More Sonic 18th Birthday tat

Last week I reported how Sega Japan are giving away prizes in celebration of Sonic's 18th Birthday. Well, the competition is still open, but you can also download some free stuff for your phone!


Birthday-themed wallpaper is available for download, which unfortunately has a large watermark on. You'll have to go on the WAP site to download them properly, where I would personally opt for Sonic holding the doughnut cake with Iced Gems around it.


Perhaps not in celebration of Sonic's birthday on Tuesday, but still good anyway, is this newly-released Sonic raincoat. The coat has a nice varsity-style Sonic print on it, front and back. It will cost you ¥4,935 (about £30), which is actually quite good in comparison to the outrageously-priced Enterbrain Sega products.


Other items available, which are made by Cospa, include a "Stay Sonic" t-shirt (¥3,045/£20), those indie cushions (¥2,625/£16.55) and bandanas (¥1,260/£8) I mentioned a few months ago, a reversible Sonic/Werehog top (¥4,200/£26), and various other Sonic t-shirts for ¥3,045 each.

If only I lived in Japan - the amount of Sega-themed tat I would own!

[Source: Sonic Channel]

Some horrific Sonic merchandise for you

Browsing Sega Europe's Flickr I came across some highly disturbing pieces of merchandise. One a novelty controller, the other a novelty comic.


The first item is a PS2 controller released alongside the abomination that was Shadow the Hedgehog. Created exclusively for 13-year-old emos, you too can HOLD Shadow whilst CONTROLLING him on the screen! Oh joy. At least it comes in a nice plastic orb.

Argh! Tails has TOES!

The next item is a comic with the inevitable "kids" theme. Yes, even Sonic has undergone this treatment, along with Scooby Doo and the Muppets. You can read about his non-canon adventures (where he and Tails apparently went to pre-school together) in "Sonic Kids", an Archie Super Sonic Special. No thanks.

Remember to keep checking Sega's Flickrs, as you never know what horrific merchandise from yesteryear will pop up!

Sonic joke book is Green Hill-arious

There is an interesting discussion over on Sonic Retro about Sonic books from back in the day. The UK got its fair share of weird titles, including a Sonic-themed joke book (which is available to download in the thread).

Here is a selection of some of the jokes, for your delight and delectation:

"Why doesn't Tails wear a watch? Because time flies on its own!"

"Can Robotnik eat soup with a big moustache? Yes, but it's easier with a spoon!"

"When my Mobian Measles get better? I don't know - I don't make rash promises!"

Each joke is accompanied by a humorous (and highly exploitable) image, some more questionable than others:

Remember kids: just say no!

I'll let you decide what the horse is trying to do here.

Unfortunately books with this high calibre are not produced anymore. You'll have to settle with these Archie compilations instead, the newest of which is released on August 5th.

[Source: Sonic Retro]

Sega Japan giving away prizes for Sonic's 18th Birthday!

On June 23rd, Sonic will be celebrating his 18th Birthday. To mark this occasion, Sega Japan are giving away prizes to 300 lucky people.


To be in with a chance of winning, you must sign up to the "PuyoPuyo!Sega" mobile site and complete a quiz. 200 people with all the correct answers will win a Sonic mobile charm, and another 100 will win a Sonic hand towel. The designs are in the style of Sonic's concept drawings.


Of course, these rules have been translated and so may be incorrect. It is also impossible to access the site at the moment (it may be mobile only), so you cannot enter yet! Not that you could anyway, as the competition is limited to Japan residents only.

Both prizes look absolutely delicious - the mobile charm doubles as a screen cleaner, and I suppose you could use the towel for the same purpose. If you're weird.


In other news, Uniqlo have just released some more Sonic t-shirts. The latest designs feature Sonic circa 1999, with only his gloves and socks visible. Many other Sega-related t-shirts can be bought as well off the website.

[Source: Sonic Channel]

MadWorld gets its own range of t-shirts

If you have been reading my blog over the past few months you may be familiar with Famitsu magazine's "Game T-Shirt Project". This involves popular, generally mature games being featured on t-shirts available to buy through the magazine.

Sega's recent games have been a popular choice for the t-shirts, with Yakuza 3 and 428 having their own ranges. Now it is MadWorld's turn, with other Platinum Games titles likely to receive the same treatment in the future.


The first design features the text "It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world", the last "mad" in capitals with some of the main characters inside. The colours used are the trademark MadWorld "black, white and red all over".

