Sonic News

June2013

May2013

April2013

  • Weirdness Try to Run as Fast as Sonic, For Real, in Sonic Athletics

    Run fatty, run

    We have enough self awareness here at Nintendo Life Towers to know that, while some members of our team are athletic and healthy examples to us all, a few of us share an unfortunate body-shape resemblance to Mario. When your main hobby revolves around exercising thumbs more than legs and arms, carrying a few extra pounds is a hazard...

February2013

  • Rumour Next Sonic Game Will Be Called Sonic Adventure 3

    Trilogy talk?

    Cast your mind back a few weeks and you'll recall that we reported on a rumour relating to the next Sonic the Hedgehog title. According to an inside source, the game is currently in development for a wide range of platforms - including the Wii U and 3DS - and is expected later this year. Another little rumour has surfaced recently...

  • News Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Approaches One Million Sales

    Just over a quarter of those on Wii U

    Sonic & All-Stars Transformed was, arguably, a surprise entry as one of Wii U's best titles available at launch. We were suitably impressed by its track design, action-packed racing and transforming vehicles to award a 9/10 in our Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed review, and the title's status as one...

January2013

  • Rumour New Sonic Title Dashing To Wii U And 3DS

    Announcement coming next month?

    According to the chaps over at Sonic Stadium, Sega will reveal its plans for a new Sonic the Hedgehog game next month. A source close to Sega has dropped a few tasty hints to get chins wagging. The title apparently hasn't been decided yet, but the game will be coming to Wii U, PS3, 360, 3DS, PS Vita, PC and "next gen...

  • News New Sonic Fan Film Receives Mixed Reception, But At Least Yuji Naka Likes It

    You can't please everyone

    When you set out to make a film about a character as beloved as Sonic the Hedgehog, there's little room for error. Sonic fans are notoriously picky and will jump on the smallest mistake, regardless of how hard you work. That's ultimately what has happened to Blue Core Studios, a video production team which has created a 18...

November2012

  • News SUMO Digital Invites Fans To Campaign for Sonic Racing DLC Characters

    Now that's a challenge

    Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is one of many Wii U launch titles, though it provides the sole source of racing fun for early adopters in North America. Of course the Wii U version, like its compatriots on Xbox 360 and PS3, will be open to potential DLC as the months pass by, and Sumo Digital's Steve Lycett has taken...

  • News New Sonic The Hedgehog Comic Takes A Trip Down Memory Lane

    The legacy lives on

    Sonic the Hedgehog has so many comics made about him, it's surprising Disney hasn’t bought the rights to make the movies. Last year Archie Comics released Sonic Legacy Series #1, a graphic novel which packed in issues 1-16 of the publisher's Sonic the Hedgehog comics, as well as issues 1-3 of the original Sonic miniseries; the...

  • News Sonic The Hedgehog Dashing Onto Platforms In 2013

    Nintendo platforms, please

    Sega has revealed that it has plans to release new Sonic the Hedgehog games next year, but we are left in the dark as to what systems the titles will be on. In an interview with Toys 'N' Playthings, Sissel Henno - Head of Sega's brand licensing in Europe - said that as well as focusing on releasing toys and stationary...

October2012

  • News Check Out These Interesting Sonic Facts

    Now that he's pals with Mario

    In the past months we've shared some videos from the Did You Know Gaming YouTube channel, which takes well-known and loved franchises and digs out some interesting facts and quirks for us to enjoy. These typically involve buried lines of code that reveal abandoned development ideas, or just snippets of information about...

  • News No Voice Support For Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed On Wii U

    Developer cites Wii U voice chat limitations as reason for omission

    Developer Sumo Digital has confirmed that Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will not have voice chat support on Wii U. The news comes less than a week after a Nintendo representative confirmed that in-game voice chat will not be possible through the GamePad's built-in...

