RipTen Videogame Blog » Sonic-The-Hedgehog

RipTen Review: Sonic CD (XBLA)

David Oxford — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:00:08 +0000

Tails, my friend, we have some catching up to do. In fact, you might even say we have to make up for lost “time”…

Longtime fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog series often recall the games from the Genesis era (or Mega Drive, if you’re outside North America) with a great fondness. However, one of the most highly-praised installments from that period is also one of the most seldom played: Sonic the Hedgehog CD, or just Sonic CD for short.

Sonic CD, helmed by the oft-uncredited creator of the character, Naoto Oshima (Yuji Naka being the Lead Programmer on the original title), was originally meant to be an enhanced version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which was being created by a separate team headed by Naka at the SEGA Technical Institute in the United States. Instead, Oshima wound up taking the project in another direction, creating an all-new game for the company’s ill-fated Genesis CD add-on which bore a couple of small, passing resemblances to its Western-developed sibling.

In all, Sonic CD could be considered to have been in the wrong place at the right time. Sonic the Hedgehog fever was running wild, but that same fever did not translate into sales for the SEGA CD platform, though many of those who played it considered the title not only one of the platform’s best titles, but one of the best Sonic games, period.

Following its 1993 release, the game would be ported to the Windows PC platform in 1996, gaining it a little more exposure. Years later, the PC version of the title would be added to the Sonic Gems Collection in 2005. The problem there is that unlike the preceding Sonic Mega Collection, Gems would only be released for the GameCube in North America, thus keeping it out of the hands of a fair number of PlayStation 2 and Xbox owners (though the latter would only receive the Mega Collection in any region).

But now, Sonic CD finally has a chance to hit it big with the masses; unlike previous releases, the version we are here to talk about today is being released far and wide for virtually every platform– PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE Arcade, Android, iOS, and at some point next year, even Windows Phone 7 and Steam. Ironically, it seems that just about the only platforms not getting it at all are those branded by Nintendo, making for an interesting bit of turnabout following Gems Collection.

(Well, there’s also the PlayStation Portable, but that should probably come as no surprise by this point.)

Unlike previous re-releases, the new Sonic the Hedgehog CD is no mere port; instead, independent developer and Sonic fan Christian “Taxman” Whitehead developed a new game engine called the “Retro Engine,” and presented a proof-of-concept wherein the game was reconstructed to SEGA. Upon seeing the game running on the iPhone, SEGA was apparently impressed enough to not only make the project official, but bring it to several other platforms as well, adding new tweaks and improvements along the way.

Sonic CD was well known for many things, including its time-traveling dynamic, CD-quality soundtrack, and anime cutscenes at the start and end of the game, to say nothing of the introduction of the characters of Metal Sonic and Amy Rose. Its legacy speaks for itself, and you can find numerous reviews all over the web with a little searching; of this, we have little doubt. Rather than delve into the quality of the game itself (beyond a brief summary), the focus of this review will be on what this particular version brings to the table.

Perhaps the first thing one might notice is how everything has been adapted so that it can run in widescreen. This includes not only the menus, but the gameplay itself, as well as the title screen and even the anime cutscenes by Toei Animation and Studio Junio.

In fact, those few who did own the SEGA CD may well remember that the cutscenes were displayed in a tiny window in the middle of the screen, and were a little grainy, as most videos were for the time. But no more; though the art style is simplistic, seeing those same scenes playing at full speed and taking up the entirety of your television screen is a sight to behold.

Similarly, the game presents you with three options for the in-game visuals. These include “Nostalgia,” “Smooth,” and “Sharp” settings, which seem to evoke different levels of quality, ranging from how the original looked on the SEGA CD to a look which seems to be a little more in keeping with what is expected from today’s displays.

Several companies, including SEGA, have looked to Backbone to create “high definition” versions of their 16-bit titles for these platforms, but these efforts have typically been met with disdain, with comments of how the original graphics look “smeared” being the norm. However, while we can’t quite put our finger on just what it is, the job performed on the graphics here feels far superior to Backbone’s attempts to update 16-bit visuals. And best of all, you can adjust the visual style at any time by simply pausing and accessing the settings.

The visuals are not the only thing which has been upgraded, as the audio provides almost everything a Sonic fan– a Sonic CD fan, especially– could want.

