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Sonic has been the star in 60 games and he's had cameos in over 150 games. Everything from racing to adventure games the mascot of Sega has done it all. The big question is what are the top 5 Sonic games and where does Sonic 3D Blast fall on the list?
Time Magazine's Techland section takes a look back at 20 years of Sonic the Hedgehog over a five-page article, listing games, allies, enemies, comics, and TV Shows, amongst other things.
To celebrate Sonic's 20th birthday, Sega has kindly announced a sale for certain Sonic-related games on the PSN and XBL. PSN users will receive a Sonic bundle, while XBL users will get 40-50% off individual titles.
An official confimation has been announced for the episodic release of Sonic 4: Episode 2. In addtition to that, details were also given as to what SEGA is looking to fix with everyone's favorite blue hedgehog. Cheers!
"Shown in a complete playthrough by YouTube user 1stkirbyever, the Partner.Net build shows a different version of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 on the Wii that is strikingly different than the final version that hit last October. While small changes like music changes and missing animations are a given, there are some cut features that almost warrant an expansion pack."
"September 9th, 1999. 9/9/99. Most commonly known as the launch date of the Dreamcast in North America, it marked yet another point where history was happening in front of peoples’ faces, and they failed to see it.
Now, think about this in context: it’s September of 1999. You buy a new console, and it has the ability to connect to the internet to play games! Playing on the internet, on a CONSOLE?! Preposterous!
Not only that, but the actual technology was ahead of its time, and games wer..."
"Now that Sega has announced a 20th anniversary celebration for Sonic the Hedgehog, 2011 may well prove to be an important year for their spiky blue mascot (we’ll likely get a new game out of it at least). But despite Sega’s best efforts, every gamer – casual or otherwise – knows that there hasn’t been a good Sonic the Hedgehog game made since 1994; Sonic 4 may carry on the series, but the first episode still didn’t feel perfectly right."
With Sonic the Hedgehog fan games like Sonic Fan Remix taking the internet by storm, it's obvious that the designers are obviously doing something right. But are pretty visuals and a cool updated soundtrack worth all the praise?
Late 2010 saw Sonic the Hedgehog going back to his sidescrolling roots in both Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 and Sonic Colors for the Nintendo DS. Meanwhile, the Wii version of Sonic Colors provided the most satisfying 3D outing for the blue blur in years. Was 2010 the year of the hedgehog?
Personally I'm not a fan of the little blue hedgehog, but hye, that's just me. But millions of other gamers can never get enough of his wild antics and side-scrolling fun-n-games.
OXCGN reviewer Ben Cadwallader spends some time getting his first experience of the little blue bugger, and lets us know what he thinks . . Slip over and check out the review, and a heap of screens that go along with it - enjoy.
"Sonic’s retro return to form in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 has already been released to the public, but think back to a time when the game was known only as Project Needlemouse. Sega took their sweet time before releasing a trailer for the latest 2D iteration of their mascot, but one fan created took matters into his own hands, and created his own trailer based off of the few screenshots Sega released to the public."
Like it or not, change happens, and sometimes to some of the most beloved gaming icons around. Read on for the good, the bad, and the ugly of gaming makeovers.
We've gone over a number of gameplay features that the second episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 should include. Check out the final article in this three-part series to see three of the top elements Sonic 4 should include. Mini-bosses, anyone?
Aside from more Badniks, more pitfalls, and Special Stages inspired from Sonic 2 and Sonic 3, what else should the second episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 include?
We all know Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is great. Sega finally provided us with a throwback to the Sonic games of old that still manages to feel fresh. But what do we want out of Episode 2?
Sega is out to restore the fans' faith in Sonic. By featuring fast side-scrolling gameplay, retro-style thrills, and all the loop-de-loops you could hope for in a sequel, it certainly seems like the Sonic franchise is on the right track.
Five new games are headed to Nintendo's downloadable services this week: two for WiiWare and three for DSiWare.
SEGA's much-maligned Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 is finally here for WiiWare. As for DSiWare, XSEED Games brings Prope's Ivy the Kiwi? Mini and Genterprise has the newest game in its G.G series, G.G Series Super Hero Ogre.
