Sonic's New 3D Action-Platformer Is Exclusive To Apple Arcade

This is so DUMB!
This looked good, yet it's stuck on Apple Arcade.

And you wonder why you lose money, SEGA? Moronic choices like this are WHY!

I guess if SEGA doesn't want me to play it, then I won't be playing it.

Hahaha hahaha! Ohhhh my God. Way to finger the pulse of cultural zeitgeist, Sega. What in the actual **** are they thinking over there?

Please I hope they put it on other platforms! I swear if this is one of the rare great sonic games I’m going to be so mad!

What a bummer

@FishyS it's just a funny move after saying they wanted Sonic to outgrow Mario. I'm done being frustrated with Sonic so they can do what they want.

Looks fun, but it’s a serious bummer that it’s going to be stuck on Apple Arcade. Not everyone has an iDevice, and even that subset of people who do won’t want to pay $8/month just to rent a new Sonic game. Playing these games with the touchscreen or even a Bluetooth controller isn’t exactly my idea of a top-class gaming experience, either …

And yet here I am, still hanging on to my Arcade subscription over a year after I signed up just to play Horizon Chase 2, and now I’m super excited to try out Dream Team on my iPhone 13 when it launches. Horizon Chase 2 did eventually get a console port after one year of Arcade exclusivity. Perhaps Sega will do the same with Dream Team in early 2025.

My bad, everyone. I shouldn't have made my wish on that monkey's paw.

It's a short clip, but it actually looks good. I guess SEGA hates money if they've made it exclusive to Apple.

Maybe it's a super short mobile game and that's why they thought it wasn't worth porting to other consoles.

@FishyS what are you talking about? All Apple Arcade games have to support the controller option. It’s a requirement. Apple devices support Bluetooth controllers, Xbox controllers, PlayStation controllers, and switch controllers,

Chu Chu Rocket Universe was delisted and forever cast into the void last year.

@Isaix nobody owns an iPhone or iPad? Ooooookkkkkkkkkkk

Growing up with Sega vs Nintendo and their battle of exclusives, it’s funny to see a tiny uproar here. I mean I don’t know if you all like Nintendo exclusives or not, but it’s been a part of gaming platforms since the beginning. It’s like Bayonetta 3 on Switch. It’s just you don’t have the platform so it hurts.

Not saying I don’t empathize, getting off the Windows PC ride leaves me buying expensive consoles and hoping for gaming to grow some on macOS. But, yeah, exclusivity cuts all ways, but one.

They may port it later.

@Isaix I own zero iDevices, yet even I know tens of millions of people own Apple products. You might wanna rethink that claim that no one owns their devices.

Only 12 levels...
It's a very small game so whatever.

No No, more like SORRY APPLE FANS!!! YOU GET THE NEXT TREATMENT OF THE GARVAGE THAT SEGA AND SONIC IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN!! OUR TRICK TO YOU!!!! MUHAHAHAHHAHAAHHA

Meh. Hate that this will probably be a game stuck on AA and be forever lost when Apple delists it.

Too bad, though.

The games that are completely exclusive to Apple Arcade that then get delisted and never released in any other form is exactly the subscription only hell I’ve been talking about especially when you factor in Apple is making these decisions based off metrics, if a game isn’t retaining subscribers it gets added to the chopping block
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/apple-reportedly-ending-some-arcade-contracts-seeking-higher-engagement

What the balls man

I really like Apple Arcade, so I don’t mind this at all. If anything, I wasn’t going to play this unless it was included in my subscription, considering I haven’t beaten a Sonic game since the Lost World titles. Honestly, I hope this opens people’s eyes to how good of a deal Apple Arcade is, as a lot of the games are good, microtransaction free versions of mobile games, with some great indie games in the mix. Apple Arcade games are often the type of mobile games that push away the dirty connetations often associated with mobile titles.

From my knowledge, Apple Arcade has a strong family/children demographic, with parents still having a tough time justifying buying a console versus the family-owned iPad or their parent’s phone, so I’m curious if this game ends up being the catalyst in creating young Sonic game fans.

With that said, the game looks good! It reminds me of Sonic Lost World 3DS, which had a good foundation for what I wish was a slew of portable 3D Sonic titles. I’m happy for SEGA Hardlight for getting the opportunity to work on a full-fledged 3D Sonic, after years of working on Sonic Dash games and other Sonic spin-offs, alongside the underrated (and delisted) Chu Chu Rocket Universe.

Why are they trying to drive Sonic into the ground? The games already sound similar enough to make them hard to tell apart: Colors, Forces, Generations, Frontiers, Superstars, Mania, Origins, etc.

Alright, that is downright EVIL to have a Sonic game look that good, only to have it exclusive to Apple Arcade.

@aaronsullivan Buying a console to play a game is already expected tho. But for them to make this game not only a mobile exclusive but a subscription is seriously stupid. Even if I owned an Apple device this would be seriously annoying. A game like this just works better on Switch/ps5/Xbox Series/PC. Using a controller on a mobile phone is just kinda awkward. And even if you buy a device just for the game, you also have to pay a neverending sub fee just to get that value you paid for that device. Not to mention I'm not going to own two smartphones. This is just insanity frankly.