When the game was originally released, there were two soundtracks: one for the Japanese and PAL regions, and another composed for the North American release (which itself would find its way into later European ports). Fans have readily debated for ages over which version was preferable, from Masafumi Ogata’s title theme “You Can Do Anything” (aka “Toot Toot Sonic Warrior”) versus Spencer Nilsen’s “Sonic Boom” (which would go on to be featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl) to decidedly different approaches to stage music (the Japanese versions featuring three variations of a common theme per zone, whereas the NA version would use different themes altogether), and even the boss music.

Following the announcement of this release, SEGA stated that it would only feature the Japanese/PAL music due to some licensing issues. Hope was kept alive, however, by talk that the North American soundtrack might be offered as downloadable content, so as to offset the cost of reusing Nilsen’s music.

Now, we aren’t sure what happened, but it all worked out for the best as this version of Sonic CD comes with both soundtracks. That’s right– while the Japanese music is the default when you download the game, you can switch it over to the North American soundtrack from the menu at the title screen. Unfortunately, unlike the visuals, you can only make this switch from this menu. It’s only a minor gripe, as being able to switch soundtracks on the fly and compare them as you go through the game would have been a great feature, but we aren’t about to complain– not when we thought we might not get Nilsen’s tunes at all.

Now, we did say it brought “almost” everything a fan would want. The “almost” applies to the unfortunate omission of the Engrish lyrics from the Japanese theme song, “You Can Do Anything.” Given that was a large draw for fans of that soundtrack– and even a favorably silly part for those who prefer the other– it’s unfortunate that they were mysteriously left out.

As an aside, it should be noted that you are able to adjust the volume of the sound effects and music in relation to one-another, and you can do this at any time from the pause menu.

As beloved as the game was to many fans who played it, it wasn’t without some issues, and we don’t just mean the music. Sonic felt a little different in how he controlled as well compared to post-Sonic 1 games, and this is perhaps best represented by the Spin Dash. With Sonic CD being developed at the same time as Sonic 2, both wound up taking the same basic idea and putting their own– *ahem* –spin on it.

The Sonic 2 version, which has you press the jump button repeatedly while holding down, is perhaps the best known. Not only did it come first, but it would become the standard for many, many other games to follow. Sonic CD, however, only required one button press and Sonic would gradually build towards his (seemingly slower) top speed. Of the two, it was far less warmly received.

The Retro Engine version, however, takes both versions into account. Like the music, it must be selected before you start up your game, but players can now choose between both types of Spin Dash, with the more “classic” style set as the default. And as much as we love Sonic, there are those far more hardcore than we are, and word is that switching the Spin Dash style affects the controls in other ways as well, with whatever differences there are between the Sonic CD and Sonic 2 versions of gameplay present and accounted for. We didn’t notice a huge difference beyond the Spin Dash, but more hardcore fans might.

RipTen Review: Sonic Generations (3DS)

David Oxford — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:50:12 +0000

We recently spoke at considerable length about Sonic the Hedgehog’s latest outing, the 20th anniversary celebrating Sonic Generations. As such, that makes covering the Nintendo 3DS version a little bit easier (and probably less wordy, but we’ll see).

Traditionally speaking, there are two ways to bring a console title to a portable platform: one is to essentially try to bring the exact same experience to the latter, lopping off any extraneous parts or limbs as necessary due to technological limitations. The other is to all but forget what has gone into the console version, and essentially build something new from the ground up which delivers the same basic idea, but in a form better suited to the less-powerful hardware.

Sonic Generations hits somewhere between the two ideals, though closer to the latter– at least where gameplay is concerned. The story is the same as the one seen in the console version, and much of the dialogue is replicated verbatim, though without the voice acting of the console version. There are little sound bytes as each character’s sequence of word balloons begins, but much of the dialogue falls comparatively flat without the voices to deliver them.

Hey, say what you want about Sonic and the rest, but Mike Pollock’s Eggman is an absolute joy to listen to. You can tell that he must be having a great time voicing the role, and it’s a shame not to have it here, especially when we’re certain the Nintendo 3DS could more than adequately handle it.

Way Better Than English

As we were saying, the story is mostly the same, only now, none of Sonic’s friends appear, save for Tails. Well, Shadow and Silver appear, too, if one were to include their appearances as bosses– but more on those later.

The cutscenes used to tell the story also lack the… well, everything of the console version. If there is one thing SEGA can do well with Sonic, it’s computer-animated cutscenes. But instead of those, or even stills from the console version, the Nintendo 3DS version basically has the characters standing and talking against static backgrounds which they don’t even look like they are able to interact with.

