Sonic the Hedgehog

First 4 Figures seeking feedback on Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary statue concept

by

13726_10153043565971732_8727070703512831758_n

For the past few months First 4 Figures, creators of high quality and high priced Sonic and SEGA statues, have been teasing a Sonic the Hedgehog statue to celebrate next year’s 25th anniversary. Today, on the First 4 Figures Facebook page, the company has shared a concept sketch of the statue and are asking for fan feedback. Those who have followed First 4 Figures in the past know full well that they take feedback very seriously, often making major changes to statues to satisfy fans. The proposed Sonic 25th anniversary statue features Sonic playing a Dreamcast Sonic game on an item monitor. The base appears to be set in Green Hill Zone, much like the first Sonic statue and the 20th anniversary statue were. The reason Sonic isn’t playing a Genesis/Mega Drive? First 4 Figures explained “We thought that as an anniversary piece, we wanted to try and touch on multiple eras in a single piece rather than making it strictly classic. The thought is well received though!”. As for the Green Hill Zone base, First 4 Figures sound open to changing it, as they are aware that that location has been done far too many times already.

After the break, hear my thoughts on the piece and check out the full piece of concept art.

Continue Reading ➜

CZV oD M qmQ fViOwMssnjt

1 Comment

New 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 trailer shows off local co-op and new ‘Keep Ring Mode’ gets detailed

by

While we haven’t gotten a release date in the west on the 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 release, over in Japan the game is being release in less than a week! That means that 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has been getting quite the amount of information released, like the trailer above showing off the local wireless connectivity. It will be required for both 3DSs to own a copy of the game, but if you do you will be able to have a second player control Tails through your single player adventure or you can go head to head in the versus racing mode.

Like most M2 re-releases in their SEGA 3D Classics series, this game will not only have 3D, save states and the ability to save replays; but it will also have a new mode that they are calling ‘Ring Keep’ mode. In this mode you will start a stage with 10 rings, each time you get attacked the amount of rings you lose is halved. I guess we shall see how this will work when we get to play it and how it impacts the way you play the game.

If we had to predict the release date of 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in the west, I would say expect it sometime in August!

4 Comments

First 4 Figures wants your ideas for a Sonic the Hedgehog 25th anniversary figure

by

First4Sonic25

First 4 Figures is asking on Facebook for ideas for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 25th anniversary statue. If you ever had a big idea for high quality Sonic the Hedgehog figurine, then you should probably post it up on their Facebook.

What would your ideal 25th anniversary statue look like? Throw your ideas/wish lists our way! There’s only a few things you need to keep in mind:

-Classic Sonic is to be the main focus, but don’t let that stop you from including other things from his history such as classic items.

-The statue needs to be as all-encompassing as possible

First 4 Figures previously did a 20th anniversary figure that sadly was only available to SEGA employees, this time around everyone will be able to buy the 25th anniversary figure. HA! Take that, SEGA employees!

U g qidAiDzhnmudAJ hQHM P

1 Comment

Swingin’ Report Show #80: Interview with Aaron Webber, Sonic the Hedgehog PR & Social Media Manager

by

He’s back! After leaving SEGA of America in 2014, Aaron Webber has returned as the PR & Social Media Manager for the Sonic the Hedgehog brand. Since returning, Aaron has been making waves on the Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, catching both fan and media attention with his sly wit and deep knowledge of the franchise.

Aaron was kind enough to sit down with us for an hour in his first interview since returning to SEGA to talk about his new role, SEGA’s move to LA, his approach to interacting with fans, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, his favorite Sonic games, and answers to some burning canon questions!

[Download] [RSS] [iTunes] [Archive]

khcXCiDr

5 Comments

SEGA 3D Classics, Atlus sale on 3DS eShop

by

SEGA3DClassicsBoxArt

SEGA and Atlus have given 3DS owners another reason to check out their games on the eShop, where the companies have put ten of their games on sale.

The following SEGA 3D Classics titles are being sold for half-off at $3 a piece until July 2:

  • Streets of Rage
  • Space Harrier
  • Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Shinobi III
  • Galaxy Force II
  • Ecco the Dolphin
  • Altered Beast
  • Super Hang-On

If you haven’t ever played these games before, now is a good a time as any to try them!

Atlus, meanwhile, is selling both Shin Megami Tensei IV and Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked for a third off, at $20 each, until June 29.

3 Comments

Sonic and Angry Birds cross-over in… Angry Birds Sonic Dash Epic?

by

AngryBirdsSonicDashEpic

I honestly have no explanation for this. I’m not sure if this can be explained. Some guy from VideoGamer just tweeted these screenshots and I’m just incredibly confused right now. I mean, they’re both popular games sure, but… Angry Birds Sonic Dash Epic? Are they trying to outdo SONIC BIRDS vs. EGGMAN ROBOTNIK PIGS in the naming department? I’m so confused by this.

