The passing of Hideki Sato at the age of 77 has left a deep mark on the video game industry. Known as the “father of Sega consoles,” Sato was a key leader in the development of the machines that would challenge Nintendo’s supremacy in the video game console market. His career at Sega began in the 1970s, where he contributed to early arcades like MonacoGP and Turbo. The creator of the architecture of Sega consoles From 1983 to 2001, Sato led the engineering teams behind all the consoles […]
The passing of Hideki Sato at the age of 77 has left a deep mark on the video game industry. Known as the “father of Sega consoles,” Sato was a key leader in the development of the machines that would challenge Nintendo’s supremacy in the video game console market.
His career at Sega began in the 1970s, where he contributed to early arcades like MonacoGP and Turbo.
The creator of the architecture of Sega consoles
From 1983 to 2001, Sato led the engineering teams behind all Sega consoles, including the SG-1000, Mega Drive, Saturn, and Dreamcast. Although the Dreamcast did not achieve the expected commercial success, it is remembered today as a pioneer of innovation in consoles, hosting iconic titles such as Phantasy Star Online, the first successful MMORPG on a console.
This machine incorporated experimental features, such as the VMU, which combined a memory card with a second screen.
After the death of Isao Okawa in 2001, Sato rose to the presidency of Sega and oversaw the complex transition of the company from hardware to software, leading to the merger with pachinko manufacturer Sammy in 2003. In 2008, Sato left the company for good, but his legacy endures in Sega’s catalog, now a strong video game developer that hosts iconic franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog and Yakuza.
The news of his passing was reported by outlets such as VGC and Beep21, who emphasized Sato’s influence on video game culture. His commitment to innovation and his leadership during a critical period for Sega are remembered with great respect by fans and industry colleagues. With his departure, an important chapter in the history of digital entertainment comes to a close.
Microsoft has surprised gamers by adding Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii to the Game Pass catalog without prior announcement. This new title, developed by SEGA and RGG Studio, is presented as a direct spin-off of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, released in 2024. In this installment, players focus on the popular character Goro Majima, who finds himself in Hawaii after a shipwreck that erases his memory, including his own name. The Yakuza become pirates In terms of gameplay, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii returns to the real-time combat that characterizes the saga, […]
Microsoft has surprised gamers by adding Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii to the Game Pass catalog without prior announcement. This new title, developed by SEGA and RGG Studio, is presented as a direct spin-off of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, released in 2024. In this installment, players focus on the popular character Goro Majima, who finds himself in Hawaii after a shipwreck that erases his memory, including his own name.
The Yakuza Become Pirates
In terms of gameplay, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii returns to the real-time combat that characterizes the saga, offering more direct and spectacular fighting dynamics. A highlighted aspect is the inclusion of two differentiated combat styles: Mad Dog, which focuses on speed and precision, and Sea Dog, which emphasizes a more tactical and pirate approach when facing enemies. This duality promises to encourage creativity in players’ combat strategies.
Apart from the intense fights that can be experienced, the title also incorporates mini-games and naval battles, features that enrich the experience. The real-time piracy sections allow players to maneuver their ships and engage in epic boardings, in an environment that fluctuates between criminal chaos and treasure adventures. The narrative follows Majima and Noah, a young man who helps him in his quest for memories, as they navigate through conflicts and rivals in a vibrant and unconventional setting for the saga.
This unexpected release becomes one of the highlights of the month on Game Pass, adding a new layer of fun and craziness to a franchise already known for its uniqueness and appeal. This reinforces Microsoft’s trend of surprising its gaming community with unexpected additions to its subscription service.
Although Sonic is conceived as a retro icon, the truth is that he is more alive than ever thanks to movies, comics, merchandising, and yes, when he has some free time, video games. Once he got out of the slump he was in a few years ago, when the quality of the hedgehog seemed inevitably linked to absolute mediocrity, SEGA’s mascot has managed to win back his audience thanks to games like Sonic Mania, Sonic Frontiers, or even his appearance in the classic Super Smash Bros. However, it is worth going back to the […]
Although Sonic is conceived as a retro icon, the truth is that he is more alive than ever thanks to movies, comics, merchandising, and yes, when he has some free time, video games. Once he got out of the slump he was in a few years ago, when the quality of the hedgehog seemed irreparably tied to absolute mediocrity, SEGA’s mascot has managed to win back his audience thanks to games like Sonic Mania, Sonic Frontiers, or even his appearance in the classic Super Smash Bros. However, it is worth going back to the less golden era of Sonic, when, between little adventures for Wii or the terrible reboot of 2006, he experienced his most pitiful moment.
