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Sega: Sonic is the only playable character ... 'in Episode 1'
Visiting Sega's booth for a little hands-on time with Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, a representative told us something that fans may find a little disconcerting. Someone asked the representative if Sonic was the only playable character, to which the rep replied that Sonic is the only playable character "in Episode 1." While he wouldn't confirm if future episodes will have other playable characters, he certainly hinted at the possibility. Consider our fingers crossed for Big the Cat.
Sonic 4 delayed until late 2010, will be released on iPhone
Sega just dropped two items of information about Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, one slightly disappointing and one ... interesting? First for the kind of bad news: it's been delayed from its original "summer" release to "late 2010." "The additional time will allow the Development Team to focus on ensuring overall high-quality throughout the game by continuing to tune, balance, and maintain the kind of polish that an important title like this demands," the press release reads, "and ultimately providing fans with an unrivalled classic Sonic feel." The other news: as many suspected, the downloadable game will be released not only on PSN, XBLA and WiiWare, but for the iPhone / iPod Touch as well. You'll have the choice of portability or buttons! %Gallery-89026%
Capcom ships 1 million Super Street Fighter IV copies for initial retail run
Clearly anticipating a hit in its updated fighter, Capcom has sent out one million copies of Super Street Fighter IV to retailers around the world in the first shipment of the game. The budget-priced title was released in North America and Japan earlier this week and is in stores today in Europe. The next step? Sell all these copies. Capcom has put all-time shipments of Street Fighter console games at more than 28 million units worldwide, as of March 31, 2010 (so not counting the initial SSFIV shipment). The publisher did not clarify how many of those copies were upgraded re-releases of Street Fighter games.
Leaked Sonic 4 mine cart footage is all yours
Adding to last week's leaked footage of Sonic 4's Splash Hill Zone is a new clip (embedded after the break) from the downloadable game's Lost Labyrinth Zone. There's more to be seen at the source, but we singled out one clip in particular because it served as the best evidence that Sonic 4 really is drawing a lot of inspiration from the 16-bit era -- after all, how else would you explain a mine cart level? (In case you'd forgotten, they were outlawed by a U.N. resolution passed in 1998.) So hey, if some random people on the internet can get their hands on Sonic 4, it shouldn't be too long before we can, too. Right? [Thanks RPK!]
New Sonic 4 screens capture sundown in Splash Hill Zone
Click to enlarge Feeling blue today? Maybe it's because you sensed that Sega was going to make your eyes tear up (in a good way) with these razor-sharp new Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 screenshots. Or maybe you're just down in the dumps; in which case, we're sorry to hear it -- and we really hope these screens cheer you up. The new images feature the already revealed Splash Hill Zone, this time with Sonic racing through it at sunset. Of course, without any more information, we don't know if this is a later act in the stage, or if the time of day will change dynamically mid-level. We can tell you that we think the lighting looks great, even if Sonic's true blue coloring appears to be unaffected by it (probably due to a clause in his contract). Check out the full set of screens in the high-res gallery below. %Gallery-89026%
Sega confirms Sonic 4 developed by Sonic Team and Dimps
Sonic may not team up with other playable characters in his upcoming downloadable adventure, but Sonic Team and Dimps are combining forces to develop Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Sega today confirmed to Joystiq that the two developers are working together on the title, plainly stating, "Sonic 4 Episode I is being developed by Sonic Team in cooperation with Dimps." The question as to who is actually making the title for Sega was raised when Xbox.com listed Dimps as sole developer on the game's XBLA info page. This isn't the first time that Dimps has partnered with a well-known team to develop a game based on a classic franchise -- it worked with Capcom to create Street Fighter IV -- nor is it a stranger to the Sonic universe, having worked on the Sonic Advance series for GBA, Sonic Rush and its sequel for DS and level design for the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed. [Thanks to Justin for the original tip!]
