Under the Microscope: Stimpy’s Invention

Some game cartridges from the 16-bit era shipped with backup chips. These allowed players save their progress. But they were expensive relative to a software-only alternative, session passwords.

In addition to being cheaper, session passwords could be shared. Players eagerly subscribed to game magazines that printed them. And in the 90s, having a notebook full of Sega Genesis codes was a good way to increase your status on the playground.

UrbX Warriors 16-bit Edition for Genesis and Amiga comes to Kickstarter

UrbX Warrriors: The Lost City (16-Bit Edition) is now being developed for both the Genesis/Mega-Drive and the Amiga line of computers. The developers at Brazen Gameplay have taken to Kickstarter to fund this new game and to drum up excitement for it as they prepare to release it physically on both platforms.

The game is a classic arcade action style dungeon crawler. Up to two players can play together and enjoy a lot of fast paced action and an engrossing storyline. And much like last year’s hit new Genesis game Earthion, this game is also being made by old masters of game development who used to work on actual commercially available Genesis and Amiga games. They’ve come back now to show us all one more time how the games of old are made and just how glorious they can be.

If that sounds to you like something worth pledging some money to, then join us after the break to learn more.

The Golden Axe animated series debuts its first trailer

We’ve now gotten our first look at Golden Axe’s animated television debut with the reveal trailer of the series.

The new Golden Axe animated series, originally announced for Comedy Central, is debuting exclusively on the Paramount+ video streaming service on September 16th, 2026. The show was officially announced two years ago as a ten episode series written by Mike McMahan (Star Trek: The Lower Decks, Solar Opposites) and Joe Chandler (American Dad!), who also serve as executive producers alongside SegaSammy’s CEO Haruki Satomi, Sega’s president and COO Shuji Utsumi, and Sega’s own Toru Nakahara. Animation is being done at Titmouse. (Dang!, The Legend of Vox Machina)

The show will, indeed, be an action comedy featuring the original game’s trio of heroes, Ax Battler (Voiced by Liam McIntyre), Tyris Flare (Lisa Gilroy), and Guilius Thunderhead (Matthew Rhys), as they’re joined by a new character who is delightfully underpowered and underprepared and has no business being on an epic quest but the actual heroes let him tag along anyway cause reasons: Hampton Squib (Danny Pudi). The foursome are also, surprisingly, joined by Chronos “Evil” Lait (Carl Tart) (You know. From Golden Axe III (1996))

You can see the actual trailer below past the break. (That’s what we like to call this blue, highly clickable text down here that says “Continue Reading”, cause that’s what we do around here. And then you just read all of it, cause I worked really hard researching and writing. OH! But also, watch the trailer, please.)

Sega vs. Capcom: The Next Level fan game out now

Here’s a hot new fangame to file under “Awesome games that Sega won’t dare make themselves, for some reason.”

The highly anticipated fanmade crossover fighter “Sega vs. Capcom: The Next Level” has been released in its initial form on August 7th, 2026, but an update with more bugfixes was recently released the week after. One-man developer MadxRuler has released what they refer to as Season 1 of the game for free on the website of their studio, 4Cyde Studios, for PC and Mac. They’ll continue development in their spare time, doing balancing and bugfix updates, a Linux native port, and new characters and other content, but for now, the game features 10 characters, five from Sega and five from Capcom. The game takes elements from some of Capcom’s most beloved arcade fighting games of the past, including Marvel vs. Capcom, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Capcom vs. SNK 2, and Street Fighter III: Third Strike, while adding in unique mechanics of its own. Guess that means “Welcome To The Next Level.”

Wanna jump into the action? The answer lies in the heart of the article, which is right past the break here.

Sonic the Hedgehog Heads to New York City for the Next Stop in the Chaos Hunt!

Attention Sonic Squad! Another Chaos Emerald appears to be landing in New York City! Fans who live in New York City or the surrounding area are welcome to stop by and check out the Blue Chaos Emerald drop, take pictures, and meet Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog in person! There will also be special prizes for the first 300 fans, so make sure to get there early! More details on the New York Emerald Drop can be found below:

  • WHAT

    • Blue Emerald Drop in New York City

  • WHERE

    • The High Line, 820 Washington St., New York, NY, 10014

      • Fans can find the activation near Gansevoort Plaza.

  • WHEN

    • Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET.

  • WHO

    • Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog will be available to hang out and take pictures with the fans!

  • Additional Details

    • The first 100 fans will receive a free Chaos Hunt shirt, and the first 250 fans will receive an exclusive Sonic the Hedgehog and Blue Emerald enamel collectible pin.

    • In addition, fans will be the first to receive a new and exclusive Sonic collaboration comic book.

    • Fans will also be able to scan a QR code to collect the Emerald on their phones for a chance to win the grand prize of an all expenses paid trip to Club Chaos in October!