Games available this week:
"Since there are literally hundreds of thousands of games out there, it’s no easy task for lead characters to make a lasting impression on the player. Once in a while however, you'll come across a leader that's different. Somehow, that character manages to set himself apart from the others."
"It seems that a small community of developers agree with my sentiments, as SEGA's ultimate fan-site, Sonic Retro has an entire section now devoted to the development of fan-game Sonic the Hedgehog 2 HD, an attempt to replicate the original adventure but re-invigorate it with sharper visuals."
"For that is what is occurring recently in the vast world that is the video game marketplace. Amidst the sea of constant first-person-shooters, RPGs and family friendly party games (yes, Wii, I’m looking at you), many developers are in a sense ‘going retro’ and re-invigorating mascots that have been long since put to rest in a dusty cupboard and neglected for a long, long time."
In the latest Nintendo Power issue, Sega revealed the official price for the upcoming multiplatform downloadable game, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1.
A game has always been closely associated with its music and Sonic's soundtracks have always been representative of the blue hedgehog. Sega surprises an adoring public with a live performance of some of their favourite tunes.
With Sonic 4 and Sonic Colors both slated for releases later this year, it's hard not to compare the two titles. Which of these Sonic games shows the most promise? And which one looks more fun? Will the retro design of Sonic 4 impress gamers? Or will Sonic Colors provide a true 3D gameplay experience?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is Sega's attempt at bringing the famous blue hedgehog back to his side-scrolling roots. Will Sega be able to provide gamers with what they've been asking for all these years?
"Some games are so popular that they were bound to expand to other mediums. For many, it’s all about manga. What makes manga about video game characters so compelling is that the comic creators get to flesh out the storylines and characters, and sometimes even re-imagine the stories in ways that actually make the characters more interesting."
The mascot feud between Mario and Sonic has ended, as is apparent by Sega's poor representation of the Blue Blur in recent years. Luckily, the future looks bright for both gaming icons.
"It was announced on the Summer of Sonic and Sonic Wrecks websites at the weekend, but for those that missed out: Good news! Crush 40 will be at this years Summer of Sonic event in London; where they are set to play live and also answer any of your questions in a Q&A on stage. Good times."
"Many fans of Sonic the Hedgehog on deviantArt like to draw new multicolored hedgehog sidekicks to join him on his quests (as if he didn’t have enough help already). However, there is one artist that has done the opposite and has gone back to Sonic’s roots, re-creating and re-imagining his home of South Island."
"Over the last 60 years, Sega has become one of the most impressive gaming publishers to entertain gamers around the world. When a company has a speedy bluehedgehog as its mascot, experience in both the software and hardware industry, and hundreds of games under its belt, you’re bound to find a fan somewhere of their work. Now it’s time to truly test how blue your blood is! Of these following facts, how many do you know?"
During E3, we spent some time in SEGA's booth with Sonic 4 and Sonic Colors. The games bring two alternate views on how to advance the Sonic series, and both do an excellent job of it. Sonic 4 Episode 1 fiercely adheres to the Sonic side-scrolling DNA, whereas Sonic Colors includes 3D sequences and layered platforming. Our full impressions.
"Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a true return to form for the series. It has eschewed all complications and gone back to the basic formula of fast, frantic, fun platforming. It’s not about blinding speed, as some seem to forget, but changing path mid-run, jumping over objects, and bouncing on enemies after speeding around a loop."
"Though there were a lot of paintings of Mario and other Nintendo favorites, what I personally admired about this artist was his ability to do videogames outside of your average "8-bit fan art" range"
Sonic 4 sets out to bring the Blue Blur back to the format that made him so famous to begin with. Check out GamerSyndrome's impressions of the WiiWare demo, which was playable at Sega's booth this year at E3.
"In celebration of Sonic's birthday and the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, SEGA is giving you the opportunity to win a trip to Japan and be one of the first people ever to get their hands on the final copy of Sonic 4."
This week's The Bender shows the return of two special guests Cee Cee Smith of the PSM clan and gamer/model/writer/plus more Raychul Moore. Rounding out the team is Mike and James who are all a little tired and preparing for E3, so give us a break :p Check the show notes, we cover a lot of topics all around the gaming world. Enjoy!
