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It’s always difficult condensing 365 days worth of events into a thousand words…particularly after a whirlwind year like this! We all certainly expected a lot from SEGA for a 20th anniversary year, most of us were really taken by surprise by the massive torrent of treats that had been prepared for the end of Sonic’s second decade.
Continue reading To Be Remembered For Generations: Goodbye 2011!
This may be possibly the most late Freak Out Friday yet, but that doesn’t change the nature of this video.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Dn4kFmFAA
We all know… it?… as the lamest final boss in a long time. Mefiresu on YouTube didn’t see that, however – instead, he saw Sonic Adventure’s new hero…
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJaRAUHWZig
SEGA has relayed the Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 announcement on their official blog, and with it we learn that this episode will feature all-new new character animations. SEGA’s also revealed that the Android version will be powered by NVIDIA® Tegra®, with plans to develop an enchanced version for NVIDIA’s Tegra 3.
You can read the full blog announcement below:
We’ve got a new year’s resolution that’s sure to please gamers worldwide: the iconic blue hedgehog will be making his 2D return in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II in 2012. Following the award-winning success of Episode I, which took the world by storm in 2010, Sonic will continue his journey through the epic Sonic 4 saga on XBLA, PSN, and mobile platforms including the App Store, Android Market and Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7.
Fans have been eagerly anticipating the next episode in Sonic’s new side-scrolling adventure, and SEGA has been listening closely to their feedback. Armed with all-new character animations and a completely reworked physics engine, Episode II will expand the Sonic 4 storyline with new areas to speed through and new challenges to face. For a sneak peek at what’s in store, including the arrival of a certain high-flying, twin-tailed pal who’s sure to be of assistance, check out the all-new teaser trailer!
“After twenty years in action, it’s clear that Sonic hasn’t slowed down one bit,” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA of America. “The first entry in the Sonic 4 saga was a major success. We’ve listened to the fans and been hard at work making sure we recapture that same spirit of fun in Episode II. We hope the fans will enjoy it.”
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2 will support Android mobile devices powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® mobile processor. It will be available on the Android Market and featured on the Tegra Zone app. In addition, SEGA and NVIDIA are working closely together to develop an even more enhanced version for Tegra 3, the world’s first quad-core mobile processor.
Source: SEGA Blog
Thanks to Blue Blood at the SSMB for the heads up!
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 now has a product page on Xbox.com and in it there is yesterday’s trailer up for download to your Xbox 360 console as well as a few more details about the game. It seems the game won’t feature multiplayer or co-op, despite Tails’ inclusion. Online leaderboards are returning and the game will also support full 1080p resolution and in-game Dolby Digital.
The product description reads:
The Sonic 4 Saga continues in Episode II, with the return of Tails and Metal Sonic! In the follow up to Episode I there are surprises in store with the arrival of Sonic’s legendary sidekick Tails! Race across all new zones and defeat the evil forces of Dr. Eggman and fearsome rival Metal Sonic. The wait is finally over when the game releases in 2012
Source: Xbox.com
Ken Balough has recently confirmed what many wondered at the end of his Gamespot interview. Sonic 4 Episode 2 will not be making an appearance on the Wii console. This makes the third Multi-platform Sonic game in a row not to see release on the Wii. Here’s what Ken had to say.
But no – the reason Episode I was on the Wii was because we wanted to bring the Sonic 4 saga to the widest possible audience. Episode II unfortunately will not be coming to the Wii – for reasons most people have probably guessed, but that doesn’t mean the SEGA isn’t supporting Nintendo platforms, we have a very strong partnership and will continue to do so.
Oh well. Here’s hoping for a disc compilation at some point.
Source [Sega Forums]
As stated yesterday, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 has been officially announced today over at GameSpot with a teaser trailer that reveals a new playable character. Unexpected though, an interview with Ken Balough came with it revealing more details about this episode. Balough says SEGA has listened to fan feedback from Episode 1 and in response they have added a new graphics engine, a new physics engine and fixed the uncurling.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 will be released in 2012 on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Nework, iOS, Windows Phone 7 and Android devices. Yes, it doesn’t appear to be coming to any Nintendo platforms, unfortunately.
Source: GameSpot
Continue reading Sonic 4: Episode 2 Teaser Trailer Unveiled at GameSpot
The guys from Respawn Point are back again this year to take on 7 days of non-stop Sonic games in aid of the Child’s Play charity, starting today. All of the week’s events will be streamed live over at http://www.sonicmarathon.com along with opportunities to win prizes including games, comics, collectable and more.