Okay, so it turns out that this is an in-game event that’ll go on for three weeks, in which you can unlock a different Angry Birds Epic character each week by collecting tokens. That, or you can just buy them. These includes Red ‘Knight’, Chuck ‘Mage’ and Bomb ‘Pirate’. You’ll still be able to use keep using these characters even after unlocking them. This event will be on all three platforms: iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

So uh, yeah, medieval Angry Birds characters in a Sonic game. Just in case for if you weren’t weirded out already by the Sonic Twitter suddenly becoming a lot more meta.

[Source: Invision Game Community]

After the break, check out gameplay footage of the first unlockable Angry Birds character.

Continue Reading ➜

1 Comment

Yoshi’s Woolly World has unlockable Sonic the Hedgehog skin pattern

by

WoollyWorldAmiibo
Nintendo has showed the latest Yoshi’s Wooly World trailer, this one focusing on older Amiibo figure support. Each figure will unlock a pattern that you can dress up your Yoshi with, including a Sonic the Hedgehog pattern if you use your Sonic the Hedgehog Amiibo. The trailer sadly doesn’t show the what the Sonic the Hedgehog pattern will look like, but it does show Mario, Donkey Kong and Link; giving you an idea of what to expect when the game launches later this year.

It is pretty interesting that Nintendo is will support past Amiibos in new titles, considering they announced their own line of Yoshi’s Woolly World Amiibo figures. I wonder what other Amiibo support future Nintendo titles will get. Who knows, maybe even SEGA developed games will support Amiibo functionality.

No Comments

Leaked Sony Pictures e-mails show excitement for SEGA’s “SONIC – THE HEDGE DOG”

by

sonicmovie

You probably remember when Sony Pictures had thousands of emails leaked last year following controversy over their movie The Interview. Despite Sony’s best efforts to pull the emails from the internet, once they were out there the damage was done. The emails revealed a ton of strange and fascinating behind-the-scenes information, from a Men In Black crossover with 21 Jump Street to silly salary disputes. Given Sony’s dealings with SEGA in regards to an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie, it was only a matter of time before some emails related to the upcoming movie leaked out. One such email from Senior Vice President of Sony Pictures Releasing International, Noriaki “Dick” Sano, features a funny typo and some details about the upcoming film. Dick writes:

SONIC – THE HEDGE DOG
Dear All,

Hannah Minghella just called to give me an early heads up that a very popular video game for years from Sega game maker
named SONIC – THE HEDGE DOG will be made into a Live Action film.

Script is not yet completed but it would be financed 50-50 by SPE and Sega. Ms. Mie Ohnishi from Sega ( actually now called Sega/Sammy)
would be stationed to Burbank until the completion of the film. She will be coming to my office for a courtesy visit this afternoon,
so Hannah’s phone call was very timely and appreciated.

According to Hannah, the release date in the US would hopefully be in 2016.

I hope this would be another franchise like RESIDENT EVIL for our Japanese market.

Sincerely,
Dick

Aside from the funny typo of “SONIC – THE HEDGE DOG”, we now know the film will be financed 50/50 by Sony Pictures Entertainment and SEGA. Also, SEGA’s Mie Ohnishi who serves as a Producer/Development Executive at Marza Animation Planet Inc. will be stationed in Burbank, CA working on the film with Sony. It is also noted that as of June 2014 a script was not written and the goal is to release the movie in 2016. Dick ends his email with hope that a Sonic movie would be a good fit for the Japanese market like Sony’s Resident Evil movies. Nobody show him Sonic‘s Japanese sales numbers!

After the break check out a few more SEGA related details from Sony that have surfaced.

Continue Reading ➜

10 Comments

Archie Comics Sonic the Hedgehog July 2015 Solicitations – Worlds Unite heats up!

by

Sonic#275

Direct from Archie Comics comes the latest solicits for what Sonic and Mega Man fans can expect for July, and if the covers and descriptions are any indication, general SEGA and Capcom fans should also pay close attention to what is to come. As the Sonic and Mega Man crossover Worlds Unite heats up, several other franchises from the famous video game companies join the fray including Golden Axe, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Ōkami, NiGHTS, Street Fighter, Skies of Arcadia, Panzer Dragoon, Monster Hunter 4 and more! If that’s not enough, another milestone issue is hit with Sonic The Hedgehog #275 which features a whopping six different collectible covers and the special one-off Sonic: Worlds Unite Battles expands the crossover story with even more pages dedicated to classic characters duking it out.

All this and more after the break!

Continue Reading ➜

hbI Z mhR RRrQvQxMJMclWM

3 Comments

Craft Lab creates a Sonic the Hedgehog statue using chicken bones

by

If you have never seen the YouTube show Craft Lab, the premise is that a Hollywood production designer named Greg Aronowitz (Jurassic Park: Lost World, Terminator 2) takes unconventional materials and makes works of art based on pop culture icons.