  • First Impressions Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

    Hands-on impressions from the EB Expo in Australia

    Sega had a playable version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed at the EB Expo 2012, so we naturally took the opportunity to check out how it compares to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions, as well as see if the previously-noted frame rate issues were indeed solved,

July2012

  • Talking Point Another Look at the News - 20th July

    Sonic, retail downloads and a certain analyst

    It's that time again, when a few members of the Nintendo Life team look at recent news and decide that they simply have to give their opinion on it. Last time out things were very serious, with topics such as Nintendo's online services, the number of 'new IPs' on Wii and the continued madness that is...

  • News SEGA Wants Sonic to be the Next Hello Kitty

    Hogmoney

    It seems that Hello Kitty Sonic plush was a sign of things to come. SEGA hopes that Sonic the Hedgehog can become as big an icon as Sanrio's top cat. SEGA Europe COO Jurgen Post spoke to MCV about the lucrative merchandising potential of Sonic. With licensing teams dedicated to the task in both the UK and US, SEGA has golden rings in its...

  • News Wreck-It Ralph is in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

    Sonic'll still win

    SEGA and Disney have collaborated to make Wreck-It Ralph's dreams come true: he's going to be a playable character in upcoming kart racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. The character, who will star in Disney's computer animated movie Wreck-It Ralph, will rev up on the starting line alongside SEGA all-stars including...

  • News What Do You Make of this Hello Kitty Sonic Crossover?

    Straw poll

    Two of the world's most recognisable animals combined today in what scientists are probably calling "disgusting". This Hello Kitty and Sonic the Hedgehog plush toy — officially called the Sonic x Hello Kitty Super Jumbo Plushy — is heading to Japan this weekend to commemorate the reopening of SEGA's flagship Joypolis arcade. It's...

  • News Mario & Sonic eShop App Hits the UK

    Scan this

    Fancy a free app for your 3DS? Of course you do. Scan the QR code below and you can download the Mario and Sonic at the London Olympics 2012 Virtual Card Album for free. The app lets you collect themed cards based on Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games via SpotPass, StreetPass, connecting to Nintendo Zone hotspots or by...

  • News History of Sonic Book Announced for North America

    Start saving your rings

    UDON Entertainment has revealed a huge History of Sonic hardback book for launch in North America this September. It's the same book as Pix'n Love Publishing announced for Europe, though it doesn't look like North America will get the cool embossed gold foil cover. The book itself spans nearly 300 pages and has been produced...

June2012

  • News Sonic the Hedgehog Turns 21 Today

    Finally a grown man

    SEGA's loveable blue mascot reaches another milestone today, celebrating his 21st anniversary. On this day in 1991 SEGA unleashed Sonic the Hedgehog on North America. His speed and spectacular stunts made him an original, and players took him to their hearts. Nearly 50 games and over 80 million sales later, Sonic's still here...

May2012

  • News Buy Sonic Soundtracks For All Generations

    SEGA fans rejoice

    The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise may have lurched from genius to disaster, and back again, but like any series with two decades worth of games it has built up an impressive library of music. Many gamers fondly remember hearing the Green Hill Zone music for the first time, and the blue blur has given us plenty of classic chip tunes...

April2012

  • News Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Hits 3DS

    He's back

    After endless rumours, SEGA's lifted the lid on Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for Nintendo 3DS. The racer sees Sonic and friends racing in cars that also transform for aquatic and aerial travel. That might sound a little familiar to Mario Kart 7 veterans, but developer Sumo Digital has assured fans it's very different: you race...

March2012

  • News Two More Sonic Game Gear Games Rated

    Have a Blast

    The Australian Classifications Board has rated two more Sonic the Hedgehog games for 3DS Virtual Console. The Game Gear titles Sonic Blast and Sonic Labyrinth have both been rated for 3DS Virtual Console, indicating we'll see them somewhere further down the line. While neither is fondly remembered as a classic title in the Sonic canon...