This is worsened when the scene in question involves more than just talking; it would be all but impossible to guess what the characters are doing if not for them telling you. And even then, near the end of the game, there is at least one event which happens that we’re still not entirely sure of what happened– that one does differ from the console version, and they don’t really bother to explain, though you still get the general idea of what went on.

Heck, you don’t even get a cool transformation sequence for Super Sonic (no, that’s not a spoiler… not if you’ve ever played through most any Sonic game before).

It’s disappointing because we’re pretty sure SEGA can do better than this. Shoot, get the guys at Archie to draw up some cut scenes next time.

Anyway, despite this disappointment– which may not even matter to you, and is easily skippable for those who don’t care why a blue hedgehog needs to run really, really fast through colorful stages– the game is actually pretty good. And, depending on your view of the frequently over-the-shoulder Modern Sonic style presented in the console version, this version could even surpass it.

The reason for that is because, for the most part, gameplay in the Nintendo 3DS version is entirely 2D, or at least 2.5D in some parts. Ironic, given the system, we know. But Classic Sonic plays as the Blue Blur did during the heyday of the SEGA Genesis, and Modern Sonic feels like a cross between the side-scrolling portions of Modern Sonic on the console, and the gameplay of Sonic Rush, minus the mid-air stunts.

That said, there are some 3D portions, but they are exceedingly rare. These are relegated to some rail-grinding, special “escape” sequences, such as where Sonic runs towards the player as a giant totem pole comes falling down behind him, and the Sonic the Hedgehog 2-styled (or more accurately, as we’ve more recently been told, Sonic Heroes-styled) special stages.

These special stages appear after both Sonics clear their respective portions of a zone, and there are seven in all (as there are seven Chaos Emeralds to obtain). If you want to see the end of the game, then you must complete them.

Fortunately, these special stages are not nearly as difficult as those seen in past Sonic titles. At first we thought they would be, as we believed the goal to be to collect as many colored orbs (in lieu of rings) as possible to get the Chaos Emerald. Instead, these actually fuel your boost meter, with which you must keep up with the Chaos Emerald in order to get it.

Special stages have always been the bane of this reviewer’s Sonic experiences, and he has never succeeded in gathering all seven within any game; one or two, at the most. But this time out, he was able to acquire all seven with ease, and had a blast doing it. And like other stages in the game, you can improve your score and rank by going back to them and doing even better.

As for the main portion of the game, things have been streamlined considerably. Rather than a large, interactive hub, you select your stages from a menu, while other features– challenges, unlockables, etc.– are separated into their own game modes.

The lineup of stages differs from the console version as well, though not in the way many had hoped. Being a handheld title, there were fans who had hoped that this version of Generations would take its stages from Sonic’s Game Gear, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable appearances. But, for the most part, that isn’t the case, and the majority of stages come from console titles.

Though both share unique versions of the Green Hill Zone, that is the only one they have in common. Sonic 2‘s Chemical Plant Zone is replaced by the Casino Night Zone, Sonic & Knuckles‘ Hidden Palace Zone is replaced by the Mushroom Hill Zone, and once again, Sonic 3 is left out entirely, unless you’re willing to count it and Sonic & Knuckles as one game.

Things continue with Sonic Adventure‘s Speed Highway being replaced by the Emerald Coast and Sonic Adventure 2‘s City Escape being replaced by Radical Highway. After that, though, things veer wildly away from the pattern established in the console version.

Gone are the remakes of levels from Sonic Heroes, 2006′s Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Unleashed, and Sonic Colors for the Wii; in their place are a humble two zones, with Water Temple representing Sonic Rush and Tropical Resort representing Sonic Colors for the Nintendo DS. It’s an interesting trade-off, to say the least, though it is unfortunate that the number of stages seems to have been dictated by the number of Chaos Emeralds.

RipTen Review: Sonic Generations (Xbox 360)

David Oxford — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:30:57 +0000

June 2011 marked the 20th anniversary of everyone’s favorite cobalt Erinaceus europaeus, and SEGA has decided to mark the occasion in style with the release of Sonic Generations for the Xbox 360 (the version reviewed here), PlayStation 3, and PC platforms. There is also a release coming soon to the Nintendo 3DS, but that is its own separate version, and one we will hopefully have the opportunity to look at for you soon.

