sonic-the-hedgehog posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Sega and Nintendo have teamed up to offer players a few holiday VC deals, announcing on Sega's UK blog that select Virtual Console titles will be discounted for a limited time. From December 24, 2009, until January 6, 2010, select titles will be reduced to 500 Wii Points each from down from 800 Wii Points.

Titles getting the 40% off treatment include such Genesis classics as ToeJam & Earl, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Gunstar Heroes, Puyo Puyo 2, Golden Axe, Shining Force and Streets of Rage. Also, for the lump of coal types, Sega has discounted the "admit it, it stinks" brawler, Altered Beast. It's a great offer for new Wii owners, or those looking to relive their lost youth.

One of the longest running rumors of the video game community is the claim that Michael Jackson contributed to the soundtrack for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to some degree -- a claim bolstered by a number of similarities between the game's tunes and Jackson's own body of work. Now, more than 15 years after the game's release, we might have confirmation that the late King of Pop was responsible for the threequel's incredibly catchy ditties.

According to a forum post on gaming music enthusiast site VGMdb.net, the latest issue of French Michael Jackson fan magazine Black & White contains an interview with composer Brad Buxer, who explains that he and Michael "did compose music for the game." However, due to the Genesis' less-than-mindblowing sound quality, Jackson reportedly asked that his name not appear on the game, as he "did not want to be associated with a product that devalued his music."

According to poster's transcript of the interview, Buxer also confirmed that we weren't imagining the aforementioned melodic similarities -- Jackson and Buxer apparently managed to adapt some of their work on the game for later use in their own music. Specifically, Buxer mentioned the melody for the game's closing credits were "used as base for Stranger in Moscow."

Also, "Man in the Mirror?" Totally written about Doctor Robotnik.

Sega will continue exsanguinating Sonic's past by re-releasing the hedgehog's first four 16-bit adventures on one DS cartridge. Launching in March 2010, Sonic Classic Collection will include Sonic the Hedgehog 1-3 and Sonic & Knuckles. The collection will have a "save anywhere" feature, along with extra video and picture content.

Who's ready to buy Sonic the Hedgehog for the umpteenth time in 20 years? ... Ludwig, put your hand down!

No, not from Sonic games! Earlier this year, the fans at The Sonic Stadium held Sonic Relief 2009, an event through which the forces of Sonic fan art were used for good. The group has announced a second Sonic Relief drive for 2010, promising donations to charity for each work of Sonic fan art submitted.

The group is also asking for fans to use their creativity in another way: by planning their own Sonic-related fundraisers and adding the donations to the main total. This is where your "Watch Me Play Sonic Riders" marathon comes in. "Alternatively," the organizers note, "this system will also allow anyone to just simply make a donation should they wish!" This is where the proceeds from selling your copy of Sonic Riders come in.

It's nice to be reminded that fans can band together for something other than boycotts. The drive will run from January to March.

[Via Sonic City Blognik]

Hey, remember when we reported that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was slated to be the Xbox Live Deal of the Week for the week of November 30? Well, guess what? It is the week of November 30! Sure enough, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 can now be downloaded for a mere 240; otherwise known as three dollars. That's two bucks off, making It a pretty good deal, especially if you conveniently forget how many times you've purchased the game over the years.

Barring that, you can always shamefully push the purchase button anyway.

Shortcut: Add Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to your 360 download queue

[Via Major Nelson]

The BBFC classification site lists a "Sonic Classic Collection" coming to DS soon. Normally, with these ratings, we'd be left to speculate as to the identity of the games on the collection -- however, the BBFC helpfully provided a list of games on the cart!

According to the rating, it'll feature Sonic 1-3, plus Sonic and Knuckles -- with the ability to virtually "Lock-on" and play as Knuckles in the older games. Also included in the shockingly specific list of in-game content: Sonic Chronicles and "The History of Sonic" video content and the art gallery.

We can only hope it turns out better than Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis on GBA.

[Via Kombo]

We're usually hesitant to spend real-life money on virtual clothing, but you can bet we'll spring at the chance to purchase the recently revealed Sonic the Hedgehog costume pack for LittleBigPlanet. See, if we dress ourselves up like the series' speedy, cerulean protagonist, then play one of the many, many Green Hill Zone stages crafted by the LBP community, we can pretend that we're playing a decent, current-gen Sonic platformer.

We've contacted Media Molecule to try and find out the North American release date and price for this costume pack. We shouldn't let the developer hear us say this, but we'd pay anything for that beautiful illusion.

