sonic-team
Latest
Sega teases Sonic lycanthropy
Or lyc-hedgehog-py, or whatever. You know, the werewolf thing that we all knew was coming, because we all saw the leaked screenshots? It's real! Sega's latest trailer focuses on this aspect of Sonic Unleashed, giving us a sneak peek at the thing we've already totally seen. Of course, we don't yet know how this figures into gameplay. Soon we'll find out whether a (cartoon) wolf (who is also part hedgehog) is faster or slower than cartoon hedgehog.As a bonus, you get to hear how the Sonic voice actor (sorry, Sonic voice-acting aficionados! We can't tell which one it is!) interprets the sound of a hedgehog turning into a werewolf. Do they teach that in acting class?%Gallery-19031%
Sonic the Hulkhog unleashed in new teaser
Ignore for about three seconds Sega's laughably broken Sonic Unleashed marketing which released gameplay footage before a teaser trailer (above), and just focus on what we'll soon be calling -- with great frequency -- Sonic the Hulkhog. Sonic done gone and got himself rabies, girrrrrl!We have no clear idea of what's going on in the teaser, but this probably has something to do with the "unusual situation" Sonic is faced with in Unleashed and the images of Wolf Sonic we've seen. We're sure to get more information soon, unless Sega's marketing keeps up its new reversal trend and releases the game before they give out any more information. %Gallery-19737%
Dream of a cheaper NiGHTS in Europe
According to Wiiz, Sega has officially dropped the European MSRP of NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams to €30. We haven't found the statement from Sega, but Amazon.fr reflects this price. The UK price has also fallen to around £30, but, of course, while these amounts look the same, they represent different costs. To put it bluntly, the price is still way out of hand for the UK. A Freeloader and an American copy of NiGHTS would come out to the same price, plus you'd have a Freeloader.This follows a similar price drop last week in the U.S. So even though the prices are still different across regions, they're all lower within those regions than they were before.
Wii Warm Up: Dare we unleash Sonic?
It's official: the hedgehog is back, in what many Sonic fans are already starting to call a possible return to form. But every new Sonic game gets called a return to form, because they always look great in initial screenshots -- and because fans' goodwill for the character has yet to be fully eroded.We're not going to go too far into our personal opinions about Sonic and his recent games -- we'll just say that previous 3D Sonic the Hedgehog games have failed to meet many fans' expectations. Are you ready to give him another chance? Does the new trailer and the promise of side-scrolling gameplay resonate with you? To be honest, it totally does with us. That trailer worked, and we don't want to be the only ones who thought so.%Gallery-19031%
Sonic Unleashed officially announced, slated for Holiday 2008
Though we've been feeding it leftovers since last month, Sega of America has finally knocked on our door and confirmed that the adorable stray cat in our care did indeed have its origins in the publisher's bag. Much to our surprise, Sega also informed us that the cat is actually ... a hedgehog. We thought it felt a bit strange petting the dear thing, but are no less alarmed by Sega's evil habit of stuffing small creatures in bags. Developed by the "renowned" Sonic Team, Sonic Unleashed promises a return to the blazing blue mammal's roots in "an unforgettable high-speed journey around the globe." Set for release on the Xbox, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2, the game ditches low-tech blast processing for the "Hedgehog Engine," which "introduces seamless 3D to classic 2D camera transitions, whilst delivering a rich and expansive world with multiple paths to choose from." It certainly sounds like we're taking a step in the right direction, but given our previous next-gen brush with Sonic, we're not convinced we won't just clip right through the floor and fall out of the level.Sega further notes that Sonic is faced with an "unusual situation" this time around, with gameplay changing from day to night (must be the wolf thing) and "combat fighting" becoming possible. We'll learn more about what exactly that means closer to the game's late 2008 release. (For now, watch the trailer -- posted after the break.)%Gallery-19737%
