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Sonic Dash gets first-ever boss battle to celebrate Sonic: Lost World
Sonic Dash, the endless runner app for iOS devices, is currently featuring a guest appearance by Zazz, an enemy from Sonic: Lost World. Zazz is one of the members of anti-Sonic brigade The Deadly Six, and uses a flying mech. Players will need to swipe left and right to avoid his projectiles, or swipe up to jump over them. The update that enables Sonic Dash's first boss fight also introduces the Deadly Six Card Collection Challenge. In this challenge, players collect unique cards that will unlock special Lost World-themed prizes when enough have been collected by the community. The card challenge and boss fight against Zazz are only available for a limited time, though the press release announcing the events did not specify at what date the events would end.
'Sonic Boom' to debut on Cartoon Network in fall of 2014
A new, computer animated television series staring Sonic the Hedgehog and pals will premiere on Cartoon Network sometime in the fall of next year, Variety reports. In Europe, the show will debut on French children's networks Canal J and Gulli. The show, provisionally called Sonic Boom, is being produced by Sega of America and French animation company Genao Productions. The initial production run will produce 52 11-minute episodes (aimed at children aged six to 11) that will chronicle the adventures of Sonic and Tails as they battle Dr. Eggman, natch. No footage of the show has been released, but the above teaser image does at least confirm Amy's presence in addition to Sonic and Tails – we're still trying to put a name to the center-right silhouette. (We're guessing it's Knuckles with a gym membership.) The degree to which chili dogs are involved has yet to be ascertained.
Sonic Lost World gets Nights-inspired pre-order bonus level
Players who pre-order Sonic: Lost World will receive a bonus level, Sega announced. Based on Sega's Nights Into Dreams, the level features Lost World's "Deadly Six" antagonists teaming up with bosses from the classic Sega Saturn game. Once players complete the level, which they can jump into at any time, they are given a special Color ability for Sonic to use. Sonic: Lost World launches on October 22 for 3DS and Wii U.
First-person Sonic the Hedgehog is as weird as you'd expect
Similar to the first-person fan treatment Mario's received over the years, Machinima has released a video of what the original Sonic might look like from the eyes of the hedgehog himself. The vid takes the game's famous opening level, Green Hill Zone Act 1, spreads it across a 3D plane, and lets the speedy blue hog loose. A side-by-side shot of the actual game provides a neat 2D/3D comparison. Even though it's somehow slower than we expected - the run isn't nearly as quick as this full-flowing vid by AngusFilms1 from a couple of years ago - it still feels overwhelming and unsteady. Not really a huge surprise, given some (not all) of Sonic's 3D outings that more resembled a rocket-propelled ice-skating spider than something controllable. Still, it's a good vid to while away a couple of Monday minutes in the wait for Sonic: Lost World, due on Wii U and 3DS on October 22.
Sonic the Hedgehog arrives on Android, headed exclusively to Nintendo on the console side
USSR and the USA. Batman and Joker. Christoph Waltz and... well, everyone. It's pretty tough to look at the world's best-known rivalries and exclude one of history's finest -- that being, of course, Sonic and Mario. The gritty battle between Nintendo and Sega gave fans on both sides plenty to converse about over the years, and one might say that the video game industry as a whole benefited from the back-and-forth. Now that Sega is a shell of its former self, though, the company's most iconic character is turning to its archrival in search of shelter. On the console side, Nintendo will be the exclusive home for Sonic games going forward, with the Wii U and 3DS set to become the homes for the next three titles -- details of which should be revealed "in the coming weeks." (Update: Looks as if Nintendo has outed a few more details. Sonic Lost World and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games have been name-checked in particular.) Meanwhile, Android users will be pleased to know that Sonic the Hedgehog was released today in the Google Play store. It's available for $2.99, while iOS users are also being granted a free update to coincide.
You gotta go fast on the new treadmill-based Sonic arcade game
Sonic Athletics is a new arcade game at Sega's Joypolis park that uses a control scheme that seems obvious, even natural for a Sonic game: running. The giant machine uses eight side-by-side treadmills to compete in 100 meter dash, long jump, and 110 meter hurdles. You won't have to make yourself ill trying to do spin jumps, as that's handled by a button.The ¥500 ($5.11) attraction seems a lot more sensible than Sonic's last attempt at motion controls. Even if playing it results in spending the rest of your day at the Tokyo amusement park covered in sweat.