Hands-On Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball by Jersey Jack Pinball

Can you believe that despite being a video game icon for 35 years, the Sonic the Hedgehog series has never had a full size pinball machine? SEGA actually came close. In 1994, SEGA purchased Data East Pinball Inc. and established SEGA Pinball, which was subsequently sold in 1999 to become Stern Pinball. However, even with SEGA being in the pinball industry at the peak of Sonic’s popularity, they never once thought to release a Sonic pinball machine. Fast forward to 2026, the year of Sonic’s 35th anniversary, and thanks to Chicagoland-based Jersey Jack Pinball it has finally happened! Sonic has a pinball machine.

SAVE THE DATE: SEGA Fan Meetup at Galloping Ghost Arcade on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026

Our annual SEGA fan meetup, Arcade Adventure, is happening at the Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, Illinois on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026! Consider this the save the date before we reveal this year’s logo and artwork (by Pseudochel, as always), as well as the specific times. But until then, put Saturday, October 3rd on your calendar for Arcade Adventure 5 and we will see at the Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, Illinois!

SEGA Talk #190: Kid Chameleon (1992)

Smash your head into a Prize Block because on this episode of SEGA Talk we’re transforming into Kid Chameleon! How did this ambitious platformer come to be? Which teen heartthrob did they base the hero on? And what legacy – if any – did this game leave behind? Find out on this transformative episode of SEGA Talk!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

Sonic R singer, TJ Davis, launches Kickstarter for a Sonic Frontiers vocal track cover EP [Updated 8/15 Kickstarter Successful]


TJ Davis is apparently as big of a fan of Sonic’s Open-Zone game debut, or at least its music, as I am.

The legendary singer who lent her vocal talent to Sonic R and Metropolis Street Racer has marked her grand return to Sonic the Hedgehog music with a new EP featuring her own covers of some of the vocal tracks from Sonic Frontiers. The EP, titled “New Frontiers”, will feature reimaginings of four vocal tracks from the game as well as one new, original song inspired by the Sonic the Hedgehog community at large and their kindness and passion towards creatives like her who were part of Sonic at one point. The campaign is looking to raise £15,000 pound sterling (About $20,154 USD currently) in order to print various physical copies of the EP on CD and vinyl records, along with gauging interest in future physical musical releases. Maybe more Sonic and/or Sega themed projects will come of that?

The campaign runs until August 16th, 2026, and to help sell everyone on this EP, TJ Davis is also releasing new music videos for the five songs on New Frontiers weekly throughout the timeframe of the Kickstarter campaign. As of this writing, she has currently debuted her version of I’m Here on YouTube. Check in past the break to see that video and the other four, which will be added to the article as they are uploaded online. You’ll also find more info about the Kickstarter and a link to it, should you decide you wanna throw down some rings on it.

ATLUS and Kura Sushi USA Bring Persona to Restaurants Nationwide August 1

Today, ATLUS announced its upcoming partnership with Kura Sushi USA, bringing Persona-themed dishes and more to Kura Sushi nationwide to celebrate the Persona franchise’s 30th anniversary. From Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, through Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, the Persona x Kura Sushi Bikkura Pon immersive crossover will treat guests to a specially curated menu, capsule prizes, an original animation, and an in-restaurant giveaway special for Kura Sushi Rewards Members.

Hit the next section of the article for the full press release and screenshots!

The Chaos Hunt Comes to Chicago Along with Shadow the Hedgehog!

Attention Sonic Squad! A fifth Chaos Emerald is landing, this time in Chicago around Lollapalooza! Fans attending Lollapalooza or who live in the area are welcome to stop by and check out the Cyan Chaos Emerald drop, take pictures, and meet Shadow the Hedgehog during his first live appearance in the US! There will also be special prizes for the first 300 fans, so make sure to get there early! More details on the Chicago Emerald Drop can be found below:

  • WHAT
    • Fifth Chaos Emerald Drop in Chicago.
  • WHERE
    • Maggie Daley Park, 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
      • Fans can find the activation within Maggie Daley Park, on the way into Lollapalooza.
  • WHEN
    • Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT.
  • WHO
    • Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog will be available to hang out and take pictures with the fans!
  • Additional Details
    • The first 100 fans will receive a free Chaos Hunt shirt, and the first 250 fans will receive an exclusive Shadow the Hedgehog and Cyan Emerald enamel collectible pin.
    • Fans will also be able to scan a QR code to collect the Emerald on their phones for a chance to win the grand prize of an all expenses paid trip to Club Chaos in October!

For more information surrounding the Chaos Hunt please head HERE, and sign up for SMS updates and follow the Sonic the Hedgehog social channels to get real time alerts about the upcoming Club Chaos celebration in New York on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026!