Sonic Goes Next-Gen
SEGA finally gives their star mascot the PS3 treatment.
Published: September 9, 2005
For almost 15 years now, Sonic the Hedgehog has represented speed and attitude for SEGA, but in recent years, we've started to see too much of the latter and not enough of the former. Side-projects, the inclusion of too many playable sidekicks and an overall movement from the Sonic games of old that debuted back on the Master System.
Starting with the PlayStation 3 (and Xbox 360), that all changes. Sonic creator Yuji Naka will be helming the next-gen project in an effort to best translate what made the original 8- and 16-bit games so damned fun, but bring the whole experience beyond sprites and Blast Processing into full 3D.
Whether or not it's a free-roaming action game or something more 2.5D or on rails that helps deliver the proper sense of speed the games have been lacking for a few years now, we're still not sure. The concept screens we have waiting for you on the Sonic Next-Gen game page.
"Sonic The Hedgehog represents the most recognizable example of classic SEGA properties that we will recreate for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360," offered Naoya Tsurumi, SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd's CEO. "When Sonic The Hedgehog debuted on the SEGA Genesis in 1991, he reinvented the action-platform genre with speed and attitude. By harnessing the power of these new platforms, we are confident that Sonic will once again raise the bar for action gaming in 2006 and beyond."
"We are proud to re-create our famous friend, Sonic, for a new generation of gamers on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360," grinned Yuji Naka, SEGA's R&D Creative Officer. "With Sonic The Hedgehog, we have gone back to our starting point, more than 15 years ago, to reinvent the attitude and speed that made our hero a legend. The 'rebirth of Sonic' will offer an unparalleled sense of speed that is only possible using the processing power afforded by the new systems."
A concrete release date hasn't been set for the game (though it will hit sometime in 2006 to celebrate Sonic's 15th Anniversary), nor has a title or, likely any truly solid details on storyline or setting. The screenshots are enough to get any Sonic fan moist, though, and if the rest of the game can end up looking as good as the concepts in place, it could be the rebirth of the series in the first truly next-gen offering since the Genesis days. We'll keep you posted.
Starting with the PlayStation 3 (and Xbox 360), that all changes. Sonic creator Yuji Naka will be helming the next-gen project in an effort to best translate what made the original 8- and 16-bit games so damned fun, but bring the whole experience beyond sprites and Blast Processing into full 3D.
Whether or not it's a free-roaming action game or something more 2.5D or on rails that helps deliver the proper sense of speed the games have been lacking for a few years now, we're still not sure. The concept screens we have waiting for you on the Sonic Next-Gen game page.
"Sonic The Hedgehog represents the most recognizable example of classic SEGA properties that we will recreate for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360," offered Naoya Tsurumi, SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd's CEO. "When Sonic The Hedgehog debuted on the SEGA Genesis in 1991, he reinvented the action-platform genre with speed and attitude. By harnessing the power of these new platforms, we are confident that Sonic will once again raise the bar for action gaming in 2006 and beyond."
"We are proud to re-create our famous friend, Sonic, for a new generation of gamers on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360," grinned Yuji Naka, SEGA's R&D Creative Officer. "With Sonic The Hedgehog, we have gone back to our starting point, more than 15 years ago, to reinvent the attitude and speed that made our hero a legend. The 'rebirth of Sonic' will offer an unparalleled sense of speed that is only possible using the processing power afforded by the new systems."
A concrete release date hasn't been set for the game (though it will hit sometime in 2006 to celebrate Sonic's 15th Anniversary), nor has a title or, likely any truly solid details on storyline or setting. The screenshots are enough to get any Sonic fan moist, though, and if the rest of the game can end up looking as good as the concepts in place, it could be the rebirth of the series in the first truly next-gen offering since the Genesis days. We'll keep you posted.