Back in 1993, when arcade gaming still played a significant role within the video game industry, Sega AM3 released a title called SegaSonic the Hedgehog. The platformer-action game got compared to Marble Madness and was the first time players were introduced to Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel.
The game was also a Japanese exclusive (although it could be found outside Japan in limited supply) and while ports and re-releases were considered over the years, none of them saw the light of day. That could all change, though, according to Sega's Yosuke Okunari. During an interview earlier this year with Game Watch, he mentioned its possible return.
While the Sega Ages development team doesn't have any plans to port additional Sonic the Hedgehog games at this point in time – or Puyo Puyo titles, it's always open to more. It all depends on whether or not fans show their support for the existing ones. And hey, if there's enough love (in terms of sales) – there just might be a chance of Sonic's arcade entry making a comeback. Here's the full translation, courtesy of Oni_Dino from Nintendo Everything:
When we began work on SEGA Ages for the Nintendo Switch, the amount of titles in development were limited, so we decided on a lineup that consisted of the first two entries in the Puyo Puyo and Sonic series. If this collection of SEGA Ages titles is successful, then I’d say we’d really like to consider releasing more in those series. The arcade game, SegaSonic the Hedgehog, has never been ported before…
This isn't the first time Okunari has said something like this. In an interview with GameNuke in January last year, he stated how the Sega Ages team could potentially localise games that have never been translated before but would need to draw a reaction first (from fans) and get some results out of the other releases.
You can find out more about the Sonic arcade game that was never localised over on the DidYouKnowGaming? YouTube channel. Credit to the same channel for the above and below screenshots:
Would you like to see more Sonic games added to the Sega Ages line? How about SegaSonic the Hedgehog? What do you think of the current line-up so far? Share your thoughts below.
[source nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 117
Always wary about this as it feels like pushing us to rebuy games it’s released multiple times before (not all but some) if we want the “possibility” of releases of games that have rarely or never been ported to home consoles before. I.e the games that might actually interest people to buy.
Well Sonic 2 has been hanging around the digital charts since launch so that must be doing well. This though is more like the types of games we should be getting, some Daytona wouldn't go amiss either before the likes of Saturn games such as Shining Force 3 and its 2 extra scenarios.
They need to stop with the buy the game you might not want and we'll make the game you do want talk Everyone could have told Sega which were the best Monkey Ball games for example
"I am once again asking for your fiancial support"
Being a fan of the series, never having to played this one, I'd be up for a port of it. Especially after seeing it online countless times. I'd be curious to see how the trackball would be emulated, or if it would be direct movement.
Whilst I'd love to see this title ported, it needs the trackball controller to make it faithful to the original experience.
You could conceivably use a trackball mouse with a USB connection to make it happen, if you have such a thing.
I’d really like a port of this actually
Or SEGA could port Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. I'd have bought the Mega Drive collection on Switch if they were included, but for some reason SEGA rarely gives them any love.
'The game was also a Japanese exclusive'.?
Pretty sure I played this many years ago in SEGA world Bournemouth. It is possible to play via emulation today but not ideal as you need the track ball.
I'd prefer more titles from model 1/2/3 e.g.. Wing War, Virtua Fighter, sega Rally etc. Or even a SEGA mega drive classics volume 2 or another console collection.
Keep em coming Sega.
I'm sure there has to be some workaround to emulate the trackball. After all, analog sticks give precision. It should be possible. But I don't want to get my hopes high with this one.
Give us more better and DIFFERENT games, instead of asking us to rebuy the same rehashed old slop over and over again Sega.
I guess they want to get another Sonic game on there. Sonic does sell, so perhaps it makes sense from a business perspective.
It’s just disappointing there is still no Hang-On, Daytona, Virtua Fighter, Nights Into Dreams...
They don’t exactly need to go digging too deep into obscure territory yet.
We had this at Segaworld in Bournemouth in 93/94 it was shipped back to Japan and I only got to play it a handful of times, would really like to play this again, but dont know how playing it without a trackball would work, but if anyone could do it justice I'm pretty sure its m2!
Have this beauty on Mame, but unfortunately no track ball, use mouse but still not quite the arcade experience. I assume they would Taylor the controls to analog.