The Sonic Marathon raised over $2000 for Child’s Play last year which, provides hospitals all over the globe with games consoles, games, toys & books to help make the stays of children more enjoyable.
As part of the Xbox 12 Days of Deals, you can grab a range of Sonic the Hedgehog titles at a whopping 60% off on the Xbox 360 Xbox Live Marketplace for today only. Almost all of Sonic’s Xbox Live Arcade releases are included in the offer, with the exceptions being Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic CD.
Here’s the list of games and discounts:
Sonic 4, Episode 1 Was: 800 Now: 320
Sonic Adventure Was: 800 Now: 320
Sonic Adventure Upgrade Was: 400 Now: 160
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Was: 400 Now: 160
Sonic the Hedgehog Was: 400 Now: 160
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Was: 400 Now: 160
Source: Xbox Live’s Major Nelson Blog
Sonic fans over at the SEGA Forums have cracked SEGA Digital Brand Manager Ken Balough’s riddle, and the man himself has taken to the forums to make the answer official. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 will be announced at Gamespot tomorrow (December 29th 2011) with a trailer. Xbox 360 and PS3 owners will be able to download the trailer the next day and a few days later respectively.
Continue reading Sonic 4: Episode 2 to be Announced With Trailer at Gamespot Tomorrow
The Steam digital distribution service is well known for its good-value game sales. Last month’s release Sonic Generations is part of their latest Holiday Sale, at a price of £6.79 in the UK.
If you were ever planning on getting the PC version of this game, now’s the time to do it. The sale period ends at 10pm tonight.
Also on offer until January 2nd are the other Sonic games on Steam, including Sonic Adventure DX Director’s Cut at £2.99, and Sonic & SEGA All Stars Racing at £7.49.
While you rest your stomach on a Christmas dinner, The Sonic Show decided to group some of their friends for a little sing along!
Watch in mild amusement as the likes of Jay aka Discoponies, Zonic, Turbo, Tom (from The Sonic Show Live), Metal Hero 727 and Tanner get in the festive mood.
UK video game retailer GAME has some new promotional display cases in their stores for various upcoming Nintendo 3DS titles, and one of them is the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. On the back of the case are three new screenshots showing the Cycling event, the Football/Soccer event and what appears to be a cutscene from the game’s Story Mode featuring Sonic, Tails, Charmy, Mario and Luigi. You can view some photos of the images in our gallery below.
It’s Christmas! Which means a brand new giveaway has kicked off in the SSMB Forums! Former Julien-K Street Team and Promotion Leader Lee Adams is kindly offering a whole collection of merchandise from the band behind Sonic Heroes theme ‘This Machine.’
One first prize winner will bag a ‘Dreamland’ single CD signed by all four members of the band; a rare ‘Kick the Bass’ EP which can’t be bought anywhere; album release promo fliers; 2010 tour promo fliers and a set of promo stickers. Three runner-up winners will get a ‘Kick the Bass’ EP and a set of promo fliers. Continue reading Julien-K Christmas Contest: Win Signed CDs and Special Promos!
Earlier today, Ken Balough of SEGA of America released the first cryptic clue to Sonic the Hedgehog 4:Episode 2. In his post on the SEGA forums, Balough wrote:
If you’re an Episode II fan
I would go back to where the Sonic 4 Campaign first began
In a month filled with presents and Christmas hams
think of the day, the HMS Warrior first swam
Current theory is that this likely pertains to the date of December the 29th, the date on which a British ironclad warship under the name of HMS Warrior was launched in 1860. “Where the first Sonic 4 Campaign began” may relate to the SEGA blogs, where the first Episode 1 trailer was posted. The riddle appears to yield no clue on the details of what the game may contain – we will be sure to bring you the details as soon as they come!
Have any theories of your own? Let us know in the comments!
SEGA Digital Brand Manager Ken Balough has tonight teased that his previously mentioned Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 “hint” will be revealed tomorrow at the official SEGA Forums in this topic.
And now that Sonic CD is out of “most” systems ….. I will drop the hint, on this thread…. MAÑANA! 🙂
HI Guys!
As mentioned inthe other threads – I will be dropping “The Hint” tomorrow 🙂
We’ll keep our eyes peeled for the “hint” and pass it along here.