Considering we already had a few Apple Arcade ports on Switch, I think at some point this game may follow suit as well maybe for either Switch, Steam or even the Switch successor.

Sonic again? How about something different, SEGA? I know Sonic is their most popular franchise, but they have so many other great games in their library that I would like to see again, like Billy Hatcher or Skies of Arcadia.

Apple TV 4K is the only Apple product I own (I use an Android phone and a Windows computer, and that will likely never change knowing the price of Apple products), and I use it daily for watching Youtube, Disney+, Netflix etc on my TV. It's probably the cheapest way to play Apple Arcade as well, but I'm not really interested in subscription services for games. This game looks kind of fun, though

guys, its not actually gonna stay. I think it will for a good while, but cmon, this is SEGA were talkin about here. They'll milk all the money they can out of this.

@RareFan They did just released Samba de Amigo: Party Central so, go play that.

Another Sonic game?

“Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity?”

@RareFan funny you mention Sonic as their most popular franchise. It became their most popular franchise because it was fresh and cutting edge…now it seems like it’s all they make, and annually. Imagine if Nintendo released a proper Mario platformer every fall. Yikes!

Actually looks pretty good, too bad it’s only for Apple. 😑

Would be tempting if I had an Apple device. Fingers crossed it gets ported, but I don't think Hardlight's games really have a history of console releases.

SEGA executives: "This is how we surpass Super Mario, a couple of mid live-action movies, a average 3D and 2D game and to top it it off, make an exclusive Apple arcade game. It's fool proof!"

Take it easy folks. Sega will probably release a full price Switch port in two years

But yeah, what a d**k move.

Making this game exclusive to Apple Arcade will surely help Sega achieve their goal of Sonic surpassing Mario.

Looks like a great game to be honest. This is actually what I would want from a 3Dbsonic game. Crazy that the first decent 3D game will be stuck on a apple platform. Sega going back to their roots with dumb choices.

Gamers: "what the heck?!?"

Sega: "Apple paid us a wodge of cash to put the game on a marketplace with hundreds of millions of potential customers that widens the appeal of our brand."

This sonic game looks nice,theres some potential. Slap a modern version of the tiny chao garden on it…man. Hopefully they release this for consoles later down the line with a more expanded version and add shadow and silver.

I like the colours and artdirection.

@LikelySatan Apple arcade is actually a decent service, I'd say it's biggest problem was probably not having games like this one. But don't worry it probably will be just decent like all the other apple arcade exclusives.

Are mobile games still a big deal? Outside of that watermelon game, I don't remember the last time I heard about mobile games.

@Isaix “a console nobody owns” 😂😂😂

Apple is overpriced garbage. Even if this looks great, I'll never waste my money on a bad PC or mobile phone that costs a premium just for the brand.

This is gotta to be one of most dumbest and stupidest decision they have done Sega why couldn't they make onto muliplatform not everyone uses apple product its like they want this to fail.

I hope it has touch to walk controls instead of a bad joystick, and that homing attack targets can just be tapped on to go there.

And people think Nintendo are weird...

Sega...why would you do this to me? What did I do wrong? Please reconsider and release it on an actual game console or PC.

I just don't like gaming on a phone. I've tried but it's just not enjoyable in my opinion.

@EVIL-C Oh, I thought Apple Arcade was a console that Apple made XD.

This irked me for a second but then I remembered that Mario, although he doesn't waggle his finger at you, is a far superior mascot. Therefore I will go and play Super Mario instead of the Sonic.

Well, here's to hoping it gets ported to Switch soon-ish, with optimized graphics and an extra 12 levels on top of the first 12.

Or just wait for Penny's Big Breakaway, The next big 3D Sonic spiritual succesor.

With 3D Sonic games being hit or miss, meh.

@Isaix Apple once made the Pippin (game console) which was a huge failure, worse than the VirtualBoy.

However Apple Arcade is neat. It works on every single Apple device: Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple TV. And their OS-es have native controller support. For XBOX, PS, and Nintendo controllers. And honestly, even the lowest powered Apple device (the Apple TV) is a lot more powerful than the Switch.

Also Apple Arcade games don't have ads or mtx in anyway. And you only pay the monthly subscription fee for Apple Arcade itself.

@Kyloctopus I dont hate Apple arcade im just not a fan of mobile gsmes being locked behind subscription especially when some cant afford it.

I honestly want to know. HOW do people play games on phones? touch screen controls are always dog water. Iv tried like over 100 times in the past 10 years to play games on touchscreen phones and I CANNOT get it. This is why im so thankful for the switch having buttons.

Not a great first step on their journey to be better than Mario.

@John_Deacon Tbf Apple probably paid them money for a year exclusivity and I bet after 1 year this game comes to consoles.