Sonic Generations is a celebration of Hedgehog history, for better or worse. Sonic Team has gone to the effort of taking one zone from several of the Blue Blur’s games and remaking them for a new generation of consoles. Not every game is accounted for, though some are represented in other ways; you won’t find levels from any of the portable titles here, nor anything from the “Storybook Series” of games released for the Wii, though they are often accounted for in other ways, be it an unlockable music track or a reference in the characters’ dialogue.

The story, for those interested, is that Sonic’s friends are throwing him a party when a mysterious force swoops in and attacks the group, sending Sonic’s friends through time portals and leaving the hedgehog himself in the middle of a white void. There, he winds up teaming up with his past self, the shorter, rounder, and some would say cuter version from the titles which helped the SEGA Genesis stand toe-to-toe with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (itself celebrating 20 years) for the majority of the 16-bit era.

Together, they set off through the void, or “White Space,” finding areas from different eras of Sonic’s history and racing through to restore them to their original full-color glory.

The void acts as the hub world for the game and, after clearing the initial Green Hill Zone stage, becomes the place where you will start the game each time. Like time itself, progression here is linear — you may get a peek at some upcoming stages, but you’ll still have to travel through each stage as it comes chronologically… or rather, in order of each game’s release, given that a couple of stages, such as two of the Rival Battles (more on those in a bit) and Crisis City from 2006′s Sonic the Hedgehog (we did say for better or for worse, and that game definitely falls into the latter) are technically in the future, but are still placed a bit before the end of this interactive timeline.

You can switch between either Sonic at any time and use who you prefer to navigate the White Space, which itself is very much like a 2D stage. This hub is divided into three “eras,” each of which feature three games/areas, one Rival Battle, and one boss to represent them (plus the game’s final boss): the Genesis era (containing Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, which is acknowledged in its Lock-On form here. There is also a nod to Sonic CD here, the Dreamcast era (Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, and Sonic Heroes, despite the latter not appearing on SEGA’s ill-fated final console), and the “Modern” era (2006′s Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Unleashed, and Sonic Colors).

In addition to the stages, the White Space also contains Omochao’s Skill Shop, where you can purchase upgrades for each Sonic using the points earned just by playing the game. These, of course, allow them to do all sorts of things, from having higher speed to braking on a dime to using shields from the Genesis Sonic games. The downside is that you only have 100 Skill Point slots to allot to these abilities.

You can also purchase 1UPs from the shop, which is handy at times, or a Genesis controller, which allows you to play an emulated version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog on the Genesis console found in the Green Hill’s portion of the White Space.

But that’s not all! There is also an information booth and a “house” of some sort, where you can view cutscenes you’ve seen before, bios and 3D models of the characters, concept art, or even listen to the music you’ve unlocked. The game’s main stages are filled with red rings, similar to those seen in Sonic Colors, and the more you get, the more there is to see.

The one downside to the cutscene archive, however, is that it does not store the scenes where Sonic frees his friends. YouTube notwithstanding, the only way to see them all is to finish each area with each Sonic, requiring two playthroughs of the game. If you don’t have the time or patience for that, we recommend finishing with Classic Sonic in each area, as the reactions most of the characters have to his altered appearance are generally more amusing than those given to the Modern Sonic they all know and love.

That said, there is a fair bit to do without even entering the stages.

Of course, the stages are what Sonic Generations is all about, and are what people have waited for each new trailer to see what would be revealed as the release drew ever closer. Sure, all the other stuff is nice, but this is the meat and potatoes right here — for a lot of people, everything else is secondary.

The main idea of Sonic Generations is that you’ll get to experience one stage from one “main” game as both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic. Classic Sonic’s races through stages are 2D-styled gameplay affairs, while Modern Sonic utilizes the mix of 2D and 3D gameplay first pioneered in the daytime portions of Sonic Unleashed and perfected in Sonic Colors.

However, contrary to what some people think (including those hailing from once-respected publications), none of the stages are directly lifted from any of the source material, nor are the Modern Sonic stages merely Classic Sonic’s stages played with an over-the-shoulder perspective. Sure, the themes and some elements may be familiar, but spend any amount of time playing, and those with at least a little familiarity should recognize Sonic Team’s attempt to remake these settings, even going so far as to combine elements from other stages which did not make the cut into the final product. One example of this can be seen with the corkscrews in Sonic the Hedgehog‘s Green Hill Zone, which did not debut until Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

For those who grew up with the series or are simply longstanding fans of Sonic the Hedgehog, it is a sheer delight to see the stages of yesteryear recreated with the technology of today; for that matter, even some of the more recent levels seem to have a newfound attraction, too. If you’re old enough to remember playing Super Mario All-Stars when it came out, and the thrill of seeing all the new sights afforded by the marvel of more advanced technology, seeing the updated Sonic stages here provokes a similar sensation, but with the benefit of about three more generations’ difference.