Sonic Unleashed: confirmed for Wii, 2.5D [update]
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Sonic_Unleashed_confirmed_for_Wii_2_5D'; Update: Trailer! While we had no trouble believing that Sonic Unleashed was a real game and that the leaked screens and video were really that game, we had no solid evidence that it would show up on Wii. Sega of Europe has confirmed the existence of the game in a press release, and announced the platforms on which it will be released: pretty much all of them, including the Wii!Sonic Unleashed will use a new "Hedgehog Engine" and will feature side-scrolling gameplay rendered in 3D graphics, as Sonic battles Eggman and attempts to reassemble the broken world (by running over it?) The werewolf thing also seems confirmed, as the press release says "As the sun sets in Sonic Unleashed, a different type of adventure will awaken in Sonic's newest quest ..." unless they just mean the type of adventure in which you can't see anything. Check out the first two official screenshots of Sonic Unleashed (but still not the Wii version) after the break.%Gallery-19031%
Sonic Unleashed confirmed, mostly
Some video and screens came out of what looked like a new Sonic the Hedgehog game, identified as Sonic Unleashed. After this leak, Sega issued a press release to a German magazine called Sega On confirming the existence of the game -- and then Sega On removed it. Which means that we don't know what's real, if anything. We also don't know which platform or platforms the game will come out on -- the information out there says 360 and Wii, at least.Sega On now says that Unleashed is an unprecedented collaboration between Sega teams in Japan, Europe, and the U.S., designed to "rebuild the Sonic brand and prove that it could work in 3D environments." It involves a werewolf-style Sonic, either as a player transformation or as an enemy. It's all very confusing, but we can at least say with some certainty that some Sonic game is coming to some system. Check Gamersyde for a bunch of (likely) screenshots, and hit the post break for a video! It looks ... really cool, and mostly 2D -- which the game was described to be in some possibly fake gameplay details.%Gallery-19031%
Sega confirms Sonic Unleashed after video and screenshot leaks
Update: Don't get too pumped -- Sega Magazine, the original source for this information, just posted a vague disclaimer saying that the info discussed in their article is back to being speculation. Sonic Unleashed is in the works with a giant budget, but the claim that it would be 2D might be dissolved by their latest mission statement: to "rebuild the Sonic brand and prove it could work in 3D environments." We'll let you know more about this situation as it develops. Update 2: Images pulled on request from Sega of America's Sr. Legal Counsel. For the past few days, we've been seeing a gaggle of screenshots and a somewhat dubious gameplay video (check it out after the break) for Sega's recently trademarked title Sonic Unleashed. Self-proclaimed Sonic experts have weighed in on whether the leaked media is "teh fake," but all doubts were crushed by a recent confirmation by Sega Europe -- Sonic Unleashed is on its way to unspecified consoles for a November release, and as many pieced together from the leaked video, much of the gameplay is returning to the series' 2D roots. You'll be able to traverse the game's 12 stages as Knuckles, Tails or the eponymous hedgehog, who has picked up the ability to transform into Wolf Sonic, seen in the concept art above. We aren't crazy about the prospect of a foam-mouthed, feral version of the beloved protagonist, but we're pleased to know they're keeping the game's character lineup to a minimum. There's a chance we'll be hearing more about the title at SEGA Gamer's Day in May -- keep your fingers crossed that no additional whimsically named forest dwellers pop up on the game's roster until then. Video embedded after the break.
