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An entire package of Sonic the Hedgehog avatars have graced the Japanese Playstation Network server!
It is currently unknown when these avatars will hit the European and North American marketplace.
Special thanks to Woun from the Sonic Scene for the tip! Head on after the jump for additional pictures!
Continue reading New Sonic Avatars Added to JP Playstation Network
Amazon.com and .co.uk have today updated their listings for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed with a full product description that reveals a ‘World Tour’ mode. This is likely what previews have been referring to as ‘Story’ mode and will be how players unlock new content, much like ‘Planet Superstars’ mode in SEGA Superstars Tennis. Amazon.com has also updated all versions of the game to a ‘Bonus Edition’, though, unfortunately, they don’t explain what this edition of the game includes. We’ll keep an eye out for an update.
The full official product description and packshots from another angle (including the 3DS version’s menu icon) are available after the jump courtesy of Amazon UK:
Continue reading Amazon.com Outs S&ASR Transformed ‘Bonus Edition’ and World Tour Mode
Sumo Digital’s Steve Lycett aka S0L has informed fans via the official SEGA Forums that the character roster for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will differ across platforms. The total number of characters across all platforms is 29, but no single version will include all 29. Some will have low 20’s and others will have high 20’s. Steve says this is because some platforms feature characters that are unique to that platform, but won’t announce which right now. However, he does say that some are SEGA characters and some are not.
The full statement is available after the jump:
Continue reading S&ASR Transformed Character Roster to Differ Across Platforms
SEGA has announced that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I is now available to download on the BlackBerry PlayBook. With this latest port of the game, SEGA says they have taken advantage of the PlayBook’s seven-inch LCD touch screen and its 1GHZ dual-core processor. PlayBook users can buy the game through BlackBerry App World for $6.99(US)/£7.00 (UK).
Press release and screenshots are available after the jump:
Continue reading Sonic 4: Episode I Now Available on BlackBerry PlayBook
UK online retailer Zavvi is listing Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed available for pre-order, and accompanying the listings is a very long and detailed product description containing new information about the game.
Here’s a brief list of the new details:
* Tracks feature multiple routes, including shortcuts.
* 27 characters, not including the 3 guest characters.
* As well as ordinary power-ups, racers can find ‘Super power-ups’ hidden in the tracks.
* Story mode features 16 tracks, where you unlock other characters.
* Racing earns points for your chosen racer’s rank through a five rank leveling system.
* As you rank up, you unlock achievements, perk style vehicle modifications and more.
* Online multiplayer supports eight players. Grand Prix and battle modes are now playable online.
You can also read the full product description after the jump:
Continue reading Zavvi.com Reveals New S&ASR Transformed Details
Thanks to the eagle eyes of our friends over at Sonic Paradise, we have two more screenshots and an hi-resolution logo from the upcoming HD port of Sonic Adventure 2 headed to the PlayStation Store (PS3) and Xbox Live Marketplace later this year. The screenshots give us a glimpse of Tails in Mission Street and Knuckles in Death Chamber. SEGA has also issued a press release which, along with the screens, you can view after the jump.
Continue reading SEGA Releases New Sonic Adventure 2 Screenshots, Press Release
Sonic the Hedgehog may be a well-known gaming character, but SEGA want his popularity to reach beyond gamers. How do they plan on doing that? With more licensing and merchandise. SEGA’s Jurgen Post, COO of Sega Europe, hopes that one day Sonic will be as iconic as Sanrio’s Hello Kitty.
“Sonic is a well-known character, but we’ve got a lot of room to grow in merchandising,” he told MCV.
“We dream of Hello Kitty. We’re still far off from that but we can see that our profits are growing year on year in the US and Europe [on merchandising].
“We’ve got a licensing team on the ground in the UK who are focusing on that and that team will expand. We’ve got a team in the US and which will also expand. We used to run it all out of Sega of Japan, but having people on the ground is making a big difference.
“We will always do the computer game but the merchandising is a very important aspect to Sonic.”
I guess we now know why this is happening.
Source: MCV UK
Hey guys! I’m in the (sizable) line for the Sonic/Megaman panel! I’ll be here to stream you all the latest, and if we’re lucky, including some very crappy pictures. Jason is on camera duty, so you can expect media later today. Panel starts in 20 minutes!