On this episode it was decided that they would create a Sonic the Hedgehog statue made with chicken bones. Its pretty interesting and came out pretty awesome, so check out the video above.

jUdwQofWiqaiQ Zfy s d

3 Comments

Sonic’s ad venture: SEGA and Capcom join new ad agency GameBridge

by

maxresdefault

Remember when Sonic appeared in a Progressive Auto Insurance commercial? Or when Sonic was pushing LifeSavers candies and cans of pasta in the 1990s? Well, expect to see more ads like this in the near future. Reported by MediaPost comes the news that SEGA as well as Capcom have joined up with a new agency that licenses video game characters for ad campaigns. The agency, named GameBridge, was founded by Billy Bell and the agency’s goal is, in his words, “to make it much easier and more efficient for both advertisers and game publishers to connect their respective characters and brands”. The name GameBridge refers to a ‘bridge’ for brands and gaming characters to connect for cross promotional opportunities.

GameBridge will act as SEGA’s agent for licensing partners, serving as the middle man for advertisers and agencies and IP holders of video game characters. For now, the New York based agency is acting as SEGA and Capcom’s agent, but in the future they could expand to represent other game companies and characters. Also announced is that GameBridge has partnered with video game music digital download service Sumthing Else, providing clients a music licensing service. Additional GameBridge partnerships will provide production services, including film and video production, post-production resources, and animation and effects.

While Sonic was specifically called out as a likely character SEGA would utilize in future marketing opportunities, GameBridge could utilize other characters from the company. How about Jet Set Radio‘s Beat selling cans of Krylon?

xSbQP rPdDTbGRRnY nLEGUJ e R

1 Comment

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate gets free DLC update with Sonic themed gear

by

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate‘s free Apirl DLC update is out now and part of the update is Sonic the Hedgehog gear for your Palicoes (cat like creatures that can go on missions with you). It seems to unlock the gear you will have to overcome a series of new missions (included for free in the update) that are sometimes very punishing. Last month’s DLC had The Legend of Zelda items and the missions to unlock the items where very hard, so let’s hope that Capcom isn’t going to make us suffer for Sonic the Hedgehog goodness.The update comes with:

  • 14 New quests
  • 2 New weapons
  • 3 Complete armor sets
  • 4 Palico weapons
  • 7 Palico armor sets
  • 1 Bonus Palico: Blue Pal
  • 4 Guild Card backgrounds
  • 2 Guild Card pose
  • 13 Guild Card titles
  • 1 Poogie outfit: Vagaboar

You can check out more information on Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and its DLC over at Capcom-Unity. So, how many of you guys are playing Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and how are you liking it?

No Comments

Archie Comics Sonic the Hedgehog June 2015 Solicitations – Worlds Unite continues!

by

Screen Shot 2015-03-24 at 3.29.27 PM

Coming this June from Archie Action its the continuation of the epic Sonic and SEGA, Mega Man and Capcom crossover Worlds Unite – which kicks off the month before in May. Courtesy of Archie, we have the latest solicits, featuring a milestone issue for Mega Man who hits the big five-oh (remember Sonic’s 50th, when Robotnik died? Seems like ages ago) and the premiere of a one shot comic Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1, which expands on the battles taking place within the crossover event. Fans of older Archie stories, meanwhile, have Sonic Archives #25 which brings us ever closer to the 100th issue of the series.

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments

Swingin’ Report Show #76: Interview with Stealth, co-developer of Sonic the Hedgehog 1&2 Remastered

by

On this week’s SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show podcast, we’re joined by Stealth, who worked on the official recent remasterings of Sonic The Hedgehog CD, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Sonic The Hedgehog 2 alongside fellow developer The Taxman.

Stealth talks to us about how the remasters began development, the process of remaking classic Sonic titles, the much talked about the remastered Sonic The Hedgehog 3 proof of concept, and what fans can do to try and make Sonic 3 remastered a reality. Also featured is discussion of Sonic The Hedgehog 4 and the recent decisions SEGA has made with the franchise. If you love classic Sonic games and behind-the-scenes stories of game development, this is the show for you!

Also, Barry and George discuss the recently revealed ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove Kickstarter by Greg Johnson (who will be joining us next week) and Sonic Team’s mobile release Sonic Runners, which soft launched yesterday.

Support the Sonic 3 Remastered campaign: http://sonic3remastered.com/


[Download] [RSS] [iTunes] [Archive]

2 Comments

More SEGA and Capcom franchises are being added to the “Worlds Unite” crossover

by

WorldsUnite

I spy with my little eye…

First announced today in IGN, the upcoming Worlds Collide comic book crossover of Sonic and Mega Man will not only include characters from the Sonic Boom and Mega Man X universe, but also characters from across different SEGA and Capcom franchises. According to IGN, more characters will be revealed later this week. For now, we have the teaser image to mull over. Tell us who you see in the silhouettes in the comments section.

D ePWoXpdb IhxaKa

5 Comments