Sega confirmed on their blog today that the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations is not in limbo of being shoved into next year and is scheduled to be out by the end of November.
The tale of two Sonics will be hitting U.S. shores in its downsized form on Nov. 22, with Europeans getting the game shortly after on Nov. 25, somewhat lagging behind its HD big brother launching at the start of the month.
With Sonic Generations dropping in less than two weeks, sights are beginning to move to the next point for Sonic as he hits the Past signpost and revisits a more simple time where Time Stones, Metal Sonic and Rosie the Rascal where some of his bigger headaches.
Sega released a new trailer for Sonic CD, powered by Christian “The Taxman” Whitehead’s Retro Engine, showing off how the game looks in its new wide screen perspective as Quartz Quadrant’s International Present music jams on in the background under a random announcer. Not much more to say outside of it’s Sonic CD as you truly remember it, only with a wider perspective and a different soundtrack for the U.S. folks.
Before jumping the gun on the Sonic 4 mention, please remember that Sega’s own Sonic Digital Brand Manager Ken Balough clarified that Sonic CD‘s story will be a pivotal point in Sonic 4: Episode II, especially given the Metal Sonic nod after completing Episode I with all seven Chaos Emeralds in tow.
Sonic CD is scheduled to boom onto Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, PC Download services, and the iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7 app stores later this year.
So, if the Sonic Generations demo has dropped in your locale and/or platform of choice, you’ve probably had time to see the improvements to the engine and performance that have been made since the first demo came out–and they’re very encouraging, indeed.
However, that’s not really the fun part of getting a demo: getting new code to tear apart is. We found spoilers; they’re under the break. You’ve been warned.
Today is October the 18th, which exactly 17 years ago, on Oct 18th 1994, saw a simultaneous US & EU release of Sonic & Knuckles, finally completing the half-finished game Sonic 3 that Sega had released earlier in the year. With the upcoming Sonic Generations featuring at least 2 S&K levels, it’s nice to look back and reflect on what was arguably the highest point the franchise has reached to date, in terms of the crap-to-crud ratio of titles available; and the completion of the final of the 4 main Mega Drive/Genesis titles.
So, discuss! I remember S&K being the closest to launch I’d ever owned any Sonic title to that point – I THINK I got it as an Xmas present rather than actually buying it outright (£45 or so was a lot of money to a 9 year old in 1994), though. I remember spending hours Locking-On random Mega Drive games to it and playing their special stages, as well as being amazed at how Knuckles could be shoved into Sonic 2, a game that had been out nearly 2 years by that point.
What are your memories of this classic?
In a surprising, yet not that surprising move, Sega announced today that a second Sonic Generations demo would be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ahead of its release date on November 4th.
The first demo of the game featured both classic and modern Sonic in Green Hill Zone, though the levels and contents of this second demo are yet to be announced. Europeans will be able to download the demo October 19th (Wednesday!) No word yet on whether North America and other regions will have access the same day.
Update: The release date is in fact November 4, not 5. Tiny netbooks have tiny keyboards. Sorry, guys.
Since our last look at the Nintendo 3DS version at the Tokyo Game Show in September, one of the concerns was if Modern Sonic’s Mushroom Hill Zone was going to get a proper remix instead of a straight recycle of the original stage music. The build shown at New York City Comic Con over the weekend can now dismiss those fears. Sounds a bit like the FM Synth version of the song from Sonic and Knuckles Collection on the PC with a rock guitar backing, because that’s how Modern Sonic rolls… or boosts.
The video, provided by Nintendo World Report, also includes more looks at Classic Mushroom Hill, Green Hill Zone, and the Big Arm boss battle from Sonic 3. With Classic Sonic’s Mushroom Hill, anyone feel the last checkpoint in the stage is kind of useless without the Lumberjack mid boss?
However, not all is good news for the 3DS version. Games Radar is reporting that the 3DS version may need to slow down, being apparently pushed back into early next year instead of releasing alongside its PS3/360/PC big brother. It’s unknown if the delay is actually due to polishing up the 3DS version more or to see how Nintendo’s handheld fairs with consumers this Holiday season.
We’ll keep you posted as more on the 3DS version comes in. Thanks to commenter Aerobian-Angel for the tip on the video!
With half a month before the release of Sonic Generations, the embargo of information is slowly being lifted, with more and more footage popping through every nook and cranny, ready to satisfy the masses unable to contain their excitement for the game. Straight from the people of c|net and their video series preGame, one of the clearest full-length previews of the game so far comes almost live, hosted by none other than Sega of America’s Aaron Webber. To watch the video straight from the source, click here. Otherwise, take a gander at the YouTube mirror below. Either way, just be sure to know that there are plenty of spoilers inside, with more than one level featuring a full playthrough.
Over the last few months, we’ve seen glances of the bosses we’ll be facing in a few weeks when Sonic Generations launches. These include the likes of series rivals Metal Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog, as well as bigger bads Dr. Eggman (in a giant mecha) and the mildly perturbed water god, Perfect Chaos.
So leave it to Sega to rattle the hype hive one more time by showing off every single boss in the game in a new trailer, revealing the full new look for Perfect Chaos (now more armored than before) and the final mecha from Sonic Unleashed, the Egg Dragoon, now redone to suit the fact it’s not plunging into the core of the planet. In fact, the arena looks a little more like his intro video area.
And if that wasn’t enough, stick around until the end of the trailer…
(Special Thanks to forum member JaxTH for the tip!)
Amongst the trove of Sega Genesis ROMs that come out almost like clockwork every year, Sega, AM2 and Treasure have been throwing out a number of surprises lately. That bunny sure had it in for us.
Consider this as your friendly reminder. Just announced by SEGA is the re-release of Daytona USA for both Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. The Sega Saturn (and arcade!) Now featuring a widescreen presentation, online multiplayer, leaderboards, native steering wheel support, and possibly the biggest feature: Karaoke Mode so you can put on your best Takenobu Mitsuyoshi. Both versions are slated for release in the US on October 25th (PSN) and 26th (XBLA) for $9.99 or 800 Microsoft Space Bucks. Be sure to check out the trailer in this post for footage of the game in action.
We are in the home stretch. Bar any delays, in less than a month you’ll be able to get your hands on Sonic Generations. The hype is huge, with trailer after trailer after trailer teasing every single aspect of the game. This is what Sonic fan’s live for. And with the “finally-decided-to-tell-us” reveal of the game for the PC, Sega has let a few HD screenshots of that version be revealed, showing off such levels as Green Hill, Rooftop Run, and Seaside Hill.
Oh man, the cart came back!