It’s starting! Continue reading Archie Sonic/Megaman Panel Live Blog
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoWHc0Is78c[/youtube]
Here’s that video we promised you! It includes both footage from the movie as well as Ralph in action in Sonic & All-Stars.
It’s slowly becoming clear why this game isn’t called Sonic & ‘Sega’ all stars racing Transformed. At yesterdays Sonic Boom event, in a surprise announcement that not even Tikal could have predicted. The director of the movie ‘Wreck it Ralph’ Rich Moore took to the stage and dropped one heck of a surprise.
Well, the Wreck-It-Ralph footage didn’t record for some reason (Oh wait! It did! Just in the camera’s internal memory.) and the Crush 40 videos I took are too close to the front so you can only hear base. However, I did manage to take a lot of great pics (including a very silly one of Johnny). This includes the Crush 40 concert and the cosplay contest. Sonic Boom was an absolute blast and ten times better than even last years event. Everyone has a great time. I saw one fan who was so happy, he was in tears! It was one of greatest nights of my life as well. Enjoy the pics!
Hi guys! Nuckles here, talking to you straight from Sonic Boom! I’ll be reporting to you guys about any news to come out of the show tonight. It’s running right now and will continue to run until 10PM PST, so keep an eye on this post for all the latest! Due to the speed of the internet, I’m afraid media won’t be going up until later tonight.
UPDATE: It has been confirmed from SEGA’s Sonic Boom event at the San Diego Comic-Con that Roger Craig Smith will indeed be voicing Sonic in his cameo in Wreck-It Ralph.
Just when you think Disney’s upcoming animated movie Wreck-It Ralph – the tale of a videogame antagonist who grows tired of being the bad guy and sets out to change his ways – can’t get any better… it does! And this is the news you’ve all been waiting for. That’s right folks, Sonic the Hedgehog is set to hit the big screen!
Continue reading [UPDATE: Roger Craig Smith Confirmed] Sonic Cameo Set For Wreck-It Ralph!
This years Summer Of Sonic ended in a fantastic hour long performance by the one and only Crush 40.
For those who missed it, or those who want to see it again, here it is complete with direct audio from the mixer. Crush 40 have never sounded so good!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTtgsWZnyB8
A new trailer for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed has surfaced during Comic-Con and, while it doesn’t provide any new details on tracks or characters, it gives us a date as to when we can get our hands on the game! Set your calendars for 16th November 2012 if you’re in Europe or 20th November if you’re in North America and get ready to race!
The box art for the game has also been unveiled! Take a look right after the jump.
Continue reading S&ASRT: New Trailer, Box Art and Release Date
Today was preview night at the San Diego Comic Con, and thanks to Comic Con’s liberal interpretation of what qualifies as press, we are on hand to cover it! We don’t have much news or features for you guys today, but we do have pictures from the event! Click the jump to take a look at the SEGA Arcade booth, which can be found just across the street from Comic Con at 200 Harbor Drive, Suite 120.
Be sure to also follow SEGAbits for more SEGA related content throughout the event!
Sega and Sanrio have teamed together to bring you some new Sega products. First thing out the door is a Hello Kitty Sonic which combines their two biggest franchises into one plush. The plush will be available at Sega Joyopolis later this month. Sega has stated that the plush will be available worldwide by summer 2013. Probably in those @#$% Sega UFO catchers. You know the kind. they got the plush just dangling over the edge and even a video tutorial on how to catch it but the dang thing never drops! You end up spending $30 with no avail! All I wanted was to get my niece a pirate Domo with an eyepatch! Why must this blasted machine tempt me so?!! IT’S NOT FAI-oh. “ahem” Sorry. Sooo..yea. Looking forward to what other Sega Sanrio products they come out with.
Source: Andriasang
[youtube]http://youtu.be/bm1ZPgxStE4[/youtube]
We can be kind of iffy when it comes to covering Sonic Team news. In my time at Sonic Stadium, I’ve covered everything from Phantasy Star to NiGHTS to Samba de Amigo. With all sorts of news regarding non-Sonic Sonic Team games lately, I hope you won’t mind if I begin making some posts to tell you about them.