The developers clearly had some fun with the redesigns, as you can see a lot of neat little touches in several of the stages, such as roadsigns named for characters, or “Missing” and “Wanted” posters for characters who have been long absent from the franchise.

Sonic: Generations Announced for the Nintendo 3DS

Brandon Fenty — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:00:41 +0000

Celebrating his 20th Anniversary, SEGA‘s iconic hedgehog is making his way onto the Nintendo 3DS on November 22nd. The game is set across three defining eras from the 20 years of Sonic the Hedgehog video game history. The environments of Sonic Generations are instantly recognizable and have been re-built in stunning HD.

You’ll be able to play in both the classic side-scrolling 2D from 1991, as well as the modern 3D style found in Sonic’s most recent adventures. Each incarnation of Sonic in Sonic Generations comes complete with its trademark special move, Spin Dash and Spin Attack for Classic Sonic, and the Homing Attack and Sonic Boost for Modern Sonic. If you’re a Sonic fan, this looks to be a game that you’ll want to pick up for the 3DS. We’ll keep you up to date with details about the game as it gets closer to release.

New Sonic Generations XBL Demo Coming Tuesday (PSN Next Week)

Dave Oshry — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:15:01 +0000

Need more hedgehog in your life? Of course you do!

Can’t wait any longer for Sonic Generations? Of course you cant!

Well, you’re in luck!

SEGA® America, Inc. & SEGA® Europe Ltd., today confirmed that a second demo is being released prior to the launch of the highly anticipated Sonic Generations™ game for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system. Demo #2 for the game will be available in North America via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 on October 18 and PlayStation®Network on October 25.

The first demo, released on June 23, 2011 – the anniversary of Sonic’s 20^th year – allowed fans to play as Classic Sonic only. Now the second demo means fans can finally play as Modern Sonic – as well as Classic Sonic again – in the stunning environments of the iconic Green Hill level from Sonic Generations.

Yep.

Sonic Generations Races to the 360 and PS3 on November 1st

Justin Carter — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:28:48 +0000

In case you’ve been living under a rock over the past few months, there are a lot of games coming out this fall. Gears 3 is next week, then it’s Rage, Arkham City, and a crapton of more games. A lesser known game would have the common sense to migrate over to 2012, so as to avoid the crossfire. Sonic Generations does not have that common sense. The 360 and PS3 versions will be launching November 1, along with some other game, but I forgot what it’s called. It’s on the tip of my tongue…ooh, I remember now!

Yeah. Sega might’ve shot themselves in the foot this time.

[Via Joystiq]

Sonic 4: Episode 2 Finally Comes 2 Gamers in 2012

Justin Carter — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Classic Sonic the Hedgehog returned to the gaming world in late 2010 with Sonic 4: Episode 1. You’d think that Sega continue the trend and release Episode 2 sometime this year, but it appears that won’t be the case. In a conversation with Eurogamer, Takashi Iikuza of Sonic Team spoke regarding Episode 2:

“This year, 2011, is the anniversary, so we’re focusing on the celebration title. But moving forward to 2012, Sonic will still be going, so I’d hope to provide Episode 2 then.”

Of course, that sounds bad on paper, but when you think about the number of games slated for the end of the year, it’d pretty much be suicide for Sega’s flagship to squeeze himself in at this time.

[Via Game Informer]

Sonic Through the Ages: 20th Anniversary Video – The Memories

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:15:41 +0000

Remember when Sonic games were good? I do, but some of the readers might be too young to remember. When Sonic-The-Hedgehog first made his debut on the Sega Genesis, he gave the Big N and the Crimson Plumber their first real challenge.

Now, share in the memories of 20 years of Sonic with a whirlwind tour of history in the ‘Sonic Through the Ages’ video.

Happy 20th Sonic! Next year you’ll be able to legally drink.
-

E3 2011: Sonic Generations – Old School Vs Modern (Trailer)

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:35:56 +0000

In the new E3 Sonic Generations Trailer, there are two different ways to take on the courses – Old School vs Modern. I know…another Sonic game, you’d think that we’ve all learn our lesson by now. You never know, this could be the game to put the series back on track.

