SEGA Talk Podcast #43: Sonic The Hedgehog (2020 Movie)

Grab the popcorn, because on this episode Barry and George discuss the Sonic The Hedgehog movie from Paramount! We follow the film’s development from the earliest signs of a Sonic movie all the way to the premiere and beyond! As a bonus, enjoy our long awaited review of the movie!

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SEGAbits guests on SYFY’s The Fandom Files podcast, talking the Sonic the Hedgehog movie

This past week, George and I were asked to guest on SYFY Wire’s The Fandom Files podcast. The main topic of conversation was our reaction to the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, and we also talked about the redesign, the overall story of the movie’s development, and our own beginnings in SEGA blogging.

You can listen to the February 24, 2020 episode here or search The Fandom Files on Google Play or Apple Podcasts.

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

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.

Sonic the Hedgehog Movie gets its own Build-a-Bear Plush

The Sonic the Hedgehog movie is finally releasing in less than a day, so its about that time we see more merchandise being released. Right now Build-a-Bear has listed the option of making a Sonic the Movie plush of our blue boy. You can see both listed on the North American and European websites. The prices range from $29 to $53 bucks, depending on which version you get (if he has shoes or a ring).

Like everyone else, its nice to see merchandise after they redesigned the character, I couldn’t even imagine what this poor Build-a-Bear would have looked like if they used the nightmare fuel Ken Penders design.

Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel taking place at SXSW 2020


SEGA is leading the way with the Sonic 2020 initiative with announcements coming in on the 20th of every month as the official SXSW website has scheduled a panel for Sonic the Hedgehog on March 20, 2020 titled “Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel” covering the future of the brand with a special announcement or two to be shown. Here is the official description for the panel:

“Sonic the Hedgehog is back at SXSW! Join special guests from SEGA and Sonic Team as they talk about the latest for the blue blur and his next steps for 2020 and beyond. There’s almost always a special announcement or two to be had, so be sure to stay tuned!”

It is unknown at this time if the panel is going to have an official stream but it’s very likely that Sonic community members from Tails Channel will be able to provide a stream. What would you expect to see at the panel? Feel free to leave us your comments below.

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Movie Theme Song Reaction

Usually the music is the best part of any Sonic thing, but does this hold true for the theme song for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie? On this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George reaction to Let’s Go Fast from Yiffy the Wizard, Dr. Boatz, Lil’ Flim-Flam and Yakkity Gak. I think I got that information correct, right?

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SEGA introduces ‘Sonic 2020 Initiative’, to announce Sonic the Hedgehog news on the 20th of every month

Guys, the year is 2020, its the future and in this future a handful of announcements aren’t enough. SEGA has officially launched the “Sonic 2020” project, a new initiative to announce various new Sonic the Hedgehog-related plans and information throughout the year.

What’s the first bit of news on January 20th? Well, of course the project itself. I bet Sonic Team are patting themselves on the back for this one. The Sonic Channel also released some art for the announcement which features social media assets and even 21 character icons. The press release for this does mention that SEGA will hold various Sonic the Hedgehog events in 2020; so keep an eye out.

I’m no Detective Conan, but don’t be shocked if we get a musical event with Tee Lopes and Crush 40, since the Sonic the Hedgehog social media has been releasing remixed tunes.

[Via: Gematsu]

Round Table: How SEGA Can Improve in 2020

We are in a brand new decade and SEGA has had a huge turn around in the last five years since they announced their last big rebuild and bought Atlus. It seems that SEGA’s Road to 2020 was a success in a lot of aspects. But like every company, there are always weak points that haven’t quite been ironed out.

On this Round Table we will discuss how SEGA can improve in 2020, if you have any ways that you think SEGA can improve in this new year, let us know in the comments below.

Japanese Sonic the Hedgehog Movie trailer reveals “Baby Sonic”

For a while it’s been rumored that the Sonic the Hedgehog movie would have a baby version of Sonic, but until now it was unofficially revealed from leaked merchandising. Now we have official confirmation that this younger version of Sonic is indeed real, including a new trailer and artwork briefly highlighting the tiny hedgehog. According to the official website page, it describes Baby Sonic as innocent and full of energy, and we will get to see Sonic’s unexplored past. Likely he will appear in the movie either from a flashback or as part of an overall origin story, maybe explaining how Sonic gained his sound breaking speed in the first place.

