Welcome to the Archive site of The Sonic Stadium (2008-2023)
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The Sonic movie finally opened in Chinese theaters today, more than five months after its originally scheduled date of February 28. The opening has been accompanied with a series of posters advertising COVID-19 guidelines, a stark reminder of how much the world has changed this year. Among the guidelines, Sonic asks people to wear a mask, not eat food, take their temperature, and social distance from others, including your own clones.
These images were posted to Twitter by Daniel Ahmad, who covers the Asian video game industry.
While the Sonic movie broke records for a video game movie in the west, delays in eastern markets caused by the pandemic have kept the movie from reaching the same worldwide numbers as Detective Pikachu. Be sure to check back to Sonic Stadium for news on the movie’s box office performance over the next few weeks!
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September 5th – 11th, the week of SAGE 2020, is almost here. And that means it’s time to see what games will be playable. So, the team has released a lengthy trailer showcasing the many games that fans will soon be able to enjoy.
The trailer goes for nearly 15 minutes, and there is no shortage of games. People have been hyped for Sonic Chroma, which is one game that will be at SAGE 2020. Rad Venture and Hover Warz are making their SAGE debuts this year.
Another game that will be playable is Sondro Gomez. It’s returning to SAGE, but this time they have had some help from someone that may sound familiar to you. Headcannon, one of Sonic Mania’s developers, contributed to Sondro Gomez’s development.
But that’s not all. Submissions are still open until August 21st, so these aren’t even going to be all the games playable. And there’s still time to submit one, if you have been planning to do so. But, in the meantime, here’s the trailer:
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For those of you confused about Phantasy Star Online 2’s upcoming update “New Genesis,” you’re in good company, because it’s connected to PSO2, but also it’s its own thing, but… Okay, you know what, let’s just break it down:
According to the PSO2 official news blog, New Genesis will release in place of a new episode next year and targets bringing the 8-year-old game to fit modern tech and design expectations. It features a new world, new enemies, a new combat system, a more open map (though it’s premature to call it true open world yet), and significant visual upgrades.
The news post refers to the setup as “twin universes,” noting that you can you can swap between playing original PSO2 and New Genesis. New Genesis’ PC requirements will be a step above PSO2, but your created characters and emotes can shift between the two games. Both remain free-to-play and use the same account. Further, your weapons, units, and Mags can move over from PSO2 to New Genesis…with some significant caveats.
You will effectively have to treat the two as separate games, as you can’t bring over most of your items and basic character progression (your level/EXP, skills, arts, etc…). Weapon stats may change, and you may not be able to use certain weapons at all until the required class is put in the game (which may imply some current classes won’t be available at launch of New Genesis). Same with Units, but they will not be visible on your character. Mags will… exist, but they won’t impact your gameplay or character, suggesting they could be cosmetic only.
Much like Final Fantasy 14 and A Realm Reborn, this mid-life drastic shift is a high risk move with potentially high rewards, especially if PSO2 continues to grow outside of Japan. At the moment, only Xbox One and Windows 10 are the confirmed platforms with the statement “If PSO2 is added to new platforms, we plan to make PSO2: NGS available on those platforms as well.”
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Anyone with an Origin Access Premiere subscription now has access to the PC version of Sonic Mania through EA’s Origin storefront. For those unfamiliar with the service, EA Access Premiere is the higher tier version of the Origin Access service. This service provides access to a library of games, discounts to all games bought on the storefront, and “extra content” for new EA games for $15 a month.
It is the vanilla version of the game, meaning that the Encore DLC will still need to be bought separately.
UPDATE: According to twitter user @CodenameGamma, who hacks and reverse-engineers games like Sonic Mania, this version of the game adds the infamous Denuvo DRM back into the game. The Steam release of Sonic Mania originally released with this DRM, before it was removed due to fan outcry. As a result, this version of Sonic Mania will not be supported by the community.
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Moviemaking can be difficult, especially in the middle of a pandemic. While answering a fan question on Instagram, Sonic movie writer Josh S. Miller said that he “wasn’t sure when filming would start,” and that the purely animated elements can be worked on first.
Filming in live action movies can be done much faster then CGI special effects, which take far longer to produce. The first Sonic movie’s principal filming took place over roughly a month, from mid-September to mid-October, with additional filming being completed later in October.
Stay tuned to Sonic Stadium for further developments on Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s production!
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IDW has released solicitations for October’s Sonic issues. Sonic #34 is features writing and art from Evan Stanley, as well as a cover from Abby Bulmer. Meanwhile, Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys #2 will feature writing from long-time Sonic scribe Ian Flynn, and will also feature art from Jack Lawerence and a cove from Diana Skelly.
