It has officially been confirmed by Ken Balough that Sonic 4: Episode 2 will not be making it to the Wii platform. Sadly, for Wii Sonic fans, this is the third multi-platform Sonic game in a row not making it to their system. It’s seriously doubtful it will make it to 3DS either. I guess Sonic does what Nintendon’t. Here’s what Ken had to say.
But no – the reason Episode I was on the Wii was because we wanted to bring the Sonic 4 saga to the widest possible audience. Episode II unfortunately will not be coming to the Wii – for reasons most people have probably guessed, but that doesn’t mean the SEGA isn’t supporting Nintendo platforms, we have a very strong partnership and will continue to do so.
Source [Sega Forums]
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i can totally understand that, the Wii-U would probably be out by the time Episode 2 is relased
So they wanted to bring the “Sonic 4 saga” to the widest possible audience yet they’re going to cut a lot of that audience out of playing the continuation?
Classy, Sega. Make people pay for the start of a series that they won’t get to continue. Glad to see that’s still happening.
Pretty much this.
It is entirely Nintendos fault for the absolutely pathetic Wiiware and its limitations.
I’ll be the first to say I want Sonic 4 Episode 2 to be the best it can be, if that means new physics and new graphics then that’s fantastic and if it’s to weighty for Nintendos service then so be it.
My guess is that the Wii will eventually get a version as a disc compilation with Sonic 4 1 and 2 and Sonic CD.
I think Wiiware (and frankly the online store for 3DS) are terrible. All software on the store is inferior and grossly overpriced.
Example: For $5.35 on PC I got Super Meat Boy, Shank, Bit.Trip Runner, Jamestown, Nightsky HD, Gratuitous Space Battle and Cave Story +. Not to mention a digital download of their respective soundtracks.
On 3DS: Cave Story + alone is $9.99. Really? Not to mention a Android dungeon crawler is $7.99, while on Android the game is 99cents.
I can see why Nintendo doesn’t move too many digital units. They have to be more aggressive and have fresh content. Not overpriced PC/Android games.
They kind of are putting out new content for the eShop.
What Nintendon’t
I think people who complain about this matter are missing the point and should put aside their nintendo fanboy goggles for a minute to make sense of it all.
As the quote says in the article “most people have probably guessed it”. It’s not rocket science, the wii’s limitations resulted in sonicteam having to adjust some tunes in the wiiware version for it to fit on the platform. Taking in consideration that they probably want even more content this time, it’s obvious that even the measures for episode 1 won’t make it fit this time.
40 mb limit size is bullshit. The game needs to expand and look like most top quality DLC games look nowadays. The Wii would hold it back.
The nintendo online service is just crap but this game will no doubt come out with the wii U’s launch. Probably PC as well
Not gonna argue with WiiWare limitations, but it still doesn’t feel right seeing them release an episodic series there yet only have one episode on that service.
Maybe, but then again, they had no problem bringing this Episode to Android and we never got the first one.
CrazyTails hit the nail on the head with that one. Considering the amount of exclusive to Wii Sonic games that have come out in the past, especially quality ones like Colours. I don’t think they should be complaining about missing a couple DLC games that they only have Nintendo’s stupidly crazy 40meg limit to blame for missing in the first place.
Not everyone can afford multiple consoles like a lot of gamers have, but that being the case if your a one console person you have to be aware that not every game you may like the look of will end up on your console of choice. And in this instance Nintendo is to blame, not Sega, if they could have they would have.
How about this: Wii misses out because their limitations suck. Once Wii U hits, Sonic 4 Episode 2 is sold on that service (assuming the file size limit doesn’t suck) and Episode 1 is included for free. That way those who bought the Wii version won’t have to rebuy it.
yeah nice
Honestly, its probably for the best. The size restrictions would hold back any graphical improvements that they could make if they had to keep it on wiiware.