Just have a Christian Whitehead do a new Mania or a S3&K
I really don't like these childish "blackmails". "If you don't buy this, we won't give you that". I should be "forced" to buy a game I don't want or that I already own, to play another game. And in this case, even very old titles! Bah.
Would love it but at the rate they get released, I wouldn't hold my breath on it coming any time soon
Sonic 3 has been caught up with Michael Jackson's estate and music rights since he helped develop some of the soundtrack for the game. It's why you haven't seen any ports of Sonic 3 on Sega compilations since the PS3/360's Genesis Collections because Sega doesn't want to potentially risk having to pay royalties on the game.
@Nic-Noc20th-C You probably did, but as noted the game was never localised. Check out the Did You Know Gaming video for more information.
I'd be down to show support to get this on consoles once and for all
I always wanted to play this game but it's one of those things that was unique to an arcade cabinet in Japan.
Looks like 2D Sonic Heroes
Anyway an obscure Sonic game would be great. Complaining about Sonic overdose makes sense to an extent, but not in this case. This isn't a typical Sonic game, not by a long shot.
@CooperFrank @CooperFrank that's why Nintendo beat Sega every damn time.
Adventure ports or I don't care, Sega.
Buy the same games over and over that we constantly port and resell and we might port titles we’ve never ported before but will if you buy the same games again.
Next it’ll be a crowd funder
For Pete’s sake, Sega. How are they this clueless about their back catalogue? Hire someone like Sega Lord X to make the calls if your people are gonna fret over releasing a game like Sega Sonic! Good grief!
They could have just announced a Kickstarter campaign. They would be surprised how much people would be willing to contribute to those.
No love for the Sonic Master System game? They weren’t mere ports.
@BishopShiozawa hell they could have kickstartered this to even come with a wireless trackball peripheral.
@CooperFrank
You took the words right out of my mouth. If you’re going to port something, then do it! If not, keep quiet already!
Besides, I’m sure Sega is probably harnessing their own internal resources to gauge market interest and risks anyway.
Wow, SEGA's really good at telling us to buy things we don't want to get the things we want... Except this isn't Super Monkey Ball 2, and I don't want it.
@ParasolStars I don't think that's the entire issue, given the fairly recent discovery that the music tracks used exclusively in the PC release of at least Sonic 3 (not sure about Knuckles) was in fact the original soundtrack before Jackson was brought onboard. They could easily be used instead.
Anyone interested in this game has already played it, or plays it on PC.
I'd rather SEGA just re-release all those big time titles again.
You need a 6th gen console to play Shadow. You need a 360 or PS3 to play Unleashed and 06. The GBA games, etc.
Heck, I think Knuckles' Chaotix has more demand than this simple arcade game.
Actually, scratch everything I just wrote, just sell me Sonic 2 yet again.
Do your own work Sega. This is not the way to present yourself to dedicated fans, and if sales are not there don't blame us.
Put some effort into resurrecting Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Sega Rally, Daytona, Sonic CD etc... then you'll see your interest.
Yes! this and Knuckles' Chaotix please! I've got multiple Sega Ages games already (Puzzle and Action, and Alex Kidd - I also got Outrun with Gold Points but I'm not sure if that counts) and they're all pretty good.
Daytona and OutRun would be brilliant.
I don't know how this would work since it relies so heavily on a trackball. As far as I could tell, that's reason it's never been ported.
Where can I go to support a release of chase hq 1 and 2 how can I make this happen ? X x x x x
I'd buy this in a heartbeat. Don't think I'll buy sonic 2 for the millionth time to convince them to release it though
Hey, buy some games you might not want and also buy these other Sonic games you've already bought several times before and perhaps we'll think about bringing this rare one that's never been ported. And we still won't even consider the one everyone is bugging us about.
Ugh.
I don't think people here actually read the comments in the interview, just looked at the article headline and made their own conclusions. One guy is being interviewed (not a whole company speaking under a single voice) and he says that if the Ages line does well he'd like to get the opportunity to work on some more obscure titles like SegaSonic. That's it. And this is a translation too. No one is being blackmailed.
I'll buy more Sega Ages games if they actually start releasing some games they haven't released 100 times. I'd buy this one for instance, day 1!
Yeah I want this.
