The Smithsonian American Art Museum is setting up an exhibition focusing on video game artwork – and Sonic the Hedgehog could feature prominently in the upcoming showcase.
Called The Art of Video Games, the event takes a look at iconic games throughout the last 40 years and explores the industry “as an artistic medium, with a focus on striking visual effects, the creative use of new technologies, and the most influential artists and designers.” Better yet, there are 80 slots for games to be featured – and visitors to the museum’s website can vote for the games that they feel best represent ‘video games as art.’
Representing the Sonic the Hedgehog (and related) series in this voting stage are the following:
- Sonic CD (Action Game – Sega Genesis)
- Sonic Adventure (Action Game – Sega Dreamcast)
- NiGHTS into Dreams… (Action Game – Sega Saturn)
Click here to visit the voting page – you’ll need to register an account with the website – and take your time in voting for the games you feel deserve the cut. Certainly, don’t vote for Sonic just because it’s Sonic, but… well, it’s Sonic isn’t it?
I’m voting Sonic Adventure.
No Sonic 3 and Knuckles?
That sucks…
hmmmm…..
Sonic CD, just because we might see more of those giant level portraits.
Honestly, I’m probably going to vote for NiGHTS.
Definately Sonic CD.
Yes! Sonic CD FTW! 😀
The most artist 2D game, the most Sonic themed 3D game and the absolutely beautiful original NiGHTs
Yep, it’s the 3 games I’d choose to represent Sonic (or Sonic Team)
Seriously? None of the original trilogy?
I’m sorry if that sounded cynical, but this is really an important exhibit that I’m really looking forward to, but it just strikes me as odd that those are the Sonic games on the table.
Watch NiGHTS Into Dreams make it in there, because he’s more demandable than Sonic!
Well, that sounds interesting.
Aww man! If only they did this sooner like before making Night At The Museum 2! Then Sonic could’ve possible bee in the movie!! XD (The closest Sonic would ever come to the big screen. :D)
Sonic CD FTW! 🙂
I voted for Sonic CD. That is my favorite game after all. =D
Sonic has already been on a Art Museum here in Sweden!! I made some Game art and i had it in one of the Art Museum and i gott a pic of it!! http://elizabethbathog.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=24#/d2fhwy6
Sonic 1 and 2 doesn´t exist because like super mario bros. they have stand in the museum long time ago…………..
I would have voted for any of the first 3 main title Sonic Genesis games, but I can’t in all honesty vote for any of the Sonic games listed. Probably only NiGHTS and that’s a game I haven’t even played.
Sonic CD is all flash and ultimately under realized with “critical” gameplay elements that don’t even need to be payed attention to at all to get the best ending in the game (the time travel) and artwork/enemy design that in comparison to Sonic 2,3, or even 1 is lacking. If the category was Music, I’d be more inclined to vote for it.
Sonic Adventure is good, but I wouldn’t really call it artwork with it many prevailing bugs and the fact that it doesn’t standup now a days. True classics would stand up no matter when someone plays it.
I’ve never played NiGHTS into dreams, but from what I’ve seen in videos it would come closer to being voted in by me than the other two under the idea of “a focus on striking visual effects, the creative use of new technologies.”
You don’t vote for something “just because”, it has to earn it.
It depends on what other games are there because, really, there are a lot of games with better artwork than the Sonic series. That said if I do vote for a Sega game it would be Nights for it’s enchanting, almost magical art or Sonic CD for those tasty line drawings and posters.
Sonic Adventure FTW! It’s time to pay attention that it deserves.
As much as I love Sonic CD, I had to vote for Earthworm Jim. Probably one of the best looking games of that era.
There’s some pretty questionable choices in there though. Gunstar Heroes? Viewpoint? Ranger Boring X What? You could squish those 3 into a ball and still not come close to the stunning imagery of Thunderforce 4. Even some of the categories I care nothing for gave me a quizzical look.
And as for no Tomb Raider, RAWRR, RAAAGE LoL.
No Sonic 2?
Terrible exhibit.
This is horrible I mean, they even nominated the awful E.T. videogame. Still I love both Sonic CD and Sonic Adventure. Though I would have prefer sonic adventure 2 for better and more interesting backgrounds, and overall better graphics and better characters (NO BIG). And I agree no tomb raider? She is considered one of the most realistic characters in videogames, she is on guiness records and everything.
I wish Unleashed was on the ballot. Not just because I like Werehog, mind you, but because the concept art for that game is beautiful, the worlds were so well thought out, stylized and fun to look at. Really, Unleashed is a visual treat…
Of these three, I would have to choose NiGHTS, since, you know, it’s an art exhibit. While we all love Sonic (unless someone here is a red spy…), NiGHTS is visually a masterpiece, more so I feel than most Sonic games. The stunning and creative levels pull you into the world of dreams, and the game gives you whimsical camera angles as you play.
NiGHTS really fits the bill for what the Smithsonian Art Museum is looking for, and I feel it reserves a slot in this exhibition.