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Select Sega downloadable games on sale until January
In a heartwarming, post-ghost Ebeneezer Scrooge-like manner, Sega has discounted a wide array of its downloadable titles from the PSN, Xbox Live and iOS platforms. On top of the recent, permanent price reductions applied to some of those games, purchasing titles featuring impossibly acrobatic rodents and extremely rollable simians has never been so cost-effective. Check out the full list of discounted games -- which will remain discounted until January 3 -- after the jump.
Create your very own Sonic the Sackboy
Ever wonder what it'd be like if Sackboy and Sonic had a kid? Well, let your imagination take a break and check out the real deal past the jump -- complete with instructions on how to make one of your own!.
Sega permanently drops prices on its iPhone and iPad titles
If you've purchased an iDevice as a holiday gift for that certain special someone, Sega's made it a bit more affordable for you to load it up with some solid interactive apps. Nearly all of the publisher's games for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch have received permanent, sizable price cuts.
LEGO art pays homage to some of gaming's best
You don't know flickr user Encaja en Camon, but rest assured that the account in question has some pretty awesome and simple LEGO adaptations of famous games and their characters. Above, you can check out Sonic's blocky noggin, while just past the break we've included a couple of our other favorites.
Video: Sonic, Samus, Mario and more race to the finish line
Animator Steve Williams has made a plethora of 16-bit characters compete in a cross-cartridge race. Oh, Donald Duck, you have a turkey's chance of winning today.
Give Sonic Fan Remix a spin
We're so glad someone finally hit upon the idea of taking classic side-scrolling Sonic the Hedgehog gameplay and updating it with HD graphics. We're talking, of course, about Pelikan13, who has released a demo for Sonic Fan Remix, an unofficial Sonic game for PC. The demo contains three stages inspired by Sonic 2's Emerald Hill Zone, and seems to have struck a nerve among Sonic fans. At least, it's generated enough interest to overwhelm the original site. You can check out the demo for yourself at this mirror site. Grab it quickly -- both to stay in keeping with Sonic's style and to make sure you have it in case it's taken down.
Sega 'looking to improve Sonic strategy,' reducing supply of older Sonic games
There are stories emanating from the mysterious coalition known simply as "Europe" that Sega -- responsible for some of your dearest childhood memories and, maybe, your first heartbreak -- is busy "delisting" less-than-stellar Sonic the Hedgehog titles from European retailers. Jurgen Post, Sega SVP of EMEA (that's Europe, the Middle East and Africa), told MCV, "Any Sonic game with an average Metacritic has been de-listed," continuing, "We have to do this and increase the value of the brand. This will be very important when more big Sonic releases arrive in the future." While that certainly sounds ominous, we asked Alan Pritchard – newly instated veep of sales and marketing for Sega US and the man who held Mr. Post's spot until just a couple month's ago – to clarify what it means for Europe, for Sonic and (jingoism be damned!) for North America. "I think perhaps Jurgen's comments have somewhat been taken out of context," Pritchard told Joystiq. "It's not quite as drastic as what Disney do for example. They bring out Lion King and all of a sudden there's a cut-off date, and you can't buy Lion King for another six months. It's not quite as drastic as turning the tap off completely. We want consumers and retailers to defocus from the back catalog, the older titles and focus more on the new-release titles."
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 now out on iPhone
I've been away at GDC Online this week, so I almost missed it, but a brand new Sonic the Hedgehog game (that Sega is calling part 4, Episode 1) is out now for the iPhone. This is a pretty big deal -- not only is this a brand new title in the Sonic series, but it's also not coming out for other consoles until next week, so Sega has actually premiered this game on Apple's iOS platform. Early reviews on the game are terrific. It's a 3D title that plays from a 2D angle, so this is old-school Sonic platforming with brand new levels, graphics, sounds, and music. Plus, there are two exclusive levels on the iPhone and iPod touch, so Apple is really getting some love from Sega here. Of course, this is being labeled as a premium title, so the price of US$9.99 on the iPhone-only version might provide a little sticker shock for players used to cheaper games. Still, the title is selling for five dollars more on other platforms, so when you consider that you're getting this game early, as a native title, with exclusive content, the $10 price is about as justified as it's going to get. But even if you don't go for the purchase, this will definitely be one to watch. The app's currently number 3 on top grossing and number 11 on the top paid apps list, but a huge success here will mean a lot for both Sega's and other large publishers' strategies on the App Store going forward.
Sonic 1 and 2, Super Monkey Ball, Phantasy Star 2 discounted on iTunes
Sega has discounted four of its iOS games on the US iTunes Store. We contacted the publisher for the specific end date of the sale and all it could offer was that the discounted prices will be in effect for "a limited time" -- frugal shoppers don't have much time to gorge on savings, we assume. Here's what's available (all are $1.99, previously $5.99): Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Super Monkey Ball and Phantasy Star II. Oh, and because you'll inevitably ask: no, sorry, we don't have a launch price for Sonic 4: Episode 1 yet.
