Iizuka hints at Sonic 20th anniversary project

Takashi Iizuka has hinted that there will be something special coming in 2011, for Sonic’s 20th Anniversary.

“We’ve already announced Sonic Free Riders for Kinect, but if you look at 2011 that’s the 20th Anniversary of Sonic, so you might just be seeing something special for that.” – Takashi Iizuka

Maybe the 20th anniversary thing could be that Sonic collection that was leaked with the Sony meeting, ever Sonic game in a box set?

[Source: Game]

Summer of Sonic 2010: The Merch Box & The Cosplayers

from Gagaman of SEGA Memories

Just like last year there was a ‘No Merch Zone’ present, which consists of a large glass cabinet of Sonic related treasures. There was some of the same stuff from last year but mostly completely new stuff, so here’s a bunch of photos. Apologies the photos are not quite so good this time but you’ll get the idea. Read more

And click here to see the best and bizarrest Summer of Sonic cosplayers

Bonus Stage’s 72 Hour Sonic Gaming Marathon

I love me a good ol’ fashioned gaming marathon, and I was excited to learn that an extremely long one involving the Sonic the Hedgehog series has been underway for 12 hours already! Held by the folks over at the Bonus Stage Marathons blog, their goal is to play all sorts of Sonic games for 72 hours in an effort to earn $1000 for the Baltimore Humane Society. As of writing this, they’re already 34% to their goal. The marathon continues through the 11th, so I’m sure they’ll make their money. Good luck to them!

Check them out on USTREAM, and save some kitties and puppies while you’re at it.

Rumor: SEGA survey askes if you want a Sonic Prequel


These images are going around the internet about a ‘survey’ for Sonic fans. They want fan feedback to ‘improve’ Sonic games. They ask fans what games they like the most, if they like classic Sonic or the new design and if you would like a prequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis/Mega Drive).

We e-mailed SEGA if the survey was real, if they answer us we will update the post.

[Source: GoNintendo]

Yuji Naka is happy with new Sonic games

The guys from Destructoid have recently posted a interview with Yuji Naka, asking him what he thinks of Sonic’s current games and if he got to play them..

“Yes, I’ve played them a bit. I’m happy to see that Sonic is still growing after my departure. All the people that worked under me are still continuing the legacy of Sonic, and I’m glad to see that as well.

Realize that next year Sonic will be 20 years old. I look at it this way: 20 years of age is old enough to go out on your own, not relying on your father anymore. In that way, it’s good to take a step back and see what Sonic does from now.”

It is sad to see Yuji Naka not having any interest in doing a 20th anniversary game and ‘moving on’ from the franchise. What do you guys think?

SEGA having a Sonic the Hedgehog video contest

Sonic turns 19 today, so SEGA is holding a video contest. The winner will get a trip to Tokyo and a 32gb iPod Touch. Seems that SEGA is swimming in a sea of iPod Touches.

They also promise “loads of other prizes”, check out out the official page here. 100 people will get Sonic swag, not bad. I will now dress up my cat as Sonic and try to make him spin dash.

Video Games Live to play Sonic music


PBS will be airing Video Games Live, which will be playing Sonic the Hedgehog music. The live concert will air on PBS on July 31st and play throughout August. They will also sell cds, dvds and blu-ray of the live event, until November, if you wish to own it.

But if you live in the bay area or Northern California, KQED TV will be airing it sooner. On June 7th (at 7:30 pm) and June 8th (1:30 am). Of course the show will be playing more than Sonic music, it will also feature God of War, Warcraft and much more.

[Source: SEGA Blog]

First ever screens of Sonic the Hedgehog


June 7th, 1990, SEGA showed off Sonic the Hedgehog to the public at the Tokyo Game Show.  When they showed it, the game was 2 months into development. So what they showed was very early.

Above is one of the first screens ever shown to the public and you can tell much has changed. First of all the background, from its odd city and mountains was changed in the final product. Though, regardless of stuff being changed, the art style and vision seemed to be there from day one.  The other screen that 1up had was the early title screen, which looks a lot like the original only without the Green Hill Zone backdrop.

[Source: 1up]

Free Sonic and Iron Man comics!


I love free stuff, do you? Well, May 1st is free comic book day and you will be able to pick up 30 select titles for free, which happens to include Sonic the Hedgehog and Iron Man.

You can see the site’s FAQ to answer all your questions. Reason they are giving them away for free? Comic sales are going down, trying to get people hooked by giving them a free comics could increase subscribers. Its like crack.

Its really sad, the comic book shop I used to go to when I was in high school is now closed. It would have been cool to stop buy.