A very sonic game!
Year 2015. Sonic was becoming known again among kids thanks to the Sonic Boom series, SEGA had shown interest in continuing the classic saga with the two episodes of Sonic 4 and fans allowed themselves -a grave mistake- to have hopes for the future of the blue hedgehog. It was then that SEGA decided that, in addition to consoles, they needed to focus on mobile devices. They had already succeeded a few years earlier with Sonic Jump and Sonic Dash, which were simple extended mini-games (the latter, for example, was just another Temple Run), so why not try again?
After a year and a half of preparing and programming this new adventure, SEGA launched Sonic Runners, a side-scrolling game where the character never stopped running, and the player’s only task was to know when to jump to hit enemies or avoid tripping over something. Not only does it seem simple, but it was the typical game that used to be a hit among mobile players: it’s perfect for a subway ride, what more do you need? Well, it wouldn’t have hurt if, in addition to being easy to play… it didn’t try to continuously take our money.
As in every free-to-play game, the goal was to empty the consumer’s wallet. In this case, there were two types of “coins” within the game: the Red Rings (which were used to continue a game) and the Normal Rings (which were paid and could be used to buy all kinds of items). Additionally, each day the player could spin a roulette to win new prizes, with the possibility of buying more spins if -oh surprise- you loosened the purse strings. It’s fine, even South Park made an episode about the scam of free-to-play games. The problem is that Sonic Runners was particularly aggressive in getting you to buy its extras, and it managed to annoy fans faster than the hedgehog itself.
At least they tried: there was a story mode, they intended to have free updates every so often, they gradually increased the cast of characters, missions, alternative paths… But of course, if you have an absolutely insane amount of ads, the pop-ups keep appearing continuously preventing you from playing, and even critics agree that, at a certain point, you had to pay just to be able to play, failure was pretty much guaranteed. Five million people downloaded it, but after a month it was only bringing in just under $200,000, an amount that was not enough to keep it afloat, especially since it was gradually declining.
The game appeared on July 21, 2015, and disappeared on July 27, 2016, just a year later, with no one left to mourn it by that time. Curiously, it had a sequel, Sonic Runners Advance, which improved all the issues of its first part (it had a fixed price, instead of having to pay to win) and, in its own way, became a success that saved the honor of SEGA and Sonic on mobile screens. Who said a failure couldn’t have a happy ending?
The recent remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics and Octopath Traveller 0 has generated discontent among fans, as both titles lack a Spanish translation. This decision by Square Enix limits access for a significant segment of players who do not master other languages such as Japanese, English, German, or French. Despite being considered classics of the JRPG genre, language barriers could affect the commercial performance of Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles. Matsuno always fighting for the players Yasumi Matsuno, the original director of Final Fantasy Tactics, has addressed this issue on his account of […]
The recent remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics and Octopath Traveller 0 has generated discontent among fans, as neither title has a Spanish translation. This decision by Square Enix limits access for a significant segment of players who do not master other languages such as Japanese, English, German, or French. Despite being considered classics of the JRPG genre, language barriers could affect the commercial performance of Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles.
Matsuno always fighting for the players
Yasumi Matsuno, original director of Final Fantasy Tactics, has addressed this issue on his Twitter account, apologizing for the lack of support in Spanish. Matsuno, who has worked as a writer and script supervisor on this remaster, has expressed that he has communicated to Square Enix the need to include more languages to broaden access to the game. Although he cannot guarantee when this translation will be implemented, he urged fans to be patient while the situation is reviewed.
This is not the first time that players have encountered a lack of support in their language, so many point to Sega and Capcom as positive examples, as they have successfully translated several of their titles into Spanish, including the iconic games of the Yakuza series and the Ace Attorney franchise. This suggests that Square Enix has the opportunity to improve its image through similar decisions.
Meanwhile, the gaming community has taken the initiative, creating their own translations and dubbings of other titles such as Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core and Kingdom Hearts, highlighting the dedication of fans to fill the void left by the developers. The lack of an official translation could be a significant oversight that Square Enix will need to consider in future releases.