Every Sonic game on Steam is half off for a few hours starting... Now
All Sonic the Hedgehog games on Steam are 50 percent off, from right now through 10 a.m. PT tomorrow, March 21. The sale makes Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed $15, Sonic Adventure 2 $5, Sonic Generations $15, and Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 and Knuckles, and Sonic CD $2.50 each, among other deals.Check out the entire list of discounted Sonic games below, and catch those crazy hyperlinks on the Sega blog.
Chevrolet Sonic, Spark first cars to get Siri Eyes Free integration
GM has announced that the Chevrolet Sonic and Spark will offer Siri Eyes Free integration in March of 2013. This makes good on a promise GM made in June 2012 to deliver the service to the cars within "the next 12 months." Eyes Free will be distributed via an upgrade to existing MyLink radios in the Sonic and Spark. Once the cars have the upgrade, GM says drivers will be able to: Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone. Play songs in their iTunes libraries, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode. Listen to, compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts. Access Calendar and add appointments. Minimize distraction even more by keeping the screen of the iPhone from lighting up even when Siri answers simple questions such as game scores or the dates of national holidays. The Siri Eyes Free feature of iOS 6 was first announced at WWDC last year. It allows drivers to safely interact with features of their iPhones via voice control without taking your eyes off the road. Besides GM, both Honda and Hyundai have promised to add Siri Eyes Free integration to their cars in 2013.
Team Fortress 2 characters join Sonic & All-Stars on PC
While the console version has been out for a number of months, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is stuck at the starting line on PC until January 31. Luckily for Sonic and friends, they will be joined by Pyro, Heavy and the Spy from Team Fortress 2 as PC-exclusive racers.As seen in the video above, the manager from Sports Interactive's Football Manager series and the Shogun from the Total War series are also playable characters in the PC version of the game. Add in the recent 10% off deal when buying the game through Steam, and we're pretty sure Sega wants you to play Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on PC.
Jaleel White returns for Sonic fan film
Eddie Lebron, best known for his full-length Mega Man fan film, has released a new short film representing a more realistic take on Sonic the Hedgehog. Lebron brought back Sonic cartoon voice actor (and, yes, Urkel) Jaleel White for the role, and combines a CG Sonic with live actors, including a live-action Dr. Robotnik who is even more evil than usual.There is a torture scene.The 18-minute movie is meant as "a spec film, with the primary purpose being to show how a Sonic the Hedgehog film, in a live action environment, can be executed." We think it has a very interesting take on Sonic's quills.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed trailer gets a grip on the Wii U GamePad
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed may have dropped the "Sega" from the title and added Wreck-It Ralph to the racing roster, but the game's Wii U features are the all-stars of this trailer.The video above shows off the game's different functions on the Wii U GamePad, with the inclusion of a mini-map, motion control and game pad-only play being the noteworthy additions. One thing the Wii U version will not support is voice chat, however. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will launch with the Wii U system on November 18, also hitting PS3 and Xbox 360 at that time. A 3DS and Vita version will land on December 11.
'Where's Sonic?' is a real children's book, exactly what it sounds like
As we're sure you're well aware, being able to track and locate hedgehogs is an important life skill, one that should be learned early and thoroughly by the youth of today. Everyone knows this. The only contentious factor in childhood hedgehog training lies in determining what curriculum to use: Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen's Guide to Woodland Spikes, perhaps? Trilliby Wimbletoe's Pointing Out Pointy Things?That already difficult decision maybe have just become even more complicated, as Sega and UK publishing house Pan Macmillan have announced the release of Where's Sonic? A Search-and-Find Adventure, hitting British book shops and Sonic Merchandise next Friday, October 19. The book contains artwork inspired by classic Sonic zones and can also be used to train children in the art of spotting wisps, badniks and gold rings.
