Sonic Superstars Meet the Villains of Sonic Superstars in the animated short "Trio of Trouble"

[GX -The Spindash-]

Following yesterday's announcement, SEGA's various socials have released "Trio of Trouble," a brief short that introduces our cast of rogues (Fang, Trip, and the ol' Doctor himself) on the hunt for mysteries within the ruins of Northstar Islands.

New to SEGA's animated prologue format is an audio description version with full transcript for those who prefer the additional accessibility. It can be found here.

Beyond getting to see the ever irritated Eggman berate his hired goons, it's our first real introduction to Trip, who shows compassion for her island home in spite of her rowdy cohorts. Fang dropped his guns in favor of a heavily armed Marvelous Queen, fighting both Sonic and crew, and the island's megafauna. And finally, Dr. Eggman (stop me if you've heard this one) is researching weird god monster stuff from a precursor society. The ancient drawings he inspects depict others wearing similar armor to Trip utilizing the game's emerald powers, as well as a gem-eyed snake-like beast.

This of course can only mean one thing: a connection to Lyric from the Sonic Boom universe! Right? Riiiiiight?

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[LongcrierCat]

I like Trip a lot and they're giving me First Nations person vibes given the mural's people look a lot like them.

[JezMM]

The animation on these things just gets better and better, Eggman was just an utter delight in every single shot he appeared in.

I've been mostly staying away from pre-release stuff so there's as many surprises as possible for this game, but it's great to see they've really taken in the warm reception to more story in Frontiers, the comics, Murder of Sonic etc and are even applying it to the classic games - I really wasn't expecting anything that much more complex from Sonic 4 Episode 2 for this game, so it's great that we're getting a nice chunky little plot by the looks of things.

[Sega DogTagz]

Seeing Trip in motion, I'm leaning fully into the Pangolin angle. Also, they nailed Nack's smug persona. He acts just how you imagine he would.

 

I also love that they are carrying over the running gag that Nack is "kind of" afraid of Amy. That's a nice nod back to the Archie comics.

 

[Sonicka]

Loved this. I actually thought the animation was quite a step back for the opening sequence / trailer previously shown - but this was a massive step up again in quality. 

Credits mention this was written by Ian Flynn again, huh? 

[A super No.1 washedupgamer]

"Trio of trouble."

A play on triple trouble, neat.

[Muscles Maximum]

What a lovely little short. I love Fang so much, so unbelievably glad he’s back and being handled amazingly well!

[Danj86]

Huh. Wow. The short even had basic setup and pay off. Most current movies and TV Shows can't even manage that. I freakin' love it.

[Plumbers_Helper]

I like how they kept Fang's more goofy side while also portraying him as smart and cunning. The short definitely made me want to learn more about Trip.

Also it's interesting they included a "Audio Description" version of the short where a guy narrates what's happening on screen. I guess it's for the visually impaired?

 

[Cosmos Rogue]

Well that was awesome.

[Salamander]

2 hours ago, LongcrierCat said:

I like Trip a lot and they're giving me First Nations person vibes given the mural's people look a lot like them.

I went back and took a slow look at that mural, and what I got out of it is that Trip's ancestors used the Chaos Emeralds to seal away something diabolical.  And all Eggman got out of it was... a crude cartoon of a dragon.

...Did I hear something about a very early version of Sonic 3's plot involving a dragon?

[castell-neath]

I applaud this short. It would be nice to see in game as part of the digital deluxe / physical pre order bonuses

[LongcrierCat]

12 minutes ago, Salamander said:

I went back and took a slow look at that mural, and what I got out of it is that Trip's ancestors used the Chaos Emeralds to seal away something diabolical.  And all Eggman got out of it was... a crude cartoon of a dragon.

...Did I hear something about a very early version of Sonic 3's plot involving a dragon?

You did indeed. There was loads of early Sonic 3 Concept Art with one being a fight with a dragon.

Boy, sure would be wild if this was the most Sonic 4 game we've ever gotten since... well.

[Sega DogTagz]

1 hour ago, Plumbers_Helper said:

 

Also it's interesting they included a "Audio Description" version of the short where a guy narrates what's happening on screen. I guess it's for the visually impaired?

 

 

aaaaand that solves the mystery of Trip's species.

 

She's a Heavily Armored Sungazer Lizard (apparently that came out in an interview a month ago and I missed it)

 

Spoiler

one of the alt names for the Sungazer is the "Giant Dragon Lizard" which lends me to think she probably has some history with those ruins. Maybe she is a descendant of the tribe that left them there ala Knux? 

 

[DaddlerTheDalek]

I love Fang's reaction seing Amy.

[PC the Hedgehog]

Best animation for a Sonic short yet! I hope they keep upping the budget for these as they continue to become more popular.

And kudos to Evan Stanley for making (what I assume is) her directorial debut.

2 hours ago, A super No.1 washedupgamer said:

"Trio of trouble."

A play on triple trouble, neat.

More than that; it uses the same font as the Triple Trouble logo!

[Dreadknux]

For a moment I thought those red eyes being reflected in Eggman's glasses at the end was the Phantom Ruby and almost had a relapse

[Clunky Mage]

These animations are probably my favourite thing to have come out of the franchise ever since Mania launched, I'm so glad they've become a mainstay.

[Gruffin]

I love how lively and expressive these animations are. Hoping they keep doing these!

[Jango]

5 hours ago, Dreadknux said:

For a moment I thought those red eyes being reflected in Eggman's glasses at the end was the Phantom Ruby and almost had a relapse

You were not the only...

[Ratchet25tx]

love how Fang's nightmares are actually Amy getting his teeth knocked in with a hammer

[Sonictrainer]

Quote

Kellen Stover: What a cool guy, that Fang. I'm so glad Sonic Superstars: Trio of Trouble has gone over so well with fans! All of us at 
@powerhouseanim are thrilled!

 

[Austroid]

"That" shot of Sonic, Tails and Amy was so out-of-left-field nightmare fuel. Poor Fang! But its great to have him back, and I hope a figure of him isn't too far off!

 

Eggman was captured great as usual! I loved his little tantrums, and how it only took him a couple minutes to draw that masterpiece!  

[Stasis]

That mural! We’ve got 7 different sections each with what appears to be Trip like ancients using the new Chaos Emerald powers, a black egg (Eggman) in the centre with its influence reaching outwards but has a Bowser looking creature inside, 7 large creatures representing those rescued from bosses but then the whole thing is surrounded by a snake possibly eating its own tail (Ouroboros) representing a cycle? I love lore. 

[Maple Syrup]

I just love the art style so much and this short was entertaining! This just comes to show that we don't need words to express feelings. Trip was the star of the show and I can't wait to see him in superstars!