Had no idea about it actually.
@BishopShiozawa Yeah kickstarter seems to be a perfect way to get these kind of questionable game ideas off the ground. Seems to work, Sega should definitely start doing that for some of these classics.
Outrun 2 would be nice... how come M2 aren't involved anymore? Sales? Like other people have kinda said... if I hadn't already got Sonic on a collection, or a 3DS, or a mini Mega Drive I would be inclined to buy it-SEGA STOP RELEASING THE SAME FEW GAMES!!!
(wonders if a certain game named "Segagaga" would be considered for the "Sega Ages" line mentioned in the article)
@JayJ Absolutely! Would love to play games from the Saturn and Sega CD lineups on a modern console.
I've heard this same song and dance from these companies for the past 14 years starting with square. The problem I see is that these companies are creatively bankrupt and are afraid of spending resources on something they think will fail.
With Sega's record of failures it's no surprising that they lost touch with their fan base, and only see dollar signs. Holding a game ransom for release in order for consumers to purchase their older games is just a new low. How I see things if you cannot continue to create game in a series that sells due to incompetence, then sell off your IP to someone who can.
Never heard of this game before but some videos make it look awesome! Especially as Sonic 3 is never going to see the light of day (god bless other avenues of playing older games cough cough) then this would be welcome!
What a load of BS!
Where’s 3 & Knuckels
Adventure and adventure 2 first!
This reminds me of Chibi Robo Ziplash.
@BishopShiozawa My dream has always been getting a lot of 90's arcade ports from Sega, they have so much stuff that is great and has never seen a home release.
I'm fine with the Sega collection I bought. If they want to Port other Sega games that is fine as well but I would be more willing to buy a physical collection version.
Maybe port the slaughterhouses
I have a better idea: how about they release it and if I feel like buying it I will.
They keep releasing garbage nobody cares about.
Give us Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3 + Knuckles, Sonic CD and Knuckles Chaotix.
For goodness sakes. Why are companies always intent on porting bottom up, scraps from the bottom of the barrel instead of the bigger selling titles everyone wants...
@AlienX so most ppl have played this that are interested? But not the gba games which are easily emulated and playable on the 2nd best selling console of all time the DS?
@TheLightSpirit Show me Sonic 3 and Knuckles then you will see full support for the older games.
How bout no Sega, gtfo.
@HammerKirby Really? Pretty sure the GBA games would still have more demand than this arcade thing.
Oh interesting, 9 comments here are about Sonic 3, why are people so bent on that game?...which is easily emulated and playable on the 2nd best selling console of all time the DS?
Really kind of sick of this attitude.
I'll gladly buy it as long as I no longer need a trackball to play it lol pretty good game, but those controls...
Well if they're not selling as well, you think maybe, just maaaaaaybe, that might be because you're rereleasing the same games over and over again?
Sonic 1 and 2 are good and all, but the average joe who knows nothing about game differences could say "Well I can get those 2 games and 50 others on the Mega Drive Collection!" without realizing they run better on the SEGA Ages series, or just settle with the free to play SEGA Forever versions on phones (Even then, just £2 to turn off the ads).
Heck yes gimmie SEGASonic the Hedgehog! And for that matter, Knuckles Chaotix!
@Nic-Noc20th-C Ditto, it was at SEGAWorld London along with Sonic the Fighters which blew my 10 year old mind at the time that place had arcade exclusive Sonic games. XD
I’ve been heavily supporting Sega Ages recently. I really hope they do this game too, along with Rad Mobile.
Never pay money to someone for something they "might" do.
Might as well download it and play it on MAME if they're gonna pull this crap. Just map the controls and you're set.
No thanks. If these games aren't selling enough maybe slow it down. Don't make us have to buy a game to possibly get a game.
This game was the model for most 3D Sonics: terrible to control and focused on nonstop super linear chases that kill you with endless bottomless and other cheap BS.
Ugh, I hate when companies like Sega say stuff like this. Sega isn't a small indie developer. They could port this game out whenever they like, and for not much money either. It can't be THAT hard. They ported Sonic The Fighters back during the GameCube days for crying out loud... @_@
Nintendo was right all along. Forget this old stuff, remake us something fresh.