Samba de Video
Some random observations about this Samba de Amigo video, as shot at Sega's Gamersday event earlier this month: Gearbox, we're loving the maraca sound effects that emanate with each shake of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Given the Wiimote's in-built speaker, this is a feature we'd have totally expected (and even the Dreamcast maracas managed this, albeit with a more low-tech solution), but it's still great to see it in action. New level ahoy! A fairground really does seem like the perfect place for a spot of maraca-shaking. It's been a while since this blogger recklessly coughed up $250 of his student loan for the Dreamcast version of the game, but one thing I don't recall is Amigo being entirely detached from the levels. On the Dreamcast, the maraca-wielding monkey would dance his way through each stage, his colorful entourage in tow. Here, he simply floats free of the levels. This seems like a fussy/picky point to raise, but we're very fussy/picky people. Especially when it comes to Sega stuff. It pleases us immensely to see the return of both Samba de Janeiro and bouncing scenery. [Via NeoGAF]
NiGHTS: Holidays of Dreams
While there's (currently) no Christmas-related expansion like there was on the Saturn, Sonic Team still managed to sneak some seasonal content into NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams. No doubt some of you have figured this out already, as holidays have happened since the game's release. But new NiGHTS players or those who don't mess around in the "My Dream" mode won't have seen any of it yet!There's a special celebration of some kind in My Dream every single month. The Nightopians shoot fireworks all day on New Year's Day. In July, they don bullfighting gear for the Running of the Bulls. You can access this content in the manner of a cheating jerk by disconnecting from the Internet and changing the system's date, or you can wait like a decent human being.
"Deal" of the Day: Sonic for $18.99
Do you like hurting yourself? Want to play a PS3 game which denies you that very urge? You can nab the nigh-unplayable Sonic the Hedgehog for about $18.99 right now on Amazon. Why would you? Maybe you're a Sega fanatic -- we sort of are. Maybe you need to have every Sonic title ever made. Maybe you need to round out your PS3 library with a horrible game or two. Whatever your motive, we're alerting you to a good deal on a game that may or may not suit your fancy. Enjoy! [Via CAG]
The most important flying snowboard race of your life
The Japanese speech makes it impossible for us to decipher what exactly is going on in this latest video of Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity. What we would be able to hear is obscured by too-loud music. We know that Sonic and his (sigh) friends have some intense, dramatic conversations about something; we can also see that some ruins and a ring-shaped (naturally) artifact are very important to the world. We're lost on the specifics. But we get the big picture: the world is in grave danger. Evil robots have been activated and sent out on a path of destruction, and the only way for Sonic to end the threat and save the world is to race with his friends on flying snowboards. The game ships today, so you can experience the gripping storyline for yourself!
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity intro
Oh, Sonic. How we love to hate on you (but we'd love it if you didn't make it so easy). Maybe it's just that we've grown up, or grown away from you ... or maybe it's you, man. Maybe it's you. We'll be diplomatic and call this Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity intro "pleasantly familiar" as opposed to "somewhat derivative," and just hang back and try to enjoy it. It's not every day that we get to see the opening of a game, right? That alone is cause for rejoicing. Of course, whether or not we'll actually be buying this one is a matter of some debate. We will say this, though: all the video looks one hell of a lot better than the screens we've seen.
Zero Gravity controls in Sonic Riders
This latest trailer is similar to the previous trailer, but focuses more on what you're actually going to be able to do in the game and less on trying to establish any kind of story (given that there is enough in this game to even present any semblance of one). Our tone when discussing this game is often on the negative side and, personally, we would love to be wrong regarding all of the things we say about it. We hate having Sonic be demeaned in this way, but thanks to the Virtual Console, we can at least load up his other titles and go back to a time when his appearance on a game's cover didn't mean "steer clear."
Sega: No plans to release NiGHTS PS2 outside of Japan
Those hoping that the PS2 port of the Sega Saturn classic NiGHTS would be released outside of Japan may be out of luck. Takashi Iizuka -- producer, director, and lead game designer on the Wii-sclusive NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams -- recently spoke with Sega Nerds about all things NiGHTS.When asked about the PS2 enhanced port of the original NiGHTS Into Dreams, Iizuka commented that at present, the title is only scheduled for release in Japan, and that there are no plans to bring the title to other regions, or, for that matter, to the Nintendo Wii.Iizuka also commented that the PS2 port was the direct result of a high demand for the game in Japan. Given that, it's still possible that solid sales of the NiGHTS sequel might inspire releases of the original in more regions. Let's keep the hope alive.