@Jiggies I think sonic superstars was the first failed step for them tbh xD

Yeahhh... Would have instantly bought this if it was available anywhere else; Switch, Steam, Xbox or PS, whatever. But I'm totally not into Apple, so won't be playing this I guess.

@FishyS They can’t target a touch experience, because these games are on Apple TV and Macintosh. They have to be made for a console experience, but have touch as an option.

@sanderev While I love my Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) for media playback etc, I'm not sure if I would say it's more powerful than Switch. Maybe on paper, but in practice I found it plays pretty much the same games as Switch, with similar performance. Horizon Chase 2 stutters both on Apple TV and Switch for example, while looking very similar visually. Not sure if Apple TV is pushing a little bit higher resolution, but definitely not 4K.

Anyway, I think Apple TV is very well priced for an Apple product (it's around 150€). I would never buy an iPhone or Mac because they're super expensive, but I'm happy with the Apple TV.

Lol Apple is garbage

@Mz3player that's because most of their games are typical mobile fodder. Endless runners and whatnot.

This game seems console level complex, so it would be far more viable to port it to switch

@outsider83 even bigger these days, with all of the gacha games morphing into console level experiences. Latest big release was Honkai Star Rail

The salt on display here is off the charts 😂😂😂 I only have android devices so I can't play this for now either, however it's no different to not being able to play the original Sonic games at the time without a Mega Drive, no Sonic Adventure games without a Dreamcast, no Sonic Advance games with a Game Boy Advance, no Sonic Rush games without a Nintendo DS and so on. Yeah, lots of those games have since been ported to other systems and/or are easily emulated nowadays but for a while they were format exclusives, for years in some cases. We really do live in an age of entitlement, where everybody thinks they should be able to have everything available to them right now.

@Blast16 Uh, did you forget the "New" Mario series? Nintendo DID release a literal "New" Mario platformer every year for a while. From 2006 to 2013, only 2008 didn't see a new Mario platformer.

I'm sure when it finds no success on the platform it's on it'll make its way to other platforms. If it doesn't it doesn't.

Seriously? Boo-urns, guys, boo-urns

Apple Arcade is not just for gaming on your iTelephone or iTablet. I play on my TV (streaming with Apple TV) with my PS4 controllers, and it’s great - so I’ll definitely check this out

@zgillet haha that’s true and a good point! The sonic releases seem more incessant and the quality of games is typically quite a bit worse.

Too bad it looks to be mobile exclusive for now. Still, I could hook up a Bluetooth controller and AirPlay it to my TV…

Why is everybody complaining?
Nintendo has Mario mainly exclusive on the Nintendo platforms still today!
Also doesn’t M$ also have exclusive titles with Gamepass? 🤷‍♂️

@HaileySheridan Exactly! Coming from the Nintendo vs Sega era, this doesn't bother me! Businesses have the right to offer their products in a way that they feel fits best for them. The beauty of this case is that many don't have to buy a new or another console since it is in their pocket on the mobile phone. 😉 Win-win for everybody! 😅

If I were to guess at some point in the future they're going to open up Apple arcade to more platforms but right now it doesn't make sense for them to do so.

@Arcata I love playing a video game I can't see because my fingers are in the way! It's like a video game...without all that "video."

@Scrubelicious yes, because I have a $1500 phone.

@LikelySatan Nice!
I went with a $500 model.

@Scrubelicious I work at a homeless shelter, lol. My phone has a cracked screen and can't do the things.

If they don't bring this to "normal" devices, they are robbing themselves.

I don't understand the argument that it is a bad thing the game is Apple exclusive.
That is like saying it is bad for Super Mario game to be exclusive to Switch.

@LikelySatan lmfao ikr

@HammerKirby I get it. On the flip side, a brand new iPad is $330 and way more versatile than a Switch. Apple Arcade is a decent game subscription service. For many, a fun little Sonic game will just appear as an option to play on their iPhones and they'll be reminded of the blue blur. It's an overall value proposition, not an attempt to get people to buy hardware for one game. Not saying anyone has to like it, but plenty of people will.

Plus, exclusives suck in the moment you can't play them, but they do push competition... would Nintendo bother making stand out hardware if they were releasing their games for all platforms? I can't be sure, but probably not. Could they survive when their hardware gambles don't pay off if they didn't have their exclusives? I can't be sure, but probably not.

I do feel it could be better all around for us game enthusiasts... just not sure how I'd change things.

@SalvorHardin That's some old news you dug up, there. Apple has shifted quite a bit focusing on adding a steady stream of old classics from the early mobile gaming days (Cut the Rope, Jetpack Joyride, etc.) and peppered with some larger, ambitious games and exclusives.

The service will continue to shift to be successful. As far as games not existing anymore, it has done more to resurrect some old games than extinguish games. The developers may have exclusivity deals but they retain the rights to their games afterwards from what I've seen and many are just temporary.

I do think there is a preservation issue that persists in the video game industry, in general, and I'd like to see individual companies take more responsibility for it (rather than cherry pick remasters from time to time).