Check out the solicitations and covers below!
Sonic the Hedgehog #34:
It’s off to the races with Cream, Cheese, Amy, and Rouge! They have to keep up their winning streak or surrender Cheese to Clutch’s evil… clutches! Meanwhile, Sonic and Tails are being watched by a mysterious figure in Eggman’s seemingly abandoned base and Shadow investigates a mystery!
Sonic #34 will be in stores on October 14.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys #2
From Sonic veterans Ian Flynn and Jack Lawrence comes “Smash & Grab,” an exciting story jam-packed with bad guys and badniks!
Some of Sonic’s worst enemies are back and badder than ever! Dr. Starline, Dr. Eggman’s former-right hand, has brought together Mimic, Rough, Tumble, and Zavok and promised them even more incredible power… if they can stop fighting each other and start fighting badniks to get to it!
Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys #2 will be available on October 28.
The Sonic Stadium may link to retailers and earn a small commission on purchases made from users who click those links. These links will only appear in articles related to the product, in an unobtrusive manner, and do not influence our editorial decisions in any way.
The Sonic Stadium may link to retailers and earn a small commission on purchases made from users who click those links. These links will only appear in articles related to the product, in an unobtrusive manner, and do not influence our editorial decisions in any way.
The Sonic Stadium may link to retailers and earn a small commission on purchases made from users who click those links. These links will only appear in articles related to the product, in an unobtrusive manner, and do not influence our editorial decisions in any way.
What are you going to be doing this weekend? See a (Sonic) movie? Play some (Sonic) games? Go to a (Sonic) meetup? Well, if you live in the US why not go for some (Sonic) sushi? Japanese restaurant Kura Revolving Sushi Bar has announced a collaboration with SEGA where fans can win some cool Sonic-themed prizes. Continue reading Sonic Goes For Sushi! Special Sonic x Kura Sushi Collaboration Announced for US
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Amid the slew of movie delays being caused by the United States’ coronavirus spike, Paramount has dated Sonic’s return to theaters: April 8, 2022.
Nothing else is known about Sonic’s next film at the moment, although the people behind the movie have dropped some hints over the last few months.
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SEGA fans may not be hearing much game news about a certain blue hedgehog, but they are getting a big Phantasy Star Online 2 expansion that is coming in 2021 to celebrate the franchise’s 20th anniversary. It’s called “New Genesis”!
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We always hoped to see the day that original ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ creators Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima would get back together on a brand new project… but we weren’t expecting to to happen at Square Enix! The Japanese RPG publisher has just announced a brand new 3D platformer called Balan Wonderworld, featuring colourful characters and whimsical gameplay that makes you feel like the original Sonic Team never left. Continue reading Square Enix Brings Original Sonic Creators Back Together for New 3D Platformer Balan Wonderworld
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The long-running Metal Virus Saga has finally reached its finale in the pages of IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog with issue 29, which sees the last surviving members of the comic’s cast face off against Zavok and their virus-infected friends. The comic can be bought in stores and on Comixology right now. Check out the solicitation, alternate covers and preview pages below:
“All or Nothing,” Part Four! This is it! Sonic and the remaining members of the Restoration team-up for their final fight against the ultra powerful Deadly Six. Not only do they have to take on Zavok, but a legion of zombots as well! The thrilling final battle of the Metal Virus Saga!
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Even after seven years, Sonic Dash is still getting significant content and character updates. And with this latest news it’s clear to see why – SEGA Hardlight’s mobile auto-runner is a huge cash cow, earning nearly $11 million since its initial release – reportedly more revenue than the last five Sonic mobile games combined. Continue reading Sonic Dash Generates Nearly $11m, More Than Last Five Sonic Mobile Games Combined
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If you were the least bit worried about Modern Sonic being tossed aside for Classic Sonic or vice versa, you can lay those fears to rest. According to Sonic Team leader Takashi Iizuka, neither are going anywhere, and both will be “taken care of.”
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Whisper the Wolf, the fan-favorite socially anxious sniper from IDW’s Sonic comic, has arrived in the mobile version of Sonic Forces in a new ten day event: Guardian Angel. Whisper brings her wisp-fueled variable whispon sniper rifle to the race, which allows her to access three new power-ups: cyan laser, green hover, and pink spikes.
Cyan laser fires a beam both forward and behind Whisper, while green hover gives Whisper a speed boost and extends her air time. Her final power-up, pink spike, lays spike traps for rivals to run into.
