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Sonic 4 episodes now on Ouya; Sonic CD coming 'soon'
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 and Episode 2 are now available on Ouya. Episode 1 allows Ouya owners free access to the Splash Hill Zone, while Episode 2 offers up its first two stages gratis. Each episode costs $6.99 to unlock the full experience. Sega previously revealed that 1993's Sonic CD, arguably the peak in the series, would launch on Ouya in June, but that obviously didn't happen. Instead, we're left to expect Sonic CD on the Ouya "soon," per Sega of America's latest update.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Sonic CD coming to Ouya this month
Sega announced plans to support the Android-powered Ouya console after its public launch later this month with a trio of Sonic the Hedgehog releases. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, Sonic 4: Episode 2, and Sonic CD will be released in the Ouya Store on June 27 for $7 each. All three games were previously released for iOS and Android devices, though the Ouya ports are optimized for the console's Tegra 3 processor, and will have free trial versions available in the Ouya Store. Speaking to GamesIndustry International, Sega of America Director of Mobile Business David Zemke praised Ouya's "disruptive technology," and expressed the company's desire "to see what these technologies can do and be a part of it from the beginning." Zemke also addressed the potential for future Ouya releases. "We're always looking for other titles and there may be some future titles that we'd like to bring over," he said. "For us, we're always trying to bring the best gaming experience to the right platforms. It's a delicate mix of how and when to do it." The Ouya will launch on June 25.
Free Sonic 4: Episode 2 iOS codes at Starbucks until Nov. 27
Aside from the instant gratification of a hot beverage and jolt of caffeine, Starbucks is offering its patrons some free iOS gaming from Sega. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 is the Starbucks pick of the week, meaning that participating Starbucks locations across North America will have cards with codes printed on them available to patrons until November 27.While the first episode of Sonic 4 suffered from many problems, Sonic 4: Episode 2 showed marginal improvements over its predecessor but still failed to capture the series magic of yesteryear. Still, it's not a terrible game and would certainly pair well with that quad venti, sugar free, non-fat, no foam, extra whip caramel macchiato you're always ordering.
Sega games running to Samsung mobile hubs, some for free
Samsung Apps and Game Hub services, both providing mobile gaming to Samsung devices such as the Galaxy S 2, are getting a little more blue. A selection of Sega games are available now on Apps and Game Hub, including Sonic CD, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 and 2, and Chu Chu Rocket! Hitting later on is Virtua Tennis Challenge and Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition.Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 is available for free for a limited time on the Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. A special edition of Virtua Tennis Challenge will also be free for a limited time on the Galaxy 3 smartphone.
Hello Kitty Sonic is first character collaboration from Sanrio and Sega
This is a picture of Hello Kitty as Sonic the Hedgehog. Please, take a minute from your hectic, stressful day and really let the majesty of that concept sink in. Enjoy the contrast of bright blue against fluffy white and red; pay attention to the detail of the gloves, the golden buckles and traction lines decorating her shoes, the adorable button nose.Disregard all thoughts of how exactly Hello Kitty got a hold of Sonic the Hedgehog's skin. Don't question the amount of fanatical cutting and sewing it would have taken to make a hedgehog pelt fit over a cat's ears. Pay no attention to the determination in those black eyes. We're sure Sega made sure Sonic was treated with all the respect owed him.Sega and Sanrio are joining forces to create a series of character collaborations, the first of which is the adorable Hello Kitty Sonic we've dissected (too soon?) above. The Sonic x Hello Kitty Jumbo Plushy will be available at Sega amusement parks in Japan starting in late July, made to commemorate the re-opening of Sega's Tokyo Joyopolis on June 14.The Sega/Sanrio crossover project will strike worldwide in summer 2013. Until then, enjoy the Hello Kitty Chun Li plush that will be available at Capcom's booth at San Diego Comic-Con for $40. Enjoy it, lest we end up with a line of Hello Kitty "You" toys in the immediate future.
Sonic 4: Episode 2 spin dashes to Android
As revealed during today's Google I/O event, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 is now available for download on Android devices. You can grab it in both normal and Tegra-compatible formats for $6.99.Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 initially launched on Steam, Xbox Live Arcade, PSN, iOS and Windows Phone devices. The Android version includes co-op over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You weren't going to let Tails sit this one out, were you?