Phantasy Star Online 2, the direct sequel to the legendary Sonic Team online RPG, is officially coming to western markets in 2013. So far, only the PC version of the game has been confirmed for a western release, though the game is expected to also eventually become available on Playstation Vita, iOS device and Android devices.
Phanasy Star Online 2 is a free to play action RPG in the vein of it’s predecessor. Check out the website for more. The full press release is below the fold.
I hope everyone excuses the somewhat presumptive headline for this news post, but I’m not sure what else it could be. The above image was sent in to USA Today by Archie Comics. It looks Archie has a Sonic and Megaman crossover in the works!
Not much else to say, but with San Diego Comic Con just around the corner and a Sonic and Megaman panel planned for next Sunday, we’ll no doubt be hearing more about it soon. Jason and I will be on hand to report all the latest as it happens at SDCC!
This has been a surprisingly awesome sweet sixteen birthday week for NiGHTS into Dreams and its fans. Mere days after a digital HD release of the classic Saturn title was revealed, we now have confirmation right out of Summer of Sonic that NiGHTS will be appearing in the upcoming SEGA crossover racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.
NiGHTS and his rival Reala will both feature as vehicles in the game. In the original games, NiGHTS could transform into different vehicles and creatures to better suit certain environments. All-Stars cleverly references this mechanic by allowing NiGHTS and Reala to change into all new vehicle forms. NiGHTS is driven by the childlike Nightopian creatures, while Reala will be driven by the Goodle riding nightmaren from Journey of Dreams. The character designs are based off of Journey of Dreams.
Despite the character designs being based off of Journey of Dreams, the stage is derived from three areas from the first game: Spring Valley, Gillwing’s Lair and Wizeman’s boss arena. Going by the footage, these areas are going to look gorgeous and I can’t wait to play them. If the level is present in the Comic Con demo, we’ll be sure to get you some details and footage of it next week. Until then, you can catch the footage shown at Summer of Sonic here. The Sumo Digital Q&A starts at 27:30 while the footage can be found at 1:17:40. Keep in mind the footage is work in progress.
Due to an electrical fault, the Hove Centre will now be unavailable to host Summer of Sonic this year. The event will now take place at the Brighton Centre, not too far away. Everyone involved with Summer of Sonic apologizes for this last minute change, but everyone’s safety must come first. All ticket holders will still be able to get into SoS and all scheduled attractions will still take place minus the art classes, which have been cancelled due to venue constraints.
For more information, head over to the Summer of Sonic website.
Keep an eye on the SoS website and both the SoS Twitter feed and Facebook page for updates.
Source: Summer of Sonic website
httpv://youtu.be/qb_CJLofgPY
I hope all of you are ready to fly through the skies of Nightopia in HD, because an HD remake of NiGHTS into Dreams is coming to Xbox Live, Playstation Network and Windows PC Download this fall! The remake will include leaderboards, achievements/trophies, and a 16:9 aspect ratio. It will also include a “Saturn” mode featuring the graphics of the SEGA Saturn original for all of you retro gamers who want to experience the game in all of it’s original, low poly glory.
“The SEGA Saturn offered many unique gaming experiences, and NiGHTS into dreams… stands out as one of the most recognizable titles that found a home on the system,” said Chris Olson, Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA. “We’ve gotten a lot of requests about this game over the years, and are very happy to be able to give both former Saturn owners and new players a chance to play it in its most beautiful form to date this fall.”
No word on whether the game will include the special features of the NiGHTS into Dreams PS2 remake, which this port bears some resemblance to. Here’s hoping it includes that version’s extra features like Christmas NiGHTS.
SEGA has today released the Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Virtual Card Album on the European Nintendo 3DS eShop. The free app allows you to collect virtual cards between now and September 9th 2012 featuring characters from the Mario & Sonic universes. You start out with five cards and collect more by purchasing them with Play Coins or via SpotPass and StreetPass. Some cards are rarer than others, with some so rare you will have to visit designated Nintendo Zone locations and events to nab them. There are more than 70 cards to collect in all. Happy hunting!
