SEGA must be ringing in the new year, because this past week there’s been a lot of updates surrounding the upcoming US release of Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. There’s been age ratings (which means a release date must be close), new screenshots and videos, and even official site launches. Exciting! Check out the whole shebang after the jump. Continue reading SA2 Battle: SEGA Launches New Website, New Screens and Videos Emerge
Sonic Adventure 2 US Soundtrack Now Available to Buy
Just a quick Public Service Announcement on this – following our initial news on Tokyopop producing a US release of the Sonic Adventure 2 soundtrack, it appears that the CD is already available to buy (it was originally reported to come out in February). The Sonic Adventure 2 Official Soundtrack features 26 tracks on one CD, handpicked by lead musician Jun Senoue and including exclusive US-release remixes. You can pick it up for $14.98 via Tokyopop’s website here.
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Christmas Comes Early for Japan as Three Sonic Team Games Release
Christmas has come, in more ways than one! Not only is it literally Christmas in a couple days time, but Sonic Team has also figuratively brought the festivities to Japanese fans by releasing not one, not two, but three games this past week! Continue reading Christmas Comes Early for Japan as Three Sonic Team Games Release
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Community Interview: Shayne Thames
If you’re ever in need to know anything about the latest cartoon, Sonic Underground, then Shayne Thames is your gal. Webmaster of fansite SonicUnderground.net, Thames has a large database of information on characters, episodes and more. She’s also famous for having a rather amazing run-in with Sonic Team leader, Yuji Naka. Read on for the story on that… Continue reading Community Interview: Shayne Thames
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Community Interview: Fireball20XL Comic Author PsyGuy
Known as the ‘Mad Dog of Sprite Comics’ (well… to us, anyway), PsyGuy is the creator of the Fireball20XL website, a fan comic workshop that contains a number of strips including Dirty Power and That’s My Sonic. As one of the leading voices in the Sprite Comic arena, we had a chat with Psy to learn more about the cool things he’s doing. Continue reading Community Interview: Fireball20XL Comic Author PsyGuy
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Community Interview: GeNeratioN8
Generation8 has become a highly prominent and familiar face in the fan art community, and so we caught up with the promising artist to get her thoughts on the Sonic franchise as well as get pointers on how to be great at drawing. Fan fiction writer Nicholas D Wolfwood stars as guest interviewer for TSS; let’s go! Continue reading Community Interview: GeNeratioN8
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Community Interview: Archie Comics Artist Dawn Best
Dawn Best works on the Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, but before that was a prominent artist in the Sonic fan community. She was the mysterious fan artist that ‘levelled up’ to Archie in our news article here. Dawn’s skills quickly helped her get formally recognised by Archie, and since making introductions she has been working alongside Ken Penders and co since Issue #101. It’s a real community success story, and we’re happy to chat with her today about her story. Find her personal website here. Continue reading Community Interview: Archie Comics Artist Dawn Best
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Community Interview: TSSZ News’ Tristan Bresnen
Tristan O. Bresnen is webmaster of TSSZ (The Super Sonic Zone), a great news source for SEGASonic, Sonic Team, and other gaming news. One of the best fan newscasters of the time, TSSZ also incorporated a radio station with news bulletins. TSSZ closed in late 2005, but re-opened in 2007 and continues to this day. Continue reading Community Interview: TSSZ News’ Tristan Bresnen
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Shadow Named Villain of the Year
The moody and broody Shadow the Hedgehog has made an impact on various video game outlets, as illustrated by the second annual Wizard Video Game Awards. Sonic’s doppelgänger was named the Best Villain of the Year. “Packing more ‘tude than the blue dude himself, this evil hedgehog’s killer look and dreams of world conquest had fans loving him more than hating him,” said the magazine. For more, pick up a copy of Wizard #124 and turn to page 104.
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Sonic Balloon to Rock Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
It’s nearly Thanksgiving! And what better way to celebrate this American holiday than with the age-old tradition of heavy commercialism? Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Parade is taking place again in New York City tomorrow, and Sonic the Hedgehog will be there in giant balloon form. Continue reading Sonic Balloon to Rock Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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Community Interview: SoaH Webmaster Neon Chaos
For today’s Community Interview, we’ve put the spotlight on a fellow Sonic website administrator! Dennis Spielman, aka Neon Chaos, is the webmaster of a great fansite called Shadow of a Hedgehog, and has made a big name for himself in the Sonic community with an impressive downloads section. Warning: Sonic Adventure 2 Spoilers inside. Continue reading Community Interview: SoaH Webmaster Neon Chaos
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Sonic Adventure 2 Battle Dated for US
Fresh from SEGA’s official website, we now know the release date for Sonic Adventure 2 Battle on the Gamecube for the US. According to the site, the game will hit store shelves in January 2002, which is a month after its release in Japan. That should be enough time to get all the localisation ready, from voices to extras, right? Time to get excited!
