Sonic Mania

Several VHS recordings of never before seen Sega Channel footage found and preserved online

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The Sega Channel, a long dormant online games-on-demand service for the Sega Genesis/Mega-Drive, has long been an enigma in the years since its official sunset in 1998. Very little material from the service has been preserved or documented, and there is still so much that only those who subscribed to the service and have vivid memories of it would know for sure. Thankfully, @Ghostsencore and prolific Genesis romhacker Billy Time Games have come across a smorgasbord of archived VHS tapes containing recordings of someone, presumably the person who recorded the footage in the first place, perusing the menus of Sega Channel during a few months where the service was still alive and well.

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Ex-Sonic Mania developer Evening Star working on a 3D Action Platformer

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Its been over half a decade since SEGA teamed up Christian Whitehead and the crew to develop Sonic Mania. About two years ago, most of the ex-developers went on to form Evening Star Studios.

Earlier today, Evening Star posted on Twitter that they were hiring for their new upcoming title and checking their website under games, you see them teasing their new upcoming original game.

Let’s break down what we know:

  • New Publisher (not SEGA)
  • Debuting Star Engine game
  • 3D Action platformer
  • Character seems to use Yo-Yo as a weapon
  • Puffy pants, puffy gloves and puffy shoes?
  • Shadow features peach and purple gradient (possible colors for the main character?)

What do you guys think of the developers creating a brand new, 3D action platformer?

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LEGO Ideas Sonic Mania Green Hill Zone Given the Green Light

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LEGO Ideas, the official LEGO outlet that gives fans the ability to submit designs for official approval and release, has announced that the Sonic Mania: Green Hill Zone set from Viv Grannell aka toastergrl has been given the green light! This means that SEGA has signed on to the project and it will carry the official Sonic the Hedgehog license. The next step will have LEGO’s builders review the build and make any refinements or develop new unique pieces. From there, we should see an official reveal, box art and some pre-order links! But it is going to take some time. Hopefully the Sonic Mania branding remains intact and it releases for the 30th anniversary.

After the break, check out the official word from LEGO.

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New Sonic Toys from Diamond Select & Jakks Pacific revealed at NY Toy Fair 2020

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Following up from the previous article, there are more SEGA merchandise revealed at this year’s New York Toy Fair featuring Sonic the Hedgehog.

From Diamond Select’s booth, they are showcasing a statue of “Movie” Sonic on top of Dr. Robotnik Tech and the Ultimate “Classic” Sonic figure with customizable parts. Over at the Jakks Pacific’s booth, the booth has plushes of multiple Sonic the Hedgehog characters including Mighty the Armadillo.

Planning to collect some of the Sonic & SEGA merchandise sometime this year? Let us know in the comments below. Check out images of the merchandise after the break.

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Original version of Sonic Mania to receive physical release

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SEGA is releasing the original version of Sonic Mania physically to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Listings for all three appeared on GameStop’s website priced at $19.99 for a November 5, 2019 release (UPDATE: some stores are now carrying it). It does not appear that this release will have any bonuses, like an art book or a Mega Drive/Genesis reversible cover. The content from the Plus release is not on disc, though should be available as DLC at an additional price.

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Sonic Mania will be free for PlayStation Plus users this June

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Did you buy Sonic Mania on every platform besides the PlayStation 4? You are in luck if you are a PlayStation Plus user since Sonic Mania, the base game, will be free to play this June. Looks like SEGA is hoping users spend some bucks on the ‘Plus’ DLC. Kinda strange that Sonic Mania Plus wasn’t given away on PlayStation Plus, that would have made a nice headline. I guess two positives do equal a negative.

How many of you guys haven’t played Sonic Mania yet? I doubt there are very many of you.

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Mania Developers Open New Game Studio Evening Star

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It was recently announced that much of the team behind Sonic Mania have formed their own studio! On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry run through the staff, talk about what this could mean for the future of the 2D Sonic brand, and what original games we’d like to see.

