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Sega Announces Astro City Mini (JP Only for now)

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Agent Unknown

Agent Unknown

Member
Oct 26, 2017
3,661
edit: Just preordered the cab and the controller from Amazon Japan. It said release date is Dec. 31st (thought release was Dec 17th?) and estimated arrival is between Jan 3-Jan 6, 2021 through AmazonGlobal International Shipping (which I believe is what they use when referring to DHL).

That's looking like a great lineup so far. I'm really hoping Thunder Force AC makes the cut but Cotton is a fun addition and I have TF AC on Sega Ages anyways so no big deal if not.

I'll be preordering this and the mini controller from Amazon Japan, I've imported games from them several times and it's always been a smooth experience, they use DHL for shipping which is usually very fast. Amazon Japan related items is also the only time I will occasionally allow myself to use Amazon, I'd be using another company if I could but sounds like they pre-orders are closed elsewhere.
 
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Fukuzatsu

Fukuzatsu

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,321
Glimlocker said:
Excellent post, thank you!

My guesses:
Alien Storm
Quartet
Fantasy Zone II
Arabian Fight
Burning Rivals
Thunder Force AC
Choplifter or Air Rescue
D.D. Crew
A sports game
A puzzle game

I'm guessing Desert Breaker won't be on there, as it's displayed in TATE mode?
Edit: Hold up, I take that back - Gain Ground is TATE and it's on there. Now I'm curious how they'll pull that off on that tiny screen.
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Alien Storm is already on the announced list, fortunately.
 
Darknight

Darknight

"I'd buy that for a dollar!"
Member
Oct 25, 2017
22,806
Agent Unknown said:
edit: Just preordered the cab and the controller from Amazon Japan. It said release date is Dec. 31st (thought release was Dec 17th?) and estimated arrival is between Jan 3-Jan 6, 2021 through AmazonGlobal International Shipping (which I believe is what they use when referring to DHL).

That's looking like a great lineup so far. I'm really hoping Thunder Force AC makes the cut but Cotton is a fun addition and I have TF AC on Sega Ages anyways so no big deal if not.

I'll be preordering this and the mini controller from Amazon Japan, I've imported games from them several times and it's always been a smooth experience, they use DHL for shipping which is usually very fast. Amazon Japan related items is also the only time I will occasionally allow myself to use Amazon, I'd be using another company if I could but sounds like they pre-orders are closed elsewhere.
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December 31st is the place holder date since it didn't have a date when the preorders went up. The date just got announced today and Amazon hasn't updated to reflect that.
 
Agent Unknown

Agent Unknown

Member
Oct 26, 2017
3,661
Glimlocker said:
I'm guessing Desert Breaker won't be on there, as it's displayed in TATE mode?
Edit: Hold up, I take that back - Gain Ground is TATE and it's on there. Now I'm curious how they'll pull that off on that tiny screen.
Click to expand...
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This guy made his own custom Astro City Mini using a Raspberry Pi and a rotatable screen for TATE:

youtu.be

Astro City Mini : Demo 1

A demo of the mini Sega Astro City I designed and built. Its powered by a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and features a 4" rotatable LCD display.0:08:50 - Screen Rotation...
youtu.be youtu.be
 
Glimlocker

Glimlocker

Member
Mar 7, 2019
3,577
Empire of the Inland Realm, USA
Fukuzatsu said:
Alien Storm is already on the announced list, fortunately.
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Haa, whoops!
Well, at least my guess was correct, from a certain point of view.

Unless they really pack the last bunch with some very obscure games - which is definitely a possibility - I don't see how they can fill all those slots without resorting to either a) older arcade boards (Zaxxon) or b) Sega Model 2.

As much as I'd like a Model 2, I think they could probably make money releasing a Model 2 and MAYBE Model 3 reproduction mini- arcade machine one day in the future? Not sure where emulation currently is for both of those systems.

Agent Unknown said:
This guy made his own custom Astro City Mini using a Raspberry Pi and a rotatable screen for TATE:

youtu.be

Astro City Mini : Demo 1

A demo of the mini Sega Astro City I designed and built. Its powered by a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and features a 4" rotatable LCD display.0:08:50 - Screen Rotation...
youtu.be youtu.be
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

That's super cool. We'll see what the last batch is like - I'm wondering if there would be enough TATE games on the system to justify the cost putting in a rotating screen. It'd be super awesome if they did!
 
eva01

eva01

Member
Nov 10, 2017
72
There is a collectors edition that is exclusive to the Sega Ebten store.
Comes with.

・Astrocity mini main unit
・Astrocity mini game center style kit
・Astrocity mini recording title commemorative medal 22 kinds set + acrylic display
・"High Tech Land Sega" desk mat
・Reprint instrument card 10 title set
・"High Tech Land Sega" accessory tray

It is pretty expensive. Over $300 dollars and I don't believe they ship outside of Japan.

アストロシティミニ｜エビテン

アストロシティミニ,セガストアの商品
ebten.jp
 
Fukuzatsu

Fukuzatsu

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,321
Glimlocker said:
Haa, whoops!
Well, at least my guess was correct, from a certain point of view.