Mysterious 'Sonic Jump' coming to mobile devices
There is a game called Sonic Jump, and it will be released on mobile platforms soon. That's pretty much all the info Sega released about this new project today, along with this image, illustrating what it looks like when Sonic jumps.We'll have more detail when there is any.Update: As it happens, Sonic Jump was the name of a game developed by Sega Mobile for the T-Mobile Sidekick, way back in 2007. Players guided an automatically jumping Sonic through vertical stages in an attempt to nab a Chaos Emerald before Dr. Eggman had the opportunity. Here's hoping this new Sonic Jump is the rebirth of the franchise, rather than a port of the original.[Thanks, Joshua!]
Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed into a new trailer
All the way from Cologne, Germany, where Gamescom is taking place this week, here's the newest trailer for Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, the upcoming kart (and boat and plane) racing game featuring the famous blue hedgehog and his crowd. Oh, and Wreck-It Ralph! And Danica Patrick, too.The racing looks awfully colorful, which should make Sonic and Sega fans very happy indeed. As the trailer says, the game's due to arrive on November 20. There are a few new screenshots for you to browse through as well; just take a left turn into the gallery below.%Gallery-162455%
Ezio Auditore/Chris Redfield to play Sonic the Hedgehog in Wreck-it Ralph
No, Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Chris Redfield won't be trading in their various killing implements for pointy red shoes, nor will they be playing a grotesque two-headed version of Sega's iconic mascot, but the man who voices both those characters will be.Okay, maybe not the grotesque two-headed monster thing, but Roger Craig Smith (who voices both Ezio and Chris) will be playing the role of Sonic the Hedgehog in Disney's forthcoming reference vehicle Wreck-it Ralph. As it happens, Smith has become the blue blur in days past, having voiced the character in Mario & Sonic at the London Olympic Games, Sonic Generations and Sonic Free Riders. Let's just hope that any dialogue they give him will be better than what we're used to.
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.
Mega Man to meet Sonic in upcoming comics
Sonic's ever-expanding circle of friends is about to get even bigger, as a teaser image reveals plans to have Sonic meet Mega Man ... at least, in the world of comics.USA Today comics reporter Brian Truitt tweeted the above teaser image, which he received from Archie Comics. In addition to its slate of digest-sized books about indecisive time-lost teens, Archie has published Sonic the Hedgehog comics since 1993 (allowing plenty of time to build a unique and insane Sonic universe), and it began publishing Mega Man comics last year.Having this historic meeting take place in the world of comic books rather than video games doesn't make it any less bizarre, and we can't wait to see what happens. Will Mega Man destroy Sonic and steal his speed?Update: According to USA Today, the crossover will take place in twelve installments across Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man, and Sonic Universe series.
The History of Sonic the Hedgehog available for pre-order on Amazon
A forthcoming book will document the history of Sega's mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega announced today. The 300-page book, The History of Sonic the Hedgehog, covers the Blue Blur in exhaustive detail, including "every 2D and 3D Sonic game" and "every spin-off game, every crossover, and even rare cameo appearances by Sonic across the gaming universe." You can see some preview pages over on the Sega Blog.The History of Sonic the Hedgehog is now available for pre-order on Amazon. We're guessing it gets pretty dark after the first 30 pages or so.
Elaborate Nike YouTube video has hidden Sonic Game (video)
When you've got a marketing budget the size of Nike's, a few international footballers and a glossy video aren't really enough. That's why its latest "My time is now" campaign is an all out interactive spend-fest, complete with a hidden Sega Sonic the Hedgehog mini-game. The standard YouTube version (as seen over the break) isn't interactive, but head over to Nike's official channel, and it's a whole different ball game. Clicking on players slow-mos the action, bringing up player details etc., and there are nine hidden "tunnels' to find -- one of which being the Sonic game. Can you find it? Hint: look for the pitch-side adverts with go faster boot on. Your time is now...
BlackBerry gets its game on at BBW, scores Jetpack Joyride and Sonic
One of the things BlackBerry has never really had going for it, is a deep games catalog. Now, that isn't about to change in one fell swoop, but things are about to get a lot better at BlackBerry World 2012. RIM's head of gaming, Anders Jeppsson, took to twitter to let the world know about the impressive pile of titles heading to the PlayBook and BlackBerry 10. The biggest names are certainly Jetpack Joyride, from Halfbrick (the studio behind Fruit Ninja), and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Other games in the pipeline include Galaxy on Fire 2 and Star Marine, while Tomb Raider fans can get down with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light starting today. Keep an ear out for more to hit during this week's BBW.