Source: SEGA Forums
Thanks to SSMB member Dreamcast for the heads up!
A few weeks ago we posted about the secret Statue Room that is accessable in Sonic Generations by holding down select while in the Collection Room. The UK Sonic Generations site hints at codes being available from Marks & Spencer, but as of this point there has been no indication to how these are obtained.
According to Hogfather on the SSMB, the codes are printed on particular merchandise tags e.g. on T-Shirts and pants tags.
If you haven’t already scoured the internet to get the hacked codes (because that’s cheating, isn’t it?), then don’t worry, because the Japanese Generations site has begun to give out some of these codes!
The site allows access to codes for classic and modern Sonic and Tails, as well as Modern Eggman, while giving links to other codes or directions to items that need to be purchased to gather the other codes such as games magazines.
As many have already guessed, it does look like you will have to buy items in order to procure some of these codes . Maybe looking on the internet might be cheaper on your wallet…
Anyway, for those who don’t fancy clicking all the links, here are some of the codes that have been found so far:
JAPAN SITE:
Classic Sonic: 171 045
Classic Tails: 359 236
Modern Eggman: 613 282
Modern Sonic: 204 390
Modern Tails: 632 951
Sonic’s Friend’s: 249 651
MARKS & SPENCERS:
283 015
SONIC 20TH ANNIVERSARY OST:
507-376
Have you found any pass codes out in the wild? Let us know in the comments! (Please do not link to passcode sites…we are quite capable of googling this if we wanted to!)
After an earlier hint with the numbers ’32’ and ‘8’ from Christian Whitehead aka The Taxman, fans have discovered an hidden image in the newly released Sonic CD port that reveals an unused stage called Desert Dazzle. In response to the find, Whitehead has explained at the Sonic Retro forums that this re-release was originally going to feature two new levels: Desert Dazzle and a boss fight called Final Fever. The levels were cut because Sonic Team “felt the game should not deviate too far from it’s original form”.
Oh boy…
So what is this image doing in Sonic CD?
Basically, earlier on in the remake’s development there were 2 new levels: Desert Dazzle & Final Fever (another boss)
Neither level was fully complete, and we had to make the call whether or not to go ahead and finalize them. Sonic Team felt the game should not deviate too far from it’s original form, and in retrospect it was for the best since we had a lot of other work to do anyway.
I left this image in since it’s quite a groovy looking Zone, and it also serves as a way for you to get to the stage select as Tails.
Source: Sonic Retro
Thanks to Christmas Doggy at the SSMB for the heads up!
With not long to go until Christmas, SEGA has sent out a virtual Season’s Greetings card. Click the present above to check it out.
UPDATE: SEGA’s adjusted the schedule on their blog. The game will be released on iOS December 15th and on Android December 14th. A date will be announced for the PC version soon.
Original story:
Sega today announced the release dates for Sonic CD on multiple formats. The rerelease is set to see its worldwide Xbox Live Arcade and iOS release on Wednesday, along with a PlayStation Network release in Europe.
It will be available for 400 Points (XBLA), £3.59 (PSN) and £2.99 (iOS), a real bargain for a game rebuilt with widescreen HD support, both soundtracks, Tails as a playable character, and achievements.
To mark the release, Sega of Europe have published a launch trailer on their YouTube account:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ_esthqnaU
As seen with the second Sonic Generations demo earlier this year, the PlayStation Network outside of Europe will see its release later. The American PSN release is scheduled for Tuesday 20th December. Android and Windows Phone versions are set for the new year, likely for extra development time.
Source: SEGA Blog
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEZkrXaBkl0
SEGA has just posted the above Sonic CD developer diary video on their blog. In the video Sonic Team Art Director Kazuyuki Hoshino gives an insight into the creation of Sonic CD‘s logo, characters, enemies, bosses and stages. It’s an interesting watch, and even features some never-before-seen concept sketches.
Source: SEGA Blog
Thanks to StrickerX-mas at the SSMB for the heads up!
Sonic Paradise member Alpha3 was lucky enough to come across a Sonic Cosmo Fighter Galaxy Patrol arcade machine while on holiday in China earlier this year, and has kindly shared some gameplay footage on YouTube for all to see. Continue reading This is What Sonic Cosmo Fighter Galaxy Patrol Plays Like
Well, it took a while, but we’ve finally found time to get up the Christmas decorations here at TSS. Hope you like the layout! This place shall be henceforth referred to for the next few weeks as The Ice Cap Stadium! Or something! You love it, it’s everyone’s favourite level from Sonic 3. And if it isn’t, why not? It better not be Marble Garden, I swear to God.
