sonic-generations
Latest
Sonic the Hedgehog honored with Belgian stamps, Japanese guitar
Sonic the Hedgehog is more than just a blue creature who runs quickly. He's a mascot, a hero, an inspiration to many ... and now, in honor of the 20th anniversary of his first game, he's a guitar. The Japanese branch of guitar company ESP has partnered with Sega to make a limited edition Sonic electric guitar designed to look like Sega musician Jun Senoue's. It features the hedgehog's smirking face on the body, and his shoe on the headstock. It'll be available through the end of the year for ¥136,500 ($1782). After the break, Senoue demonstrates with a little Sonic music. You can find more of his playing at the ESP site. If you're looking for a much, much cheaper collectible, the Belgian Post is launching a series of Sonic stamps on August 29. [Thanks, Jake.]
New Mario and Sonic Olympics, Sonic Generations trailers
Time to check in with Mario and Sonic ... and Sonic and Sonic. We've overloaded this post with blue hedgehogs, by presenting new Gamescom trailers for both Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the already Sonic-laden Sonic Generations.
Sonic Generations footage: Chemical Plant Zone and City Escape
After so many disappointing Sonic games, Sega is picking a safer formula and remaking chunks of old Sonic games, almost pixel-by-pixel. At least, that appears to be the case in this Sonic Generations video from Gameswelt.tv. Behold: The Chemical Plant Zone (and City Escape, if you want something more modern).
Sonic Generations screens visit the Chemical Plant Zone
Sega has revealed yet another all-too-familiar playground for Sonic Generations' twin Hedgehogs: the hazardous, pipe-permeated Chemical Plant Zone. Check out Sonic, Sonic and Metal Sonic's escapades in the new-old level in the gallery below!
Sonic Generations: Special Edition spotted at GAME
It looks like Sonic Generations will be receiving the special edition treatment. At least, it appears that way in the UK, where retailer GAME has posted PS3 and Xbox 360 listings for Sonic Generations: Special Edition. The PS3 version includes a bonus "Casino Night" level, which recreates the pinball-themed level from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In addition to the bonus level, the Xbox 360 version includes a Super Sonic Avatar outfit and a dashboard theme. We've contacted Sega to see if the Special Edition is speeding its way to America as well.
Sonic Generations demo out now, gone in 20 days; iOS App out in Japan
Sega's going all out for Sonic's 20th birthday, buying him an enormous balloon, building him an iOS App, and releasing a demo of Sonic Generations on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. You can charge through a new(ish) Green Hill Zone with original (chubby) Sonic, and can sample the stereoscopic 3D mode while you're at it. Based on what we played, it doesn't appear as though the flipside of that level could be played with modern (skinny) Sonic. Luckily, we have 20 days to see if it's buried in there as an easter egg. Sega released a free iOS App as well, though it's only found its way to the Japanese App Store thus far -- we've checked with Sega to make sure it's coming here as well. According to Andriasang, it'll only be available for the next six months. The app is composed of the first stage of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1, a minigame named "Sonic the Sketchhog," a news feed, and an area for "weekly wallpaper downloads." Sales are also kicking off on a variety of Sonic titles for XBLA/PSN, which run from today through July 28. And yes, this Thanksgiving, Sonic -- in his skinnier form -- will once again appear in the Macy's parade, taunting our turkey-swelled bellies with his simultaneously svelte and inflated figure.
Report: Sonic Generations demo hitting PSN, XBLM on June 23
A report by Andriasang claims that Sega has chosen tomorrow, June 23 to launch the demo for its remastered retro remix, Sonic Generations. Although it doesn't cite a source for the information, the site says that the demo will be available for PS3 and Xbox 360, the latter requiring an Xbox Live Gold account to download. Additionally, the one-level trial game will evidently expire on July 12, vanishing from both e-stores and disabling itself if it's been downloaded. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has listed the demo as part of tomorrow's European PlayStation Store update, lending a lot of credence to this news, although a representative for Sega America couldn't comment when asked by Joystiq if the demo is planned to hit the US tomorrow, too. It's entirely likely -- though not confirmed -- that the demo's release is being prepared as a surprise to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sonic franchise, which is, conveniently, June 23. PS3 owners in Japan would need another surprise tomorrow in order to play the demo, Andriasang points out -- that country's PSN is still offline, with no indication it will be brought back into service within the next 24 hours. Update: The Sonic Generations demo is now available on Xbox Live -- for the next 20 days.
Sonic 20th anniversary figurine is looking sharp
In celebration of Sonic the Hedgehog's 20th anniversary, Sega is making some pretty slick figurines. They "will not be sold anywhere," according to Sega, and only one thousand are being manufactured. Presumably, the only way to get one will be via contests or promotions. The company didn't offer any specs, though the figure appears to be fairly large -- check out the photo after the break for reference. Fun fact: There are two versions of the figurine, one for the United States and another for other parts of the world (pictured above). The two versions are nearly identical apart from one small detail. See if you can guess what it is.
