A brand new 2D Sonic game has been announced at Summer Game Fest 2023. Sonic Superstars blends the classic gameplay style with 2.5D visuals. And it's launching on Switch this autumn.
You'll be able to play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose in multiple 2D stages. New power-ups and abilities are being added, along with local co-op gameplay.
The trailer ends with a little tease of Fang the Sniper in pixel-art form, presumably as he gets ready to cross into the 2.5D visual world.
Here are all of the details from the game's official website:
New thrills. Classic feels.
"Adventure through the mystical Northstar Islands in this all-new take on classic 2D Sonic high-speed action platforming. Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose and harness all-new Emerald powers to move and attack in dynamic new ways. Navigate gorgeous, never-before-seen environments solo or with up to 3 other players and stop Dr. Eggman, Fang, and a mysterious new adversary from converting the islands' giant animals into Badniks before it's too late!
A new Spin on a Classic: The 2D Sonic high-speed sidescrolling action platforming you know and love, reimagined with fully 3D graphics, new powers and abilities, an all-new setting, and new ways to play! You've never played classic Sonic like this before!
Play as your Favorite Characters: Choose from Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose and take advantage of their unique abilities to blaze a path across the Northstar Islands as they race to defeat Dr. Eggman, who has teamed up with an old nemesis, Fang.
Harness the Power of the Chaos Emeralds: Multiply, swim up waterfalls, change form, and more with the powers of the Chaos Emeralds.
More Friends, More Fun: For the first time ever in a Sonic game, play through the entire campaign with up to 3 other players with drop-in and drop-out 4-Player Local Co-op."
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Sonic Superstars brings classic Sonic back — fast — in autumn 2023. What did you think of this reveal? Spin dash down to the comments.
Comments 90
Kind of reserving interest until there are more details out on it, because Sonic game, but does look like it has promise at least.
Really jarring seeing classic Amy in 3D.
Looks really cool (I hope it actually is)
Also I like the art style
Looks pretty great, it's nice to see them do more original stuff with Classic Sonic.
Parts of it look inspired by Game Gear and Master System games too.
My boy Fang is finally back. Day one buy indeed. Glad the Sonic Triple Trouble fan remake actually works. Sega finally gave the Sniper a chance.
Sonic Mania 2 would have been a better decision... he is very sluggish to accommodate for multiplayer :/
This has a lot of potential. The gameplay looks like "What if Knuckles Chaotix was good?" and I'm on board.
I generally don't get excited for Sonic games anymore, but this actually looks really good!
This game looks amazing! feels like the New Super Mario Bros version of Sonic... updated graphics but with the classic gameplay. I have been playing Sonic Origins for a while and this announcement makes me wanna play the game now
Really enjoying the style, curious to see how the game feels when it comes to the platforming physics, also hoping the switch version turns out well, side scrolling sonic is something which you really need those framerates for.
Sonic games always gave me PTSD as I still suck at playing Sonic Generations PS3, Sonic Lost World 3DS, Sonic Heroes Gamecube. 😩
This looks like my kinda thang Sonic wise tbf.
I've always thought that it felt weird that they didn't do more Sonic games using the Generations 2D style as a base instead of more pixel art and this game seems basically that. If the game is not overrun with boostpads, it'd be a better game than Sonic 4 in all counts by default. We'll see how good it gets.
Also, glad they are using other characters again. They did well to stop for a bit with the extra characters but now it feels long overdue to have them back.
This looks incredible.
Best highlight (alongside MK gameplay) of the SGF '23 showcase so far. Sonic 4 can only cry in the corner, wishing it could have been like this instead of the sadsack it really is.
Also, FANG!!!🔥🔥🔥
...I don't trust it.
I can't trust it.
The fact that they once made Sonic 4 means that I cannot trust any new "Classic style" Sonic. It looks cool but I cannot get excited until it's out and confirmed not terrible.
This looks really interesting. I'll definitely try it out on launch.
