Over at the official Summer of Sonic website, organizer and founder Dreadknux announced that SOS 2012 will see the return of Sonic Team head, Takashi Iizuka!
You’ve been tuning in to either the radio, or maybe a few albums lying around the house. A person seated next to you might have her music on full volume from their iPods. There’s no denying that Adele is definitely one of the most popular artists in recent history, and it shows: it is almost foolhardy to escape or even drown out her music these days.
Get it? Drown out?
No?
Well, you should be able to get it now, because Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” collides with Acts 1 and 2 of Hydrocity Zone, the famous and fan-favourite water level from Sonic 3 & Knuckles, for this week’s Mash-Up Monday!
Here’s Act 1! Take the water slide down to Act 2 after the jump!
Breaking news! SonicMerchandise.com, the official website for Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise that recently brought the absolutely brilliant Sonic Nendoroid figure to UK and European shores, has just announced via its Twitter account that it will also be opening its doors to the US and Canada!
You can check out the brand new website at http://www.sonicmerchandise.com/us but currently it only features a registration page where new customers from across the pond can sign up. If you’re interested, then be sure to fill out the form, as those who do register are promised to be the first to get updates in addition to “exclusive content, products, great prizes and loads, loads more…”
Sonic 4: Episode 2 has got a tough, uphill road to climb. While critics loved the first Sonic HD game in 2-D, many fans were outraged by its poor physics, unoriginal levels with cheesy gimmicks and uninspired boss fights. Add to that, the far superior gameplay of Sonic Generations and many gamers may already be dismissing this next chapter while critics who praised the first game are already looking at this second chapter with a more discerning eye.
This is a shame because Episode 2 is an improvement over its predecessor in almost every way imaginable. It’s a testament to the fact that both Sonic Team and Sega are listening to their fans. From much better physics, larger and more original levels to great boss fights. It’s almost better in every single aspect. Did I say “almost”? Read on for greater detail in my thoughts on the game. Also, stay tuned for a second opinion later on.
Due to the incredible demand for Summer of Sonic tickets this year, the entirity of wave 1 tickets (that’s 400 tickets!) sold out in less than three minutes. If you didn’t manage to grab a ticket the first time around, then here’s your next chance!
You might remember how we’ve previously brought you news about Meccano making toys based on All Stars Racing 2 (back before we knew it’s official title)? Well Meccano have finally released a number of images based on their newly acquired Sonic license… and my oh my they look lovely.
More after the break.
Update: No Sooner had we clicked the publish button on this, did SSMB member SonikkuForever discover that on Nike’s youtube page, there is a hidden Sonic game which is free to play.
Head over to this link, then at around two thirds of the way through the video, there will be an pitch advert with a shoe in the on it, click on the shoe to start “a rather polished Sonic 1 hack.”
Original Story: So over here in Europe, the Euro 2012 tournament will begin very soon, Euro 2012 is a football tournament involving most of the countries in Europe, typically it’s also a time when various sporting companies start advertising campaigns for various shoes and other football related products.
So you can imagine our surprise when one such advert pops up and Sonic happens to be in it! Video after the break.
The dialogue in this scene is fictional, in case you were not sure
“Modern Sonic isn’t as good as the classics! and here is my fifty billion reasons explaining why!” We’ve all seen threads like this, we’ll all seen youtube videos like this. It’s an old argument and even when the dislike is aimed at classic Sonic, usually the best reply is to ignore the random person…
However when a one Yuji Naka allegedly agrees with a journalist who put it to him that ’Modern Sonic games are not as fun as past Sonic games.’ Suddenly, you take an interest in that discussion again.
Gone live a few minutes ago, Sonic 4: Episode II is now available for purchase off the Xbox Live Marketplace. The game is priced at 1200 points and should be available worldwide.
Those who are away from their consoles at the moment can reserve a downloadable copy of the Sonic 4 saga’s second entry right off the game’s Xbox Live Marketplace product page and start the download immediately when they get home.
Hey America! Is this yours? I found it on your PSN just sitting there.
UPDATE!!: There is also a Sonic 4: Episode 2 Demo on the US PSN which can be downloaded by anyone with US PSN account for free! That means even if you do not live in the US, use a US Playstation 3 or have even said ‘how do you do’ to someone from the US, you can download the demo right now for free! All you need is a US PSN account and 3 min to make one. That’s it.
Original Story: I thought some of you might like to know that Sonic 4 Episode 2: Can now be downloaded from the US PSN, at the time of writing the store has not fully updated, but the game is there.To find it, use the ‘search bar’ and type ‘Sonic 4′ you will see the listing for ‘Sonic 4: Episode 2′ a few options down.
[UPDATE] The main website has updated with Sky Fortress Zone and Episode Metal in accordance with S4EII‘s launch, including some new screenshots. Thanks to MilesKnightwing for the tip! Prices for the game are now included in the article as well. Original post below!
Showcasing the four main zones and bosses in action, the launch trailer to Sonic 4: Episode II was unveiled today in conjunction with the releases of the PSN and PC versions of the game. The new trailer also unveils the iOS release date: the game will be available off the iTunes App Store on the 17th, two days from now.