In addition, movie goers in Japan will receive a bonus Baby Sonic keychain for those that pre-order tickets early.

Classic Sonic revealed as bonus character in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD

SEGA has officially announced that Sonic the Hedgehog is an unlockable character in the upcoming Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD. The news was previously leaked when the achievements were revealed, which we reported on. However, it was unknown at the time that SEGA opted to go with the classic design, and interestingly SEGA’s press release does not use the “Classic Sonic” descriptor, instead just calling him “Sonic the Hedgehog”, perhaps signaling that they are moving away from using Classic and Modern labels. It is unknown how Sonic is unlocked, and in our experience with the game no prompt is given telling players what objectives must be satisfied.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD achievements reveal Sonic the Hedgehog as hidden character

The Xbox One achievements for the upcoming HD remaster of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz have leaked, and within them is the revelation that Sonic the Hedgehog will be an unlockable character in the game. The achievement “Way Past Cool” states: “Clear a stage as Sonic the Hedgehog”, all but confirming his inclusion. Also revealed within the achievements are character costumes for the monkeys, but what these exactly are have yet to be revealed.

The game will release October 29th digitally and physically, with a $39.99 price point.

Pre-order Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD
PlayStation 4 | Nintendo Switch | Xbox One

[Source: Exophase]

Fan-made open beta of Sonic Runners underway

2015 was an interesting year for Sonic. Before the ignition that started with the 25th anniversary party, the Sonic Mania hype, and SEGA Forever, we were gifted as with a few lovely mobile apps for SEGA to dip their toes into the market. With Sonic Jump and Sonic Dash being both moderate and raving successes respectfully, it was time that Sonic Team took a slightly different approach to the next mobile game, leading to Sonic Runners. However, within over a year of its launch, the game was shut down. Now fans have worked their magic again to revive the long-forgotten game app, which was a favorite among the community. Click the jump to find out more.

Sonic & Tails to guest star in OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes Cartoon

Cartoon Network released a new trailer for an upcoming episode of OK K.O. Let’s Be Heroes at their panel during San Diego Comic Con 2019. The episode titled “Let’s Meet Sonic” will be featuring special guest appearances by Sonic the Hedgehog and Tails with Roger Craig Smith and Collen O’Shaughnessey confirmed to reprise their roles as the unbreakable duo and will premiere on Cartoon Network on Sunday, August 4, at 4:45pm (PT/ET).

OK K.O. Let’s Be Heroes follows the titular character, K.O., and his efforts to become the world’s greatest hero while working at Gar’s Bodega along with his friends, Enid and Radicles, and protecting their home, Lakewood Plaza.

Want to see the trailer in action, be sure to click the link after the break.

Fan restoration of Archie’s Sonic Universe #95 releases – read the full issue now!

Fans of Sonic the Hedgehog comics went through a series of ups and downs during the final years of the Archie Comics run of the series. From reboots to cancellations to an outright end to the series, the long running series deserved a better finale. The spin-off from the main series of comics, Sonic Universe, came to an end with issue #94 wrapping up a Chaotix story arc. However, fans were promised a new arc with issue #95 focusing on the members of the Freedom Fighters. Of course, issue #95 never came to be however the penciled and partially inked issue was made public. Using these elements, a group of fans took the incomplete work of Adam Bryce Thomas, Jim Amash and Ian Flynn and inked, colored, wrote and lettered the full issue. The issue is available to read now, and can be found here!

Most exciting, to me at least, is that the end of the restored comic teases that Sonic the Hedgehog #291 – the conclusion to Genesis of a Hero – will be the next Archie Sonic comic to be restored. This will complete the four issue flashback arc that would have acted as a fitting end to the series.

Oh, and my fingers are crossed for Mega Drive: Overdrive to be restored next.

Crush 40 set to release a new “Ultimate Collection” album in July

Johnny and Jun are doubling down this year with their own album: Driving Through Forever: The Ultimate Crush 40 Collection, listing all their best hits from the last 20 years. Unlike Maximum Overdrive, which lists multiple artists with Jun Senoue, this is all only Crush 40. There are multiple Internet listings, from Amazon UK to Tower Records JP, ranging for around $25-$30 depending on the seller. Four tracks are already confirmed with classics like: Open Your Heart, Live & Learn, Sonic Heroes, and Green Light Ride.