Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 Coming to Wii

DO WANT! Totally glad the rumours it wasn't coming to Wii have been proven false!

Hopefully it'll contain just as good gameplay and music we enjoyed back on the Genesis (even if I was a SNES fanboy at the time!)

I stayed up until 3:00 AM for this, and it was more than worth it.

I'm crying tears of joy. I'll get it on XBLA, though.

And I was in the NLife Chat when we saw the reveal. In fact, I informed people it was coming. Go me!

Oh yeah, and I'm glad those without HD consoles (such as our very own Tails) will be able to play this game after all. That said, I'ma go with PS3.

Yep, Stuff called it. Thanks!

And I was there when Stuff informed us of the news! Yay for news! Yay for Sonic!

I still want that hour of my life back, though.

You know you enjoyed our company in the chat, V.

YAYAYAYAYAY!

i'll keep eyes open for the review, but at the moment, i'm thinking this one's gonna probably end up as a "pass" for me. i have sonic gems collection and sonic mega collection for GC, and i'm not even a very big sonic fan. so unless this is spectacular, i think my bases of covered with hedgehog platforming.

Wow, I was half-expecting Wii not to get it. I agree completely with Chunky.

Episodes? Is that... really necessary?
Ah well, it's a return to form, so that's great!

The rumors amounting to the Wii not getting the game were based on the fact that two different members of the development team mentioned XBLA and PSN in interviews somewhat pertaining to this project (it was all fairly vague). Their mentions were relative only to what THEY had been playing lately, which turned out to simply mean that it was a "downloadable" hint more than a "not on Wii" hint. And SEGA devs don't play WiiWare, I guess.

Don't worry about the episodic format. The article and all previously available leaked info says that it'll be a full-sized game with more direct sequels, kind of like how Sonic & Knuckles was the DIRECT story sequel to Sonic 3.

The best news I have ever woken up to. EVER.

It'll be interesting to see how SEGA ruin this one...

@Prosody
Same here brethren.
I just checked the official STH4 website, and there's a collum saying "coming for XLA, PSN, Wii and ???" Possible that its for DSi ware?
I am honestly going to buy a copy for both Wii and PS3.
I am so hyped for this game, I hope it delivers...

@DarkLink: Pessimist.

@fatlittlenick: Probably Steam or something.

From the SEGA blog comments: "NO, I WAS EXPECTING SHORT, FAT SONIC WITH BLACK EYES.
Homing attack? WHY? This is supposed to be for the old fans, so why add all this new garbage.

If I wanted all that, heck I could just go play Sonic Rush.

Darn it."
LOL, People just love to complain don't they? OMG SEGA did something NEW! THIS GAME IS GONNA SUCK!!" This is the worst fanbase ever.

Don't be a chip-pisser, Adam!

@fatlittlenick - DSiWare would certainly be interesting, but my betting is on it being an iPod Touch or PlaySega title.

HOLY CRAP!!!

This is seriously awesome!!! I can't wait!!!

I doubt its DSiware or IPod, most likely PlaySega, since it will kinda be like releasing it on their own system just like in the old days.

So far so good! Everything they've said about Sonic 4 (GOD it feels so good to finally call it that!) sounds great. And anyone whose played Sonic Unleashed knows that they still know how to rock 2D gameplay (the relatively few times they got around to it in that game). I absolutely can't wait for this! This is going to be great! Don't screw it up Sonic Team! Or Dimps - I wouldn't mind if after all the Sonic Advances, Sonic Rush's, and PS2/Wii version of Unleashed, SEGA finally promoted you.

@Vinsainity: I wouldn't be surprised if Dimps developed it, considering the games they developed are the most positively received Sonic games lately, then again I wouldn't be surprised if Sonic Team will develop it either, since its a big thing for them.

Sweet! 2D gaming is making a come back!

Great idea Sega well done, shame you're about ten years too late though, durgh.

Now Sega, please start making consoles again besides your tacky Wii-rip and get this dumb hedgehog away from Nintendo. It's not right! D:

Very nice news, I didn't think this would come to WiiWare. I'm going to keep my expectations low for now though.

Motion controls in the special stages, maybe? Anyway this is great news!

@Machu: SEGA would not make another console, Sega pulling out of the console war after the Dreamcast was their best decision, one which probably saved the company. If they tried to fully enter the console war at this point, it would be nothing but failure; The other systems are too strong/well-known, and the only way for Sega to make a system known would be to come up with a gimmick for it, in which everything's already been done at this point. There's no way in hell a new Sega console could survive in this day and age.

Congrats sega on making me have to save up more money now x.x; But yay for sonic back in old style again!

I disagree mastersworddude, they should have stayed in the hardware business and not piggy backed like this. Sonic lost his identity and respect for the company dwindles. I don't see how that is good.

