Kristen Bell announced as voice of Amy Rose in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ movie

Via The Hollywood Reporter comes the news that Amy Rose in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4 movie has a voice actress, and that is Kristen Bell! Long suffering parents like myself best know her as the voice of Anna in the Frozen films from Disney, and gamers may know her as the voice of Lucy Stillman in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. On TV she is best known for Veronica Mars, Heroes and The Good Place and has appeared in a number of films over the years.

Little else about Sonic 4 has been revealed, even the reveal article fails to confirm any live action actors returning with the only returning crew member name checked being director Jeff Fowler.

Are you excited for the casting announcement? Who would you have preferred if not? Sound off in the comments below!

Basic Fun!/Arcade1Up show off a brand new Sonic the Hedgehog home arcade cabinet at Toy Fair 2026


Arcade1up, hot off of their recent acquisition by Basic Fun!, have come to the International Toy Fair 2026 in New York City to show off their latest home arcade cabinets releasing later this year. This includes a new Ms. Pac-Man cabinet with the usual Namco arcade classics and a new WWE Wrestlefest cabinet featuring that game and a few other classics by Technos Japan, but the most relevant for us is their 3rd and most recent collaboration with Sega (And probably their least exciting to date): a Sonic the Hedgehog arcade cabinet. This is an all-new original upright cabinet that, so far, features Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, and Sonic 3D Blast.

Despite these games having no prior history in arcade settings (Maybe some, technically, though I doubt these versions of these games will be included), they’re all coming soon to a new arcade cabinet meant for your home arcade/Sonic gaming space. The cabinet itself is assumed to be of the typical build quality as all of Arcade1up’s more recent cabinets, including the others shown off at this year’s International Toy Fair, so you’ll likely be able to play them all just fine here. Any other special features this may have are likely to be announced at a later date as this cabinet comes closer to its release.

I know you must be chomping at the power pellet to get this wholly unexciting new arcade machine, so check in after the break to hear more.

SEGA announces “End of Service” for Sonic the Hedgehog 1 & 2 for Apple and Android devices

SEGA has announced an “End of Service” for the 2013 remasters of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, available on Apple and Android devices. The remasters got a lot of attention when revealed back in 2013, namely because prominent fan game developers Christian Whitehead (“Taxman”) and Simon Thomley (“Stealth”) were behind the remasters. The two would go on to develop Sonic Mania, which no doubt was a gig they earned thanks to their work on the 2013 remasters.

The remasters were so good that many (myself included) see them as the best way to play the games, even beating out their reissues in Sonic Origins and the M2 versions released on Nintendo platforms. Heck, they were named our favorite SEGA games of 2013! Fans might be having deja vu as SEGA delisted Sonic CD and Sonic 4 Episodes 1&2 in May 2025. 

SEGA and Realm Announce First Ever Sonic the Hedgehog Audio Drama Series – Sonic Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles

SEGA today has announced Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles, a brand-new narrative podcast from SEGA of America, Inc. in partnership with Realm. The series debuts on January 27, 2026, with Realm managing distribution everywhere that podcasts are available and representing the show for ad sales.

The Chaotix Casefiles features the official Sonic video game voice cast reprising their roles, including Roger Craig Smith as Sonic the Hedgehog, Keith Silverstein as Vector the Crocodile, Matthew Mercer as Espio the Chameleon, Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Charmy Bee, with many other fan-favorites to appear throughout the season.

The production is helmed by a team of creative talent deeply rooted in the world of animation and gaming. Directed by Ian Jones-Quartey (OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, Steven Universe), with lead writer Dan Jolley (Transformers, Dying Light, Superman), and a writers’ room with Ian Flynn and Evan Stanley, who have extensive experience with the Sonic franchise. Check out the full press release for the upcoming podcast below!

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds Nintendo Switch 2 Edition physical release date announced; Blue Star EX Gear now available to all for free

The wait to own a physical copy of Sonic Racing: Crossworlds for Nintendo Switch 2, one that actually has the game on the card, is nearly over. Mark March 26th, 2026 on your calendars.

While Sonic Racing: Crossworlds had already been available as a native Nintendo Switch 2 game, complete with an upgrade pack for owners of the original Nintendo Switch version, since December 2025, it was only available digitally. (You can still buy the upgrade pack if you had a physical Nintendo Switch 1 version.) If you’ve been waiting for a native Nintendo Switch 2 game card, then pre-orders have just opened up for it. The pre-order price sits at $69.99 USD. Currently, only Amazon has a pre-order page open, but other retailers are sure to follow soon. You can check Sega’s own Sonic Racing: Crossworlds website for the most up to date information on where you can pre-order or where you can order any other version of the game.

As an added bonus, Sega have also made the Blue Star Extreme Gear DLC available for free on all platforms. (Currently it isn’t live on the Nintendo eShop, but this could be an error. Keep checking for it.) Originally available exclusively for those who signed up for a Sega account and redeemed it when the game originally launched in September, the Blue Star is an extra boost vehicle that’s based on Sonic’s Extreme Gear from Sonic Riders (2006). If you never signed up for a Sega account, you forgot to redeem the Blue Star DLC, or you’ve since bought Sonic Racing: Crossworlds on a second platform or a different platform than you originally intended, you can still get this absolutely free now.

Be sure to cross over past the break to see a bit more info on the physical Nintendo Switch 2 Edition that you might like to know.

Ultra rare Swing arcade cabinet with exclusive English translated SegaSonic The Hedgehog arcade board up for auction

Anybody got £40,000 pound sterling (Currently about $53,271.60 USD) to lend me? I’ll totally pay you back.