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Community Interview: Fan Artist WB
WB is one of the best fan artists in the Sonic Internet Community today, and has a long history contributing artwork too. These days, WB even has a hand in Archie’s official Sonic the Hedgehog comic series – living the dream! Buckle up though, this is probably one of the craziest interviews we’ve done yet. Continue reading Community Interview: Fan Artist WB
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Community Interview: Archie Reviewer Dan Drazen
Dan Drazen is a seasoned figure in the Sonic community, having reviewed the Archie Sonic comic since Issue #29 and forming experienced opinions on the series and its future. He’s basically the Roger Ebert of Sonic comic reviews among the internet community, and having met Ken Penders he’s also well connected to the roots of the Archie team. Read on for our exclusive chat with him. Continue reading Community Interview: Archie Reviewer Dan Drazen
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Community Interview: MIDI Composer John Weeks
Time for another Community Interview, this time from amazing fan MIDI composer John Weeks! John is famous in the Sonic community for his sequencing of various tracks in the Sonic, NiGHTS and ChuChu Rocket games. We speak to him about his hobbies, what made him start making music and his thoughts on the NiGHTS Gamecube rumours. Continue reading Community Interview: MIDI Composer John Weeks
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Community Interview: ‘Sotsu’ Fan Fiction Writer Nicholas D. Wolfwood
Welcome to a new series of features on The Sonic Stadium called Community Interviews. Here, we pick some of the most active and talented people in the Sonic internet community and chat with them about what they do and their interest in the blue blur. First up is Nicholas D. Wolfwood, who is the creator of the long-running fan fiction series, Sotsu. It’s also the name of Dreadknux’s favourite character in Trigun.
Continue reading Community Interview: ‘Sotsu’ Fan Fiction Writer Nicholas D. Wolfwood
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Official Sonic Advance and SA2 Battle Websites Launch
Sonic Team has launched official Japanese websites for Sonic Advance and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. Each site features a bunch of gameplay info and screenshots ahead of their joint release on December 20 (no release date has been formally confirmed for the US or Europe yet). Check out the websites by clicking the links below.
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Comic Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog 106
New details have come in for the next issue in the mainline Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. Sonic the Hedgehog #106 will feature stories written by Karl Boller and Ken Penders, art by Ron Lim, Pam Eklund, Andrew Pepoy and Ken Penders, and a cover designed by Spaz. Details of story, release date and cover after the jump. Continue reading Comic Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog 106
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Tokyo Game Show: PSO Version 2 Coming to Xbox
Good news for potential Xbox owners – Sonic Team has revealed at this year’s Tokyo Game Show that a version of Phantasy Star Online version 2 will be coming to Microsoft’s big black box. As Microsoft is intending to move into the online gaming space, it makes sense for SEGA to think about the Xbox as a viable platform for PSO. No more details were revealed, so we’ll have to wait and see what form it takes.
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Karl Bollers Reveals Sonic Comic #105 Details
It’s not coming out for another couple of months, but Archie author Karl Bollers has posted a short preview for Sonic the Hedgehog Issue #105. The issue includes ‘Touch of Evil’, by Karl Bollers and Ron Lim, and here’s the accompanying synopsis: “Sonic returns to Robotropolis on a top secret mission that may prove to be his last! Plus, the final fate of Snively!” Cover can be seen in full after the jump. Continue reading Karl Bollers Reveals Sonic Comic #105 Details
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Sonic Adventure 2 Battle Release Date Rumoured
Rumours are flying around that a Japanese release date has been set for Sonic Adventure 2 Battle for Nintendo Gamecube. These unconfirmed reports speak of the game hitting store shelves on December 20th. SEGA hasn’t yet confirmed or denied the rumour, and there’s no word on any US or European date. We’ll have to wait and see how this pans out…
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SA2: Dr Eggman Theme Available for Download
Sonic Team has released a small update for players of Sonic Adventure 2 on Dreamcast. It’s the Dr. Eggman theme, which you can download and use as a menu screen voice/background for the game. As you sweep across various menu items, you’ll hear Eggman speak to you in his gravelly tones. If you want it go to the SA2 Dreamcast website and download to your VMU.
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Sonic Adventure 2 OST and Vocal Album Now Available to Buy
You can now buy the Sonic Adventure 2 soundtracks – the Vocal Album that we’ve covered before, and the Original Soundtrack called Multi-Dimensional – online. You can get the Vocal Album, titled Cuts Unleashed, for around $24 and it comes with 16 tracks. The Original Soundtrack includes main themes, action stage music and more in a DOUBLE-CD package and will set you back about $30.
Both can be purchased from either CD Japan (Japanese site) or Tokyopop.