It is always Sonic... how about a remake of Skies of Arcadia? Or a new Billy Hatcher, Nights, Jet Set Radio, Space Channel 5 or anything that isn't Sonic?
‘Play as your favourite characters’
Storm The Albatross confirmed!
Good, the 2D games are a lot better.
@Serpenterror Sorry, this is just really funny considering your comment from 2 days ago.
"Congratulation Sega, you won't see anymore of my money." - 6/8/23
"My boy Fang is finally back. Day one buy indeed." - 6/10/23
I literally cannot wait to find out the new and unique way in which they somehow manage to mess this up.
Now this looks amazing, definitely on my to buy list for later in the year.
I don’t know how many good games it’s going to take for me to get out of my cautiously-optimistic shell whenever a new Sonic game comes out, but considering the frankly abysmal 2D controls in Forces and even the few sections in Frontiers, even if it was a little better, it’s all going to hinge on that, but I really hope it’s good because co-op Sonic that works sounds awesome.
@Nua That only applies for the collection, doesn't mean it applies here. Fang was not in that collection.
@RareFan Jet Set is (allegedly) coming soon and there was a Space Channel 5 game recently for PSVR - and Cosmic Smash of all things. We're also about to get a Samba game, so Sega does still dig into their catalogue aside from Like a Dragon, Persona and Sonic from time to time.
Even after Frontiers (which I loved) I remain cautiously optimistic about new Sonic games. I'd be worried about this playing like the Classic Sonic stages in Forces. Or worse, Sonic 4.
Trailer looks promising though. Will be watching out for this one.
@Serpenterror It was two paragraphs of frustration, ending with you're not going to give Sega anymore of your money. Sorry, but it is just funny to see you say you'll give them money so soon afterwards.
Hope things turn out ok, especially with last time.
I prefer the 3D over the 2D, not into the high speed can’t see where your going until you crash gameplay
Is it just me, or does this look...
...pretty good?
I'm hopeful. Classic Sonic is great, so I'm very hopeful. I'm not sure how the NSMB formula will work here as far as same-screen co-op, especially if one player is having to keep up with Sonic zipping through a stage.
Hopefully this will continue the upward swing Sonic Team have been on with Mania & Frontiers.
The art style is also very promising - a stylistic evolution from the generations era. Very nice - as are voxel the hedgehogs.
I think it's too early to get in the physics debate until we see a proper play of a single level (boosters are all over the joint still) - but this is promising.
My only prime concern is optional 1-4 player in a speedy platforming game. Hopefully they'll make it work and levels won't feel as barren as they did in the NSMB titles.
Huh, didn't have this on my 2023 bingo card, but I'll take it.
I'm not convinced.
@EarthboundBenjy To be fair, Sonic 4 was just supposed to be a mobile game (apparently called Sonic the Portable, because that name is still visible in Casino Street Zone) that was then rebranded as a follow-up to the classic games, explaining its lacking visuals, poor physics, etc. It was also developed by Dimps, and at the same time, they were working on Colors DS, which is considered to be very good...the only thing I'm wary of right now is the $60 pricetag, Switch performance, and how multiplayer will affect the experience, given we haven't seen much, but it looks solid enough
Day one purchase on Switch
Is this made by the people that made Sonic Mania? If not then I will treat it as bad until proven good.
Reminds me of Sonic Fan Remix. I think it looks great, here's hoping for good resolution and fps on Switch. As an original fan since 91', this was a nice suprise announcement.
Sonic 5, huh? Looks good to me. Though I don't know how multiplayer's gonna work in a 2D Sonic context. It'd be cool if everyone got their own screen via online play.
Sonic Country
"More Friends, More Fun: For the first time ever in a Sonic game, play through the entire campaign with up to 3 other players with drop-in and drop-out 4-Player Local Co-op."
Local coop in a 2D Sonic game? This sound like an awful idea. It was awful in Sonic the hedgehog 4 with only 2 players, I don't see how they will make it work with 4 players.