Make a good 3D Sonic, or gtfo. Sell to a better developer please.
No thanks SEGA, I already have nine versions of Sonic the Hedgehog.
The only Sega Ages game I have on Switch is Shinobi. There are a few more that I will eventually get. But Sega, try not to release games that are already easy to get. Let’s say Streets of Rage 2 and Vector Man are the next games to come to the Ages. I won’t get them because they are already on the Sega Genesis Collection that’s available on every current system and plus they are both on the Genesis Mini. More rare arcade games please.
I've played this. It's fun but very short. You can beat the whole game in less than twenty minutes. Seems like an odd title to tease when Knuckles Chaotix remains unported.
Same old Sega. "We will only release interesting rare games that most of you have likely never played before, but only if you support the same games we have re-released a thousand times already." Sega has several games and IP's that have never been re-released but hey! We get Sonic 2 again. How about Outrun 2 (Coast to Coast)? Sega Rally? Daytona? Heck, Virtua Fighter/MegaMix, Dynamite Cop, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Knuckles Chaotix, Burning Rangers, heck, SEAMAN! Even Sonic CD hasn't been released that much. Sonic 3/Knuckles is always missing from collections. It's just bonkers.
Very much wont be buying a sonic game on the switch unless sega brings sonic adventure 1 and 2. Will be happy to help out financially if this happens.
Sorry Sega, but speaking for myself at least, if a Sega Ages port of this game (or any other) depends on me buying regurgitated Sonic games A) I already have several times over and B) which are readily available across a wide variety of platforms, then no deal. I agree with previous posters that this practice of withholding rare or unreleased titles which gamers would actually be willing to pay for unless they pay up for titles (and a certain franchise) they've saturated to the point they can scarcely give them away behind the guise of "gauging interest" amounts to blackmail. It's a cheap and arrogant business approach to think that little of your fans or their intelligence, Sega. It frankly makes me wish that all your beloved IPs were in more capable and willing hands run by a better board of directors.
These companies, especially SEGA, need to stop bribing us like this. "Just buy our games that we've already released a bunch of times that you don't want to get the game you're interested". Like, bruh, just read the market better and make smarter development decisions instead. Not hating on them but I feel some constructive criticism is deserved given their decisions over the past few years.
Tried this on an emulator once. It was just okay. If SEGA wants the AGES line to really take off, they need greater variety in their releases. Some of the choices just baffle me in terms of desirability and popularity. Golden Axe arcade (original and sequel) feel like a no-brainer. Altered Beast, expanded console coverage (Dreamcast, Saturn, etc.) also feel like no-brainers. If my Nvidia Shield TV can run Saturn and Dreamcast titles, Sega can port them to AGES with ease
Sega Lord X is constantly making Videos about all the great Sega games that were arcade-only. Sega has tons of unreleased games and they need to start breaking new ground with Ages.
They could also start releasing classic Saturn games...
I already bought all the 3DS enhanced Ages games (they were just on sale for $3), so I'm not rebuying all of that stuff on 2D Switch.
I was never a fan of any isometric style Sonic games especially Sonic Labyrinth and Sonic 3D Blast so imagine playing another Sonic isometric game with not just Sonic but two other critters too. I'm sorry Sega but at this point just give us Sonic 3 and Knuckles, I promise you won't regret it besides that arcade Sonic game won't work very well without a track ball anyways.
@BionicDodo It's the NL comments section in a nutshell.
How about Sonic 3 & Knuckles first Sega.
@ParasolStars he was never credited though so how can someone’s estate demand loyalties if an involved party never actually followed through and put your name on it?
Was MJ actually paid for any of his work?
Sonic Classics Collection on DS has 3 & Knuckles and was released in 2010 - surely its not a royalties issue.
@Angelic_Lapras_King
Happy times weren't they. I remember the day so well because I saw G-Loc 360 and a 4 player Virtua Racing for the first time and I was gob-smacked.
Better leave that sonic in the arcades... Also I didn't buy any sega ages title other that out run and thurder force 4...
Sonic Adventure please!
@AshFoxX I want to add Pulseman to that list
Hmm having watched a video of the game it's not one I'd be especially interested in playing to be honest.