Sonic Colors preview: Wisp you were here
We can all agree that Sonic Unleashed had some pretty deep lows -- specifically, the Werehog. But the daytime segments in the game showed promise; almost a return to form. These areas of the game, for the unaware, combined Sonic Adventure-like 3D free-running elements alongside more classical, 2D elements from the series' past. It was easily the highlight of that game. And Sega knows it, which explains why Sonic Colors is pretty much nothing but those portions of gameplay. That alone would make for a pretty serviceable Sonic game, but Sega has also added Wisps: small alien creatures who imbue Sonic with one-time-use powers.%Gallery-95227%
Phantasy Star 2 released for iPhone; other Sega games on sale
Sega is temporarily dropping prices of its iPhone games in honor of kids going back to school. You know, it's been a long time since our GameBoy Advance was confiscated for illicit Pokémon Fire Red playing, but we're pretty sure you're still not allowed to play games during class. Oh well -- it's the thought that counts, Sega! Additionally, Phantasy Star 2 launched today on the App Store with a sale price of $2.99 (normally $4.99). See the complete Sega sale details after the break.
Sonic and Knuckles 3D fan video is all sorts of rad
Before you get your hopes too high, we feel morally compelled to inform you that the video posted after the jump, a purported gameplay clip from Sonic and Knuckles 3D, isn't culled from any upcoming licensed game. In fact, it's not even from a fan-made game -- rather, it's just a pre-rendered video from a skilled 3D artist and YouTube user by the username of BlobVanDam. Spin-dash past the jump if you want to see the Mushroom Hill Zone Act 2 that never-will-be. Actually, that's a pretty defeatist attitude to adopt. We're sure that someday, in the fullness of time, this delightful vision will be realized. Until then: Sonic 4!
College Humor reveals the 'super easy' modes of classic games
You might find College Humor's latest video game parody clip, posted just past the jump, a hilarious look at what might have been had classic games been laughably more accessible. We see it as a haunting vision of things to come. That easy mode included in Mega Man 10? That's how it all starts.
A super expensive Super Sonic figure
Just in time for Sonic's birthday, high-end figure company First 4 Figures is taking pre-orders on a new statue of the hedgehog hero's occasional Chaos Emerald-infused Super Saiyan form, Super Sonic. The figure depicts Super Sonic in the "classic" Genesis-era art style, sparking across a platform in Sonic 2's Chemical Plant Zone. If you want to buy one of these 15-inch-tall figures, you'll have to dig up some Chaos Emeralds or other precious materials of your own. Two versions will ship in the first quarter next year: one for $140 and a deluxe version that lights up for twenty dollars more.%Gallery-96121%
Sega marks down downloadable games for Sonic's birthday
To celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog's 19th birthday (the American release date of the first Genesis game was June 23, 1991), Sega of America is dropping prices on downloadable games and DLC, most of which is related to Sonic. Offers on each platform have a different start date and a different duration. The PSN sales will be active today through Tuesday, July 6, and include the PSP Sonic Rivals games ($10.99 or $13.99 for 1 or 2, respectively, or $17.99 for both) and discounted DLC for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Sonic Unleashed and Sonic the Hedgehog. iPhone sales run tomorrow through June 30, and include discounts on the iPhone's Genesis games (Streets of Rage and Golden Axe are at the magic 99-cent price at which they start to seem like a good idea) along with Super Monkey Ball ($2.99) and the iPad's Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition ($4.99). Finally, the XBLA sale will begin -- and end -- Thursday, June 24. If you want to buy any of the Genesis Sonic games for $3 each, you'd best have your Microsoft Points ready that day.
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%
Rumor: Sonic 2 spin-dashing to iPhone
[VGMuseum] Those of you who bought Sonic the Hedgehog on iPhone and liked it will be pleased to hear that, according to Appolicious, Sega will release an iPhone port of Sonic 2 next week. The site reports that the port of the sequel is at least marginally improved over the first iPhone Sonic in terms of control responsiveness, though it still relies on a virtual D-pad and button. Despite the multiplayer capability of Sonic 2 on Genesis, however, this iPhone port is strictly a solo game. Tails follows behind Sonic as an AI-controlled character, but can't be operated by a second player. If Sonic 2 does make it onto the App Store next week, it means enough of us bought the first game to make continued iPhone emulation worthwhile for Sega, which in turn means the porting is really cheap or the first one sold really well. Update: Sega has confirmed the existence of the game, now slated for "late April." [Via Destructoid]
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%
Sonic the Hedgehog pack coming to LittleBigPlanet this week for $5.99
Tired of making replica 1-1 levels from Super Mario Bros. in LittleBigPlanet? Well, it's time to explore the other retro gaming classics. Sonic the Hedgehog is coming to LittleBigPlanet this week with a new sticker and costume pack for $5.99. Unfortunately, this isn't a level pack akin to Metal Gear Solid 4 or Pirates of the Caribbean, so don't expect any high-speed game modifiers. Instead, this pack is solely for Sonic fans that want to play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Dr. Robotnik, and yes ... the Werehog. In addition to the costumes, the DLC will introduce new Sonic-themed stickers, making it even easier to make real Sonic-themed levels, a la "Sonic the Hedgehog: Greenhill Zone" from Kiminiski. You can check out a video after the break.
