Sonic News, Sonic Features - Page 5 of 6

Best of Sonic in glorious 3D... wait, come back!

It's a rich old time for fans of classic side-scrolling platformers: Super Mario Bros. celebrated its 25th anniversary recently, and next year – June 23rd, to be precise – is the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. With Nintendo having pushed the boat out to commemorate its iconic hero's 25th...

Below-average games no longer sold

Sonic's career has more ups-and-downs than a Dr Robotnik theme park, and nobody's more aware and more hurt by this than Sega itself. In fact, the company's so upset by the hedgehog's past transgressions that it's removing his less enjoyable adventures from its back catalogue. Sega's senior vice president of EMEA...

We chat about the hedgehog's 2D return

It's nearly here: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is released on WiiWare in North America on October 11th, with a European release following on Friday October 15th. With the game now finished and so very nearly here, we caught up with Ken Balough, Digital Brand Manager for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, to pose some questions about the hedgehog's impending..

Idea pitched before he left Sega

The man behind Sonic the Hedgehog, Yuji Naka, had left Sega by the time Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games was underway, but Mr Naka has said that he came up with the concept before his departure. Speaking to the audience at this year's Eurogamer Expo in London, Mr Naka said: It was actually my idea, and I was the one who approached Nintendo about it. I thought..

WiiWare gets it before XBLA and PSN

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode One will come to WiiWare on Monday October 11th with a European release to follow on Friday October 15th. The game will cost 1500 Points, as previously claimed by Nintendo Power. WiiWare will also receive the game before Xbox 360 and PS3 owners, if only by a matter of days. Our crack team of hedgehog experts is gearing up to tackle a..

High price for hedgehog heaven

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is one of WiiWare's most anticipated games, either because of or despite the claims it will bring Sonic back to his glory days, depending on your point of view. Flagship WiiWare titles don't come cheap however, and the latest issue of Nintendo Power claims Sonic's next outing will set you back a sizeable 1,500 Wii Points. Considering..

Grab a batch of toys with the game

North American hedgehog fans will be able to keep their heads warm with this pre-order Sonic hat, but gamers Down Under are heading towards a warmer time of year. What will they get to honour the release of Sonic Colours? Some figurines, that's what. EB Games Australia lists special editions for both the Wii and DS versions of Sonic Colours, both of which include..

Series no longer so serious, says producer

Whether you're an old-school Sonic fan or one who's new to the hog's adventures, Sonic Colours looks set to cut fans' feelings right down the middle with its blend of high-speed platforming, multiplayer action and range of power-ups. The game's producer and head of Sonic Team, Takashi Iizuka, has said in an interview the game is an indication of the future..

Little flecks of detail

From manoeuvres that the little blue hedgehog can perform, as showcased in an early gameplay trailer, to hints of new characters, information on Sonic Colours for the Wii and DS has slowly been released from Sega's grasp, although all will not be mentioned in your typical news articles. In similar fashion

Wii version gets team play

When screenshots of Sonic Colours Wii leaked recently showing grey Sonics with antennae, it was hard to know what to make of them. It's considerably easier now though, as Sega has revealed the first information of the game's multiplayer element. Unlocked through collecting hidden special rings in the single-player game, the two-player mode is focused on players using Wisp..

Green and pink Wisps unveiled

With generally positive impressions of Sonic Colours for DS following E3, Sega isn't about to let you forget about Sonic Colours for Wii, announcing two new power-ups for the game this week. The first is the Pink Wisp, which galvanises Sonic's spikes to allow him to stick to walls and ceilings, allowing him to explore new routes in certain levels of the game. Exclusive..

Hints as subtle as a Dr Robotnik creation

Sonic the Hedgehog stars in the world's longest-running video game comic (it's true), so it shouldn't be a surprise that the Archie Comics team is already beavering away on a set of new stories to complement the upcoming Sonic Colours for Wii and DS. Comic writer Ian Flynn spoke to First Comics News about the upcoming adaptation, which will begin in issue..

Wisps on Wii

Fresh from the announcement of mid-November release dates for Sonic Colours on Wii and DS, Sega has smashed open a monitor, releasing a brand new gameplay trailer for the Wii game into the wild. Showing off Tropical Resort and Sweet Mountain as well as two Wisp powers, and with recent claims from producer Takashi Iizuka that the game won't suffer from the Sonic Cycle still hanging in..

New Sonic titles in time for Christmas

Sega has just announced North American and European release dates for their upcoming Sonic Colours Wii and DS releases. The games will hit European territories first on November 12th, followed by North American retailers four days later on November 16th. Experience non-stop action as Sonic, with the new Color...

Sonic and Knuckles take to the track

If there's one thing better than new video games merchandise, we haven't found it yet. Feast your eyes on these new remote control cars from NKOK, showing Sonic and Knuckles in their Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing mobiles. Apparently capable of a top speed of a whopping 7mph, boasting fully working headlights and different frequencies so you and your friends..

Sonic Boom heard everywhere

Takashi Iizuka is a man of great experience in the games industry, having worked on Sonic titles since 1994's 16-bit send-off Sonic & Knuckles. Now head of Sonic Team, he's the man charged with glugging the poisoned chalice of reviving the blue hedgehog to his former glory, with Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 and...

Gamestop offering Sonic hats for all

Annoyed by some of Sonic's recent outings and feel you would put the 'hog back on track if you could? Well, Gamestop is offering you the chance to do just that, sort of. Preorder Sonic Colours for Wii or DS with the chain and you'll also grab a Sonic hat, letting you complete your hedgehog ensemble and race around cities and forests grabbing golden rings and..

Just as well, really

Even though he was creating blue hedgehog games for the best part of fifteen years, people still assume Yuji Naka hasn't had his fill of his most famous character just yet. It turns out he has. Speaking to Siliconera, Mr Naka said: Right now, I want to create new things. Even if I had the opportunity to create some kind of new...

If you can ably express it in video format, that is

It's Sonic's 19th birthday today, and Sega isn't showering Nintendo fans with game discounts; in fact, it's offering something far better. If you really, really love Sonic – and everybody does, of course – your passion for the blue speedball could win you a trip to Sega Japan to meet the Sonic development team. All you have to do is create a..