February2012

  • News Mario & Sonic Sales Nearly Double in a Week

    Going for gold

    SEGA's sporting symposium just enjoyed a sales surge in the UK charts, with a whopping week-on-week sales increase of 94%. Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games on 3DS was released on 10th February, resulting in a 145% increase to send the title up from 31st to 10th position. Now sales of the 3DS version and discounts of...

  • News See, Kids? Sonic and Mario Weren't Always Friends

    A little history lesson

    Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games might have been SEGA's biggest seller of last year, but don't let it fool you: it's an uneasy alliance. Sonic Wrecks recently posted a video from SEGA's official library that dates way back to 1992, from a time when the plumber-hedgehog rivalry was at boiling point. Just...

  • News Mario & Sonic London Olympics Sprints to 2m Sales

    Going for gold

    SEGA's latest — perhaps last — Wii game, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games has sold over two million copies since its November release. The mediocre outing reached 2.39m sales in the last quarter, easily dwarfing sales of the far superior Sonic Generations on PS3, 360, PC and stablemate Sonic Generations on 3DS:...

January2012

  • News Finally, Shouting at Donkey Kong Makes a Difference

    "You stupid ape!"

    SEGA's Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games uses just about every input the 3DS has to offer, but it's the weightlifting event that looks to make best use of the machine's microphone. As the new trailer below shows, you can shout at your character to give them an extra bit of power. While it might make you look a bit...

December2011

  • News SEGA Confirms No WiiWare Outing for Sonic 4: Episode II

    Sad times

    SEGA's digital brand manager Ken Balough has confirmed that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II will not make it to Wii. In a post on the SEGA forum, Balough confirmed it wouldn't appear on Nintendo's home console: But no - the reason Episode I was on the Wii was because we wanted to bring the Sonic 4 saga to the widest possible audience...

  • News Sonic 4: Episode II Revealed, No Nintendo Formats Mentioned

    No 'Ware in sight

    SEGA finally made Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II official with a teaser trailer, but the first video makes no mention of any Nintendo formats. The teaser's closing screen mentions the following formats: PS3 (i.e. PlayStation NetworkXbox 360 (i.e. Xbox Live)Android MarketWindows PhoneApp Store. Of course that doesn't mean we...

  • News Sonic 4: Episode II Teaser Trailer Due Tomorrow

    It's got a nice ring to it

    Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I seems all but a distant memory now, but SEGA is ready to revitalise your nostalgia for 2D Sonic games by officially revealing Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II tomorrow. Gamespot will have the exclusive teaser trailer tomorrow, with SEGA brand manager Ken Balough keen to emphasise its...

November2011

  • News This Is The Sonic Generations Storyline Comic Strip

    Try to keep up

    Sonic Generations is out in Europe today, and what better way to celebrate than a comic strip explaining the game's story? Using still shots from the game's rendered intro — only available in the HD version, sadly — the strip sets up exactly why two eras of Sonic find themselves racing through the same stages. It also contains...

  • News Sonic Generations 3DS Launch Trailer Gathers Speed

    Out this week

    SEGA's mascot just hit 3DS in North America today, and to celebrate here's a brand new launch trailer. The video shows off Sonic Generations' stages, bosses, multiplayer and StreetPass mode, so if you've been waiting to see which classic and modern Sonic moments are revisited in the 'hog's first 3DS outing then wait no longer. Sonic...

  • News SEGA Opens Official Sonic Merchandise Store for Europe

    Just in time for Christmas

    Sonic's 20th anniversary may have been five months ago, but the celebrations continue all year round, as SEGA has just opened a new official store dedicated to its mascot. Sonic Merchandise currently serves the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and France with officially endorsed products including t-shirts, toys, posters,...

  • News Online Play Shown Off in Sonic Generations Shots

    Take on the best

    SEGA's just released a stack of new Sonic Generations screenshots ahead of its mascot's first 3DS first appearance this week, showing off the odd stage, boss and WiFi multiplayer too. While we won't spoil the stages or bosses — not that they're new, what with Generations being a compilation of Sonic's best bits and all — we can...