Celebrating ridiculous Sega music, and also some Sonic racing game
By far the best thing about Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity is the derisive tone we allow ourselves to take while writing about it the theme song. The latest trailer rocks Steve Conte's "Ride True Gravity" as Sonic and pals ride floaty snowboards through tubes and stuff, and it simultaneously makes the game seem both laughable and awesome. Making ridiculously overblown theme music for games is something that Sega has mastered, and we're relieved to see the tradition carrying on, even in these particularly troubling times. The song already has its own devotees, though that may be an artifact of Sonic fandom as much as general Sega awesomeness. We'd also like to admit that the game looks slightly better in this trailer. We don't think Sonic Riders is a good idea in general, and the game is still PS2 material graphically, but at least it appears to be post-2001 PS2 material now.
NiGHTS 'My Dream' mode features real-time weather, poor graphics
As previously reported, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams on the Wii will take real-time weather information from the Wii's forecast channel. Instead of using this feature in story mode, however, NiGHTS will only make use of real-time weather in the "My Dream" mode, a virtual pet environment separate from the main game.1UP details the new "My Dream" mode, which will feature the same "A-Life" virtual pet system that's been featured in many Sonic Team games, from the original NiGHTS to the Sonic Adventure series. Now, however, the A-Life environment will pull data from the Wii's forecast channel, allowing you to raise adorable creatures in spaces that mimic the actual weather on your area. Pretty cool, right?Less cool are the screenshots CVG presents along with this information, which "show off" the weather effects in action. All screens look pulled out of the N64 generation, with low-res textures, a sparse spattering of low-poly trees, and very little else.1UP's preview states that the "My Dream" space starts out sparse, but becomes more robust as players progress. Still, things aren't looking so pretty in general, and the lack of objects certainly doesn't explain away the "low-def" feel of it all. With the US release of the title a little over a month away, here's hoping the special mode looks a lot better in action.Read -- "NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams Preview" [1UP]Read -- "NiGHTS weathers screens - what went wrong?" [CVG]
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.
Nintendo Power confirms Samba de Amigo
GoNintendo readers spotted something interesting in this month's Nintendo Power. And it would have been hard for them not to-- it's right on the cover there. Samba de Amigo is indeed coming to the Wii! As card-carrying Sega fanboys (with a specialization in Dreamcast-era Sega, to be exact) we couldn't be more thrilled. What a perfect game/controller combination-- almost as perfect as the real Samba controllers.Oh, but wait. According to the GoNintendo post, the new game is being made by Gearbox Software, who we can assure you is not Sonic Team. In fact, their history features nothing but FPS games and one Tony Hawk port. A very interesting choice to develop your bouncy, cartoony rhythm game, Sega. A very interesting choice indeed. Gearbox employees-- if you're reading, here's a special message from us to you. Please don't screw up the game about a monkey shaking maracas in time to Ricky Martin songs. We're not saying you're not good developers-- far from it-- but this is about as different from Counter-Strike as a game could be.
TGS07: Sonic Riders and Mibri & Tebri trailers
Lately, the Sega news has been coming in bulk, and today is no exception. Together, these two TGS trailers solve the mystery of why Mibri & Tebri exists: to make Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity look good. We're kidding, this time. We think that, as you all predicted, Sonic Riders looks a lot better in motion than it does in screens. The new "Gravity Control" system, which warps the screen and makes us nauseous (in addition to probably having some kind of gameplay function) is featured heavily in the trailer. We continue to be fascinated by Mibri & Tebri. Making an FMV game in 2007 has to be one of the weirdest decisions we've seen. Maybe the designers were frozen in 1993, and thawed out when someone in the Sega offices unplugged their freezer to plug in another Mushi King machine. Check out the Sonic trailer after the break!