The head of Sonic Team, Takashi Iizuka, has stated in recent comments that the team has no plans to return to Sonic’s 3D adventures, like the iconic Sonic Adventure games. In a conversation with the BBC, Iizuka argued that his team’s priority is to leverage their resources to create new games that offer “richer, more complex, and interesting” worlds using updated technologies. Better a new game than a remake of an old game Iizuka emphasized that, instead of reviving already experienced titles, it would be more valuable for developers to invest time and energy in generating […]
The head of Sonic Team, Takashi Iizuka, has stated in recent comments that the team has no plans to return to Sonic’s 3D adventures, like the iconic Sonic Adventure games. In a conversation with the BBC, Iizuka argued that his team’s priority is to leverage their resources to create new games that offer “richer, more complex, and interesting” worlds using updated technologies.
Better a new game than a remake of an old game
Iizuka emphasized that, instead of reviving already experienced titles, it would be more valuable for developers to invest time and energy in generating fresh experiences for players. This perspective aligns with Sega’s current philosophy, which is also focused on producing new installments of classic series, such as Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Shinobi, instead of opting for remakes of their originals. However, releases like Persona 3 Reload are part of the remake catalog under the company’s supervision.
Sega’s current confidence in developing original content is reflected in the ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews received by the newly released Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on Steam, where it achieved a remarkable 98%. This success seems to reinforce the team’s decision not to return to past formulas, although a possible connection with Sonic Adventure is not completely ruled out, as the game remains available for purchase and play on platforms like Steam and Xbox Series X|S.
Despite Iizuka’s firm stance, there is a slight possibility of modification in the future. “Rumors suggest” that fan demand for the return of classic titles could prompt Sonic Team to reconsider its approach, especially if market conditions require it. However, so far, the team remains steadfast in its intention to innovate and explore new creative avenues in the Sonic universe.
SEGA has decided to revive its historic competition with Nintendo with the launch of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, just after celebrating the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. In a strategic move, the company has reimagined its famous 90s commercial about Blast Processing to compare its new racing game with Mario Kart, a classic that has dominated the genre since its inception. Can you really beat Mario Kart? The new ad highlights features of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds that are not found in Mario Kart, such as the absence of cross-play, an aspect derived from the […]
SEGA has decided to revive its historic competition with Nintendo with the launch of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, just after celebrating the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. In a strategic move, the company has reimagined its famous 90s commercial about Blast Processing to compare its new racing game with Mario Kart, a classic that has dominated the genre since its inception.
Can you really win at Mario Kart?
The new announcement highlights features of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds that are not found in Mario Kart, such as the lack of cross-play, an aspect derived from the exclusivity of the Nintendo Switch 2. This return to rivalry not only evokes nostalgia in fans of SEGA’s golden age but also shows that the company is ready to compete seriously in the current market.
SEGA has not lost sight of its alliance with Nintendo, continuing its support for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and planning to release joint content in the future. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be available on both the current Nintendo Switch and its successor, highlighting a relationship that, despite the competition, remains strong. However, with Nintendo characters like Kirby also looking to play on the same circuit as Mario, the pressure is on Sonic to prove his speed and trajectories in this new gaming landscape.
In this context, SEGA uses nostalgic elements to attract players, creating a sense of excitement around Sonic and his legacy. With this move, the company not only recalls its rich history but also seeks to strategically position itself in a market that continues to be influenced by the reference of Nintendo, while updating its own proposal of speed and fun.
For football lovers, there is no game that surpasses Football Manager. Neither FIFA nor PES offers the same experience as a game that allows you to take your favorite team and lead it to glory, managing it down to the smallest detail. Professionals use it to improve in their jobs, and in fact, its databases are so incredible that they are used to scout players in real life. Football Manager is an essential part of modern football, and yet, that has not prevented us from not having new releases in the last two years. This has been a […]
For football lovers, there is no game that surpasses Football Manager. Neither FIFA nor PES offers the same experience as a game that allows you to take your favorite team and lead it to glory, managing it down to the smallest detail. Professionals use it to improve in their jobs, and in fact, its databases are so incredible that they are used to scout players in real life. Football Manager is an essential part of modern football, and yet, that has not prevented us from not having new releases in the last two years.
This has been a shame because, although we knew we weren’t going to have a release in 2024, it has always been an annual franchise. And the delay of the 2025 release has been a hard blow for the fans. With the 2026 release just announced, there is still quite a wait to be able to play the new iteration of the franchise, but that doesn’t mean fans have nothing to hold them over in the meantime.