All Sonic Generations 3DS levels to be platform-exclusive (save for Green Hill Zone)
After showing E3 attendees a new level in Sonic Generations, game producer Takashi Iizuka highlighted some of the extra content that can only be found in the 3DS version. "One important thing to say about the Nintendo 3DS version is that besides Green Hill Zone, which is the starting zone on all versions, all the stages on the Nintendo 3DS version will be different from the stages that are seen in the PS3 and 360," Iizuka said. Generations will revisit and remix levels from Sonic's entire history, including his Genesis and Dreamcast outings, but only the 3DS game may borrow stages from older handheld games. "For the PS3 and 360, none of the stages we're selecting are going to be from the handheld," Iizuka explained during a brief Q&A session. "However, on 3DS we're looking at picking stages from handheld as well." The portable version of Generations will also offer a special stage, a two-player versus mode and a battery life that should effortlessly summon nostalgia for Sonic's Game Gear days.%Gallery-125674%
Sonic Generations 3DS has exclusive levels, StreetPass bonuses
Sonic Generations is coming to the 3DS, as revealed in the last issue of Nintendo Power. A press release issued by Sega reveals that the handheld version won't be exactly the same as its PS3/Xbox counterpart -- a concept that should be comfortable to people anticipating a game about two different versions of the same character. According to the announcement, the 3DS game has new levels designed specifically for that version, along with an unlockable 3DS-exclusive 'special stage.' Generations also uses the 3DS's StreetPass communication feature to unlock "bonus material" when two players' 3DSes come within communication range. Both the console and 3DS Sonic Generations won't be out until November. Following standard Sonic protocol, we're not going to get our hopes up for either yet.
Nintendo Power cover confirms Sonic Generations 3DS, new Shinobi
We've recently seen some evidence of two Sega 3DS projects that have yet to be officially announced: a 3DS (and PC) version of Sonic Generations, and a new Shinobi game. It turns out that the latest issue of Nintendo Power announces them both before Sega has a chance to fire up the press release machine. The cover of the June 2011 issue, as found on NeoGAF, specifically notes that Sonic Generations "speeds onto the 3DS" just in time for the sometimes pudgy hedgehog's 20th anniversary. Shinobi, however, is only listed as a "classic revival." Additionally, a teaser of the forthcoming Shinobi game appears to have leaked on YouTube, posted yesterday by user "greatshow482" -- the user's only upload. Beyond affirming Griptonite Games as the developer, the teaser confirms a Shinobi game "re-imagined for the Nintendo 3DS."
Sonic Generations listed for 3DS, PC in earnings report
A Sega Sammy Holdings earnings report (PDF) may have outed plans to release Sonic Generations on PC and 3DS. Spotted by Andriasang, a section highlighting titles planned for Sega's current fiscal year includes a listing for Sonic Generations on 3DS and PC as well as the already announced releases for Xbox and PS3. Given the history of portable Sonic titles, the 3DS listing certainly makes sense. Joystiq has contacted Sega for comment.
Try out Sonic Generations at E3 'Sonic Boom' party
Sega's throwing a Sonic party during E3, offering perhaps the best possible situation in which to try out Sonic Generations. If you go to Club Nokia on June 8, play the game, and find, to your delight, that it really does bridge the gap between "classic" and "modern" Sonic, that its physics simulation is above reproach, and that it's truly fun -- you can then immediately celebrate Sega's triumphant return to form with a gathering of other euphoric Sonic fans. If the game turns out to be disappointing, there'll probably be free food! As well as " exclusive Generations collector's merchandise!" If you want to go, keep an eye on the Sega blog for your chance to reserve a pass. The first 500 passes have already been snapped up by appropriately speedy people!
Sonic Generations demo classified in Australia
Though Sonic's new outing Sonic Generations may still be a ways off, it looks like we may get an early double dose of hedgehog. Sega is planning to release a demo of the game, according to Australia's Classification Board, which recently awarded the demo a family-friendly G rating. It would seem like good news for Sonic fans, though it's unusual for most game rating organizations to assign a rating to an individual demo. Ratings are usually reserved only for individual retail products. One possible implication is that the demo could (could, mind you) be a paid product of some sort, or perhaps bundled with an upcoming Sega game.
Sonic Generations footage has something old, something new, and two blue things
Didn't get your fix of Sonic Generations' new school-meets-old school gameplay yet? Well, junkie, you can get your hands on even more of the platformer's expedient, multi-dimensional action in the video posted just after the jump.
Sonic Generations trailer takes a second look at Green Hill Zone
Are you having a hard time wrapping your noodle around the perspective-shifting gameplay we outlined in our recent preview of Sonic Generations? Sounds like a visual aid is just what the doctor ordered -- check out the gameplay video below to see Generations' two distinct angles.
Sonic Generations preview: Chubby reign
Sonic the Hedgehog may easily outrun a spring chicken, but he's not exactly "young" anymore. The blue dash turns 20 this year, having only lost weight with age; and to celebrate the big two zero, Sega is releasing Sonic Generations for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It's a full price retail game, coming this holiday, that pays homage to the storied history of Mr. the Hedgehog. Late last week I played through the first level of Sonic's cross-generational platformer on Xbox 360 -- a "reimagining" of Sonic's Green Hill Zone -- using both old (chubby) and new (skinny) Sonic. Here's how the pairing works: each level of Sonic Generations is playable with either character, and both offer different routes and perspectives.%Gallery-121375%
Rumor: Sonic Generations, Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games logos leak
Users on the Sonic Stadium forums have captured what appears to be leaked (and temporary) box art for two upcoming Sega games, one of which features a logo for the new, recently teased Sonic game. It's set to be called "Generations," which fits in with early domain registrations allegedly done by Sega, as well the trailer's depiction of both the original (see: potbellied) and redesigned hedgehog hero. A second leaked cover also indicates that Sega is working on Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for Wii. No surprise there, as the first Mario and Sonic sold over five million copies and its winter-based sequel did another six and a half million. We've contacted Sega for comment. [Thanks, Mortimer]