Silver Lining: Sonic the Hedgehog and a history of disappointment
'Silver Lining' is a column from freelancer Taylor Cocke dedicated to highlighting moments of real potential in less than perfect games. This week he examines the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Oh, Sonic, where did you go wrong? Sega's iconic mascot has become a bit of a running joke in recent years, and for good reason. His games haven't been very good. The best I can say about any of them is that about half of the levels are good in any given release. Sonic Unleashed was only enjoyable during the non-werehog parts, Sonic Generations was fun during the old school sections, and even Sonic Colors had more than its fair share of clunky, slow levels that broke up any ability for me to fully enjoy it. The further Sega seems to stray from the formula of the original Sonic games, the worse things seem to get.One would think that would mean that the two episodes of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 would be pretty good, then. After all, they're ostensibly the most faithful reproductions of the classic 16-bit platformer. Sonic doesn't talk, he's lacking all the incredibly stupid friends that have cropped up over the years, and he's running through a variety of stages so he can beat up on Robotnik at the end. Right down to the order of the worlds, they're essentially recreations. So why aren't they as celebrated as Sonic's original adventures?%Gallery-155437%
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 review: Running in place
Searching for the proper metaphor for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2, the best I can conjure is a glass of milk. There's nothing really wrong with it per se, but it's not exactly exciting either. It has some good qualities and is mildly refreshing, but when's the last you time you raved about a glass of milk?%Gallery-155437%
PSN Tuesday: PixelJunk 4am, Sonic 4: Episode 2, Rock of Ages
PixelJunk 4am drops its sick beats on PSN today, daring anyone to look cooler or make prettier sounds come out of a TV than mixmaster Baiyon. Seriously, launching this game is a dare in itself – to create something beautiful and share it with the world – so don't be a wuss. Today PSN also gets Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2, Prototype 2 and Rock of Ages for download on PSN.PlayStation Plus members get Rock of Ages for free, Goldeneye 007 Reloaded for half price ($30) and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Complete Edition for 40 percent off ($15). The entire run-down of content, free, discounted and just-launched, is available on the PlayStation Blog.
Buy the greatest song ever written (and other Sonic soundtracks) on iTunes [update]
The pinnacle of all human achievement, "Open Your Heart" from the Sonic Adventure soundtrack, is now available on iTunes, as are a plethora of other Sonic-related albums from across the breadth of time and space. The soundtracks to Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic CD and others can be yours for the paltry sum of $9.99 each, which is a small price to pay for 20 to 30 tracks per album of gloriously ridiculous nostalgia-metal.Soundtracks for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 and Episode 2 will be available before too long, according to Sega. Head on through to the other side for a full list of what's available now and how to get it.Update: As it turns out, these soundtracks have been available since last year or earlier. Sega decided to nest the announcement of forthcoming Episode 1 and Episode 2 soundtracks within a reiteration of the availability of its other musical offerings.
Sonic 4: Episode 2 was playable on Steam yesterday, oops
An incomplete version of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 leaked on Steam yesterday, giving a few fans enough time to play, record and discuss the bugged-out, unfinished title. First spotted on Sonic Stadium, it appears the leak offered an enjoyable, half-texturized physics frenzy before the leak was fixed.YouTuber ShadowOfRuki has a big batch of videos from yesterday's brief playtime, one available above and the rest here for all eyes with a spoiler fetish or too much love for Sonic to resist.
Sonic 4 Episode 2 'locks on' to Episode 1 to add Metal Sonic
If you own Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, you'll be able to unlock extra content in Episode 2. Owners of both get free access to "Episode Metal," which adds four new levels and a playable Metal Sonic character.This functionality recalls the "Lock-On" technology in Sonic & Knuckles, which allowed Sega Genesis owners to connect previous Sonic games to the cartridge and replay them as Knuckles the Echidna. The difference now, of course, is that there's no cartridge to connect.
