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Sonic turns 18 tomorrow, Sega giving you all his presents

by Majed Athab { Jun 22nd 2009 at 11:59PM }

It's Sonic's birthday tomorrow. He's turning 18 and leaving the awkwardness of puberty behind to become an adult hedgehog. To celebrate this special time in every blue speed-demon's life, Sega is going to hold a bash and give away many Sonic-related gifts to all of his fans. On Tuesday, June 23 (that's tomorrow), keep your eyes glued to both @sonicgames on Twitter and Sonic on Facebook for a chance to win any one of the 15 prize packs up for grabs (see after the break for deets).

All prizes are available to win worldwide -- there's no silly regional restrictions it would seem (except for Quebec because you're too good for foreign goods*). The Sega Blognik has the full rules on how (and when) to enter the contests, so make sure you hit that up.

*Not an actual restriction

Continued →

No place left to run: Sonic the Hedgehog now on iPhone

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 21st 2009 at 11:15PM }

Running out of platforms to cash in on, Sega's original Sonic the Hedgehog has made its inevitable appearance on the iPhone, notes PocketGamer. The Genesis (Mega Drive) classic is available for $6. We know it's not exactly mobile, but we feel obligated to point out that Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (which includes the original Sonic, plus a whole lot more) is $30 or less.

We've yet to play Sonic on the iPhone, so feel free to leave a comment below if the title is worth the entry fee to Green Hill Zone.

Second batch of Sega Vintage Collection titles confirmed

by Xav de Matos { May 11th 2009 at 3:30PM }

Sega has announced plans to release seven more of its classic titles under the Sega Vintage Collection banner later this year, thus confirming one of Xbox Live Arcade's worst-kept secrets. Included in Sega Vintage Collection 2 are Shinobi (arcade port), Comix Zone, Altered Beast, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Phantasy Star II, Sonic & Knuckles and Gunstar Heroes. Interestingly, Gunstar Heroes is the only title also announced for the PSN.

According to Sega, each title will include online leaderboards, re-worked graphics (using smoothing filters, not HD upgrades) and most will feature network play (Comix Zone, Phantasy Star II and Shinobi excluded). No word on pricing or release dates but Sega plans to release the titles separately this summer, with Sonic & Knuckles appearing last. Why the delay? With Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 2 XBLA and Sonic 3 XBLA owners will be able to use the classic lock-on feature from the Genesis-era to import Knuckles into each classic adventure. Of course, if patience isn't your best quality, you could just buy Sonic's Genesis Collection now (which doesn't support lock-on).

Gallery: Sega Vintage Collection 2

Fan made Sonic Xbox paintjob looks angry, bathroom ready

by Xav de Matos { Jan 23rd 2009 at 4:45PM }

Not too long ago we featured a Domo Kun themed Xbox 360, painted to showoff the mascot of Japan's NHK television station. Today, deviantART user ricepuppet has sent us an image of his latest work.

Featuring the blue blur himself from the Dreamcast era, this Xbox 360 stars Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog as he attempts to intimidate gamers with his angry (possibly, constipated) gaze. Do not attempt to run, Sonic can smell fear.

ESRB rates Sega classics, to appear on PlayStation Network

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 8th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Classic Sega games are coming to the PlayStation Network, if leaked ESRB ratings are to be believed. Streets of Rage 2, Golden Axe and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 can all be seen with new ratings from the board. These games are already available as re-released on Xbox LIVE Arcade, so it makes sense that the PlayStation Network should get them as well.

Fans of Sega compilations may also want to look into the upcoming Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, which houses a number of classic 16-bit games.

Sonic fan gets town's pet hedgehog ban overturned

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 5th 2009 at 10:15AM }

An 11-year-old Sonic fan's crusade has overturned a citywide ban on hedgehogs in Lawrence, Kansas. As reported by KTKA, young Judson King wanted one of the super-fast and incredibly agile rodents as a pet, but they were illegal, so he spent three years getting a brief together petitioning city commissioners to overturn the law. The town elders couldn't find a reason behind the blue creatures' banning in the first place, so Master King now has his own pet hedgehog -- Luke.

After doing some research of our own, we've discovered the reason Lawrence banned hedgehogs in the first place. In 1944, a Dr. Eikopf Robotniksky settled in Lawrence, and he just so happened to own a pet echidna. Echidnas and hedgehogs do not get along well, and thus hedgehogs were given the boot. No, really. We're not making this up.

[Via GamePolitics]

VC Monday Madness: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Master System)

by David Hinkle { Dec 8th 2008 at 7:20PM }

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Wii Fanboy says: do not download
This week, we've got one new Virtual Console game to play and it's Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Master System. For those of you who tune in to our VC Monday Madness videos regularly, you may know that I've already covered this game on the Sega Genesis. So, why would you want the Sega Master System version of the game? You wouldn't.