Nintendo’s limit on the file size seems to be the stumbling block and if that means that it will prevent SEGA from making a decent game, then I would recommend they skip WiiWare. It is good though that for once SEGA has probably begun thinking about quality issues rather than pure profit with the Sonic franchise.
Besides, the Nintendo Wii U is probably going to get a launch Sonic title, that, I am sure of.
Although limitations for wiiware is a given, I was leaning more towards the rate of piracy on wii at first.
Despite the problems George listed earlier, how much can the 3DS eShop handle compared to WiiWare?
I suppose it’s only natural that a sega blog would have an anti nintendo stance. Still, grow up guys.
I don’t think it’s anti nintendo behaviour, rather people being realistic about it. The Wii’s online service is just too limited. I’ve bought gems like the lostwind games and jynx. I guess sonicgames with their large maps need more size done with the technoligy of today. Especially when having 3 music versions per zone.
Of course, we should blame Sega for the Wiiware and Nintendos download limitations.
You want Sonic 4 Episode 2 to be the best it can be, but you also want it to be crap enough to fit Nintendos meager download limits…
I swear Sega are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
How do you come to the conclusion that criticizing Nintendo’s insufficient file limit as an attack on the company itself and fanboyish tribalism? Outside of one reply out of 18, I do not see any particular anti-Nintendo stance.
I certainly do not see anyone acting childesh here either, beating their chest and proclaiming the downfall of Nintendo, do you?
It’s the little things. Even the selected title image is obnoxious. Sega could easily release a hard copy if they wanted as well.
I laughed at the image 😛
If that is your reasoning for how Shigs is an anti-Nintendo, raging SEGA fanboy, you really have no idea who he is. The man owns a Nintendo Wii and 3DS, hardly items a SEGA fanboy still bitter at Nintendo would own. You should learn to relax more often and stop getting angry at everyone for the smallest of details.
No one is a raging fanboy in here. I’m merely observing that I’ve seen enough content on this blog and in the forums that could potentially alienate Sega fans that are also nintendo fans. I am also not angry but do think that it’s worth pointing out.
The Wii should have its own version. It would be slimmed down or w/e but to continue to ignore Nintendo platforms for key Sonic releases is to insult the a huge chunk of the Sonic fanbase, far more than exists on other platforms. Do the Wii version on the Episode 1 graphics engine, whatever it takes, but making sure a Wii version was released should have been a priority.
If file size is really an issue, do it in multiple little downloads, whatever! It should exist.
Exactly. They’ve totally given the bird to lots of fans with this move. With Sonic CD, it was a port of an already completed game so the size restriction excuse was understandable. For something built from the ground up like this though? I wouldn’t be surprised if Sonic 4 episode 1 moved the most copies on wiiware.
I think Nintendo fans will most likely get the complete version either on a 3DS cart or Wii disc at a discounted price.
Well when even Nintendo have dropped the majority of their support own their own platfrom, highly doubtful SEGA would be even more inclined to develop on a platfrom who’s software marketshare has dropped like a rock. And as I stressed, if SEGA feels that a lower limit would be bad for the game then I see no reason why they should not drop support, even games like Super Meat Boy never appeared for this reason.
Perhaps one can argue SEGA should develop a seperate version but the fact they are not implies to me WiiWare sales were not sufficient which is not surprising, the service is not known for major profit generator for companies. In the end, Nintendo’s mismanagement of both the console and its online services had lead to this situation.
The self-entitlement Nintendo fans have towards Sonic is hilarious. I personally think this string of games not coming to Nintendo platforms was some much needed medicine. Nintendo fans aren’t so mouthy anymore. They raged when people wanted Sonic Colors on other platforms. The irony is really delicious seeing it the other way around =) Nintendo fans think SEGA & Sonic should be Nintendo’s bitch and nothing more.
SEGA is a business, anyone who thinks they take platform decisions lightly is either delusional or a fanboy. They have to outweigh the pros and cons. Deciding if their investment will be a big enough return. They obviously decided that making a Wii version and compromising the overall quality of the game wasn’t worth it for whatever reasons.