A new Football Manager that is very old
Kevin Toms published a game called Kevin Toms Football Star Manager on August 14th on Steam, iOS, and Android. Basically, a remaster of the original Football Manager, released in 1982, and now available to play with updated graphics and UI. Not much. Just enough to be playable and enjoyable in 2025, but still faithful and consistent with what it was in 1982. Only with a different name, as although they have the exploitation rights of the game, the rights to the name are held by SEGA and Sports Interactive.
The game published in 1982 was a true engineering masterpiece written entirely in BASIC. Although the names of teams and players are real and in accordance with 1982, you always start in the fourth division and our goal is to get our team to the first division and compete and win the FA Cup.
From here on, everything is what we know about Football Manager. We must manage our players’ energy and morale, the values in each field of our players are compared to the values of the opposing players, and a relatively primitive representation of a football match is displayed on screen without us being able to do anything about it. That’s up to the players. What we can do is transfer players, manage finances, and even request loans, demonstrating that the foundations of everything we love about Football Manager are already present in this early version of the game.
Old, but new
Of course, Kevin Toms Football Star Manager takes some liberties. Originally released for PCs in 1982 and for 8-bit consoles, the graphics and UI were very basic. That’s why, as we mentioned, this re-release is closer to a new version of the original game, a remaster, that gives a slight graphical and mechanical update to the game. With stylized texts and visuals that are reminiscent of the 8-bit style, and with more customization options, the game feels like the original but is designed to be fully enjoyable by today’s standards.
The reason we haven’t had a Football Manager in 2024 or 2025 is that they are changing game engines, moving from their proprietary engine to Unity, but this has given Kevin Tom the opportunity to create this version of the original game. We should appreciate it for what it is: something very interesting and fun that we should take advantage of. And at not even 6 euros, what better way to spend the summer than with a bit of classic Football Manager?
When you have spent your whole life in video game development, it is normal to want to make your own video game. Something you consider yours. It is not the same to work on part of a larger development than to direct a game; the first is something you feel is yours, but not entirely yours, and the second is creating something that comes from your gut, even if there are more people involved. And it is normal that after a lifetime working in the industry, many developers feel that need. The latest to embark on this adventure has been Yuzo Koshiro. Considered as […]
When you have spent your whole life in video game development, it is normal to want to make your own video game. Something you consider your own. It is not the same to work on part of a larger development than to direct a game; the former is something you feel is yours, but it is not entirely yours, and the latter is creating something that comes from your gut, even if there are more people involved. And it is normal that after a lifetime working in the industry, many developers feel that need.
The latest to embark on this adventure has been Yuzo Koshiro. Considered the first star among video game composers, some of the most memorable compositions in the medium are his. He defined how a JRPG should sound with his work on The Tower of Druaga, Romancia, Dragon Slayer, and Ys, shaped SEGA’s sound with the soundtracks of The Revenge of Shinobi and Streets of Rage, and his soundtracks like those of Etrian Odyssey may be among the best in the history of the medium.
Talking about video game music without mentioning Koshiro is impossible. He was the first to introduce elements of ethnic music, he was one of the pioneers in introducing electronic music, and also in introducing orchestral music. And now, what he has decided is to create his own game.
A game that works on your MegaDrive
Created specifically for MegaDrive, its name is Earthion and it is a horizontal shoot ’em up. As we move through the stages, we must survive and eliminate unnecessary waves of enemies while the absolutely fabulous music by Koshiro plays. Everything, moreover, under the most amazing of all: what happens on screen can be handled by a MegaDrive without any kind of modification. This is the last game released for the console so far.
Although, for now, we fear that it is not time to dust off your old MegaDrive and bring it to life. The cartridge with the game will be released sometime in early 2026. For now, the game is only available in digital format, on Steam, for PC gaming.
This does not detract from the fact that the game is tremendously original, fun, and vibrant. Packed with action, filling the stage with bullets, it never becomes a bullet hell, but it is challenging and constantly forces us to make decisions and work with them. To compensate for the number of bullets and enemies on screen, our ship has a shield, which can be upgraded, that regenerates over time if we do not take damage. This makes the game more manageable by ensuring that a single hit does not automatically result in a Game Over, as in many other examples of the genre.