"Sega wants to make their gaming mascot's return to his classic gaming roots "the best Sonic experience possible" and as such have made an announcement that may disappoint fans anticipating the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. The downloadable title has been delayed until late 2010 so that the team can continue to tune, balance and polish the game before releasing it to the PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360."
"While there are a lot of bad sequels out there, we've decided to single out the top five we think are the worst. Just like every list, not everyone will be happy with our choices. 2K Sports fans will no doubt wonder why the list isn't compiled completely of EA Sports' Madden releases which rarely improve. Fans of series we’ve chosen will certainly get mad like they always do. However we’re sure that many gamers will agree that the list that follows is pretty accurate."
"A lot of games have them and a lot of them are annoying. We're of course talking about side kicks in video games. Whether your favorite genre is the classic platformer or you're more into hardcore action shooters, chances are you've had an annoying side kick at some point. We run down our top five worst side kicks of all-time. It's not likely that you'll agree with them all, but you're certain to remember how some of these number twos bugged you at some point."
"These official screenshots from Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 show off some of the gameplay elements and detailed environments featured in the four acts making up Zone 1, known as Splash Hill Zone, including some screens from the first boss battle against everyone’s favourite bad guy."
"We here at PlanetXbox360 are all very excited about some of the big upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive titles such as Splinter Cell: Conviction or Halo: Reach, but sometimes that hype overshadows great up and coming Xbox LIVE Arcade titles that should not be missed. This year will most likely be another stellar year for Microsoft’s micro gaming arcade service, starting with the company-wide Block Party event taking place this month. Whatever taste or genre of game you might favor, there is most like..."
If any of the previous Sonic games are anything to go by, we can certainly expect Dr. Robotnik, but just how identical are the games going to be? This screenshot (Sega yet to confirm) looks identical and the previously leaked footage looks very similar to Green Hill Zone.
It looks like Dimps, not Sonic Team, will be developing the upcoming downloadable game for the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, Sonic The Hedgehog 4.
Just released onto the net is a leaked gameplay video of the upcoming episodic version of Sonic 4. This video shows some gameplay on Splash Hill Zone along with the starting menu.
A great episode of The Bender this week. Intern Elissa joins us again (and again, speaks on Final Fantasy). James gives us a taste of his Mass Effect 2 review, as does Richard with Bioshock 2. Mike hates on IGN. All this and so much more, enjoy!
Listen live/stream/download with - iTunes - Zune - or direct mp3 download
"In the early 1990s, the Sonic the Hedgehog series was such a force that it propelled Sega to a level of prominence that it had not even dreamt of and unfortunately still tries to return to today. The much maligned Sega has redeemed itself lately by publishing titles such as Bayonetta and others but the Sonic franchise is trying to polish its tarnished name which has degraded slowly over time."
With all the buzz about the upcoming release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, it appears as though a Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has been in existence since 1996. It is actually just a hack of the SNES game Speedy Gonzales: Los Gatos Bandidos. A video of the gameplay can be found at the source.
"Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I will continue the story of the original Sonic the Hedgehog series, taking place after the events of Sonic & Knuckles. With the Death Egg finally destroyed, and Angel Island back in the sky, Sonic decides it's time to take a break and heads off to explore a new territory on his own. However unbeknownst to Sonic, Eggman (formerly known as Dr. Robotnik) has also survived their last encounter, and has begun taking measures to rid himself of our hero."
"There is nothing right now to suggest that Sonic 4 will be anything but classic Sonic with fancy new graphics, the awesome new game that we’ve been awaiting for years. I want Sonic 4 to be really good and prove that SEGA can still do things right, but I don’t expect it. Two generations straight of SEGA failing has ruined the faith I had in them. I had a sliver left, but Sonic Unleashed and actually playing Sonic 2006 completely killed that, leaving only bitterness."
"An image in the top right of the site touts the release date (Summer 2010) and the platforms (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, WiiWare and ???). Obviously, Sega hasn't offered any hints as to what that fourth platform could be. Is Sega working on a portable version for the DS, PSP or iPad? Or maybe a PC version? Who knows, maybe the game will be a launch title for the recently announced Genesis refresh, the Sega Zone."
The Sonic everyone knows and loves is back in the first true sequel to the original series since 1994 (though the story is said to actually pick up after Sonic & Knuckles).
Gamespot gets the scoop; a teaser trailer is here, too.