Super Street Fighter IV takes (final) fight to Metro City
Click to vote Haggar ... and enter the galleryCapcom has revealed even more Final Fight fanservice in Super Street Fighter IV, in the form of a new Metro City stage. Yes, that's Street Fighter III's Hugo in the background. Yes, that's a giant statue of Mayor Mike Haggar holding the city's name aloft. Yes, that is awesome. Other new stages introduced include a busy Korean street, a neighborhood in Dhalsim's native India, a wrecked Shadaloo headquarters, and a watering hole somewhere in Africa occupied by terrifyingly enormous hippos. One thing the stages have in common: a million things going on in the background, while you try to get the joystick motion right for Zangief's spinning piledriver. %Gallery-80512%
Super Street Fighter IV screens: Cody stuck in handcuffs
Click to "super" sizeCody isn't the brightest of the Street Fighter bunch, is it? The Final Fight star made his first appearance in the series in Street Fighter Alpha 3, having just escaped from prison. Apparently, he hasn't figured out how to remove his manacles (nor has he changed out of his incriminating garb) in the several years between the events of Street Fighter Alpha 3 and Street Fighter II, nor in the time between Street Fighter II and Super Street Fighter IV, which is where these new screens originate. Sure, the other characters are all wearing the same outfits from years ago (except for Chun Li), but those can all be reasonably believed to be choices. Maybe Dan wears other stuff when he's off the job, and changes into his pink gi. But it's extremely hard to believe that Cody would voluntarily don his prison uniform and shackles again, which suggests that he can't remove them. This is also the guy who picks up a rock and throws it as one of his special moves. %Gallery-80347%
Free Street Fighter IV 'Championship Mode' DLC, costume pack pricing announced
The game's not even on shelves, yet Capcom's gone ahead of the curve to firm up details of Street Fighter IV's first DLC, the "Championship Mode Expansion Pack." Now, before you start getting all riled up about spending more money on a game you just bought, know this: it's free.Expected to hit shortly after the game's release, the add-on will introduce three significant features aimed at hardcore players. Replay Mode is pretty much what it sounds like: share recorded matches, watch top-ranked ones and vote for your favorites. The enhanced tournament matching system will deliver "improved tournament match making for beginners and mid-level players," with Capcom explaining that "competitors earn Grade Points (GP) to earn entry into more advanced tournaments." Finally, there will be two new point systems -- Championship and Tournament -- for measuring player skill.The release dates and pricing for alternate character costumes have also been confirmed. The costumes will be released weekly on XBLM and PSN in themed sets containing one costume per character. Each set will run 320 ($4) on XBLM and $3.99 on the PS Store. The full schedule and details of each set are after the break.%Gallery-43953%
Gaming to Go: Sonic Rush
This is the other occasion where you're allowed to roll your eyes and say "Well, duh." A Sonic the Hedgehog game being featured for its emphasis on speed? Yeah, it's not a revolutionary concept, but it's still not quite the immediate conclusion one might have drawn some ten or fifteen years back. Where the much-maligned hedgehog used to be known for ultrafast platforming, recent entries in the series have introduced all kinds of kooky new gameplay elements, often stealing the spotlight from eye-melting rollercoasters and placing it firmly on beloved new characters like Big the Cat. Sonic Rush, however, is a throwback to the olden days, when a typical Sonic level had twists, turns, and strategically-placed spikes after every freaking loop. That's the precise formula the series built its name on, and it's this exact same formula that makes Sonic Rush such a thrill ride to play. It's pretty possible to blaze through some of these levels in under three minutes, especially early on in the game, making it a title pretty well-suited for this week's edition of Gaming to Go. Thinking of giving Sonic another chance? Click that big button down there and see for yourself if it's worth bringing this hedgehog along on your daily commute. #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } NEXT >> %Gallery-39875%
Sonic Unleashed trailer features contrasting Sonics