The Nintendo loyal really shouldn’t worry though, Episode 2 will probably come to the Wii U, unless SEGA deems that’s not worth it either. They might, you never know. Different games for different audiences.
Sonic 4 is aimed at older fans and older people in general. SEGA has obviously got data that is telling them that the target audience for Sonic 4 is on Mobiles and HD consoles. As per the strategy both Mike Hayes and Iizuka-san have talked about. They have games made on Nintendo platforms with the appropriate quality for younger people.
SEGA has absolutely no obligation to Nintendo, contrary to what Nintendo loyalist think. Yeah, it sucks for them that Episode 2 isn’t coming to the Wii, but that’s life, sometimes things that you don’t like happen in life and you gotta deal with it =)
Oh and anyone who thinks I’m being harsh, maybe i am. But I can’t show sympathy to people who raged and bashed other people that wanted Sonic Colors on another platform. Lol like I said, the Irony is too delicious. The Nintendo loyalist tears.
Also, I’m using the term Nintendo loyalist, because if you don’t own any other platforms Sonic 4 Episode 2 is coming out on, you ARE a Nintendo loyalist, it’s coming out on so many platforms, and probably PC in the future, so that’s like.. 8 platforms? lol
Episode 4 was designed for older people? Say freaking what? Sonic will always be for kids. Always. It will never be for adults. Regardless of what PR says. Even shadow the hedgehog was for kids.
There are some who may have gotten Episode 1 on Wii because it has a better D-pad than the 360. Those people have got to be annoyed that they can’t transfer their Episode 1 data over.
It’s not just “Nintendo loyalists.” Necessarily.
Shadi; the difference is that Sonic Colors was an *exclusive.* “Exclusive” games going multiplatform is rare.
This (and Generations) is different because they were developed MULTIPLAT. Generations was on 3 platforms. 4 if you coun PC. Sonic Cd, Sonic 4 Episode 2, they’re all multiplat titles. Excluding the Wii for a multiplatform release, especially when Wii owners have already paid for Episode 1, is dumb.
It also makes Sonic 4 come across as even more poorly-planned than it did before….you’d think Sega had a plan/strategy for this whole episodic Sonic 4 series, but their decisions are just pretty much revealing “yeah, we really had no idea what the hell we were doing.”
As far as the argument that a Wii version would have compromised the other versions….did that happen with Rayman: Origins? No, not at all. You develop 2 separate versions. People happy about this are just people who don’t like Nintendo and are excited to see their fans “pwned.” Simply put, decisions like this mean Sega gets their good games to smaller audiences, and I don’t see how that’s a good thing.
As far as Nintendo fans feeling “entitled” to Sonic, well, Nintendo fans today have grown up with Sonic, with the likes of SA2: Battle on the Gamecube. Of course they’re going to be annoyed when all of a sudden Sega’s forgetting the fanbase who helped fund their re-birth.
And btw, “for reasons that people have probably guessed,” is hardly an adequate explanation/apology. Just imo.
Oh and sorry double reply but this just came into my mind XD
Shadow the Hedgehog wasn’t made for kids, it was made for people like Iizuka-san
Said he was inspired by Constantine, Underworld, and Terminator with his Shadow the Hedgehog game.
Clearly kids material!
It doesn’t matter. Any game starring an anthropomorphic hedgehog will always be for children regardless of what everyone on deviantart claims. Also what’s up with your dubbing Takeshi Iizuka as “Lord Iizuka”? Why do you refer to his “vision” all the time? Do you really admire the guy that much? Or is it some kind of tongue in cheek thing?
Sonic Colours is not an exclusive. Nintendo didn’t pay for it. SEGA just deemed the Wii, Sonic Colours target audience and gave the console a good send off.
Yup. As recently revealed by Iizuka-san. Sonic Colors and Generations were in development at the same time. Colors for the Nintendo audience, and Generations for the HD older audience. He even admitted to the 3DS version being junk cash-in on Nintendo fans made last minute.