Unless they really pack the last bunch with some very obscure games - which is definitely a possibility - I don't see how they can fill all those slots without resorting to either a) older arcade boards (Zaxxon) or b) Sega Model 2.

As much as I'd like a Model 2, I think they could probably make money releasing a Model 2 and MAYBE Model 3 reproduction mini- arcade machine one day in the future? Not sure where emulation currently is for both of those systems.
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So I'm just going to say right out of the gate I don't think there's going to be any Model 2 or 3 (let alone anything further like NAOMI) games on this, just because the form factor and all involved makes it very difficult to imagine how they'd get them emulating well. As for going back even older, I can imagine if it's a particularly iconic game they might do that, but not in any huge way.

As for including obscure games, I'd dare say that's the whole point here--Dark Edge of all things made it into the lineup.

Assuming there aren't any other tate games, I'll say here's my bet on the last 13:
Arabian Fight
Flicky (not a game I love, but Sega certainly does)
Burning Rival
Stack Columns
Thunder Force AC
D.D. Crew
Super Masters Golf
Wrestle War
Riot City
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
Bay Route
Sega Tetris OR Flashpoint (likely dependent on licensing for the Tetris IP)
Clutch Hitter OR M.V.P. (also seems contingent on licensing, as the former included real baseball teams)

Always a chance one of the quiz games on System 24 could end up in there as well, though I think even if you understand Japanese those don't hold up particularly well, or a curveball like Choplifter or Zaxxon. System 18 Moonwalker being on the list would be an absolute megaton though.

Sadly most other System 32 games either use unique controls (racing and lightgun titles, System Multi 32 titles) or have licensing issues (DBZ V.R.V.S., Spider-Man), so the only other one I could see maybe making it is Super Visual Football/Soccer, assuming they were willing to use the non-real team export version or get a renewed J.League license for the Japanese version, The J.League 1994.
 
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fiendcode

fiendcode

Member
Oct 26, 2017
24,911
The only game I definitely expect in Round 3 is Puyo Puyo 2.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Sega go older with some pre-System 1 stuff like Zaxxon or Congo Bongo.
 
| TrusT |

| TrusT |

Member
Apr 19, 2020
1,898
Amazon JP page for the Game Centre add-on kit:

Here

61yI3bVtZfL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 

Chakoo

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,838
Toronto, Canada
eva01 said:
There is a collectors edition that is exclusive to the Sega Ebten store.
Comes with.

[...]
・Reprint instrument card 10 title set
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

I wonder if these are the same cards amazon will be giving away in their preorder (there is one that includes an amazon card bonus). This is probably the only special thing in that set that I would actually be interested in (Love jpn arcade marquee/instruction sheets).
 
Agent Unknown

Agent Unknown

Member
Oct 26, 2017
3,661
Chakoo said:
I wonder if these are the same cards amazon will be giving away in their preorder (there is one that includes an amazon card bonus). This is probably the only special thing in that set that I would actually be interested in (Love jpn arcade marquee/instruction sheets).
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Was that a separately priced Amazon JP listing from the one linked earlier here?
 
metsallica

metsallica

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 27, 2017
11,696
eva01 said:
There is a collectors edition that is exclusive to the Sega Ebten store.
Comes with.

・Astrocity mini main unit
・Astrocity mini game center style kit
・Astrocity mini recording title commemorative medal 22 kinds set + acrylic display
・"High Tech Land Sega" desk mat
・Reprint instrument card 10 title set
・"High Tech Land Sega" accessory tray

It is pretty expensive. Over $300 dollars and I don't believe they ship outside of Japan.

アストロシティミニ｜エビテン

アストロシティミニ,セガストアの商品
ebten.jp
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Easy to order from Ebten with a forwarding service. Really contemplating killing my 3 amazon orders and switching over to this.
Chakoo said:
I wonder if these are the same cards amazon will be giving away in their preorder (there is one that includes an amazon card bonus). This is probably the only special thing in that set that I would actually be interested in (Love jpn arcade marquee/instruction sheets).
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
The Amazon JP bonus is a Virtua Fighter smartphone wallpaper. I don't see anything about the cards on Amazon JP.
 
Devilgunman

Devilgunman

Member
Oct 27, 2017
7,451
Looking at the line up, I just reallized I'm not very into Sega arcade games at all. I only like their lightgun games and Virtual On.
 

Chakoo

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,838
Toronto, Canada
Agent Unknown said:
Was that a separately priced Amazon JP listing from the one linked earlier here?
Click to expand...
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metsallica said:
Easy to order from Ebten with a forwarding service. Really contemplating killing my 3 amazon orders and switching over to this.

The Amazon JP bonus is a Virtua Fighter smartphone wallpaper. I don't see anything about the cards on Amazon JP.
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Huh. I see they updated the listing. I think originally it said amazon bonus or something vague and in the past that has sometimes been cards.
 
metsallica

metsallica

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 27, 2017
11,696
Chakoo said:
Huh. I see they updated the listing. I think originally it said amazon bonus or something vague and in the past that has sometimes been cards.
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Oh yes, that's common. They don't always know what the bonus is when a listing goes up, but they know there will be one. Once they figure it out they update the listing.
 