The next design is more simple: "MadWorld" is in all-caps, with one "D" finishing both words. There is a MadWorld logo on the right arm.


The next two designs feature the same "MadWorld" text, with "world" reversed to end on the same blood-stained "D". This t-shirt is available in white and grey.


The next design is available in black and green, with Jack standing beside the text "Who can survive on the global stage? Give U: World Standard" with "Platinum Games - Sega" underneath. Don't "U" just love nonsensical Engrish?


The final design is in a comic book style with the logo at the top. On the back is the MadWorld skull-and-crossbones icon.

These t-shirts will probably cost around £30, and are only available in Japan. New designs come out nearly every month, so expect more Sega t-shirts soon!

[Source: Famitsu]

Famitsu releases new Yakuza 3 t-shirts

A Tango'd Toshihiro Nagoshi models the new t-shirt.

Famitsu have released a new t-shirt design based on Yakuza 3 as part of their "Game T-Shirt Project". The t-shirt, available in two colours, joins three other Yakuza designs as well as some 428 designs.


Entitled "Kamuro City" (the setting of the game), the design features a montage of buildings all balanced on Kiryu's head. The back features some Engrish, which is surely worth the ¥4,500 (£30) asking price alone:

"DEADLEY KAMURO CITY IS BURNING BUT DREAMING"

The t-shirt is available in white with black detail, or black with multi-coloured detail. Only medium and large sizes are available.

This nice/scary man wants you to buy his stuff. Please do so.

You can see the rest of the Yakuza 3 and 428 designs here. I am sure more Sega games will be featured on Famitsu's t-shirts in the future.

[Source: Famitsu]

Sega Saturn to be re-released...

Yes, you read the title correctly. The Saturn, one of Sega's best-loved consoles, is going back into production over a decade after it was officially axed. You'll have a hard time trying to play games on it though, as it is in bag form!

Sorry to disappoint you there, but via Enterbrain's Sega Store you can buy this delicious Saturn-shaped bag. The cartridge slot and CD tray act as pockets, and there is a drinks holder on the side. The main compartment is big enough to hold an A4 magazine apparently, and has two shoulder straps on the back.

"Help! Daytona USA's not working!"

The bag only comes in grey with blue "buttons", the colours of the Japanese console. It costs ¥7,140, which is about £50. That much for a tiny rucksack? NoThankYou.jpg. You could always get the Mega Drive tote bag instead, which is £20 cheaper and is probably more stylish.

Can we have a Dreamcast-shaped bag next? For Sega's smaller consoles, such as the Master System, Game Gear and 32X, we could have pencil cases. Oh, the possibilities!

[Source: Sega Store]

Cupboard of Awesome: Day 2

Unfortunately, today's Cupboard of Awesome is not as awesome as yesterday. Partly because there are no shiny objects or scary teddies.

Anyway, the first item today is a Let's Tap soundtrack CD. CDs seems to be a staple in merchandising, as demonstrated here. The cover has a penguin on it, reflecting the fact that Let's Tap is so simple that even a penguin could play it.

Sega say they will give these away when the game is released in Europe. Yay?

Technically we could sue Yuji Naka as there is no proof that penguins can actually play Let's Tap. If that was your reason for buying the game, then demand your money back. Or at least a free copy of the next game in the series, Let's Waggle.

The next item is a CD from musician Bentley Jones, real name Lee Brotherton. Some of his music featured on the so-good-they-restarted-the-numbering Sonic the Hedgehog. Yes, the 2006 version.

More tat tomorrow!

[Source: Sega Europe]

Sega Europe's "Cupboard of Awesome"

Yes, it's time to journey to that "rather more British-sounding" Cupboard of Awesome (Gawd bless ya SEGAtastic).

The Sega Europe blog has started their series of finds from their "Cupboard of Awesome", in response to Sega of America's "Awesome Box". ArchangelUK said that the stuff in their cupboard was not as wondrous as in the box, but I beg to differ!

Take a look at these amazingly shiny Sonic 10th Anniversary coins. Aren't they ace? I would love some of these - they look so much better than the UK's new "shield" coins. We should just use Sega promotional currency instead.


If I were to take those photos I would use my star filter to make them look extra-shiny! So shiny in fact, that just by looking at the photos you would go blind. Seriously.


Other items found were some scary Bleach teddies, and a Bleach DS stylus. "Bleach" as in the anime and Sega game, not the household chemical stuff.