  • News Pix'n Love Preparing History of Sonic Book for Early 2012

    Now we're talking

    After the excellent History of Nintendo: Volume 1 book, publisher Pix'n Love is expanding its catalogue to Nintendo's great rival and its legendary mascot. Early 2012 sees the release of The History of Sonic, a 300 page guide to the genesis and development of SEGA's greatest hero, including concept sketches and developer interviews...

  • News Super Mario Galaxy Orbits London 2012 Olympic Games

    It'll make sense

    Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games takes inspiration from all corners of both companies' history: screenshots have reminded us of Yoshi Story, Sonic Adventure and more. But we've just received more screenshots showing the most universe-shaking crossover yet. Despite earlier rumours that Sonic would appear in

October2011

  • News Swimming, Cycling and Spin Attacks in Mario and Sonic Trailer

    It gets weirder

    The first screenshots of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games did indeed blow minds and collapse worlds: from dinosaurs riding horses to Sonic the Hedgehog taking part in a walking race, there were truly incredible scenes. This next trailer can't quite match it, but makes a good effort anyway. Events new to the series...

  • News Sonic Generations 3DS Release Dates Finally Revealed

    Not long to wait

    After earlier confirmation that Sonic Generations will indeed see release on 3DS next month, we now have the game's final confirmed release dates in North America and Europe. North Americans get a few days' head start on Europe with a release date set for Tuesday 22nd November, while Europeans can pick up Sonic's adventure the...

  • News Ain't No Party Like a Mario and Sonic London Party

    Just stay away from Soho

    SEGA's next spin on multiplayer sports is just a month away, and to get you all excited for Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games the publisher has revealed a new trailer showing off the game's London Party mode. The minigame mode sees Mario, Sonic and friends take to the streets of England's capital city in...

  • News Sonic Generations Still On Course for Release Next Month

    Delay rumours may be off target

    There's been Internet grumblings recently that Sonic Generations might overshoot its projected November release date and land in 2012. However SEGA has reassured excited fans that the game will still see release next month: Sonic Generations for the Nintendo 3DS system will be released later in November 2011. Of...

  • News Blue Wii Console Competing for Europe's Christmas Money

    Mario and Sonic bundle revealed

    Nintendo's going all-out on coloured consoles these days: after the red, pink and white 3DS consoles, the company has announced a new blue Wii bundle on the way to Europe before Christmas. The newly announced pack is in honour of Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, out 18th November, and includes a copy...

  • News Sonic Generations Japanese Site Opens with New Details

    Some good, some bad

    Sonic Generations — the ultimate celebration of everything fans love about SEGA's iconic hero — just veered dangerously into "uh-oh" territory. The game's official Japanese site just opened and revealed that alongside Sonic, Tails, Dr Robotnik and Metal Sonic, the so-called ultimate life form Shadow the Hedgehog...

September2011

  • News New Sonic Generations Shots Are Very Green and Hilly

    What more do you need to know?

    The full level line-up for Sonic Generations is still a closely guarded secret at SEGA, but there's no doubt whatsoever that the first stage is a 3D recreation of where it all began: Green Hill Zone. SEGA just unveiled 23 new screenshots showing Classic and Modern Sonic take on the iconic stage, the former doing little...

August2011

  • News Sonic 4: Episode II Not Due Until 2012

    Will it still hit WiiWare?

    Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has revealed that the follow-up to 2010 platformer Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 won't launch until 2012 at the earliest. Iizuka cited the anniversary celebrations surrounding Sonic Generations as one of the reasons we won't see the 2D game until next year: This year, 2011, is the...

  • News Mario & Sonic London 2012 Trailer is Suitably Rousing

    But who put those Flickies on a bus?!

    Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is racing towards the Wii finish line later this year, with a 3DS version due out — perhaps more appropriately — in early 2012. We now have a new trailer for the game, likely to be the introductory video getting you all into the Olympic spirit. Showing off...