If it weren't for Mario's recent success' in 2D, I imagine this woulda just been another 3D gimpfest. Go Sega, wooh!

But wait... episode 1? I don't like that. They should've done a disc release.

I'm so happy I can report on this title again after it almost looked like it was going to be on HD consoles only!

Maybe I'm a fool but I have high hopes as the devs seem to have their hearts in the right place this time. No gimmicks, no new friends to distract from the main game (though I do morn lack of Tails).

Ok Sega this is your last chance to redeem yourselves. Everyone knows Sonic hasn't been great since Sonic and knuckles. 2-D is where he belongs so do it right and no more half assed attempts. Make us believe in the blue blur once again.

@Outrunner
An Sega representant said that Sonic 4: Episode 1 is the 1º part of an complete adventure like Sonic 3 was the 1º Episode and Sonic & Knuckles the 2º in the Sonic 3 chapter.
So expect 6-7 zones for episode.

@MrPinguy: Well that doesn't sound so bad.

This may be my first Wiiware game I download.

YES! OH YES! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!

Hah, I totally called this like 3 weeks ago.
Well actually I said they should use the Mega Drive engine, but I'm glad they're not.
Also glad the light bulb has finally come on for Sonic Team.
This is most likely going to be awesome as they have proven in recent years they can still make amazing 2D games.
And when they see it out-scoring every game they've made in the last 5 years, maybe they'll re-think their development strategy.
(Golden Axe 4?) (Streets of Rage 4?)...

I'm starting to believe after having seen the short gameplay clip and screen.

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6249457.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=topstory&tag=topstory;title

Please don't break my heart Sega!

I will put my faith in you one last time Sega, please do not let me down. I do have a good feeling about this one though, the signs are there that they have listened to fans this time and have kept it 2D as well as ditching unnessecary characters. I shall be keeping a close eye on this!!

If this game isn't fantastic, I will never buy another Sonic game again.

I am SOOOOOO excited for this! I've never woken up to such good news before! Now to decide on WiiWare, or XBLA…

Squeeeeeeeeeee!
That is all I have to say on the matter.
No, wait. One last thing to say to all those who spoke with such authority on the sheer unbendable fact that it would definitely not be coming out on a Nintendo platform:

I HAVE CHORTLES!

The link for the interview gave me a 404

Just had a gaming erection.

Hooray!

@JimLad

And outselling them to I would guess.

Can't wait, this is going to be a huge year for gaming.

Hooray

Holy crap! I'm glad I took the time to check the site before going to school.
And now I have to go to school.

@JimLad - Don't forget AfterBurner Climax is out on XBLA and PSN this year too and there's the rumoured Sonic Adventure XBLA port too. SEGA is going to have an awesome year!

yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!
The fact that they treat it as the successor of StH 3 is enough to know this will be awesome!
Back to the time where only Sonic, Tails and Knuckles ruled Mobius!

Yes yes yes yes , Sonic The Hedgehog 4!!!!

Oh God, I think I'm going to have to have a lie down.

/me faints I stayed up till midnight for this, and it was worth it.

hmmmm new sonic the hedgehog wii might have been a better name....
This may just be my first sonic game i enjoy and can beat!

the only part of this that I don;t like is the "episode 1" - I don't want to have to pay loads to buy loads of parts seperately when they should just make it the one big game on disc.

Thank you Sega for bringing this to Wii and making it a downloadable title. I will most certainly be checking out episode 1 this summer.

Thank you, Sega, for doing the right thing with this. This news is a thriller for me, who bought a Genesis essentially only for the Sonic games (though I've since changed my viewpoint on that system and bought other games). I am insanely looking forward to this game.

I would have rather this been a retail game, but I'm really happy about Sonic going back to his roots.

The way I look at it is I can splurge for Episode 1 and if Sega really messes it up then I only spent at max 1,000 points. Seems like a pretty low risk to check out a new Sonic game.

@Incognito D: It's episodical in the same way Sonic 3 and Sonic 3 & Knuckles were episodical - each 'episode' is a full game with a full set of zones.

Well said, Raylax. (Comment 42.)

Can't wait to see how this plays out!

SEGA for ever........................

This could be REALLY GOOD or REALLY BAD... Time will tell.

That's the most decent news I heard in a while, and I so seldom buy a WiiWare game!

Episode 1?? Damn this DLC crap! Oh well, glad to hear it's return to the roots!

Great news, but Episode 1? Just give us the full game all at once.

No way! 2D Sonic is making a comeback? Awesome! Seriously now, just give us the game and don't split into stupid episode amounts. I don't want this to be The After Years all over again.

meh

I"m trying to think of something to say, I really am, but all I can come up with is 'YAY!'

Yeah, it's lame, but still...YAY!

All I wanted to hear... um read was that it was coming to Wiiware.