@Nic-Noc20th-C Well it did get exported to the UK Sega World to my understanding but the game itself was never translated to english, basically you didn't understand what Eggman, Sonic and Co were saying tho you could still play think that's why they brought it over from Japan anyway, there was a western version in the works, and the rom has english text messages, a SatAm style Robotnik sprite to replace Eggman, if M2 make this they should really look into finishing the US version much like how they restored honey to Sonic The Fighters on the 360/PS3 another M2 game I would love to see on the Switch
@retro_player_77 Unless M2 is able to change the controls for the game which is why alot of times SEGA never bothered to re-release it Gems could of had it, but it would of been emulated like the Mame versions rather then rebuild like M2 has done with other SEGA arcade games, I mean look at Virtua Racing, they added a whole new control style alongside with the optional original control setting
@FX102A Would help if SEGA didn't keep the west waiting on SEGA AGES I mean I would buy G-loc now but it's only on the japan eshop with english translations and wait another 10 days just to move it cus why should I have to import a game for more money when there's nothing stopping them releasing it now
Ladst weeks news; SEGA announces they are no longer looking to release any more sonic titles in their 'AGES' lineup. This week: Please
buy the poorly performing Sonic itles from the AGES lineup and we'll give you another one you don't really care about that much. Give us ESWAT, give us Enduro Racer, Give us Revenge of Death Adder, give us Moonwalker, give us Altered Beast, give us isle of man TT, Give us Scud racer, give us Indy 500, Give us daytona and a million other incredible arcade games.
Simple solution to all this - don't indulge a company who have been running their formerly best IP into the ground for 2 decades by buying another port of it, emulate any that haven't been ported for free instead. Then it doesn't matter whether or not the company does, and you can play those games now, not when THEY feel like maybe porting it, if at all.
@YANDMAN No chance of getting Moonwalker. MJ's likeness and music are featured and credited. Royalties wouldn't make it worth $EGA'$ while.
I wish they would remaster the sonic adventure games. When they sale like crazy maybe Sega will stop the we can’t and just make sonic adventure 3. Unlike most I like playing as other characters that are not sonic. So more knuckles and rogue for me.
The smugness in the last photo LOL
@ClassSonicSatAm I never knew it was going to be considered for Sonic Gems Collection, had it was I would had kinda enjoy my time with it. I think for a mere port, it wouldn't had work but if like you said was to be made from the ground up again using the source code as focus then it would had work. Heck it would had work last gen had it came out on the PS Vita, Wii U, and/or 3DS, the touch control would had made for a good alternative to the track ball control. I think it would work on the Switch too with the touch control but doing so will not be able to play the game in dock mode.
@siavm We already had sonic adventure 3... 3 times Heroes since that continued the story/kept the 4 different story
Sonic 06 again continued the story, had Team Dark still, and alot more SA1 gameplay features, made the real-world setting graphics even closer then SA1 and 2
and lastly Sonic World Adventure/Unleashed which had alot of RPG stuff, Hub worlds, a real world adventure setting but with more cartoon designs
Tho getting SEGA to remake SA1/2 and make "true" SA3 won't fix much seeing how they couldn't even make another Generations style game with Forces without messing up the basics
Yes for Segasonic
@retro_player_77 Yeah Knuckles chaotix was also meant to be in Sonic Gems not sure why they didn't include that *guess again they didn't want to emulate, since Sonic CD/R were PC ver ports with Sonic Fighters being one of M2's early Model 2 ports, they done a few others during the PS2 era mainly kept in Japan, they even did Sega Rally 1
M2 has managed to change alot of old SEGA games that had control issues over the years, just hope SEGA lets them do this game rather then another forgettable one like Puzzle & Action: Tant-R
The only Sega Ages game I bought was Puyo Puyo because that was the one from the available library that I wanted the most. Sega Sonic is a great arcade game and I’d like to legally own a copy. If this means that I have to buy the other Ages games in order to make that possible, then I’m willing to do that.
Just get on with DC and Saturn ports sega....
As soon as you said "when arcade gaming still played a significant role in the video game industry," I tuned out. Not sure why every major gaming publication has a bias against the still-thriving arcade industry.
This is such shady marketing. I bought Sonic & Sonic 2, because those were the glory days (and the spin / drop dash in the OG Sonic makes it much more tolerable).
