? Well, a few more are on the horizon, so keep tuned in! The original broadcast (with English dubbing) can be found below.