To unlock Whisper, players will have until July 27 to collect 60 character cards by completing specific missions. Whisper’s stats give her 8/10 on speed, 6/10 on acceleration, and a 7/10 on strength. As she is a rare character rather than an event character, it should be possible to get her cards after the event is over, although they will be quite rare.
I am currently halfway towards unlocking her, so be sure to check back later for footage of her in action!
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It will be online-only for this year, but Summer Games Done Quick 2020 Online is almost upon us. With just a month ago until the speed-running charity marathon event begins, the schedule of games was unveiled recently. And yes, the schedule includes a block of Sonic games.
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Whisper the Wolf, friend of Tangle and the other fan favorite new character from IDW Sonic, has arrived in a new event following Tangle’s from last week.
Just like with Tangle, players will need to collect 500 Whispers tokens to unlock her. You can check out footage I captured of her being unlocked and played below! The event, which started a few days ago, will end on July 17.
Whisper will also be heading to Sonic Forces in the near future, probably right after Tangle’s event, which also ends on July 17.
The Sonic Stadium may link to retailers and earn a small commission on purchases made from users who click those links. These links will only appear in articles related to the product, in an unobtrusive manner, and do not influence our editorial decisions in any way.
The Sonic Stadium may link to retailers and earn a small commission on purchases made from users who click those links. These links will only appear in articles related to the product, in an unobtrusive manner, and do not influence our editorial decisions in any way.
There are first signs of preparation for the Sonic 30th anniversary celebrations next year – with more Sonic the Hedgehog Funko POP! figurines in the pipeline!
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Less than a week after popping up in Sonic Dash, fan-favorite IDW Sonic character Tangle the Lemur has now found her way into Sonic Forces Mobile in a new week-and-half-long event, “It’s Hero Time!”
She comes to the game as a rare character, and players will need to earn 60 character cards to unlock her. These cards are earned by completing specific missions during the event, which will last from today until July 17.
Tangle brings two new power ups to the game: tail strike, a damaging short-range dash that can take up two item slots, and tail spring, which will let Tangle essentially perform a powered-up spin attack. When it comes to her stats, she scores a 7/10 in speed, 5/10 in acceleration, and 10/10 in strength.
Whisper will likely be coming to the game later this month, after Tangle’s event ends. Stay tuned to this post for Tangle gameplay footage!
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After being delayed from its original April release date due to the pandemic, IDW’s Sonic annual comic is finally available!
The extra-large $8 comic features six stories from six different writers. , including Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Caleb Goellner, Sarah Graley, Sam King and Gigi Dutreix! Each story also features art by Jon Gray, Evan Stanley, Aaron Hammerstom, Lamar Wells, Jamal Peppers, and Abigail Bulmer. Here’s the solicitation from IDW:
“Untold Tales of the Metal Virus!” As the Metal Virus plague-Dr. Eggman’s latest plan that turns all organic life into zombified robots-spreads across Sonic’s world, none can escape its path! Join Sonic and some of his greatest friends and worst foes in six incredible, previously untold stories about how the world reacts to this latest threat!
For a full list of the stories, credits, as well as the various alternate covers and preview pages, check out the gallery below:
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A few years have passed since Brave Wave’s vinyl releases of the Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 soundtracks first came out. If you still haven’t gotten them yet, now’s your chance, because a reprint is on the way.
We don’t know how much they will cost. We also don’t know when they will release, although Brave Wave has suggested that fans “stay tuned for information on where to pre-order”. But we do know that the reprints will be 180g black vinyl.
If you need a refresher on what’s on the soundtracks, they contain the character theme songs and level tracks for both Adventure games. You’ll also get a comprehensive booklet featuring an interview with Jun Senoue and Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka.
But that’s not all. Also included are song lyrics, character art and even Liner Notes by John Linneman of Digital Foundry. You’ll even receive a digital download with your physical copy, in case you’d prefer listening to the music that way. You will want to hurry, though. The original releases sold out, so it’s very likely that these will do the same.
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While Tangle and Whisper will be coming to Sonic Forces: Mobile very soon, Tangle herself is available in Sonic Dash today! This lightfooted lemur is the first playable Sonic character taken from the comics and not from the games themselves (Sally and the Freedom Fighters had a non-playable cameo in Sonic Spinball). Tangle is playable by unlocking 500 Tangle tokens in an event going on all this week. Shouldn’t take players too long to unlock her as a good player can nab 20+ tokens per game easy.
The event only lasts a week, so make sure you get in some time on Sonic Dash soon!
UPDATE: Check out footage of Tangle in action below:
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