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If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

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SEGA Japan contest giving away Sonic Mania art by Ken Sugimori of Pokemon fame

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SEGA Japan’s Sonic Channel is holding a pretty awesome contest giving away original artwork by Ken Sugimori (known for Pokemon, art director at Game Freak). According to SEGA Japan’s tweet it will be given to someone on twitter and they did link to this write-up with Ken Sugimori giving his impressions on Sonic Mania and its features. I do love the ending where he asks SEGA to do a ‘Space Harrier Mania‘, ‘Phantasy Star Mania’ and ‘Altered Beast Mania’. Hey, I wouldn’t complain if SEGA had a Retro line of older games coming back like Sonic Mania.

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Sonic Mania Adventures concludes with episode 5 – Sonic Mania Plus releases today!

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SEGA has released the fifth and final episode of their Sonic Mania Adventures animated web series. The episode features all five heroes taking on Metal Sonic and Doctor Eggman in a final(?) battle. Also released is an official supercut combining all five episodes into an 11 minute video, seen after the break.

You can order the game today for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One via Amazon, and in turn support the site.

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Sonic Mania Adventures Episode 4 reunites Mighty and Ray

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Sonic Mania Plus releases next month, and leading up to the release SEGA has been posting a five part animated Sonic series to YouTube entitled Sonic Mania Adventures. The last episode featured Knuckles flinging Ray, and this episode sees where Ray ended up. The new music by Tee Lopes and the writing and directing by Tyson Hesse are top notch and expand on what made the Sonic Mania game such a love letter to Classic Sonic fans. Check the latest episode out for yourself and be on the lookout for the fifth and final episode next month!

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Sonic Mania Adventures Episode 3 releases, co-starring Knuckles

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The third episode of Sonic Mania Adventures has released, and as we were teased last episode Knuckles is takes the spotlight! As usual, the animation and music is top notch and it’s great to see SEGA giving the Sonic Mania brand so much love. Check the latest episode out above and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Takashi Iizuka says Sonic Mania Plus physical release is ‘everything we could do for the Sonic Mania Project’

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Sonic Mania was a hit for the indie developers behind the project which included Christian Whitehead, Stealth from Headcannon and PagodaWest Games. It made a lot of older fans come back to the Sonic the Hedgehog brand with delight and soon we will be getting Sonic Mania Plus with added Ray and Mighty.

One thing a lot of hardcore fans want to know, will we see a sequel to Sonic Mania?

“Maybe the next one will be Sonic Mania’ (Dash) then [laughs]. Jokes aside, with the release of the physical version in Sonic Mania Plus, it feels like we did everything we could for the Sonic Mania project.” – Takashi Iizuka

You can check out the fully translated Famitsu interview over at Siliconera, where he even talks about how Ray and Mighty are ‘sealed’ characters that where never mean’t to be in a future game. Interesting?

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Sonic Mania Plus trailer arrives – welcome back, Mighty and Ray!

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Sonic Mania Plus releases July 17th! Up from the previously reported August 28th!

SEGA has released the trailer for the upcoming physical release of Sonic Mania, dubbed Sonic Mania Plus. The release will contain new content, including playable Mighty and Ray, an Encore Mode and more! If you already own the game digitally, this content will appear via DLC. The physical edition comes with special packaging, a reversible cover, and a 32 Page Art Book.

You can pre-order the game today for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One via Amazon, and in turn support the site.

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First Sonic Mania Adventures episode releases online

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The first Sonic Mania Adventures episode is ready to watch (just click play above)! The series was announced at the Sonic at SXSW panel and will run for five episodes running a few minutes each. The plan is to release them monthly to promote the upcoming physical release of Sonic Mania Plus.

What are your thoughts on the first episode? Sound off in the comments below!

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Mania Physical Release & Animated Series Announced

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It’s happening! Sonic Mania is finally receiving a physical release as Sonic Mania Plus. And if that wasn’t enough, the game will have new content and will see the return of two long lost characters: Mighty and Ray! What more, we have a series of animated shorts on the way titled Sonic Mania Adventures!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

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