Sonic Generations is scheduled for release on the 3DS PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this coming holiday season.

Sega Details 3DS Edition of Sonic Generations

Matthew Sims — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:02:22 +0000

Sonic Generations, the latest title in the historic hedgehog’s lineup, will put the newer edgier Sonic alongside the classic diminutive version that loves chili dogs. The game will be heading to every possible game console imaginable and the 3DS is no exception. The new title will have a version built from the ground up for the Nintendo 3DS, featuring levels designed specifically for the system.

“Sonic Generations for the Nintendo 3DS will combine brand new technology and twenty years of Sonic the Hedgehog videogame heritage” commented David Corless, Global Brand Director for Sonic. “Couple this with the ability to play as both Classic and Modern Sonic and you have the perfect gaming celebration for the landmark anniversary of our much loved mascot”

The specifically designed Nintendo 3DS environments, based on iconic levels from popular Sonic the Hedgehog titles, will include an exclusive unlockable ‘special stage’ allowing players to become even more immersed in Sonic’s world. Sonic Generations™ for Nintendo 3DS will also take advantage of the StreetPass™ feature by enabling players to collect new content and unlock bonus material each time they pass another player. In addition to this, the new two-player versus mode means fans can battle it out across some of the most recognisable Sonic environments in a completely new way.

Sonic Generations™ for Nintendo 3DS follows the same storyline as the previously announced platforms, with Sonic and his friends pulled back through time due to a mysterious new power which is causing chaos throughout the universe by creating strange “time holes”. Sonic Generations™ will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system and the Nintendo 3DS system in November 2011.

Look for Sonic Generations this fall IN 3D!

Sonic Generations Announced – It’s A ‘New’ Sonic Game… Kinda

Dave Oshry — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:29:17 +0000

Sega has announced a new sonic game. Well, it’s new and old. You see, it will pair new sonic with old sonic and let you play both new and old levels in both a 3d and 2d perspective. Yeah, that does sound pretty cool.

SEGA says:

Set across three defining eras from 20 years of Sonic the Hedgehog video game history, the instantly recognizable environments of Sonic Generations have been re-built in stunning HD and are now playable in both classic side scrolling 2D from 1991, as well as modern 3D style found in Sonic’s most recent adventures. Each incarnation of Sonic in Sonic Generations comes complete with his trademark special move, Spin Dash and Spin Attack for Classic Sonic, and the Homing Attack and Sonic Boost for Modern Sonic. An innovative new interactive menu system allows for complete immersion in Sonic’s universe with favorite characters and hidden treasures gradually being revealed throughout the game.

I dig the concept and these screens look “dashing”. Sonic generations will be coming this holiday season.

Geeked-Out Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog Walkie Talkies

Dave Oshry — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:30:57 +0000

Sometimes it’s the little things you come across at the CES that will make your day. These Sonic and Shadow walkies did just that.

Made by Jazwares, these are purely toys and definitely are not suited for a long hike through the wilderness. However, they are perfect for kids running around on the playground or in the backyard. They’ll soon be available at Toys R Us and other fine retailers.

I’d hate to be the kid who gets stuck using the Shadow walkie . . . nobody likes Shadow.

Jazwares also makes all sorts of other Sonic nonsense – including headphones, cameras and boomboxes. Yes, Sonic Boom(boxes) Check em out:

Five O’Clock Fan Art: Sonic The Hedgehog

Dylan Duarte — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:01 +0000

Did Sonic the Hedgehog always look like this? It’s possible that when we were kids, we saw everything through magnificent, bright child eyes. The truth isn’t pretty, kids.

Five O’Clock Fan Art is perfect for wrapping up the work day. You don’t want to think anymore, you just want to look at awesome things. And there’s nothing more awesome than a well crafted piece of videogame fan art. If you don’t agree, what the hell are you doing at a gaming blog?

Today’s art comes from BilboBaggins3. Thanks for opening our eyes, Bilbo.

Does Fan-Made Sonic Fan Remix Rival Sonic 4?

Dylan Duarte — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 02:00:13 +0000

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 was released earlier this month and brought back the 2D Sonic we all know and love, and in glorious High Definition to boot. Now two loyal Sonic fans have also brought back the Sonic we all know and love, along with some levels we all know all love, also in HD.