Not really a fan of the visuals tbh. The colors are way too oversaturated and graphically it looks like a 3D kickstarter game.
I have high doubts that it can possibly be better than Mania was. But at least Sega is trying? Would have preferred to see Sonic Adventure 3 though.
I've never been the biggest Sonic fan, but this looks great! I love it! It honestly looks and feels like a Nintendo game from back during the Wii era when they were rebooting their classic 2D franchises and adding co-op--New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Kirby's Return to Dream Land. All stellar titles that took a winning formula and pushed them to new heights. This'll be a fun game to play together with my dad. Finally, something to look forward to for the second half of the year. I'm so excited!
I love classic sonic, and to see it with a fresh coat of paint it amazing! I can’t wait for this! I’m really wonder how co op will turn out, with everyone going so fast and all.
Day one for me!
Sonic hasn't really grabbed me in the same way other platformers have personally, but I've really enjoyed the 2D stuff I've played like Sonic 2 so I am over the moon about this. Getting major Mario 3D World/NSMB vibes from this with that 4 Player Co-op as well, looks fantastic!
Looks fun. Looks good… but what weird gimmick will it have that we find out about in two months that kills this game.
Sega finally realized that tall Sonic is cringe?
Looks great, and hopefully it will play great.
This is big because it's the first time since the Sonic Advance trilogy (not counting her upcoming appearance in Sonic Origins Plus) that Amy is playable in a 2D game.
Speaking of her, much like Sonic Frontiers and the Sonic Adventure 2 shoes, they're offering a skin of Modern Amy for her if you subscribe to the newsletter.
I hope it's great.
Wow. This game looks amazing!!!!! I can't wait to play it especially as Tails and Amy who are my favourite characters to play as in Sonic games.
The transformations look just like the ones from Yoshis Island
FANG THE SNIPER!!!!!
I’ve always loved Fang, he’s easily my favorite obscure Sonic character lol. So excited to see him back in the mainstream!
it 2D Sonic so more likely going to be good it's the 3D Sonic games we need to be sceptical on
I hope we get Robotnik and not Eggman. The classic Robotnik design is still the best look for the character.
I'm really hoping this doesn't turn out to be, "Sonic 4, but like, again." Looks pretty cool but I need to see more. Maybe we'll get a demo later on. Know what I would really love? Sonic GBA collection!
Looking good, story sounds good too. Hopefully so!
Let's hope the Switch version isn't ruined by an awful framerate.
I've yet to get Sonic Frontiers, however, this one looks pretty awesome.
I hope they get the ‘feel’ of the physics of the classic games, just like in Sonic Mania. Sonic 4 felt really off so I hope that this does for 2D Sonic what New Super Mario bros did for 2D Mario.
Haven't they already done classic Sonic with updated visuals?
The art style looks rather soulless to me, akin to New Super Mario Bros.
Turning into jellyfish is pretty awesome though.
The USA version is Nack the Weasel but... Gimme him!!!
I've been waiting for a new 2d sonic so long, I honestly can't believe this is real.
@HammerGalladeBro They recently added the Soap Shoes as free DLC on Steam for the game, even if you missed out on the newsletter. Hopefully it will be the same for this game too!
Looks good. What is the catch Sega?
This looks awesome. I'll be purchasing Sonic Superstars Plus in 2024.
Surprise, surprise, another game from Sega and it's another Sonic. It's all they care about anymore. I'm sure it will be a serviceable cash cow for them as always, but not one penny will be coming from me until they start giving more of their legacy IPs (particularly their classic RPGs like Shining Force and Skies of Arcadia) another genuine chance (meaning not farming them out to third-parties for mediocre ports).
OH MY GOD I've just seen this! (I'm watching Summer Games Fest all the way through but a couple of hours behind).
It looks perfect! I love everything about it. And they included classic Amy from the start. And FANG! 8bit Sonic fans rise up! If you'd have shown this to me as a kid in the mid 90s I wouldn't have believed my favourite games could possibly look this good.