Agent Unknown

Agent Unknown

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3,661

Deleted member 11976

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Originally ordered mine (and 1 controller) through AmiAmi but now thinking it might be better to shift to Amazon JP. I live in Canada. Anyone else doing the same? Is it really that complicated to set up a JP account?
 
samred

samred

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Nov 4, 2017
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Seattle, WA
mentha said:
Originally ordered mine (and 1 controller) through AmiAmi but now thinking it might be better to shift to Amazon JP. I live in Canada. Anyone else doing the same? Is it really that complicated to set up a JP account?
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Some items can be purchased with an American credit card / mailing address and shipped accordingly. Other items cannot. This one works with American CC/addresses (but doesn't tap into, say, an American Amazon Prime membership for additional benefits).

I've purchased maybe five Amazon.JP items in my life, including my Box Boy Amiibo special edition and my Jump special edition Famicom Mini. No issues thus far.
 
Fuzzy

Fuzzy

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Oct 25, 2017
18,127
Toronto
mentha said:
Originally ordered mine (and 1 controller) through AmiAmi but now thinking it might be better to shift to Amazon JP. I live in Canada. Anyone else doing the same? Is it really that complicated to set up a JP account?
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I think I've gotten a partial refund of the import fees on every Amazon JP order I've made. Shipping from Japan is faster and better packaged than shipping from Amazon.ca. lol
 
metsallica

metsallica

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Member
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mentha said:
Originally ordered mine (and 1 controller) through AmiAmi but now thinking it might be better to shift to Amazon JP. I live in Canada. Anyone else doing the same? Is it really that complicated to set up a JP account?
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
No more complicated than setting up a domestic account. I've placed hundreds of orders out of NYC. No issues, beyond knowing when to ship local and when to forward (but the site will tell you if there's a restriction).
 

Deleted member 11976

User requested account closure
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Cool, thanks for the advice, everyone! I'll definitely switch mine over. While I'm fine with AA and P-A, I just find they both take quite a while to arrive.
 
cowbanana

cowbanana

Member
Feb 2, 2018
13,674
a Socialist Utopia
This is a damn cute little thing. It's tempting, but then I don't actually see myself playing on that tiny screen with those tiny controls. I like the announced games so far, it is a fine line-up. I'm not going to try and get one from Japan, but I might reconsider if it ever comes to the EU.

For now I'm getting by with the amazing SEGA AGES releases on Switch and my HORI RAP V stick.
 
andymcc

andymcc

Member
Oct 25, 2017
26,274
Columbus, OH
cowbanana said:
This is a damn cute little thing. It's tempting, but then I don't actually see myself playing on that tiny screen with those tiny controls. I like the announced games so far, it is a fine line-up. I'm not going to try and get one from Japan, but I might reconsider if it ever comes to the EU.
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it DOES have HDMI out and an extra controller fwiw
 
andymcc

andymcc

Member
Oct 25, 2017
26,274
Columbus, OH
cowbanana said:
Yup! But I don't really like playing with pads like the one designed for this mini. I like playing arcade games with a real stick. The unit has two USB ports as far as I can see, I wonder if any arcade sticks will work with it?
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That's a good question. I wouldn't really be super surprised if a full size stick is actually announced for this when all is said and done. Assuming it would work as x-input, I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
 
sir_crocodile

sir_crocodile

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Oct 25, 2017
23,486
the original article that got wiped mentioned usb sticks, but when it was properly announced that bit had disappeared iirc
 
metsallica

metsallica

One Winged Slayer
Member
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11,696
mentha said:
Cool, thanks for the advice, everyone! I'll definitely switch mine over. While I'm fine with AA and P-A, I just find they both take quite a while to arrive.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
One of the best things about Amazon JP, at least pre-pandemic... 2 day shipping from Japan through DHL for ~$10. It's a bit more expensive and takes a bit longer now, but it's still pretty great. There were a few times I'd get packages from them where I'd swear they were using teleporters.
 
andymcc

andymcc

Member
Oct 25, 2017
26,274
Columbus, OH
metsallica said:
One of the best things about Amazon JP, at least pre-pandemic... 2 day shipping from Japan through DHL for ~$10. It's a bit more expensive and takes a bit longer now, but it's still pretty great. There were a few times I'd get packages from them where I'd swear they were using teleporters.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

i got my pc-engine coregrafx from Amazon Japan in April (height of pandemic) one day after it shipped.
 
sir_crocodile

sir_crocodile

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,486
Amazon Japan's deliveries are every bit as quick for me as they were prepandemic. And just as well packed.

It's funny because my local courier who they partner with texts me to say when it's going to come. They always text me once or twice more because it's shown up earlier than they expected lol
 
ThatsMyTrunks

ThatsMyTrunks

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Oct 28, 2017
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San Antonio, TX
I pre-ordered the Cabinet when it was announced via Amazon Japan, and just pre-ordered the stand. I wish I could combine their shipping, but it seems like for international pre-orders you can only get one item per order.
 
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