Sonic Fan Remix is the work of Pelikan13 and Mercury, two fans with a lot of time and talent. They’ve recently released a demo showcasing two classic levels as well as one brand new one. Apparently the remake isn’t 100% accurate to the Sega Genesis games, as there’s elements taken from Sonic CD as well.

Is it possible for an unauthorized, fan-made game to rival an official, professionally developed game? Download the demo over at Sega Bits and let us know what you think!

Sonic the Hedgehog Creator Wants To Make Dreamcast 2 Happen

Dave Ernst — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:10:43 +0000

Yuji Naka, the man behind Sonic the Hedgehog, confessed that he misses the days that he was involved with hardware design. Naka was heavily involved in the creation of the Dreamcast and other Sega controllers.

He then goes on to say he wishes to work with any platform makers as an advisor in the future. This will allow him to create games better suited for the hardware and possibly even create a Dreamcast 2.

“I do miss those old days when I was heavily involved in hardware making at Sega. I was involved in most of the consoles and controllers that Sega came up with.

“If I have the opportunity in the future I want to be involved again with hardware making. It would be ideal if I could become some sort of advisor working with the platform makers in future. If Ivy the Kiwi? does well in Europe then maybe I can make Dreamcast 2.

“Of course Dreamcast was my baby back at Sega and I want to carry on making good games for the European market and one day I’m hoping it gives me the opportunity to work on Dreamcast 2.”

So there you have it. Nobody will let the Dreamcast die.

Source: CVG

Five O’Clock Fan Art: Sonic

Dylan Duarte — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:47 +0000

Stupid hedgehog, you’re not using that toilet properly! Today’s fan art features everyone favorite blue speedster in a very unflattering situation.

To see the rest of monakokko’s work, give this is a little clickeroo.

Why Do Speedy Characters Drive Cars?

David Oxford — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:52:48 +0000

Q: “Why would Sonic the Hedgehog be wanting to learn how to drive?”

A: Watch this video (and be warned of foul language):

(Courtesy of Destructoid, via GoNintendo)

Incidentally, this isn’t the first time the question has come up since Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing was first announced…

From The Sonic Stadium

From SEGA Memories

In addition, Mega Man 2‘s mach-speed Robot Master Quick Man has faced similar issues, as Stardroids.net illustrates:

And now you know the rest of the story.

Sonic Gets Back to His Roots with New Mini-Figures

David Oxford — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:44:27 +0000

With the launch of the Dreamcast and its flagship title, Sonic Adventure, SEGA introduced a new version of its longstanding mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, to the masses. In place of the shorter, chubbier hero stood a sleeker design, one which sported longer limbs, thinner proportions, longer quills, and perhaps most startling of all, a pair of green eyes which really stood out.

While some may not have cared for the change at first, most seemed ready to accept it; after all, what cartoon character hasn’t changed his or her appearance over time? Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and even Sonic’s old rival Mario had done so; why should Sonic be any different?

But as time wore on and a perceived drop in quality of the Blue Blur’s games became more and more evident, the leaner, green-eyed Sonic came to be seen by some as a poster-boy for the troubles which they felt plagued the series. “Green must go” would be a generalized summation of the thought that Sonic must return to the appearance he held through his triumphant Genesis and Game Gear days, and even through his rare Saturn roles.

In fact, so passionate are some fans in this train of thought that they formed a petition requesting that SEGA include the classic version of Sonic in their upcoming title, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (though admittedly not at the expense of the new Sonic, but as an alternate choice). Their reasoning? It’s not truly “retro” if they use the newer design:

We believe that the addition of the modern Sonic design does not make sense in terms of the continuity – it would be illogical to change the design of the main character in an immediate sequel to this game. We believe that it is a very good idea to make a retro Sonic game, but without the original design, this might as well be Sonic Advance 4 or Sonic Rush 3; whilst the Sonic Advance and Rush series were games that many people enjoyed, but they were not retro.

While so far, it seems SEGA has not caved in to the demands of this contingent, it seems that there is another which recognizes the nostalgic value of Sonic’s formative years.

First 4 Figures has been catering to the oldschool Sonic fan recently with the release of statues and figures which depict the likes of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they were when they first hit the scene during the 16-bit era. And now, they’ve revealed a new package of mini-figures which manage to strap Time Stones to even more characters and throw them off a cliff (if you get the reference, then you know that means it in a good way).