I'm literally crying. I am aware this is very silly behaviour for a 40+ year old man. But I can't tell you how happy I am. OMG
@vio Not really... there was "Sonic 4" Episodes 1&2 but they were predominantly "mobile first" download games and were all kinds of janky, the physics were weird and the graphics looked pretty rough/amateurish in parts, often pre-rendered not realy 3d, strange lighting and depth mistakes etc. Looked more like a dodgy fan game rather than recreating the look and feel of the originals, and many (myself very much included) felt very upset that they called it "Sonic 4" when infact it was just remaking old levels but in a soulless way and makign them much worse.
Then theres sidescrolling "classic" modes in some of the modern games, some of which do it ok... Generations does the best job imo, but still they are far from perfect recreations of the controls and physics of classic games, and sometimes are all out broken.
Of course, we won't know til we actually play it, but from the footage, this looks like everything moves and reacts exactly how it "should" if you are used to the 2d games. And for me, the art style is a perfect representation of what the pixel art would look like in "real" 3d.
Its got all new levels, mechanics, 4 players on screen at once - this is a real "sequel" thats obviously very much in the same universe and references the old games a lot whilst doing new things too. We've not seen anything remotely like this before.
This was the best announcement for me, it's amazing
I'm really looking forward to it
I absolutely love 2D Sonic, so I might have gotten a little too excited when he showed up at Game Fest. I can't wait.
Looks amazing. I'm mildly concerned with the fact that the levels were made to be played with 4 people. Hopefully that doesn't ruin the experience
Local co.op, should be no such thing these days, maybe they will add online play. I'll definitely still buy it😁👍
Looks awesome. But how does this affect the concept of going fast with four players?
Looks really good, might be my first sonic game.
God this looks amazing. Just the visual polish on showcase here and the super solid looking gameplay already is making want to pick it up. Definitely will be paying attention to this game for the future
YES. Hopefully, it includes the playable characters in every game in the collection. I pray Sonic Mania is on here.
I got one word to say. Gimme!
As someone who doesn't like Sonic this honestly looks pretty cool. Will wait until reviews are out and hopefully the Switch version runs well.
Sonic and Metroid get 2d games finally. When are Mario and Zelda getting an actual new 2d game. One that isn't remakes like Links Awakenings, rehashes like NSMB or makers?
Awesome! You really were listening Sega. Thank you! Just a while ago I feared Sonic would be a somber franchise because of Frontier 's success, then he was murdered and now he is back the way I love him!
The artstyle is really good, I was even reminded of Link's Awakening and it looks like fun. Seriously this is a great surprise.
can't wait to play a multiplayer Sonic game with my sons =)
@Dinglehopper "Would have preferred to see Sonic Adventure 3 though."
Sonic 06: Am I a joke to you?
eh, I like the idea but that means the game is going to be slow for multiplayer. I love momentum in sonic, even if there are a bunch of tricky platforms throughout. this is like… new super Mario bros but a little faster
Huh, didn't expect such a game and especially immediately after Origins (Plus) but sure, I'll take it as long as it's good - the relatively little seen in the trailer is promising, in particular multiplayer is a great feature and love to see Amy playable in this, too (also hi Fang, good to see you again)!
Sonic the Hedgehog x Donkey Kong Country, and I’m absolutely here for it.
It looks neat, but seeing Arzest confirmed to be the devs at the vendor showcases isn't giving me much confidence.
@Agent_P Well, yes...? Sonic 06 IS a joke. It's so horrendously bad. And yes, I have actually played it.
Also, since when has 06 ever been "Adventure 3"? Not sure where you got that idea from. You're the first person I've ever seen refer to it as that. It's never been called a spiritual successor and it was never SA3 at any point during development. If it's "Adventure 3", then it's through the most shallow, generic connections imaginable lol. A HUB world and some gameplay elements doesn't make it Adventure 3.
Actually being called "Sonic Adventure 3" would make a Sonic game, well...Sonic Adventure 3 lol.
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