That’s how much it’s likely to cost you (Perhaps more) to get this Multi Cabinet Swing arcade cabinet that has, what is likely to be, the only officially translated arcade board of SegaSonic the Hedgehog housed in it. The game and cabinet are fully functional and properly maintained. They have been since this cabinet was first taken from Sega World London after its closure in 1999.

Since then, this cabinet fell into the hands of a few private collectors and, eventually, back into Sega Europe’s hands, where it was most recently up for display at a promotional event for Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, shown above. Now, this cabinet is up for auction at the Ewbank’s auction site with a starting bid of £10,000. Bidding begins on December 19th, 2025

If you’re a rich UK resident who’s feeling lucky, you can check in past the break to learn more about this golden opportunity.

Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup releases a new recording of Sonic Unleashed theme with some special guests

Jeret Reddick, the lead singer of the pop punk rock band Bowling For Soup, has fired shots straight in our childhood feels with his shadow dropped cover of Endless Possibility, the theme song from Sonic Unleashed originally performed by himself.

Often misattributed to Bowling For Soup as a whole, the song was performed originally by musicians at Sega, including Sonic Unleashed’s main composer Tomoya Ohtani, while the lyrics were written and recorded by Jaret Reddick. This time, he and one of his bandmates, Rob Felicetti, have returned with cover band Punk Rock Factory and Wheatus (Best known for their hit song Teenage Dirtbag (2000)) to bless us with a new, independently recorded version of the beloved song, including a music video uploaded to the official Bowling For Soup YouTube channel. It’s an unexpected surprise, but as the song goes, the possibilities are neverending.

But how will you know what it sounds like? And how will you know if it’s cool. We all gotta jump past the break, and it’s like that for you. The possibilities are neverending.

Sonic Racing Crossworlds launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4th, 2025

Sonic Racing Crossworlds fans on Nintendo’s ecosystem rejoice. The long awaited Nintendo Switch 2 port of the game finally has a release date: December 4th, 2025.

The game will finally launch for Nintendo’s newest hybrid console digitally first on that date. Physical versions (Which will not be installed on one of the dreaded Game Key-Cards) will come sometime in early 2026. If you have the game on Nintendo Switch already, a $10 upgrade pack will be available to convert your game to the native Switch 2 port, giving you sharper graphics and higher resolutions and framerates not possible in the Switch 1 version even when playing it on a Switch 2 console. Even better, the upgrade pack will be available for 50% off until December 10th.

For fans of Sonic’s Werehog form, you’ll receive the Werehog character DLC, originally a pre-order bonus for all other versions of the game, if you purchase a Day 1 edition of the Switch 2 version’s physical release. If you already have any DLC from the Switch 1 version, including the Werehog, it will remain accessible in the Switch 2 version after upgrading, along with any saved progress you’ve made.

More info on the Switch 2 version of the game is available in Sega’s updated Switch 2 version FAQ page, such as the max resolution and framerate of the game.

Do you already own Sonic Racing Crossworlds on Switch or any other platform? Were you holding out for the Switch 2 version? Let us know in the comments below.

JAKKS Pacific and SEGA of America Renew Global Toy Partnership for Sonic the Hedgehog Merchandise

Today, SEGA and JAKKS Pacific announced a partnership renewal for the core Sonic the Hedgehog Collection, maintaining JAKKS as the franchise’s lead global toy partner.

JAKKS will continue to design, manufacture, market, and sell Sonic the Hedgehog branded toy product lines worldwide.

This multi-year partnership extends until 2029, allowing JAKKs to continue to design and produce action figures, playsets, vehicles, plush, collectibles, and other categories.

Check out the full press release for more details!

SEGA Talk #173: Sonic the Hedgehog 8-Bit (1991)

On this SEGA Talk, we take a look at Sonic the Hedgehog! No, not THAT one… and not THAT one… we’re talking about the one for the Master System and Game Gear! What’s the story behind this 8-bit version of the Genesis classic? What does it do differently? Find out on SEGA Talk!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGA Teams up with the IOC on a New Multi-Year Licensing Agreement Celebrating the Olympic Brand and Sonic the Hedgehog

Today, SEGA announced its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for a multi-year licensing agreement. SEGA & IOC are seeking key partners for a full merchandise collection to launch in 2026.

The first look at the upcoming “Five Rings” collaboration is available now, featuring the Olympic rings with a supersonic Sonic the Hedgehog spin. This sneak peek into the custom art highlights the connection with Sonic and the core Olympic values, including excellence, respect and friendship.

Check out further details in the press release here!

Sonic and Steady Hands Team Up for Exclusive Merch

Sonic fans, get ready to sonicfy your style! SEGA has teamed up with the apparel brand Steady Hands for an exclusive new t-shirt collection. This capsule collection features five unique tees showcasing some of the most iconic characters from the Sonic universe: Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow, Eggman, and even has a cameo by Super Sonic. Each design highlights these fan-favorite characters in a bold, collectible way, crafted with Steady Hands’ signature approach to everyday wear.

​This special collaboration is a celebration of Sonic’s legacy and the characters that have defined generations of gaming. The collection launched on Friday, September 5th, and is available exclusively through the Steady Hands website for fans in the United States and Canada. If you’re looking to add some edgy hedgehog flair to your wardrobe, now is the perfect time to grab a piece of this unique collection.

The real question, where’s my girl Amy?

SEGA News Bits Live: New Classic Sonic Toys!

New Classic Sonic toys are hitting shelves, and on this SEGA News Bits Live Barry takes a look at the Hammer Egg from Sonic Superstars and Giant Mecha Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog 2!

If you want to support this type of content, you can check out our Patreon!

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.