  • News Sonic Generations Screens Show Mushroom Hill Zone

    We can hear the music now

    SEGA just dropped a bunch of screenshots for its upcoming 3DS hedgehog romp Sonic Generations showing the evergreen mascot racing through the Mushroom Hill Zone from 1994's Sonic & Knuckles. We got chance to try the game in July, and you can race through our Sonic Generations 3DS preview to read our early thoughts on...

July2011

  • News Mario and Sonic 2012 Gets Release Dates, Yellow Box

    3DS version due February

    Like or loathe the sporting combination of plumber and hedgehog, SEGA's preparing to unleash another round of Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games to coincide with next year's English medal-a-thon. The Wii version hits North America on 15th November and Europe on 18th November, with the 3DS version a little...

  • News Collect These Sonic Generations Screenshots for a Continue

    Or a Chaos Emerald, maybe

    We've got some fresh new shots of the special stage from Sonic Generations and we're not afraid to use them. As previously confirmed, the special stage rather resembles the bonus level from Sonic Heroes, with the spiky speedster collecting variously coloured bubbles or balloons to get ever closer to that elusive Chaos...

  • First Impressions Sonic Generations

    Making us blue

    June was Sonic's 20th anniversary, and later this year Sega celebrates with Sonic Generations, a project that aims to combine the hedgehog's best and, admittedly, worst moments. 3DS owners get a very different version to PS3 and 360 fans, both for better and worse. Sonic Generations on 3DS joins traditional 16-bit style platforming...

  • News Would You Pay $150 for this Metal Sonic Statue?

    We know someone who would

    First 4 Figures has made a name for itself with high-end statues and dioramas, but quality doesn't come cheaply. The company has opened pre-orders on its new Metal Sonic statue, starting at just $155. As with previous lines, there are two versions available: a 'standard' edition at $154.99 and a more expensive exclusive...

June2011

  • Rumour SEGA Preparing a Third Sonic Storybook Game

    What goes up, must come down

    Wii owners are used to getting their own unique Sonic games, and while the much-anticipated Sonic Generations will be skipping the white machine there's still a chance the hedgehog will put in another appearance on Wii this year. A representative of SEGA Mexico recently took part in a webchat and discussed the Storybook...

  • Talking Point Your Sonic the Hedgehog Memories

    Spill it

    We've gone all-out to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog's 20th anniversary this week, bringing you Staff Memories of Sonic the Hedgehog, a look at unreleased Sonic the Hedgehog games and Sonic's Nintendo games too. With 20 years of rich history behind him, we want to know how Sonic's affected you, the gamers. What memories do you have of the

  • Feature Staff Memories of Sonic the Hedgehog

    We reminisce about the blue guy

    Today marks 20 years since the very first time Sonic the Hedgehog burst onto TV screens around the world, kicking off a genuine phenomenon that continues to draw in new gamers to this day. As experienced gamers ourselves, naturally the team at Nintendo Life has plenty of memories of the spiky blue one's glory days, so...

  • Feature Sonic: The Nintendo Years - Part Two

    The second instalment of our look back at gaming's favourite blue dude with attitude

    Sonic: The Nintendo Years — Part One detailed the hedgehog's first few years on Nintendo consoles, but by the end of 2005 it was clear that Sonic games had changed very drastically, and nowhere was that more evident than in the next two 'hog-related outings. First...

  • News Sonic Generations Gets Online Play and StreetPass

    Special stage featured too

    SEGA just revealed a few more snippets of information about Sonic Generations on 3DS, and it seems the game will include some oft-requested features. AndriaSang reports that SEGA has confirmed two-player online competitive play for the title, sparking speculation there'll be a second playable character in the game besides...