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Get Your Japanese SA2 Special Edition Right Here
Are you having trouble sleeping at night, because you couldn’t get the Sonic Adventure 2 Special Edition pack on Dreamcast? Well, trouble yourself no more, as we’ve discovered that online store NCSX still has some copies left for you to import straight from Japan. Continue reading Get Your Japanese SA2 Special Edition Right Here
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SEGA Launches Redesigned Official Website
SEGA has redesigned its official website with a whole host of things to drool over. There’s a swish new design featuring Sonic’s head in the background, new sections for each gaming platform and pages for the latest and upcoming games. There’s even a news post currently online talking about new Sonic Team collectibles. Continue reading SEGA Launches Redesigned Official Website
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First Screens for Sonic Adventure 2 on Gamecube
SEGA has released the first two screenshots from the upcoming port of Sonic Adventure 2 for GameCube, take a look after the jump! Continue reading First Screens for Sonic Adventure 2 on Gamecube
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Official Sonic Adventure 2 Music Site Launches
Wave Master has launched a special website dedicated to the music of Sonic Adventure 2, most likely timed to promote the upcoming Japanese release of the Vocal Soundtrack. The English side of the site has yet to open, but there is a wealth of goodies hidden within the Japanese side, including lyric sheets, information and track listings. Go check it out right here.
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E-102 Gamma Voice Actor, Steve Sheppard-Broadie, Passes Away
RyanDrummond.com has stated that Steve Sheppard-Broadie, the voice of E-102 Gamma in Sonic Adventure 1 and the President in Sonic Adventure 2, has passed away on Friday of August 10th, we’ll miss you. Here’s what Ryan Drummond (SA/SA2’s Sonic voice) had to say:
“Before I go for this month, I have to pay respects to a fallen talent here in San Diego. Steve Broadie was a very talented Voice-Over actor here and I always enjoyed seeing him at auditions and working with him on projects. He passed away at 2pm on Friday the 10th. He will be missed. Hope he’s doing V.O.s in heaven! :)”
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Archie Sonic #100 Released Today
Sega today announced the release of the 100th issue of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series, making the speedy hedgehog the first videogame character to reach the milestone.
First published back in 1993, the strip has traced the adventures of Sonic and the Knothole Village heroes as they take on the evil of Dr. Robotnik and the Robotropolis villains for the past eight years. The 100th issue, which coincides with the 10th Anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog, will mark the return of the Freedom Fighters, a band of Sonic allies that help him battle Robotnik on his home turf. Continue reading Archie Sonic #100 Released Today
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Resaurus Going Out Of Business
Bad news for merch hunters everywhere! I just found out that figure company Resaurus is going out of business. That means no ‘Sonic Series 3’ toys will be released. Resaurus is having a 50% off sale to get rid of their outstanding stock, grab what you can now by going to the Shop Resaurus website and Resaurus.Com.
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Dreamcast Price Cut Official; Get It For $79.95
Now that the Dreamcast is winding down for early retirement, SEGA has confirmed that it will be introducing a price drop for the console in North America. You will now be able to get the little white box for $79.95 (down from $99.95), as well as controllers for $14.95 each. Continue reading Dreamcast Price Cut Official; Get It For $79.95
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PSO Hackers to be Charged
Sonic Team will now attempt to press criminal charges against individuals hacking into Phantasy Star Online servers. Hacking into a server is illegal under the Japanese penal code. The ‘Team is working with the police to track hackers inside Japan and out, and in some cases, the International Interpol has been notified.
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SatAM VHS and DVD Release Dates and Prices
More details have surfaced on the VHS and DVD home re-releases of Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) episodes. A pack containing four episodes will go on sale on February 26, 2002, according to Team Artail. The VHS will retail for $9.99 and the DVD for $14.99.
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PSO Earns Another Award
According to Dengeki Online, Yuji Naka’s wonderful multiplayer RPG Phantasy Star Online has won yet another award. At the Sixth Annual Animation Kobe, Phantasy Star Online received the Best Network Media award, adding to it several awards received from various conventions including Tokyo Game Show and Game Developers Conference.
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Peter Moore Talks SEGA/Nintendo Collaboration Possibilities
Peter Moore spoke to IGN Cube about two things: the possibility of a joint Sega/Nintendo RPG and the sightings of Sonic in Super Smash Brothers Melee for the Gamecube. While Moore said that both are just wishful thinking right now, it would not surprise him to see something of either calibre be announced. Sega will be at Spaceworld to show their Dreamcast line up and other future projects, The Sonic Stadium will keep you posted.
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PSO Will Not Be A Launch Title for Gamecube
Don’t expect the Gamecube version of Phantasy Star Online to be released as a launch title for the console. Yuji Naka has explained that, even though the game is likely to be completed by the time the Gamecube launches, he is considering holding the game back until Nintendo reveals more details about its networking plans. It doesn’t seem like there will be online connectivity straight out of the box, which would make a game like PSO pretty useless.