Source: Official Nintendo Magazine UK
Udon Entertainment yesterday announced a deal with French publisher Pix’n Love to bring their book The History of Sonic the Hedgehog to North America.
The book released in France in late April, and Pix’n Love have reportedly been working on an English release since then. The “UDON Edition” of the 300-page hardback will retail in September at a $49.99 list price.
Preorders are now available at Amazon US and Amazon CA for around $32 (CA$34).
Earlier today, Sega announced that the Android version of Sonic 4: Episode 2 is now available to download on… things that can run android stuff? Please don’t ask me to explain what an Android device is, I’m still trying to figure out predictive text!
But if you do own an Android device and don’t have Episode 2, you can now download the game for your Android device here for £5.27, or if you own a Tegra system you can download that here for £5.38.
Furthermore, Sega announced that they would be at the Developer Sandbox conference to talk about episode 2 and answer questions about the game.
Source: Sega Blog.
Looking for a new venture in music? I got what u need right here. Both Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure soundtracks are now available on iTunes so you can listen to these awesome tunes back 2 back! Both albums are $9.99 (U.S. Dollars) each with individual songs being 99 cents. But with over 40 tracks per album, you’d have to be crazy to not buy the whole thing. Momma wasn’t raisin’ me up to be foolish with my money. So get edgy and pick up these awesome albums cuz it’s a new day for Sonic tunes!
UPDATE [12:47PM BST]! We’re about to go live in less than 13 minutes! Click here to listen in, click here to join the IRC Chat! Participating in the chat is the only way to get a chance at winning, so good luck!
The waves have come and gone. Tickets gone in the blink of an eye on each occasion. Defeated, you’ve resigned yourself of your hopes to visit Summer of Sonic 2012 in sunny Brighton…
In that case, what the heck are you doing!? You’ve got one more chance to get a ticket here! Quit moping around and listen up!
The Summer of Sonic website has revealed that 10 tickets remain! How do you get one of these tickets? What does this have to do with SEGASonic: Radio? Head on after the jump for full details!
Continue reading UPDATE: GOING LIVE! Win Summer of Sonic Tickets on SEGASonic:Radio PreLaunch!
A truly amazing video.
Talk about speedruns! The third and final wave of Summer of Sonic tickets were released at 6pm BST this evening and were completely sold out in a staggering 43 seconds!
The total combined time to sell out all three ticket batches, which saw 755 tickets go to fans from all around the globe, came to just over four minutes.
If you were not lucky enough to snag a ticket in time, don’t worry too much as the event will be broadcast online via a video live stream, so you won’t miss any of the stage events!
A full schedule of the events happening throughout the day will shortly be displayed on the Summer of Sonic website, so those visiting the event and watching online can plan their day accordingly.
Keep your eyes on the site for many other updates and announcements over the course of the next few days.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Splitz for PlayStation Vita is set to receive its first piece of downloadable content in Japan in a couple of days time. Publisher SEGA will be releasing a Sonic statue on June 23rd to use in the game’s stage creation mode to commemorate the blue hedgehog’s 21st Birthday. Hopefully this item will be released outside of Japan when the game hits the rest of the world in October.
Hit the jump for screenshots.
Continue reading Super Monkey Ball Banana Splitz Getting Sonic Birthday DLC
[EDIT: Apparently the songs are available now! Go get them! – T]
If you really can’t wait until Sonic Boom or Summer of Sonic to get your Crush 40 fix this year, new songs from their upcoming EP are available for download.
iTunes currently has Rise Again and Sonic Youth listed for a 4th of July release (although you can download them right now), for the not-so-bank-breaking cost of 79p each. As of this moment, One of Those Days is not listed for download.
You may also be interested in the physical CD release of their Rise Again EP, which will contain Song of Hope (also available through iTunes) along with the three new songs. The CD will likely be a Japan-only release through Wavemaster Entertainment, retailing at 1,260 yen (approximately £10/$15). This is due for launch on the 1st of August, and can be ordered online through HMV Japan; anyone outside of the land of the rising sun will have to import in order to get hold of a copy.
Through the Las Vegas Licensing Expo, SEGA is pretty proud of their blue mascot’s success on the mobile marketplace. With Sonic covering more ground on mobile, the company predicts that Sonic will grow dramatically in the coming years with a multitude of new, diverse games and apps to be released.