Now, you’ve probably noticed already, but this new festive feel brings more than a different colour scheme. The design of the site has been updated slightly, to make things a bit more friendly and easier to navigate on the whole. The Top 3 “Hot Stories” feature we used to have on the home page were incredibly useful and popular, so we’ve expanded it to five and placed them above the content. So no matter where you are on the site, you can easily check out the latest breaking stories on TSS. Continue reading TSS Gets Festive! Merry Christmas!
From 0:00 GMT (Midnight) on Sunday, SEGASonic:Radio will be bringing you 24 hours of live shows brought to you from a host of DJs!
The new schedule looks like this: Continue reading Project 24 Guests, Prizes and Timetable Update!
SEGA’s Sonic 4 Brand Manager Ken Balough has recently been answering queries regarding Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 at the publisher’s official forums and in his responses has teased when we can expect the first reveal for the game. In a post dated November 30th 2011, Balough says that after the new Sonic CD port launches this month, he will give a hint of where we will get the first reveal for Episode 2. In a post made today, Balough again states that once Sonic CD launches, he can give a “brief hint” about the game. Continue reading SEGA’s Ken Balough Teases First Sonic 4: Episode 2 Reveal
Siliconera has discovered a rating for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 at Korea’s Game Rating Board website, which could mean that SEGA will soon be ready to start going public with this next episode soon. Until now, SEGA’s not given much details outside of the fact that they are working on Episode 2 and that it will be linked to Sonic CD. We’ll keep an eye out for further developments and pass them on here.
When contacted by Eurogamer, SEGA declined to comment.
Source: Siliconera
Thanks to MoDeRn frokeggnog3 at the SSMB for the heads up.
SSMB member ezodagrom has discovered a new entry for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 on the Steam registry, indicating that a PC port of the game could possibly be on the way. SEGA hasn’t said anything officially about a PC version, but this isn’t the first time news has leaked from the publisher before the official announcement. If/when a PC version is officially confirmed, we’ll let you know.
Thanks to ezodagrom at the SSMB for the heads up!
After earlier uncertainty, SEGA has confirmed to Pocket Gamer that Sonic CD is coming to Sony’s Xperia Play. The publisher says the port of the Mega CD classic will be optimized for the device and take full advantage of its capabilities.
“We weren’t quite ready to announce the details yet,” SEGA told Pocket Gamer, “but we’ve had our development team working hard to make sure we take full advantage of the Xperia Play’s unique capabilities.”
“Sega is glad to officially announce today that Sonic CD will fully support the Xperia Play when it hits the Android Marketplace.”
Sonic CD is planned for release this month on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, PC, iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, Android devices, Xperia Play and Windows Phones.
Source: Pocket Gamer
Thanks to SSMB member XD375 for the heads up!
TSSZ News have reported on the emerging of the possibility that the original Sonic stories, which first appeared in the UK based Fleetway Sonic the Comic will be re-published in the near future.
Joe Schumaker from the Sonic Zone has recently posted on the site with regards to recent communications between himself and SEGA. The Sonic Zone, which until recently hosted the comics online, have now removed all the comics from their site in order to prevent damage to any future sales. However, many fans will be pleased with the potential prospect of seeing these classic stories, first seen way back in 1993, hitting the shelves once more.
However, no details are currently available as to when and how these comics will be published. We will, as always, keep you updated!
Many of you will know and recognise some of Jun Senoue‘s signature custom guitars – most notably the Sonic guitar that has visited two Summer of Sonic events (and some of you have been honoured enough to hold!). The Sonic guitar is but one of many guitars in Senoue-san’s arsenal of axes, and you can now check all of these out on ESP Guitar’s Japanese site.
The lineup includes the George Lynch custom with the Nascar-esque decals that has featured throughout the early days of Crush 40 and on many album inserts, to the 24-fret Shadow “tattoo” guitar that helped bring the heavier tones to the Shadow the Hedgehog title.
The site also includes videos taken at the Crush 40 live in Tokyo gigs.
Thanks to ibodd0 from JunSenoue.com for the link!
