For those concerned as to the rumours regarding Sonic Gems Collection being exclusive for Nintendo Gamecube, well we have some good/bad news. Sonic Gems Collection is exclusive to Nintendo Gamecube. Sort of.
It appears that Ninty caught exclusive rights to the title in the USA, while SEGA’s press release specifies that a PlayStation 2 version is in the works, but only for Europe. We don’t know yet whether the exclusive deal for Gamecube is temporary, like Sonic Mega Collection, but if SEGA doesn’t shift on the issue, gamers looking for that tasty Sonic the Fighters urge will be forced to consider a Gamecube purchase; or a Nintendo Revolution when it appears sometime next year.
Here is the Press Release in full, seeings as we know how you love those.
<i><b>LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO (May 18, 2005)</b> – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced the exciting 2005 lineup of Sonic The HedgehogTM titles: Sonic RushTM, Sonic Gems CollectionTM, and Sonic The Hedgehog® (mobile). Gamers can now enjoy the high-speed action made famous by SEGA icon Sonic the Hedgehog at home or on the road.
“Sonic is among the most recognizable characters in the gaming world, and in 2005 SEGA gives gamers both classic and completely new interpretations of the Sonic experience.” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Entertainment Marketing, SEGA of America.
Sonic partners up with a new heroine named Blaze in Sonic Rush, a Nintendo DSTM exclusive. Nintendo GameCubeTM (US, Europe) and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system owners (Europe only) will be treated to the release of Sonic Gems Collection, a new compilation title featuring Sonic CD®, Sonic The Fighters® (Sonic Championship), Sonic R®, and six Sonic Game Gear titles. And cell phone gamers will be able to enjoy the original SEGA Genesis® Sonic The Hedgehog on the go.
These titles complement Shadow The Hedgehog, an action game announced earlier this year for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. In addition to these great new titles, expect a few more surprises from the Sonic franchise in 2005. For screenshots and artwork, access the SEGA E3 press kit at: <a href=”www.SEGAe3.com” target=_blank>www.SEGAe3.com</a>.
<b>Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS):</b> SEGA’s popular blue dude with a ‘tude, Sonic the Hedgehog, blasts his way onto the Nintendo DS and takes high-speed action gaming to a whole new level. Sonic Rush takes full advantage of the dual screens on the Nintendo DS system to deliver a frantic adventure with dizzying dives, near-vertical curves, extreme jumps, brain-twisting loops and more! The fastest hedgehog in the world is now pairing up with a new heroine, Blaze the Cat. This dynamic duo heads out in search of the powerful and dangerous Sol Emeralds, to keep them from falling into the wrong hands. On their adventure, ripple effects will change the events of their worlds’ inhabitants.
<b>Sonic Gems Collection (Nintendo GameCube [US, Europe]; PlayStation 2 [Europe]):</b>
Long-time Sonic fans, collectors, treasure hunters and newcomers to the series rejoice! The gem of all gems from the Sonic The Hedgehog family of products is coming this summer. Until now, the titles in this compilation have only been available in the arcade, on SEGA CD and on the SEGA Saturn. Sonic Gems Collection includes the ever-popular Sonic CD, the cult arcade hit Sonic The Fighters (Sonic Championship), and SEGA Saturn’s very own Sonic R. Six of the most popular Sonic The Hedgehog Game Gear games will also be featured, as well as some other surprises, too!
<b>Shadow The Hedgehog (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube):</b>
From his first appearance in Sonic Adventure 2TM to his most recent role in Sonic HeroesTM, Shadow has emerged as one of the most popular characters in the Sonic The Hedgehog universe. And now, he is headlining his own game. Shadow The Hedgehog boldly combines the excitement of high-speed action-platformers with the intensity of third-person shooters. Created as the Ultimate Life Form, Shadow is a rebel tormented by a dark past, and he is struggling to unveil his true identity. Was he created to save humankind or to do the evil bidding of the dark side? His only clues are his own forgotten memories, and those secrets can only be unlocked through the powers of the seven Chaos Emeralds. Hero or Villain? You decide.
<b>Sonic The Hedgehog (Mobile phone):</b> The classic worldwide hit returns for mobile phone subscribers. Players can relive the excitement of Sonic’s debut adventure, ported beautifully to cellular platforms. The title will be bundled with Panasonic Mobile Communications’ new line of GSM mobile phones.
<b><u>About SEGA® of America</b></u>
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
SEGA of America’s Web site is located at <a href=”www.sega.com” target=_blank>www.sega.com</a>.
<b><u>About SEGA® Europe Ltd</b></u>
SEGA Europe Ltd. is the European Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. EGA Europe’s web site is located at www.sega-europe.com <a href=”http://www.sega-europe.com” target=_blank>http://www.sega-europe.com</a>
<b><u>About Panasonic Mobile Communications</b></u>
Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd., whose headquarters are based in Yokohama, Japan, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of mobile communications products. As one of the main business domains for Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand digital electronics, Panasonic has been developing cutting edge technologies since its establishment in 1958, including the world’s first 3G video handset for the Japanese market in 2001. Panasonic is committed in providing added-value solutions to end-users through its mobile communication products. For more information, please visit <a href=”http://panasonic.co.jp/pmc/company/en/” target=_blank>http://panasonic.co.jp/pmc/company/en/</a></i>