Sonic 4: Episode 2 spin-dashes to PSN May 15, XBLA May 16
The second episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will debut on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade next month. Sega is showcasing the game at PAX East, where a representative confirmed to Joystiq that the PSN version will be released on May 15, with the XBLA version arriving the following day. The PC and mobile versions will follow at a later date.Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 will likely be the last episode, as Sega revealed earlier this year that no more episodes are currently planned.
No more Sonic 4 episodes planned after episode 2
It looks like Sega took lessons in the Valve School of Episodic Gaming, as the company is "not planning" to release any further episodes of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 after Episode 2. The news comes from Sonic Team producer Takashi Iizuka, who told Digital Spy that, while the team is "looking forward to hearing the feedback" on Episode 2, it is "not planning to release another episode."We're hoping Sonic Team hasn't already worked a cliffhanger ending into Episode 2. Is Robotnik really Sonic's father? Will Big the Cat always be frozen in carbonite? Just what is up with Tails anyway? Frankly, we don't think we can live with questions like that.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 trailer co-rolls out
It's safest to write new Sonic games off from the moment they're announced, but doing so makes watching trailers much less fun. So turn off your cynicism for a moment and enjoy this Sonic 4: Episode 2 clip, featuring IS THAT A ROBOT POLAR BEAR
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 details sneak out via XBLM listing
Oh you crazy, crazy marketers, what with your inability to line up announcement times and what have you. Adorable, we say! For instance, Sega's big reveal of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 probably wasn't intended for as inauspicious a venue as the Xbox Live Marketplace, but here we are with a whole mess of new screens and several new details about the game itself. A-dorable.Anyway, according to the Xbox Live Marketplace listing, Sonic 4 Episode 2 will feature online and offline co-op play with Tails, all set in an "all new game engine" with updated physics. The blurb further promises "four brand new Zones" and a "new special stage." From the shots that were released thus far, it's looking like Sonic and Tails should pack an extra pair of snow boots!%Gallery-147686%
Prepare yourself for Sonic Boom 2012 at SDCC
The House of Blues in San Diego will play host to Sonic Boom 2012 on Friday, July 13, during the San Diego Comic Con. Comic Con badges will not be required to enter the event, although what the event actually is still remains completely unknown, save for the fact that Sega's ultimate goal is to "make it a great time for Sonic fans of all ages." Last year's Sonic Boom centered mostly on Sonic Generations, prize giveaways and a musical performance by Crush 40, the greatest band in the world.If we had to guess, we'd figure that this year's Sonic Boom will focus mostly on Sonic 4: Episode 2, since that's the only pressing Sonic release on our immediate horizon. We'll be keeping our collective ear to the ground for more Crush 40 live show Sonic Boom 2012 news as it develops.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 rated by ESRB for consoles, PC
The ESRB has granted Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 an "E for Everyone" rating on the PC, 360, PS3 and Windows Phone platforms, thankfully without dyeing its sideburns in the process. Usually, an ESRB rating is indicative of an impending release date announcement or, in the case of badly promoted games, an impending release.Android, iOS and Wii classifications are missing from the ESRB's breakdown of the title, which isn't to say that those version don't or won't exist, but it is a good sign that they may not be among the first batch of platforms to receive Sonic 4: Episode 2. Still, it's at least reassuring to know that the game exists, which is more than some people can say.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 tidbits roll out
Sega Digital Brand Manager Ken Balough stopped by the GameSpot offices to drop off a trailer for... OH MY GAWD, what's that on his face?! Taking facial hair art to exotic levels, Balough crafted Tails' tails on his punim to reveal that the sub-Sonic sidekick will appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2. Metal Sonic will also be the new "old" villain. The second installment, expected in 2012 for console digital distribution and mobile (iOS, Windows, Android), will have some significant changes from the less-than-enthusiastically received first installment. Balough says the company listened to feedback, and episode two will have a new graphics and physics engine. "There's going to be a lot of really positive changes and we think the fans are going to be really happy," said Balough, explaining that Sonic won't stick to walls anymore and won't "uncurl" from ball form when going uphill. "They may not sound like a big deal, but when you're playing Sonic and you're so used to the way the Genesis games felt, it's a big step to get closer to that Genesis feel."