In addition to that, there is a wide variety of weapons and upgrades, as well as a challenge mode, which brings a lot of life to the game. If we add to all that its spectacular graphics for a 16-bit game, it is a must-play for any fan of shoot ’em ups, but also for anyone curious about an excellent action game with a classic tone. Because this is a perfect gateway to the genre.
Seeing a legend like Yuzo Koshiro fulfill a dream like creating a video game is always a reason for joy, but the fact that Earthion turned out so well is excellent. Because if you have any curiosity about action games, or if you are a fan of shoot ’em ups or retro aesthetic games, you shouldn’t miss Earthion. One of the indie games of the year.
Sonic Racing Crossworlds is shaping up to be a serious competitor to Mario Kart World, introducing an innovative approach and unusual characters that could attract a wide audience. This new title from SEGA not only brings us closer to the nostalgia of the Sonic franchise but also explores the concept of Super Smash Kart, allowing the inclusion of characters from different universes, such as Joker from Persona, Ichiban from Yakuza, and iconic figures from Nickelodeon, like SpongeBob and the Ninja Turtles. The star-studded lineup from SEGA One of the most notable features of Sonic Racing Crossworlds is its Crossworlds mechanic, […]
Sonic Racing Crossworlds is shaping up to be a serious competitor to Mario Kart World, introducing an innovative approach and unusual characters that could attract a wide audience. This new title from SEGA not only brings us closer to the nostalgia of the Sonic franchise, but also explores the concept of Super Smash Kart, allowing the inclusion of characters from different universes, such as Joker from Persona, Ichiban from Yakuza, and iconic figures from Nickelodeon, like SpongeBob and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The SEGA meteor shower
One of the most notable features of Sonic Racing Crossworlds is its Crossworlds mechanic, which allows players to teleport between various worlds during races. This system introduces an element of unpredictability, as the racer in first place chooses the direction in which they will move, enriching the gaming experience. The tracks are vibrant and filled with action in the background, contributing to a dynamic and entertaining atmosphere.
Additionally, the game is distinguished by its extensive kart customization system. Players will be able to adjust the vehicle parts and also equip abilities that will modify gameplay, offering an experience tailored to their preferences. This depth in customization contrasts with Nintendo’s recent decision not to incorporate characters from other franchises in Mario Kart World, limiting the diversity of its cast, something that has surprised many fans.
Despite Mario Kart’s dominance in the genre for years, Sonic Racing Crossworlds seems well positioned to challenge this hegemony, bringing with it solid gameplay and a focus on the mix of eccentric characters. With its release, kart racing fans will be able to enjoy an experience that not only recalls classics but also invites innovation.
SEGA has experienced significant growth in recent years, largely driven by the remarkable success of its most popular franchises, with Persona 5 being a mass phenomenon that has generated increasing interest in other titles of the IP. This success is reflected in the high sales figures of games like Persona 5 Royal and Sonic Frontiers, both surpassing 3 million units sold, along with Total War: Three Kingdoms and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which have also made an impact in the market. And the success is not going to stop Recently, the Japanese company has […]
SEGA has experienced significant growth in recent years, largely driven by the remarkable success of its most popular franchises, with Persona 5 being a mass phenomenon that has generated increasing interest in other titles of the IP. This success is reflected in the high sales figures of games like Persona 5 Royal and Sonic Frontiers, both surpassing 3 million units sold, along with Total War: Three Kingdoms and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which have also made an impact in the market.
And success will not stop
Recently, the Japanese company found itself embroiled in controversy after a slip in its financial report, where it accidentally revealed sales figures for several of its titles. The document was quickly withdrawn after the leak, although forums like Resetera were able to capture the exact figures before its removal. Despite this setback, SEGA maintained its prestige thanks to releases like Metaphor ReFantazio and Shin Megami Tenei V: Vengeance.
Looking to the future, SEGA has announced plans to release two highly anticipated titles: Stranger Than Heaven and a remake of Persona 4 between April 2026 and March 2027. Stranger Than Heaven, a new IP from the creators of Yakuza, has been described as a supernatural thriller with elements of action and mystery, set in the early decades of the last century. Meanwhile, the Persona 4 remake aims to modernize graphics and social mechanics, promising to revive the classic RPG experience with a contemporary twist.
With these releases on the horizon, the future of SEGA looks promising, consolidating its position as one of the main players in the video game industry.