How big an achievement? Well, the company is proud to say that Sonic has hit over 11 million titles sold off the various mobile marketplaces, predominantly Apple’s App Store and the Android Market. Emphasis has been placed on Sonic 4: Episode I, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Spinball, and Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing. SEGA has also noted that Sonic 4: Episode II has also become “Game of the Week” on the iPhone upon its release, the episodic title becoming a bestseller on its opening week.
The company is also proud of their commitment through the digital marketplace as a whole, re-engaging Sonic fans of old with rereleases of various classics. Sonic Adventure, the remastered Sonic CD, and the upcoming Sonic Adventure 2 on XBLA and PSN are all part of SEGA’s pledge to reintroduce long time favourites to the newer fans, and to give those who’ve played the games in their youth another chance to do just that.
SEGA is aiming for a November 2012 release for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. We can also reveal with certainty that the SUMO Digital-developed racer will be heading to Nintendo’s Wii U, with versions for PC, iOS and Android also in the works.
Transformed will feature 16 tracks to race on, with scope for more down the line – the game will definitely see some form of DLC, if things go according to plan. For those attending the San Diego Comic Con, expect a new character reveal too. Continue reading All-Stars Racing Transformed Coming November 2012, Wii U Confirmed
Strap yourself in merch hunters, it’s gonna be an expensive 2012! Sega have announced large number of product and license deals set to hit Europe and other territories later this year. Whilst some are already know, others were until now unannounced.
Manufacturer ‘Little Buddy’ is making a selection of Sonic gumball machines. So if your teeth are not yet rotten, now is your chance to change that!
Secondly, Funko are making a selection of new Sonic Vinyl figures which will be produced in their ‘pops style.’ Only concept images of Sonic, Tails & Knuckles where shown, no release date or prices yet. Continue reading Sega’s 2012 Merchandise Plans Will Make Your Wallet Cry!
Sonic Merchandise USA is to launch on Sonic’s 21st birthday.
The information was announced at the ‘Las Vegas Licensing Expo 2012,’ in which Sega was in attendance. In a press kit given out at the event, Sega announced that the store would open and tie in with the 21st birthday of Sonic promising to deliver the latest Sonic products and sought after collectables.
Stay tuned to TSS for more info regarding Sonic Merchandise USA as we get it.
Source: L.V.L.E.: 2012
In the “better late than never” category, Sega Superstars Tennis and Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing are finally coming to the Mac from Feral Entertainment. It’s unclear whether they’ll be shipped together or separate. Pricing and a set date have not been announced either. At least we know All-Stars Racing will be have online multiplayer which is more than we can say about the PC version. Here’s a statement from Sega’s press release.
Feral Interactive today announced that Sonic the Hedgehog and over 25 other fan-favorite SEGA characters are coming to the Mac this summer! Developed by Sumo Digital Ltd. and published by SEGA for consoles and PC, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing and SEGA Superstars Tennis will bring the world’s speediest blue hedgehog to the Mac for the very first time.
A star-studded line-up including Doctor Eggman, Tails, Shadow the Hedgehog, Alex Kidd and Super Monkey Ball’s Aiai will battle it out not only in single player and split-screen multiplayer modes, but also online using Apple’s Game Center technology, a feature of the next version of Mac OS X, Mountain Lion.
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing sees Sonic and friends race cars, motorbikes and even a “bananamobile” across crazily inventive tracks inspired by the incredible worlds of the SEGA games. Players must find secret shortcuts and use hilarious power-ups to give them the edge, making Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing an exhilarating ride for family, friends and online challengers.
SEGA Superstars Tennis pits classic SEGA characters against each other across four smashing (geddit?) tournaments on totally outrageous tennis courts. Players can also put their racket skills to the test in twisted minigames inspired by classic SEGA titles such as House of the Dead, Space Harrier and Super Monkey Ball.
Source: Sega
![[UPDATE: Roger Craig Smith Confirmed] Sonic Cameo Set For Wreck-It Ralph!](https://archive.sonicstadium.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Wreck-It-Ralph_216-216x200.png)