....and Chatham returns to the void (good to see you alive/active bud)

I hope this game is good, I really do...the multi-plat to Wii has me nervous though, as it seems like the other 2 versions will be handicapped as a result...unless it's truly 16-bit styled (in which case I can see some FF4-TAY-itis....episodic prices for retro production values can draw ire)

If it were a true return to classic, he wouldn't have green eyes.
There's a twist, I'm sure of it.

So it will came to wiiware. I was sure that we will get ditched..seems that I was wrong..and very HAPPY for it!

I am not wild about the episodic idea but eh I will survive..

First Super Mario 5 and now Sonic 4...that's a dream come true.

I wonder if the WiiWare version will lack any content or if they all really will be identical a la Mega Man 9.

AWESOME!! EPIC!! Finally, I can have a true Sonic game that will not be bogged down by needless characters or medicore gameplay! This is pure Sonic!! I wished Tails or Knuckles was in this game, but gameplay is all that matters to me. I wonder what the mysterious 4th platform Sonic 4:Episode 1 will be on, perhaps it will be downloadable for the PSP? I'll more than likely get the WiiWare version due to the superior control scheme with the Classic Controller, even though I also have a PS3 and Xbox 360.

"The best news I have ever woken up to. EVER."

This.

@Hyper Luigi
The mysterious forth platform has been confirmed to be iPhone. I called it.

Great news, but Episode 1? Just give us the full game all at once.

So you're willing to spend 4000 points or whatever the full total is on a single download?

Can't wait!!

For a decent 2D Sonic game, I'd be willing to pay wiiware Final Fantasy ammounts of points, can't wait

"the Wii will be able to use motion control, and the PS3 will be able to use the Sixaxis."
Commence people complaining!

I'm interested

Linky no worky. Seems like it should be this:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/projectneedlemouse/news.html?sid=6249445&tag=topslot;title;1&mode=previews

THIS JUST MADE MY DAY!!! Wonder why this didn't call it sonic 5 because technically sonic 4 was sonic & knuckles

"For a decent 2D Sonic game, I'd be willing to pay wiiware Final Fantasy ammounts of points, can't wait"

Don't give Sega ideas, plz.

I am a really big fan of the first two games, such fond memories - this could be truly great - lets hope they don't mess it up... c'mon SEGA, you can do it!

Wonder why this didn't call it sonic 5 because technically sonic 4 was sonic & knuckles

Because there is no game called "Sonic the Hedgehog 4" regardless of Sonic & Knuckles being the fourth main game. Its good that they didn't miss out numbers due to technicalities like S&K.

Actually Sonic and knuckles was more like the other half of Sonic 3. They just divided it up into two separate cartridges so they could do the lock on feature. Put them together and you get Sonic 3 full version. There never was an actual Sonic 4.

I going call this one as being crap. I want it to be good, but Sega has hurt me too much in recent years.

Maybe the ??? console is the Sega Genesis! A special retro release for people who still collect them. (like me!!)

It's the iPhone, SmaMan.

Best news to wake up to! Darn power outage last night made me miss it!

Looks like Sonic is stepping up and hopefully, the hype will be worth it in July! (RUMOR)

YES! It's on WiiWare, after all!

I've been calling for Sega to make a 2D Sonic game on WiiWare for over a year, and now they finally deliver!

OMG YES!!!

Nice now all we we need is a Phantasy Star on Wii and Shining Force Feather release outside of Japan to make the perfect package deal.

HOOOOOOOOLYYYYYY CRAAAAAAAAAAAP!!!!
I can't wait! I think I'll buy this on WiiWare and PSN! Extreeme awesomesauce!

Over-hyped games are over-hyped. This is an over-hyped game. Anyone see where this is going?

Oh great, episodic downloads. Even when Sega gives fans what they want they manage to fail in some way.

I don't mind the episodes. As long as they keep coming.

nice news and all, but i have a feeling that SEGA won't make the WiiWare look very good at all.
wondering why this wasn't made for the discs

No thanks. I love Sonic. I love 2D Sonic. But breaking Sonic games into multiple episodes? Just, no thanks. I'll buy it if it ever gets released as a complete package.

[sarcasm]Wow! 3 whole seconds of gameplay footage, how very exciting![/sarcasm]

Misanthropy FTW!

Nice news...I will say I'm interested, But back in the day when i owned a Snes and Genesis....Sonic just didn't quite do it for me(Rocket Knight Adventures blew it away imo)

Yet I did finish the first 2 Sonics games back in the day,..But the platforming was totaly mediocre, and the sense of speed while great is just something 'pretty' to watch since you're not in control. I think that's my way of looking at it now, Yet i have to admit, playing Sonic for the first time when it was released was some pretty awesome stuff ...But Mario and Mega Man he is not...Sonic is overrated, and i just find the franchise boring for the most part and broken(3D Games mainly)

From what I read (and I am just re-confirming what Mr. Pinguy said), the "episodes" are like "Sonic 3" and "Sonic & Knuckles" being different "episodes".