Though originally slated for a September release, First 4 Figures revealed to SEGA’s Sonic City Blognik that a six-pack of two-inch figures is now available on their website.

Crafted by Goran Sadojevich, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles appear alongside new retro additions Amy Rose (in her Sonic the Hedgehog CD form), a menacing Metal Sonic to snatch her away, and a mighty yellow Super Sonic (sans his contemporary red eyes, of course) to give chase (or join him in creating anarchy, if you favor the European comics). First 4 Figures notes:

Warning we can’t guarantee Metal Sonic won’t somehow betray you, lock you up and then get all crazy about how he is the real Sonic, or that he won’t randomly turn red and become a monstrous killing machine. Sorry, but that’s not part of the product guarantee.

Sometimes, those are the risks you take.

All of these can be had for $29.99, which comes out to about $5 a figure, which is a pretty decent price in today’s market.

Of course, these figures may not be for everyone. In fact, one can pretty much safely say that these are targeting a niche, hardcore demographic of Sonic fans. But if you decide you’re in the market for such a figure, but don’t care about whether it’s oldschool or not, toy company Jazwares has been making a number of different Sonic toys for a little while now.

Jazwares’ products come in a variety of sizes and materials, and cover generic Sonic fare, as well as more specific games such as Sonic Unleashed, Sonic and the Black Knight, and the recent racing game Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, whose line is scheduled to receive some non-Sonic characters, including AiAi from Super Monkey Ball, Beat from Jet Set Radio, and Amigo from Samba de Amigo.

They’ve also released radio-controlled race cars based on the racing title, which are good for chasing pets around, or just running up and down the driveway. Check it out:

New or old, it looks like all types of Sonic fans will have plenty of choices when it comes to plastic portrayals, whether for play or display.

Five O’Clock Fan Art: Sonic the Hedgehog

Dylan Duarte — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:34 +0000

If there’s one thing you guys take away from this fan art, let it be this pearl of wisdom: Nobody puts Sonic in a bottle.

Today’s piece comes from certified Sonic fanatic shoppaaa. Get to the shoppaaaaaaa.

Hedgehog Double Feature: Sonic 2 XL & Doomsday Zone Animation

David Oxford — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:02:40 +0000

Today, we have two Sonic the Hedgehog videos on display, one of which is from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. If it weren’t Friday, we would dub this “Sonic 2sday.” And then be promptly sued by SEGA for infringing on their advertising gimmick of 1992.

The first video is from a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 called “Sonic 2 XL.” Here, all of the golden power rings Sonic collects have been replaced by… *cue dramatic music* …onion rings!

Normally, the more rings Sonic gets, the healthier he is in battle. But when they’re deep-fried and plentiful… well, see for yourself:

To be frank, this writer tends not to deal in ROMs and the like, and if you want to know where to get this? Couldn’t really tell you. There is, however, a link from the YouTube post of the above video, and that may or may not have everything you need.

Next is a different type of fan video, a computer-generated animation of the final level of Sonic & Knuckles, the Doomsday Zone. The creator, who guys by the curious YouTube username of MajorDump, began the project a year ago, and this is the fruit of that labor:

He notes in the infobox of the YouTube post:

the goal was to remake the last zone from Sonic & Knuckles as a 3D animation. I wanted to add additional story points at the beginning and end to compliment the existing canon of the game. This is evidenced by my little additive prologue where Sonic finds the emeralds in space.

Of course, as anyone who has played through this part of the game knows, this video doesn’t depict the whole story. MajorDump had planned to do more, but…

I got burnt out. Animation is a tough craft. It’s especially tough when you’re not sure of your own abilities. Slap that on top of having a full time animation job at the time, and it’s a nightmare having the will to make time for this. You spend all your day on Autodesk Maya, the last thing you want to do when you come home is load up Maya again.

Understandable; as one who tends to write about video games for most of the week as a matter of work, it detracts from the luster of doing it for recreation.

That said, things have changed for MajorDump; with a new job at BioWare that doesn’t involve doing animation, there is hope of finishing the animation, which would include a powerless Sonic sky-diving after the Master Emerald before being saved by Tails in his Tornado biplane, and the two returning the giant gem to its rightful home on the Floating Island.

Until then, we’ll just have to settle for whatever SEGA deals us in Sonic Colors and Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Lucky for us, they do good work when it comes to computer animation– whether you liked Sonic Unleashed or not, you have to at least admit that the opening was good.