There were also some Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games pin badges, and some Sega keyrings. The worst item of all was a promotional copy of PSP game Ghost Rider. Blech.

I can't wait to see what other random filth is uncovered this week! Check back tomorrow.

Sega Europe responds to the Awesome Box

Sega Europe have decided to do their own version of Sega of America's Awesome Box, with a rather more British-sounding name - the Cupboard of Awesome.

ArchangelUK of Sega Europe's blog has been rifling through the marketing cupboard, unearthing some out-of-date Haribo and "a few items that will interest you". Exciting!

You can expect to see what they found in the Cupboard of Awesome from next Monday, right after the Awesome Box week has finished.

Speaking of which, here's today's heap of Sega-branded nonsense! First up is probably one of my favourite pieces of tat so far. It's a Phantasy Star Online bouncy ball! Not only does it bounce, but it lights up too. Lovely.

I honestly want one.

Next is this rather strange Shinobi silk scarf, presented in a lockable wooden box. Presumably this is so you can hide it from your friends when they come round.

Other random items include a tiny Sonic toy and some novelty Sonic gloves. Yes, Sonic's gloves actually say "Sonic the Hedgehog" on them so that he doesn't lose them.


Also included in the box today was a limited edition Shenmue instruction book, a 10th Anniversary Sonic soundtrack CD and an original Samba de Amigo maraca.

Tomorrow is most likely the last day of the Awesome Box, but from Monday we will have the Cupboard of Awesome. Joy!

Awesome Box CD overload

We've all ready had a House of the Dead: Overkill tape, but the soundtracks seem to continue coming from Sega of America's Awesome Box. Today we have two CDs, a step up in technology from the aforementioned tape.

The first CD is for the Saturn game Mr. Bones. I have never actually heard of this game, but it is apparently about a resurrected Blues musician with the soundtrack being composed by legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose. Never heard of him either.


The next CD is one that is more appealing to my tastes. It is a soundtrack CD of various classic Sega games, entitled "Power Cuts 1". Games include Vectorman, Sonic CD (North American version) and Ecco the Dolphin. Nice.


More Sega tat tomorrow!

Awesome Box awesomeness continues

Another day, another set of Sega merchandise from the Awesome Box. Today we have three more items, fresh from Sega of America's Flickr.

T-shirt or long-sleeved t-shirt? YOU DECIDE!

The first item is this Sonic t-shirt, which has a dismembered Sonic head on the front. I can't actually tell if this is a t-shirt or not - it looks like it's got long sleeves. THE UNCERTAINTY!


The next item is another t-shirt, this time for the Saturn classic Panzer Dragoon. I only posted the picture of the back because it was more interesting than the front.


The final item today is a pewter figurine of the Solo Wing from Panzer Dragoon. It looks slightly more tasteful than those enormous dragon figurines found inside tat catalogues and charity shops.

More Sega merchandise tomorrow!

More "Awesome Box" goodness

Sega of America have revealed more deliciousness from the depths of the Awesome Box. Three lovely items await Sega fans today, rather than yesterday's one.


The first item is this House of the Dead: Overkill soundtrack tape, complete with inlay and label. I don't think this glorious C90 will be for sale, as the album is listed as a "Fan Soundtrack". What a shame, as the tape is my favourite audio format - I only converted to CD and MP3 in 2004. Yes, that late.


The next item is a Crazy Taxi 3 lunchbox, presumably to put in your Dreamcast bag. According to Sega, "all the cool kids have them". They do indeed.


The final item from the Awesome Box today is this Jet Set Radio Future t-shirt. In a futuristic camo-cyber green, this t-shirt probably won't fit you as it is an extra-small women's one. Apparently, human sizes were made back in 2002, but were unavailable for the Awesome Box.


That concludes today's merchandise overload. Expect more from Sega of America tomorrow!

Anyone for a Dreamcast bag?

DO WANT!

The lucky people over at Sega of America have received something that they could only describe as "The Awesome Box". What is in the awesome box? Random Sega goodies, one item being revealed each day of this week.

At the top of the box is this amazing Dreamcast bag, and is the first item to be featured. The bag looks rather small, and has been described as a "man bag" - just the right size to carry your Dreamcast around in. As you do.

Sega probably sold more Dreamcast bags than actual Dreamcasts. Or not.