Not sure yet, if I'm interested in the arcade game (never played it, so I have no nostalgia), but for a $5 sale, I'll definitely buy it and try it.
If they just need money, make a kickstarter and be done with it. Don't play games with people: "Buy our stuff and just maybe we'll think about you giving you something you want"
Oh man, please! They always acted like the trackball controls made this impossible to port, so it’s funny to see them change their tune.
I'm all for never before ported games being added to Sega Ages, but why would we want this particular one? From everything I've seen, the controls absolutely suck!
Once true 3D worlds became a reality, archaic compromises like isometric platformers should've been put to pasture for good. The only isometric games that still hold up today are beat 'em ups and strategy RPGs.
Here we go again with this. Buy a game you don’t want (or in the case of Sonic 1 & 2, already own multiple times) and maaaaaaybe we’ll give
you a game you do want, no promises. So sick of publishers who do this.
Why does it depend on the sales of the Sonic Ages titles? I've owned those so many times AND on the Genesis Collection on Switch...I know Ages has new futures but....eh. Now a never before available classic era Sonic game? Buy it in a second. Sega sucks.
@DustinWilcox
Are you serious? The arcade industry is a distant shadow of its former self. Sure, there are still some new arcade releases and profitable arcades out there but the arcade scene today is nothing like it was in the 80's and 90's when the hottest new games and cutting edge technology came to arcades first and consoles second.
Arcades are by and large a niche sideshow in the current gaming industry. This wasn't the case in the 90's and pointing it out isn't "biased". It's factual.
A physical release of the current games in the series can save the series.
I want them to release this on Sega AGES. But more than that, I want to see Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder, and Golden Axe: The Duel come to Switch.
@VenomousAlbino licensing issues. Michael Jackson worked on the Soundtrack. They would have to pay an absurd amount of money, or change up the music.
M²... Wants more support? How about releasing Sega Vintage Classics once again on a PlayStation system? They were incredible on the PS3.. Monster World IV, Revenge of Shinobi, Wonder Boy.. All running at 1080p/60 on the PS3. Then you had something very special.. Super Hang-On for the PS3 w/stereoscopic 3D support. All running at 1080p, and 1080p, ON BOTH LENSES (interlacing video active shutter). So that's essentially 120fps and at full HD. M² really are wizards and maniacs.
I'd certainly buy all of these games for a 2nd, 3rd, 5th time – if they gave me something like SPACE HARRIER with PSVR support! 120p/1080p per eye shouldn't be hard for them. I want Super Scalers in VR! And please bring back 2 player online co-op support. It adds a ton of value to these older games on console. All of their PS3 entries (Sega Vintage Classics, Neo•Geo Station, Capcom Arcade Cabinet had 2 player online, music jukebox, movie recording, and much more. I gladly bought them all.
Wow. I can't believe an old, obscure Sonic arcade game is getting this many comments here.
Sega, this is from your biggest fan of all time, names Jesse, my only plea to you is for you to finally and I mean FINALLY bring your massive sega model 3 arcade titles to the sega ages lineup to the Nintendo switch, I’ve been DREAMING my whole life of finally being able to play arcade perfect ports of your sega model 3 arcade games ok a home console, you worried about the sega ages line up not making enough money ? Well please hear me out and port over the following and I promise you sales will sky rocket through the ROOF
#1 scud race
#2 Star Wars trilogy arcade
#3 lost world Jurassic Park
#4 Daytona USA 2
#5 ocean hunter
#6 Harley Davidson
#7 LA machine guns
#8 virtua fighter 3
And some of your other arcade titles locked away in the arcades that we would all love to see on the sega ages line up is
#1 brave fire fighters
#2 Jambo safari
#3 airline pilots
#4 top skater
#5 Star Wars episode one racer ARCADE
This is coming from your all time biggest fan, if you port every single one of your arcade games I just mentioned sega ages On the switch would sky rocket into being the biggest hit in modern/ retro gaming history, please please consider porting all those over to your switch lineup.
It would be nice, but I won't buy all the old stuff for it. I have already the collection on Gamecube. I didn't buy the second collection though, so I don't have Sonic cd. Why no Sonic cd on Switch, sega? At a decent price?
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