[Via Siliconera]

Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend and the beginning of the holiday season, Microsoft has revealed the upcoming additions to Games on Demand and Deals of the Week. On November 23, Games on Demand will see three new entries, Saints Row 2, LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Battlefield: Bad Company.

The same week, there will actually be three Deals of the Week. The Fable II DLC "See the Future," normally 560 ($7) will be knocked down to 400 ($5). Meanwhile, Death Tank, usually 1200 ($15), will be reduced to 800 ($10). As The best deal, however, will be the excellent puzzler Peggle, which will shoot from 800 ($10) to 400 ($5). Pair that with the recently released Peggle Nights expansion (400), and you've got a lot of sweet, sweet Peggle for only $10.

As revealed earlier, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will the Deal of the Week starting November 30. It will be reduced from 400 ($5) to 240 ($3).

According to Sega, the XBLA version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will soon become an Xbox Live Deal of the Week. The deal is scheduled to begin November 30 -- just in time for the holidays -- and will see the game's price drop from 400 ($5) to just 240 ($3). That's an absolute pittance for one of the best Sonic games out there, and with Project Needlemouse still a long way out, you'd be hard-pressed to do much better (seriously).

Sega's casual games portal PlaySega has just added Genesis classics to its lineup. If, like us, your attention has yet to turn to the browser-based service since its December launch, now would be a good time to check it out.

N-Europe reports that you can access a free 10-day trial of the paid "VIP" service now, which allows you to play, in addition to the collection of free games, those that are normally behind a pay wall -- like all the Genesis games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, which also includes (get ready to freak out) a level editor.

If you like the service and then sign up for a three-month ($14.95) subscription, Sega will send you one of the Saturn-style USB controllers seen here. Just don't sign up for the controller and forget you've subscribed, or you'll end up paying a lot more than you wanted to.

Sonic fans are notoriously devoted to Sega's hedgehog mascot, sticking with the franchise in spite of Sega's best efforts to run it into the ground. However, it's arguable that no one is more dedicated to Sonic than Rich Kuta. Why? He's making a feature-length Sonic film -- and paying for it with his own money.

It sounds absurd; impossible, even. However, Kuta has recently released a trailer to prove that he's got the know-how to make it work. The project is currently in the "storyboarding stage," with a planned crew of nearly 60 people. The film will be hand-drawn using a program called ToonBoom, and will be animated by an unnamed studio in Miami. Kuta plans on releasing the film in 2011, in time for Sonic's 20th anniversary, for free. Granted, he may come into a pretty major hiccup, as he admits, "We do not have SEGA's endorsement, permission, or authorization to do so, and it is a clear violation of copyright laws."

Should Sega avoid slamming a C&D on Kuta and co., then this film may become one part of the rebirth of the fastest thing alive. We're going to grab our Sonic PJs and dust off our DVDs of SatAM while we join the legions of Sonic nerds that are now anticipating this film in addition to Project Needlemouse.

Just hours shy of Sega Dreamcast's 10 year anniversary comes word that Sega's iconic mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, is due to make a return to his 2D roots in a new game planned for 2010. Currently going by the codename Project Needlemouse, the game will be high-definition and is "built from the ground up," according to a report by GameSpot.

The site spoke with Ken Ballough, associate brand manager at Sega America, who said, "Old-school Sonic fans have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay. Many liked the daytime stages in Unleashed, but wanted to see a game that plays purely similar to the early games of the Genesis. Project Needlemouse is that critical first step that brings Sonic back to his 2D roots."

In late July, Sega America marketing VP Sean Ratcliffe admitted that core gamers have lost a fair massive amount of faith in the Sonic franchise, saying that, "The quality is something that will be fixed over time." Here's hoping that the Project Needlemouse announcement is a sign the repairs will be made sooner rather than later. Check out the teaser (complete with ye olde "SEGA!" chorus) after the break.

[Thanks, Shadsy!]

Would you consider it a small victory if Sega of America's marketing VP, Sean Ratcliffe, was cognizant of the company mascot's ongoing and unceasingly spectacular nosedive? "The quality is something that will be fixed over time," he told Industry Gamers, addressing Sonic the Hedgehog's well-publicized fall from blast-processed grace.

Though Ratcliffe insisted that last year's Sonic Unleashed proved to be a hit with "the kids," it's the "die-hard Sega fans" that were "fairly critical." Which is putting it quite "nicely," we think. Sega is investigating numerous options for Sonic's future -- including digital distribution through iPhone, XBLA "and so on" -- though Ratcliffe warns that "it's always a challenge to raise that quality bar."

Really? When it's all the way down there?

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