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Sonic the Hedgehog: An Endangered Species?

October 01, 2008 in Blog comments 23

A blogger Don Reisinger has typed up an article on the Sega mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. Their claim is simple, Sonic is dying out and is no longer able to meet expectations, or match the older games.

Their evidence includes poll statistics, competition from other companies and mascots, the hype is now gone for new releases as the original players are getting older and that it lacks the appeal of current day games: sex and killing.

Is this really goodbye Sonic?

And unfortunately, it's becoming clearer by the day that Sonic, a stalwart of that time, is dying of old age with each sub-par title from Sega trying to revive the old hedgehog.
Dark Arcanine via news.cnet.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Oct 4, 2008

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  • 1
    Final Blade Oct 1, 08
    I don't think so. I mean seriously the fans just didn't like how it wasn't the same as the old ones with the 2D graphics and gameplay. I'm sure if Sonic keeps true to that and while incorporating some new generation stuff, it'll sell every well. Hopefully Sonic Unleashed is going to be that game. But again, I'm biased here since I'm a long time fan of Sonic and probably always will be, so any new sonic game I'll buy.
    • 0
      Capn Droid Oct 2, 08
      The problem is, Sonic Dark Brotherhood completely erases everything that's good about Sonic... while Sonic Adventure 2 was, indeed, a somewhat fun game to play on occasion, it also erases the 2D element of the game, which is essential for this series. This is a platformer, and won't be able to survive any other way. Mario had it lucky.
      • 0
        Final Blade Oct 3, 08
        I disagree, I personally liked most of the sonic games, hence why I stated im biased. Sonic is one of those things where as long as I get fun out of them, its easily enjoyable. Thats why I find them good. Cause I found the fun in all of them.
        • 0
          Capn Droid Oct 4, 08
          quote
          But again, I'm biased here since I'm a long time fan of Sonic
          I did not see that comment; thanks for pointing that out.

          I just can't help but think Sonic's really lost the original formula. Sure, they've got different formulas... but when it comes to a classic icon, it really isn't the same. It's this sort of situation that makes me want to say "why not invent a new series?"
  • 0
    BANDITO ATTACK Oct 1, 08
    its kinda hard to 'match the older games' when they were just typical platformers.

    they could make a good sonic game if they wanted to, but they just keep trying the absolute stupidest shit imaginable.
  • 0
    Big A2 Oct 1, 08
    I miss SEGA's old franchises, Sonic basically over took them when they switch to 3D was made. Or maybe it's a good thing that Ecco and Alex Kid didn't get turned into the crap modern day SEGA is known for.
  • 2
    Tenken Oct 1, 08
    No sex appeal and violence?!? That pink hedgehog Amy is damn FINE! And Shadow carried guns in his game! WTFLOGIC!

    It all started with Sonic Heroes, that's when the games started sucking. Badly.
    • 1
      Chiggins Oct 1, 08
      Thats what we wanna see, Sonic Unleashed hot coffee mod where Sonic and Amy do a whole lot of sex.

      The kids will love it.
      • 1
        Capn Droid Oct 2, 08
        Didn't you hear? He's after human chicks now.
  • 0
    Dark Arcanine Oct 1, 08
    I agree, I do believe Sonic has a tiny bit of sex appeal... although I think it's rather tame compared to a lot of modern day games.

    I was not quite sure on this article myself, I know a lot of younger children who love this game. I think the industry just needs them to grow up a bit to replace the older gamers and all good, no need to revert back to old methods.
  • 0
    Galacticdramon Oct 1, 08
    Lacks sex and killing? Naturally Rouge's cleavage physics and Shadow's weapon addiction aren't enough.
  • 0
    Play ISDF Oct 1, 08
    So what, all games must have sex and killing to be good? Who comes up with this crap logic? Isn't say, LittleBigPlanet one of the most awaited games at the moment and as far as I know, it doesn't have sex or killing. Same goes for Spore (Sporn not included), Portal, Rockband/Guitar hero series, there are a lot of games out there that are fairly good and don't revolve around sex and killing. Besides, by the looks of things, Sonic Unleashed will revive the series for old school fans.
  • 0
    Sonic Flash Oct 1, 08
    It's Sega's fault entirely that their Sonic games are doing so poorly. Sonic is fine. I'm pretty sure you can even rationalize introducing new chars each time if you made the game good enough.

    Awkward kiss scenes? Carrying guns around? Glitchy cameras and poor gameplay mechanics? Those are allll your fault, Sega.

    Case in point: Capcom releases an 8-bit Mega Man game for dirt cheap; people go apeshit for it because it's EXACTLY what the series was started on and designed for.

    Games that would succeed:
    - Original 16-bit Sonic game with no storyline, just like Sonic/Sonic 2/etc
    - 3D game with extra care taken to camera and controller mechanics, no new characters, random temporary locales
  • 0
    Fishlock Oct 1, 08
    Well, Sonic is going to be a were wolf/knight.

    Maybe...
  • 0
    ZaikXory Oct 1, 08
    If Mario hasn't died out yet, then Sonic won't die out either.
    • 0
      Big A2 Oct 1, 08
      Think to your self, are the modern day Mario games good? Yes. Are the modern day Sonic games good? No.
      • 0
        ZaikXory Oct 2, 08
        Thats not necessarily true. Some of the modern day Sonic games are pretty good.
        • 0
          Big A2 Oct 2, 08
          Source please.

          But seriously, name one.
        • 0
          Capn Droid Oct 2, 08
          Please. Not only must you name me that, but also any good Mario game on the market, excluding Super Smash Bros.

          ... Mario Kart. Never mind, .

          But again, one good Sonic game from this generation. Hell, last generation, if you can't find one. Just tell us.
      • 0
        Zaraze Oct 2, 08
        That won't stop Sega milking it until long after it's dead.

        Apart from that The Dark Brotherhood is good. Outshined by several other RPGs yes, but it's still a great game and it makes most of the caracters likeable.
        Of course it was developed by Bioware, Sonicteam will probably never repeat the ideal =(
  • 0
    MrX867 Oct 2, 08
    This game series should have died long ago,
    don't get me wrong I love Sonic games, I grew up with sonic;
    but they should have killed it instead of making Sonic go through the shame of all those crappy games. Or just make the games like 2.5D instead of full 3D.
  • 0
    Dark Arcanine Oct 2, 08
    Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood is interesting because of the fact it's designed for the Nintendo DS.
  • 0
    Scott 1 Oct 2, 08
    I do like Sonic but I gotta admit, it is dying a bit. I must say that I prefer the old 2D platform types of Sonic; the 3D versions can still be fun but they're quite annoying.
    But yeah, kids will always love Sonic no matter what, so I suppose it will have life in it for quite some time.

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