SEGA Blog also listed the prices for the different versions of the game: $14.99/€12.99/£9.99/AUD$18.25 off the PlayStation Network and Steam, 1200 points from the Xbox Live Marketplace, and $6.99/€5.49/£4.99/AUD$7.49 for the iOS and Android versions.
Check out the True Blue Initiative and the new screenshots after the jump!
If you’ve ever wanted a Sonic themed sled or water gun, Tech4Kids has answered your prayers! Later this year, the toy company will be debuting four unique Sonic themed toys, including a sled, a “Project-A-Sketch” projector, a flash light that projects Sonic sketch images, and finally a water gun.
Images and descriptions are posted below for all products except the flash light, which is apparently just the Project-A-Sketch without the stand. All of these products will be available for US and Canadian residents at Toys ‘R Us, Costco, Wal-Mart, Dick’s, Zellers, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, and Mastermind Toys.
So, now that it seems like Sonic is going through another merchandising boom, might we see the return of Sonic Shampoo? Please, SEGA?
SEGA Digital Brand Manager Ken Balough has revealed at the SEGA Forums that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I sold best on the PlayStation 3 platform on consoles. Xbox 360 came second and Wii last. The news is quite a twist when compared to retail Sonic titles, where Nintendo’s consoles usually come out on top. No information was given as to where PC and mobile platforms ranked.
Will the same happen for Episode II? Time will tell. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II is out now on Steam in the UK, and will be released later today in other territories. The PSN version will also be released later today in the US, then Europe tomorrow. The Xbox Live Arcade version is due out worldwide tomorrow.
Source: SEGA Forums
I told you there’d be more colours!
I told you so!
Just as on Saturday, we have a Sonic Colours-centric Mash-Up Monday as we bring you a very special guest, providing us a very special mash-up!
Some of you might recall the name DJ EAR. Whether it is for his musical contributions to The Sonic Stadium Music Album or the brawler fan game Super Sonic Knockout, this artist has a massive talent for music. One such display of his prowess is a mash-up compiling various tracks of Sonic Colours, highlighting every zone and then some, appropriately titled “Every Colour Has A Sound”.
You won’t have to guess which tracks in specific have been used; the songs used are listed on screen as they play. Very cool!
Found an interesting mash-up? Made one of your own? If you’ve answered yes to either question, then send them over to vizardjeffhog@sonicstadium.org!
“…wow.”
One word alone is enough to summarize anyone’s reaction toward this, as Wave 1 of Summer of Sonic 2012 tickets went and gone by in under three minutes; the 400 free tickets being distributed have been sold out only mere moments after the wave went up, lasting from 12:30 to 12:33 BST.
To those who haven’t managed to get their tickets, you’re too slow! a second wave will be announced this weekend with all needed details including the distribution date, so brace yourselves: like the first wave, it’s on a “first come, first serve” basis!
In comparison, last year’s convention, which brought special guests such as Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka to celebrate Sonic’s 20th anniversary, took almost ten hours to give out 700 tickets! This, in conjunction with the surprisingly brief giveaway and the recent announcement of Crush 40 attending this year’s convention, is a sure sign of exponentially rising demand and anticipation for SOS 2012!
For inquiries concerning ticket reservations and other issues, you may direct yourselves to the full report on the Summer of Sonic webpage.
The video above contains what at first appears to be a normal run through of Windmill Isle, but when you look closer you discover that it’s not Windmill Isle… at least not from Sonic Unleashed. That is a re-creation of Windmill Isle running in Sonic Generations!
For this week’s Sound Test Saturday, we will be taking a look at a couple of remixes dedicated to Sonic Colours, a Nintendo exclusive entry that breathed new life into the franchise with some of the most zaniest yet colourful stages, gameplay mechanics, and of course, music, in the entire series.
Let’s start with something unique: a House mix of the Green Hover Wisp theme by Stylez-T!
Update: The video has been removed. Thanks to Darksonic20 for the notice.
As if the Hover theme wasn’t relaxing enough. Stylez here somehow managed to make a blissfully happy and sleep-inducing track even more sleep-inducing and happy. Of course, what’s most impressive is how Stylez turned a short, soft, situational loop into a full fledged 4 minute track! Definitely the last sort of thing I expecting! His “Hover House” mix at least deserves that credit.
And now, we dive into a unique remix, combining Aquarium Park with… Mystic Mansion from Sonic Heroes!
…wait, what?
Happy Mother’s Day everyone!
Now, we know Sonic is not exactly you’d relate to on Mother’s Day. After all, the only official mother in the Sonic games is Cream’s mom, Vanilla. But in the land of Sonic cartoons and comics, anything goes and just about every character you can think of has a mom and dad. So, the questions remains, which Mobius mama is the top pick of all time? Read on to see who my five favorites are.
Earlier this year, First4Figures teased a new Modern Sonic statue, today F4F have announced that pre-orders for this statue will go live on May 15th 2012… LIKE OMG THAT’S NEXT TUESDAY! Ahem…
Less than a week ahead of its release on XBLA and PSN, SEGA of Japan have released a small avalanche of new screenshots showcasing White Park Zone in action. See Sonic and Tails facing Metal Sonic, traversing the cold, slushy waters and more big boss action!
Chill out and hit the jump to feast your ice on all the new screenshots!