One feature that turns this ordinary bag into an awesome bag is the Dreamcast logo on the front. Unfortunately for us PAL gamers it's the orange swirl rather than our native blue. Sniff.

We'll just have to wait and see what else lies in Sega of America's Awesome Box. Probably some more awesome.

Indie Sonic cushion insanity

Yes, yet more Sega merchandise. This time it's a delightful indie-style Sonic cushion, found on Sega's "Sonic Channel" blog.

CORRUGATED IRON STEPS! How "edgy".

It looks like that hideous indie-bordering-on-emo style has transferred to Japan. Cue random distressed Converse prints with overlaid rainbows! This cushion doesn't go that far, although someone clearly went overboard on a free-font website. They also went overboard on the price - £19 for a cushion?

Is this the back of the other cushion or a completely different one?

Also available is a bandana, which has the same design as the cushion and is 53cm by 53cm. I really don't get indie graphics - what's with the tapes, lightning bolts and speakers? And what exactly is the significance of the comic-book explosion and lorry? Whatever the explanation, this mish-mash of weirdness can be yours for about £9.


Another batch of Sega merchandise to go on the DO WANT list.

Sonic's latest guise

Not content with being a Freedom Fighter, a hoverboard rider, a knight or a kart racer, Sonic has decided to try something new. In fact, it was his first job, before Robotnik even started imprisoning woodland creatures in robots.

Yes, Sonic has gone back to being a business card holder. Available off Enterbrain's Sega Store, you can purchase this delightful holder featuring early design sketches of Sonic. He is in a variety of different poses, and comes with various shades of note paper.


The holders are apparently hand-painted, and cost ¥1,260, about £8.83 (!). This is just one piece of random merchandise you can buy off the Sega Store, although this rates low on the insanity scale.

Other items available include soundtracks from System-16 games up to more recent ones (Sonic has quite a discography), models of game characters and game anniversary box-sets. You can even buy a t-shirt with every piece of Sega hardware on!


I'm sure you'll be delighted/frightened at the prospect of more regular Sega merchandise posts. Why not look at some previous examples from last week?

As for the card holder, I think I'll keep my ten-pound note.

Look at this amazing Mega Drive top!

Carrying on the theme of gaming apparel, here is an amazing Mega Drive top being offered by Enterbrain. In the style of a football shirt, the front features a giant "16" with "Bit" on the back. The arms say "16" with "Mega Drive" underneath.

Also on the back is the phrase "SPEED SHOCK! VISUAL SHOCK! SOUND SHOCK!", with "The Sega T-Shirt System" underneath in the Master System font. Delicious!


This shiny gold and black shirt will cost you ¥6,640, which works out at a whopping £47.75! And that's even through a special offer from Famitsu's gift card service, whereby promotional codes are printed in the magazine each month.

You're better off attempting to make this yourself with a blank t-shirt and a iron. Good luck!

Famitsu's Yakuza 3 t-shirts in detail

Yesterday I reported on Famitsu's latest addition to their "Game T-Shirt Project", Yakuza 3. Now you can see those t-shirts in detail, sans edgy-looking youths!

The first design is entitled "Deadly Majima", and costs ¥4,500. The front features Goro Majima himself, with some sort of fencing in front of him. The back has a small snake, Majima's emblem.


The next one is called "mM-Garage Pinstripe", and is completely unrelated to Media Molecule. This one also costs ¥4,500, and features some nonsensical Engrish: "Trust! A man of strong faith!". The back has a nice tribal design in red and blue.


The final t-shirt in the collection is called "Who Capped Him?", with those very words emblazoned on the front. This is the cheapest one, costing ¥3,500.


Previous games in the project include Sega's perfect-40 game 428, which had some rather nice designs. Hopefully future Sega games will feature on Famitsu's t-shirts!


See larger photos of the t-shirts by clicking the links above. The blog format severely limits image wideness!

Mega Drive tote bag goes on sale

Expect the Mega-CD and 32X bag attachments soon.

To mark the 20th anniversary of Sega's Mega Drive console, a tote bag in the shape of the Mk I model was released in Japan on Thursday.

This ultra-stylish bag measures 30 by 38 centimetres, and the cartridge slot is a pocket! It was on sale at TGS '08 where it quickly sold out along with some Sonic t-shirts, but is now on sale at Sega's Joypolis park for Y3990 (about £30). ME WANTEE!

[Source: The Mainichi Daily News]