SEGA has released the PS3 version of Sonic Generations for download as part of yesterday’s EU PS Store update. Those of you who enjoy the convenience of on-demand gaming can now purchase and download Sonic’s 20th Anniversary title for £31.99/€39.99. The game weighs in at 8704MB and is available in all European locales.
In other news, SSMB member Hogfather informs us that SEGA has also released a free Sonic CD PS3 XMB theme on the EU PS Store. The theme is based on the game’s Stardust Speedway race between Sonic and Metal Sonic and changes now and then from a bad future design to a good future design. Continue reading Sonic Generations Now on EU PS Store, Free Sonic CD Theme Also Available
SEGA has revealed via their official blog today that the Casino Night Zone Pinball DLC that Xbox 360 and PS3 owners of Sonic Generations got with pre-orders and other editions of the game will be available to PC owners later this month. The mini-game will be released December 26th 2011 and will cost USD $1.59, GBP £0.99, EUR €1.59, AUD $2.99.
In response to fans querying future DLC in the comments section, SEGA’s Lods replied “We cannot confirm anything in relation to dlc. Thanks”. If any further DLC is announced, we’ll be sure to let you know about it.
Source: SEGA Blog
Thanks to SSMB member The Dead Snow for the heads up.
SEGA has revealed that they will be releasing some Sonic Generations themed content for sale to style your PS3’s XMB and Xbox 360 Avatar with this week. On December 7th (tomorrow), European PS3 fans can purchase a Classic Sonic and a Modern Sonic Dynamic Theme, each costing £1.59/€1.99. On December 8th, Xbox 360 owners worldwide will be able to buy items to dress their Avatar with, each ranging from 80 MSP to 240MSP.
Super Sonic Avatar Costume – 240 MSP
Classic Sonic Avatar Costume – 240 MSP
Classic Amy-Rose Avatar Costume – 240 MSP
Sonic Generations T-Shirt – 80 MSP
Sonic Generations Cap – 160 MSP
You can find two videos of the PS3 Dynamic Themes at the SEGA Blog link below.
Source: SEGA Blog
Will you be downloading any of this content? Let us know in the comments section below.
Despite a full week of sales for the Nintendo 3DS and retail PC versions, Sonic Generations has failed to move higher in the UK Top 40 All Formats chart this week and instead retained its position at no.25. In the Top 30 PS3 chart, the game held on to its place at no.13, while in the Top 40 Xbox 360 chart it stepped up two places from no.21 to no.19. In the Top 10 Nintendo 3DS chart and Top 20 PC chart, it’s not good news, as Sonic Generations has fell from no.4 to no.8 in the former and dropped off the latter completely.
However, it’s good news for Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, with the Wii game having moved up two places from no.13 to no.11 in the Top 40 All Formats chart and retaining its no.2 spot in the Top 30 Wii chart.
Source: Chart Track
[UPDATE:]
Over the period of the last week we have raised a massive £530 (about $800US) for Dan Green! We at the Sonic Stadium would like to convey our utmost gratitude to all those who donated – this is an absolutely fantastic contribution!
We’ve drawn a winner at random, and we’d like congratulate Josh T from the UK! You are the lucky recipient of a very rare and exclusive F4F 20th Anniversary statue!
Thanks to everyone who has donated or posted an entry on the guest book!
[END OF UPDATE]
Earlier this week we were informed of the sad news regarding the passing Dan Green‘s wife. Dan has contributed substantially to the voice acting community, notably providing voices for cartoons such as Yugioh – you will most likely remember him as the voice of Knuckles the Echidna from 2005-2010.
Our good friend Mike Pollock, who many of you might have run into at Summer of Sonic, has set up the Dan Green Guestbook through which you can send a message of condolence, or donate (there’s also an address to send cards or fan art or any other small physical letters).
We at Sonic Stadium would like to rally the entire Sonic community to contribute in order to assist Dan and his new born children through a very difficult time – and we want your help too! Continue reading [UPDATE: TOTAL AND WINNER!] GreenAid: Donate For A Chance To Win A F4F 20th Anniversary Statue!
Sonic and his friends get you ready for christmas in a very special way!
![[UPDATE: TOTAL AND WINNER!] GreenAid: Donate For A Chance To Win A F4F 20th Anniversary Statue!](https://archive.sonicstadium.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/19732-550x-cropped-550x198.jpg)