From the game play shown it looks pretty slow paced from the original Sonic the Hedgehog games. I hope I'm wrong but who knows. I'll have to wait to see more footage released in the upcoming months.

The animation looks fairly poor at the moment :l

@XD375
Aww, I guess I missed that in the hundreds of comments here. Well, I can dream can't I?
I'm more concerned with the iPhone port than the WiiWare port. At least you can use real buttons on WiiWare!

It better be good SEGA.

@Donatello
For me and for some people out there Classic Sonic gameplay beats Mario anyday.
What you said is more of your opinion (like my perspective) than an general truth.

@vonseux
Sonic have quills not hair...

Hey, Corbie, I think you should've put some more details about the "Episode 1" bit in the news article, as it seems a lot of people aren't bothering to click the link or read previous comments.

@DarkLink: Well, if done correctly, 3 seconds of gameplay can actually give a pretty good idea of the direction in which a game is headed. What we see is distinctly Genesis-styled. Due to the stream of random other stuff Sonic's been doing for over 10 years, that's enough to get people excited.

Looks great, hope sega won't ruin it with a crappy gimmick/annoying supporting character/super sonic fighting new monster of utter destruction

@MrPinguy I'm also one of those people.

As long as we're getting a good amount of total content (like the amount in Sonic 3 & Knuckles or more) for a total of $50 or less, which I'm pretty sure we will, I don't see the problem with multiple episodes. It just means we can't play the full game right away, which might actually be a good thing if it increases our anticipation for the rest of the game.

This is indeed great news. Glad to see it coming to WiiWare. I'll defindently be supporting this game.

sega will mess it up somehow. they already have. "episode 1"

I kinda wish they showed a longer gameplay video though, as it's way too short for me to get a good impression of it. Anyhow, I'm definitely interested.

The game I thought I'd never see... But now I'm kind of worried... if they mess this one up, then they mess up a quality series! I already think they could have done quite a bit more visually... I mean, sure I thought the same when I first saw NSMBW - and changed my mind when I actually got to play it (some of the levels were beautiful). But I don't really have the same faith for Sega anymore. Just because a game is 2D doesn't mean it can't look stunning. I'm not exactly holding my breath... but if it gets good reviews it'll be a must buy .

Actually, now that I think about it, it's the MUSIC that will make or break it for me.

Sega can't possibly mess this game up.

I like how a lot of people are like, "I hope they don't mess this up." Can't we just remain positive? Anyway, let's hope for even more new retro sequels in the near future! Hooray for Sonic returning to his roots and SEGA for listening!

so this is like a new super mario bros wii but with sonic?, cool, i want it now!

The "HD graphics" look comletely out of place. They should have kept it 16-bit. I am still extremely skeptical. This is probably Sonic Team first step forwards, but whether it will stumble and fall with it, Im not sure. SEGA is grasping for life constantly, and as much as I dont want SEGA the image to leave, I want the current SEGA to strangle. Im still waiting for the amazing experience that they should be presenting.

@ GabeGreen: Ace Attorney
I agree, the 16-Bit graphics would've been nice to see.

I'm not really looking forward to this game. I'm gonna miss Vector, Amy, Cream, Charmy, Knuckles, all of 'em. That's one of my favorite things about the series, all of the colorful characters.

unbelievably happy right now. I like that its a mix of the old and the new....the original sonic games are my favorite old school games. I personally am glad hes not fat old school sonic though, I have preferred the new looks ever since they came out, besides they have to have something recognizable for the new generation of fans, but the gameplay looks very traditional.

The motion controls better be optional. I want to experience this Sonic game old school style.

Flipping Sweet! Cant wait for this. Sonic 4 Trophies to add to my collection on my PS3, this just made my very long 16hr work day great.

cant wait for some new classic music and levels... makes me want to go grab a chili dog lol

Looks great!

Anyone else miss the circular foot motion from the old days?
I don't like the way he runs now.

ive got points but i might need a bit more if i wanna get it.still i will download this game.

@ SilverBlacktail: well Yuji Naka isn't involved in Sonic games anymore, and he was kind of the soul of Sonic team. Sonic games haven't been the same since his departure.

Im excited for this game while I still wan't a SA3 that dosn't suck.

I'm glad is comimg, but I'll wait for the review; after playing the disappointing Sonic Rush, I have my doubts.

I am stuck on which version to buy. I love my Wii, but I am more inclined to buy the PS3 version when it comes out, since its running at a higher resolution.

I hope that this will be good and not a failure but from the few seonds of what we saw it looks pretty kewl

Yes! Awesome P'wnness!!!
@133. Shin Kazama: I guess that would be like playing a Mario game that wasn't designed by Shigeru Myamoto. The only one I can think of is Super AMairo Land Game Boy.