Sonic 20th anniversary figures are awesome


SEGA has announced that they are making 1,000 Sonic 20th Anniversary figures. Where can you get your hands on these awesome figures? Not in stores, sadly.

Not only that, the game’s figure differs from the US version to the world wide version. What is changed? The image in the box, the US is taken from the US artwork and the world wide one is the original they got with their game. Staying true!

If you want to see more pictures of the figures, check out the SEGA.blog.

Japanese Sonic 20th Anniversary swag is awesome

Here are some of the plushies, chocolates and other items Japanese consumers will be able to grab up this year to celebrate Sonic’s 20th birthday.

If you hit the source there are other food-related items and a shirt. Everyone likes shirts, right?

[Source: Famitsu]

Sonic Stories: CrazyTails

In celebration of Sonic’s 20th anniversary, SEGAbits proudly presents a limited feature highlighting SEGAbits stories from writers and readers of how they got into the franchise and their history with Sonic. Want to share your Sonic story? Check out the dedicated topic in the SEGAbits forum.

Everyone must be aware of Sonic’s 20th anniversary coming closer with each day. I’m sure lots of you are very hyped up! It is the time where fans go ape shit for the smallest tidbit of news, a time where speculation can possibly turn into fan wars. Yeah, great times indeed!

I have pretty much established myself here at SEGAbits, so I feel honored being picked to share my story on how I’ve got to know SEGA’s mascot, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG! I hope ya’ll enjoy reading my story!

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Sonic Stories: Barry the Nomad

In celebration of Sonic’s 20th anniversary, SEGAbits proudly presents a limited feature highlighting SEGAbits stories from writers and readers of how they got into the franchise and their history with Sonic. Want to share your Sonic story? Check out the dedicated topic in the SEGAbits forum.

Welcome to the first entry of Sonic Stories! I’m one of those fans who was introduced to SEGA by way of Sonic the Hedgehog. Specifically the 1991 original classic. As such, despite now being a fan of many different SEGA franchises, it always comes back to Sonic the Hedgehog. To kick off this series, I wanted to share how I got into the franchise, my favorite moments as a fan as well as open up the article series to other SEGAbits readers and writers.

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SEGA Europe going on licensing blitz for Sonic’s 20th birthday


Sonic is turning 20, that is a big number for any franchise, since Sonic is SEGA’s biggest franchise ever… you know they are going to do it big. SEGA Europe just expanded their license teams to get products out to you by Sonic’s 20th anniversary come June 23rd.

“We have some surprises lined up for Sonic’s anniversary. We’re working on a number of retail initiatives across different sectors. Ideally, we would like to tie in different merchandise to create a strong branded presence in stores. We want to team up with multi-territory partners in publishing, apparel and collectibles such as trading card games and stickers,” said Henno. “We also have interest in categories such as wheeled items, outdoor sporting goods and bedding in the UK and internationally.” – Sega Europe’s head of licensing Sissel Henno

SEGA’s licensing teams will be hitting trade shows to meet new potential partners. These trade shows include Brand Licensing Show in Budapest, Bologna Book Fair and Kazachok Licensing Show in Paris. We shall see what surprises SEGA has in store for Sonic’s birthday.

[Source: MCV]

Wavemaster releasing a Sonic 20th Anniversary album?

Sonic’s 20th is gaining momentum! First SEGA teasing about the anniversary game, then prototype photos of Jazwares action figures and now a placeholder site for a music album! Looks like SEGA’s Wavemaster has a Sonic 20th Anniversary album planned as evidenced by this recently revealed teaser page www.wave-master.com/sonic20th. Nothing there just yet, except for the above image. A variety of Sonic soundtracks have released under the Wavemaster label, but this is the first time they have created a franchise spanning album. As Wavemaster albums are often two disc affairs, I have no doubt a 20th Anniversary album will be two discs as well.

I’m hoping the potential album gives equal representation of all the years and covers a variety of games. It would be awesome to hear some rarities, such as demo tracks and unreleased tunes. Remixes of old classics would also be pretty sweet. What would you like to hear in a Sonic 20th soundtrack? Sound off below! Any mention of Bentley Jones will result in severe punishment.

[Source: The Sonic Stadium]

SEGA hinting at Sonic’s upcoming game?

SEGA those sneaky bastards. They posted up a ‘Happy Hedgehog’ post for groundhogs day. I read it and it rambled on about stuff about Greeks and hedgehog homes. Boring. Then it said…

“Rumor has it, in fact, that there are two styles of science: compared as either objective or abstract. Find the false line within this paragraph itself, and you may find hidden answers of your own”

A challenge. If you re-read the paragraph, some letters are bolded. If you put them together you get: Berlin. What does this mean? I have no idea, but we will get our SEGA detectives on the case.

[Source: SEGAblog]

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Sonic 20th Anniversary Action Figure Collection Revealed! (drools)

Just when I thought Jazwares has taken all the money they could take from me, they reveal this epic collection! Jazwares is celebrating Sonic’s 20th in style by producing figures that span his 20 year career. These photos found online were snapped at JazWares’ booth at the 2011 UK Toy Fair. One collection revealed is “Sonic Through Time”, which will depict the various designs of Sonic over the years. Photos reveal a 1991 Sonic and a 2008 Sonic, but I’m sure we’ll also see a 1999 and perhaps 2011 model as well. Very cool. After the jump, Eggman takes center stage.

click here to read more!

SEGA France sends out Sonic 20th anniversary anti-aging cream

Check it out, SEGA France has sent people Sonic 20th anniversary branded….. anti-aging cream. Yes, so basically no hints on the upcoming projects. I guess this is suppose to suggest that this is Sonic’s secret in looking so young. I thought 20 years old was considered young?
I don’t know, making sense out of anything the French do is too much trouble. For some weird reason I want one of these.

[Source: Sonic Stadium]

Sonic Racing All-Stars Arcade part of Sonic 20th anniversary?

According to the guys over at Arcade Heroes, they heard for a reliable source that we will be seeing a port of  SEGA & Sonic All-Stars Racing for the arcades. The game will be part of Sonic’s 20th anniversary.

It is also said you will be able to link 8 cabinets together for multiplayer fun. This is the first time there has been a Sonic arcade game since Sonic the Fighters in 1996, if this turns out to be true, could be pretty awesome.

This is filed as a rumor until its confirmed by SEGA.

[Thanks: Adam]
[Source: ArcadeHeroes]

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2011 – An industry’s hopes


MVCUK have quizzed a number of top industry people based in the UK regarding what they are most looking forward too in 2011, on that list is everyone’s favourite western Sega CEO in god knows how long Mike Hayes and Sports Interactive head honcho Miles Jacobson. Let’s see what they are looking forward to in 2011.

Miles Jacobson – Studio Director, Sports Interactive
“Having been lucky to try out a beta version, I’m most looking forward to the new Virtua Tennis release, with a Move and a 3D TV. I’m really looking forward to March’s Nordoff Robbins Football Extravaganza dinner which is sponsored by Tesco – it’s always a great night and raised over £350k last year.

Mike Hayes – CEO, Sega Europe and Sega America
“I want 2011 to be a great year for a little blue hedgehog – as Sonic is 20 years old in June.”

If Miles is looking forward to Virtua Tennis 4, which is being developed in-house at Sega Japan for the first time since PowerSmash 3 (Arcade) then I think that’s a good sign!

As for Mike Hayes; well shit man, so do we… So do we!

You can read the others HERE.