  • Feature The Sonic Games That Never Were

    The hedgehog's untold past explored

    Sonic the Hedgehog has appeared in more games than we can count, but just as interesting are some of the games that never saw release. Join us as we delve through the Sonic archives to take a look at some of the unfinished and unreleased games in the hedgehog's history. Sonic the Hedgehog: The Animated Series:...

  • News Sonic the Hedgehog is 20 Years Old Today

    Time flies

    On 23rd June 1991, SEGA released Sonic the Hedgehog in Europe and America and changed the world forever. The now-iconic hero captured the imagination of millions around the world, igniting the Nintendo vs. SEGA battle for console supremacy. Nowadays the two companies are far friendlier of course. In fact, thanks to Wii's Virtual Console...

  • Feature Sonic: The Nintendo Years - Part One

    As Sonic the Hedgehog reaches 20 years old, we take a look at the spiky one's past.

    Sonic’s career is as chequered as those famous green hills; since his runaway success in the first half of the 1990s he’s struggled to reclaim those glory days. Luckily if you’re a Nintendo console owner you can play all the best Sonic games extremely easily,...

  • News Surprise, SEGA Bringing High Definition Sonic to Wii U

    Pick your jaw off the floor

    While SEGA won't be bringing Sonic Generations to Wii U — though the 20th anniversary hedgehog game is coming to 3DS — the blue-and-white company has confirmed its iconic hero will be racing to Wii U in high definition. SEGA West president Mike Hayes revealed to Games Industry.biz that the publisher is looking at...

  • News SEGA Unveils 20th Anniversary Sonic Figurine

    Only 1,000 to be made

    Next week is an auspicious occasion, marking 20 years since the very first Sonic the Hedgehog blast processed his way into our lives, and SEGA wants to commemorate its hero's two decades of running with a limited edition figurine. The numbered 1,000 model run is so exclusive it won't even be sold in shops, and will likely be...

  • News Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 Due "In the Near Future"

    Hedgehog still alive

    With all the excitement around Sonic Generations and the blue hedgehog's upcoming 20th anniversary — that's 23rd June, of course — many players are wondering what will happen to the second instalment in SEGA's downloadable reimagining of the hedgehog's adventures. Last year's Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I came and went in...

  • News Mario and Sonic Pass the Olympic Games Torch to 3DS

    It burns

    Like watching Magneto and Professor X make friends in X-Men: First Class, it's still strange seeing old rivals Mario and Sonic be all chummy in Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, though it's nothing compared to seeing Metal Sonic wielding a tennis racquet. The 3DS instalment is due early next year, with the Wii release going...

  • News Sonic Generations 3DS to Spin Dash Stores in November

    SEGA announces first details

    SEGA has finally come out and confirmed what we've known for a while now: Sonic Generations is coming to 3DS, and it'll be out in November. The publisher also confirmed new details of the game, which it says will be set across "three defining eras" from the hedgehog's history, with all-new levels exclusively...

May2011

  • News Sonic Generations 3DS Mixes 16-bit and Rush Gameplay

    Handheld twist on the series

    SEGA's Sonic Generations on PS3 and Xbox 360 will join "Classic Sonic" — the slightly portly, pale blue, side-scrolling version of the hero — with "Modern Sonic", the leaner, laser fast interpretation familiar from recent 3D releases such as Sonic Colours and Sonic Unleashed. For the upcoming 3DS...

  • News Wii Just Couldn't Handle Sonic Generations

    Not up to the task

    Sonic Generations is coming to 3DS, and there was much rejoicing, but Wii owners are still nursing the disappointment that theirs is the only current home console not set to receive the spiky speedster's 20th anniversary celebration game. In an interview in this month's Nintendo Power, Sonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka reveals why:...

  • News Mario and Sonic 2012 Screens Blow Minds, Collapse Worlds

    Can a hedgehog ride a horse?

    Though many are still processing the raw emotions that comes with such an alliance, Mario and Sonic are friends now: Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games and its summery counterpart Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games showed the plumber and hedgehog could put aside their differences for the sake of sporty...