The latest trailer for the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed depicts the two aspects of Sonic's latest game. The good news is that those of you who complained that the world seemed too realistic, Sonic's daytime adventures are full of the loops and giant springs that make Sonic's world what it is. The buildings may look kind of European, but the looping sidewalk is classic Sonic.And then there's the nighttime, which is less "classic Sonic" and more ... Dragon Blade? God of War? Some kind of 3d brawler with two long-range weapons. We kind of like the idea of using Sonic the Werehog's big stretchy arms to swing around, since it's a sort of Bionic Commando grappling, but we have yet to be sold on the idea of a brawling Sonic. How about that music, though?%Gallery-19031%
TGS08: Sonic Unleashed and unbelievably cool
Hey, Sonic Unleashed on the Wii looks great! Sure, this level appears to pretty much play itself, requiring only occasional input from the player, but it's fast, the graphics are incredible, and the music is classic Sonic silliness. It looks much better than that other Sonic game in which he turns into a werehog with stretchy arms for some reason.... what? That's this game? Oh, crumbs. This is how we'd want a 3D Sonic to be --not terribly 3D, and starring Sonic. Even the simplistic "hold right" gameplay is enough to sustain us for the single level we'll enjoy before the werehog, or Sonic's friends, or mandatory Rouge the Bat level, or cutscene, or whatever else shows up to ruin it.%Gallery-19031%
Sonic's Shoes Unleashed
The real attraction to these Sonic Unleashed scans is what seem to be tiny screens of the Wii version in action, including a couple we've seen and many we haven't. But we found two somewhat ancillary news bits related to these scans too distracting to ignore.First, the Japanese title for the game is Sonic World Adventure, which ties the new game more closely in with its Dreamcast predecessors. Second, like Bruce Banner, who gained the ability not only to transform into the Incredible Hulk, but also to involuntarily turn his pants purple, Sonic has acquired shoes that change when he becomes a "Werehog." Whenever the moon is full, his shoes sprout cleats.%Gallery-19031%
Sonic Unleashed deets reveal more on level design
The current edition of UK magazine GamesTM has a bunch of new details for Sonic Unleashed, mostly gleaned from chatting to lead designer Yoshihisa Hashimoto. In the four-page piece, we learn that the game eschews traditional Sonic locales in favor of nine different worlds, each set in a themed geographical location -- so instead of Green Hill Zone, we'll be guiding the blue one through levels based on The Great Wall of China, an African plain, New York City, and a Spanish villa.Stages are short (apparently, no stage lasts more than five minutes), and will contain both 2D and 3D sections that last for around 15 to 30 seconds each (this snappy level design, explains Hashimoto, is intended to prevent players from growing bored). Perhaps most importantly of all, the 3D sections will only use techniques that have proved successful in the past -- so there's the rail grinding from Sonic Adventure, and the ability to switch lanes, a la Sonic And The Secret Rings.Of course, the Wii version is being outsourced to Dimps, so we'll just have to wait and see how much of this applies to the game on Nintendo's console.%Gallery-19031%[Via videogaming247]
Atlus lovers, head to Amazon
We've already established that having the Atlus name on the front of a box is usually A Very Good Thing, and look! Somebody at Amazon must clearly have been listening to us, as the uber-retailer has the following Atlus-published titles up for sale: Rondo of Swords -- $19.99 Draglade -- $13.39 Ontamarama -- $10.04 Contact -- $23.44 Touch Detective 2 1/2 -- $9.99 That's not all -- while we were scrounging though Amazon's bargain basement section, we found a couple of other potentially worthy additions to your DS library: Children of Mana -- $20.09 Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble -- $10.04 You can also get Ping Pals for $4.29. But like that deserves a functioning link. %Gallery-14108%
More imagery of Sonic Unleashed
Gamekyo (formerly known as Jeux-France) posted up some new scans for the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed, which show us a handful of new screens for the blue hedgehog's upcoming title. Considering that the images are based on scans, they actually look pretty nice. There's only a handful, but they show Sonic doing what he does best -- attacking robots and collecting coins.We're curious to see what the "very different" Wii version of the game will be like when compared to the 360 and PS3 ones, but at least it looks like it's going to be okay. We'll just have to wait until this fall (specifically November, according to Gamekyo) to find out for ourselves. Gallery: Sonic Unleashed