Oh, and sorry for the lack of game music. The program I use to capture videos has been acting up on me today and I couldn't figure out how to fix it before deadline. Sorry!

Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.

Video: Sonic's 'Night of the Werehog' CG short

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 23rd 2008 at 12:00PM }

If you wish to preserve even the slightest chance of appreciating Sega's animated short, Night of the Werehog, there are a few things you'll need to accept:

Sonic (a blue, cartoon hedgehog, as you'll recall) transforms into a mutant lycanthrope with stretchy limbs. We have no idea why.
Sonic and his diminutive sidekick are haunted by a pair of ghostly voyeurs.
Aside from the mascot's metamorphosis, it's difficult to decipher any connection with the story presented in Sonic Unleashed. We'll venture that it's probably a good thing.
Sorry, it's still distinctly lacking in Jaleelitude.

With that out of the way, head past the break and enjoy the show.

Continued →

Sonic Unleashed trailer is mostly the game we want

by David Hinkle { Nov 7th 2008 at 2:28PM }

IGN has uploaded a new video for Sonic Unleashed, showing off plenty of Sonic doing what Sonic does best: running at high speeds and collecting rings. Of course, because it's Sonic Unleashed, we're also forced to be reminded that there's a whole different game in this package: the Werehog battle and platforming segments. Thankfully, that's kept to a minimum in the video above, so feel free to enjoy.

As critical of the game as we are, we still hold out hope that we're wrong and the game will be really good. Of course, history tells us to expect something else ...

Gallery: Sonic Unleashed

[Via Go Nintendo]

Sonic Unleashed trailer is half the game we want

by David Hinkle { Nov 3rd 2008 at 8:00PM }

Look, you can be excited all you want about Sonic Unleashed. We're excited for it, too, and we know how long you've been waiting to play a decent Sonic game again. But, we're only excited for half of the game. You know, the parts where Sonic runs around. The stretchy-armed, night-time battle portions of the game? Yeah, we couldn't care less.

Gallery: Sonic Unleashed

Sonic busts ghosts in upcoming 'Night of the Werehog' short

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 2nd 2008 at 2:00PM }

If you're a fan of Sonic the Hedgehog's non-video game outings, you'd be wise to check out the trailer for an upcoming animated short featuring Sega's spiny mascot, titled Night of the Werehog. The movie, which will be available online sometime before the launch of Sonic Unleashed, features the speedster (in his new, lupine form) battling all manner of unmannerly ghosts. Though the trailer (which we've courteously posted after the break), doesn't do much to tell how the short relates to the story of Unleashed, the CGI is extremely well done -- though we're somewhat disappointed by the movie's apparent lack of Jaleelitude.

Continued →

DS Daily: Has it changed your view?

by David Hinkle { Oct 21st 2008 at 9:00AM }

With Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood finally releasing and all of us having ample time to play it, we'd like to know: has it changed your opinion of the blue, spiky hedgehog? It's quite the good game, which is weird for us considering Sonic hasn't been in one of those for quite some time. Maybe it's changing our view of Sega's mascot a little. How about you? If you haven't given the game a try yet, may we ask why?

Gallery: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

Another peek at Sonic and the Black Knight

by Alisha Karabinus { Oct 16th 2008 at 10:00AM }

We're slowly building a picture of Sonic and the Black Knight, and from the last we saw of the game, there's a real split among Wii owners on the game. Certainly we can all agree on one thing, though: these are probably not in-game shots. Doesn't mean we can't enjoy 'em, though!

As you see more of the game, does your opinion change, or had you pretty much made up your mind upon first hearing about Sonic and his new big bad sword?

Gallery: Sonic and the Black Knight

First look at Sonic and the Black Knight

by Chris Greenhough { Oct 10th 2008 at 3:27PM }

And here's the other Sonic game. After this morning's gameplay trailer of Sonic Unleashed achieved the seemingly impossible and impressed us, this Sonic and the Black Knight footage wasn't quite as jaw-dropping.

It looks like most other 3D Sonic games since the first Sonic Adventure, in that's it's very fast and very whizzy, and appears to restrict levels of player input. It could, potentially, be fun, but we're still not sold on the idea of tying Sonic into Arthurian legend, or even equipping him with weapons. Mind you, Sonic with a talking sword is still preferable to Shadow with a gun. Sheesh, we just remembered Shadow is in this and depressed ourselves.

Gallery: Sonic and the Black Knight

TGS 08: We love Sonic Unleashed's Werehog ... costume

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 9th 2008 at 7:00PM }

As much as we hate how Sonic's roots have been clawed out by some furry, fanged and stretchy-limbed abomination, we must grudgingly admit that the Werehog is -- at least on the Tokyo Game Show floor -- almost bordering on sort of cool. As is the case with most obnoxious, product-peddling mascots, we ultimately have to go with the one we'd prefer to hug. And just look at that guy's huge arms!

(Our next TGS goal: to capture an image of both Sonics together.)