Anyways as for Colors being “Exclusive” Nintendo fans still had no right to rage and scream at people who wanted it on other platforms. Like I said. Sonic fans who wanted Sonic on other platforms are LAUGHING at and ENJOYING the Nintendo fans sweet tears. Not just me or MrFranklin, go browse Sonic Stadium lol, it’s good times for SEGA.
Yeah I enjoy the tears a lot.
Especially after people basically rubbed Colours on Wii in my face, saying Sonic was Nintendo first and crap.
Sonic will never be Nintendo exclusive again, well not his big main games. Lord iizuka-san wants Sonic on all platforms possible, so he can gain more followers.
Hopefully once the Wii U is out we can get Sonic games on all platforms for a while atleast, that way we don’t have to hear Nintendo fans scream cause they bought junk hardware.
“Sonic Colours is not an exclusive. Nintendo didn’t pay for it. SEGA just deemed the Wii, Sonic Colours target audience and gave the console a good send off.”
You don’t have to pay for a game for it to be “exclusive.” Anyway, the last couple posts there ^ I’m not even going to bother replying to.
I know some of you won’t like seeing this, but here is the interview where iizuka-san talks the truth about Sonic Generations
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=33824500&postcount=83
Sonic games on Nintendo platforms have all been a fucking piece of shit going back to GBA.
At least on the HD consoles and mobiles Sonic can be an uncompromising hardcore gaming experience with the emphasis on gameplay and speed, philosophically consistent with the original conception of Sonic.
SEGA is rising once again now that Nintendo has served its use to SEGA funding their recovery and its shitty hardware and stupid fans are no longer going to be an obstacle to true SEGA style hardcore gaming.
Yah uhh that’s not true, sonic advance 1-3, sonic rush and rush adventure, ok personally i don’t like the advance games (only played the third) but do like the rusch games anyways those are good
I wouldn’t give up hope on not seeing it on any platform, i believe if they push the 3ds to it’s limit, it quite possibly could be (dare i say it) a stand alone release, they also don’t have to use 3d, it can stay 2d (and i guess HD)
“At least on the HD consoles and mobiles Sonic can be an uncompromising hardcore gaming experience with the emphasis on gameplay and speed, philosophically consistent with the original conception of Sonic. ”
Yeah because Sonic just has never been good until it went into HD.
Well NOW the comments have taken a turn towards the stupid, fanboyish noise which I’m not at all pleased about!
But up until the point RadRappy lost his rag(rappy) all anyone had said was simply the truth of the matter.
Sega afterall are a buisness and if the Wiiware needs special treatment that’ll eat up resources and dev time and isn’t worth the return then why bother?
It just seems funny to me that Sega would ignore a key demographic for their biggest franchise. They’re trying to grow Sonic to an all-new generation (har har) of people; many of these people play Nintendo systems. I don’t know where shadi and mr franklin got this bizarre notion that Sonic’s meant to be “zomg HARDCORE FOR ADULTS!” it’s a kids series, and Nintendo systems by far have not only the biggest group of platformer fans, but the most kids. Letting them miss out on one key release after another just seems like a bad move to me.
SEGA doesn’t want to ignore Nintendo, it’s just that their current hardware does not allow for games to be easily ported. If it’s made for Nintendo, it stays on Nintendo. Not because of a kind gesture of exclusivity, but because Wii and 3DS titles cannot be ported easily to the HD consoles and Vita. Thus why we saw different versions of Unleashed. That sort of divvying up of the team is, in what seems to be SEGA’s opinion, a waste of resources as it probably hurts quality. Note that the best titles are the ones where the team focuses on one platform (or two when talking 360 and PS3, but those are far easier to cross-develop for). Given that the Wii is on the way out, it would be a waste to focus on a Wii-only title. I’ll betcha that come the release of the Wii U, we’ll see a late release of Sonic 4 Ep 2 and some new exclusive title. Probably the third storybook game utilizing the pad.