Sonic Unleashed has Cube controller support
Hidden deep within Matt Casamassina's eyes-on preview of Sonic Unleashed on the PS3 and 360 is the news that the Sonic Team Dimps-developed Wii version would not only support a Wiimote/nunchuk combination, but also the GameCube controller, and possibly the Classic controller.Being the outrageous cynics that we are, we initially suspected this meant we'd be getting a downgraded port of the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 game, but Casamassina also points out that the stages in the Wii iteration are "very different." So now we don't know what to think -- heck, maybe Dimps just believes the game feels nicer with the Cube controller.%Gallery-19031%
Dragonball Z: Burst Limit demo on XBLM
Dragon Ball Z fans rejoice! Everyone else ... um ... be indifferent! There is now a Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit demo on Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo features two different battles and absolutely no tutorial. We've plowed through it a few times now, and we feel confident in saying that it will you will get much more pleasure out of the demo if you: A) enjoy the show and, B) have any idea what you're doing. Those in column A might not care too much about column B though. We'll put together a video later today (because we're masochists ... and we kinda maybe sorta used to watch the show ... in high school ... religiously).%Gallery-18613%
Flash game lets you demo Sonic Rush Adventure
We've already snagged our copy of Sonic Rush Adventure, but some of you probably haven't. Despite the game's decent reviews, you might still be on the fence for this Sonic title. Fortunately, a site called Dan-Dare made a flash demo of the game, with a stylus and all to simulate the DS experience. The site has some other flash minigames, too, so it's definitely worth checking out if you want to kill time while at work get a taste for some stuff. It's only a matter of time before we can use our Wii consoles as download stations for DS game demos, but until then, flash is just fine by us.
Metareview: Sonic Rush Adventure
Despite one very silly trailer, Sonic Rush Adventure is racking up some decent scores on the review circuit so far. Most reviewers seem to find it more enjoyable than 2005's Sonic Rush, but that's certainly not a universal opinion. Since when is 72% indicative of a bad game? According to NGamer, it's fitting when there are at least a few game-saving features in a pile of crap. Despite the fact that current review scores fall within twenty points of one another, actual opinions differ wildly on the title. IGN -- 80%: "Dimps and Sonic Team continue to prove that 2D is the perfect canvas for the Sonic the Hedgehog design. Sonic Rush Adventure is an improved and worthy sequel to Sonic Rush, definitely the game to get if you haven't already made the leap with the original title. It's a lot of great ideas in fun package...but Sonic Rush Adventure just doesn't hit the market with the same amount of "oomph" as the first game did simply because it recycled a lot from the original title." EuroGamer -- 80%: "It may be a bit repetitious, then, but in contrast to the likes of Mario games, which were always precise harmonies, that's actually something of a boon. Sonic was always jazzier, and one of the criticisms you could level at it was that the older games sometimes did a poor job of harnessing the inherent replayability that really stood them apart from their genre-mates. Rush Adventure comes up with the best way in a while to encourage and capitalise on that, proves less harsh than the first Rush did (the midair dash doing a better job of mitigating against bottomless-pit death), and, apart from a couple of duff watercraft bits, does it all satisfyingly. All in all, a bit of a must-have." NGamer --72%: " ... we'd have thought Sega would relish the chance to iron out Sonic Rush's flaws. To be frank, they haven't, though. Your first clue should be in the name; not Sonic Rush 2, but Sonic Rush Adventure. You already know what this means - so let's give a warm welcome to the return of all that extracurricular nonsense ... Adventure is a step backwards because it seems ashamed to be a Sonic game. You'll find yourself on stupid bouncy platforms, your momentum broken by dodgy 3D mini-games and participating in extreme sports that ceased to be 'rad' when Timmy Mallett was top of the pop. It's saved only by an excellent multiplayer and bits that, despite Sega's efforts, are unmistakably Sonic."
