Although the 2020 hasn’t been… great… so far, SEGA is intent on making the most of the rest of the year, with the announcement that a large number of new Sonic branded merchandise is heading to stores from December to celebrate the blue blur’s 30th anniversary. It’s going to be a Sonical Christmas!
Continue reading Huge “First Wave” of Sonic 30th Anniversary Merchandise Announced, Coming in December
Tokyo Joypolis Celebrates Sonic Colours’ 10th Anniversary With Crossover Halloween Event
This Autumn, the Colours will feel so right spooky and creepy at SEGA’s Tokyo Joypolis amusement park. With Wii classic ‘Sonic Colours’ originally releasing on 11 November 2010 (in PAL territories), Joypolis is throwing a special event to both celebrate both the game’s 10-year anniversary and Halloween. Continue reading Tokyo Joypolis Celebrates Sonic Colours’ 10th Anniversary With Crossover Halloween Event
Iconic Akihabara SEGA Arcade Closes Down For Good
Last night, one of Tokyo’s most landmark SEGA arcades closed down for good. The SEGA Akihabara Building 2, best known for its iconic orange escalator design, had its final day of business on August 30. Continue reading Iconic Akihabara SEGA Arcade Closes Down For Good
Get Some Rare In-Game Sonic Item Cards For Pre-Ordering The Launch Edition Of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2
A reveal of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 was probably not what you were expecting today, but it’s here. And a pre-order bonus that includes in-game Sonic item cards was probably even more of a surprise to you. Not only are both real, but you only have a few months to wait before the game releases.
SEGA Celebrates NiGHTS into Dreams Anniversary With Weird Concept Character Art
Did you know it has been 24 years since the US release of SEGA Saturn classic NiGHTS into Dreams…? Well, SEGA certainly remembered, as their retro revival channel ‘SEGA Forever’ published a celebratory video all about the game. The company also included some long lost concept artwork that feels a bit more ‘nightmare’ than ‘dream’. Continue reading SEGA Celebrates NiGHTS into Dreams Anniversary With Weird Concept Character Art
August’s Sonic 2020 Livestream Promises New Merchandise and Compilation Album
Even though we still haven’t heard much in the way of #Sonic2020 announcements, SEGA’s Japanese Sonic team has managed to keep its ‘Sonic Station Live’ shows ticking. The next broadcast is scheduled for August 28th. We should expect some new goods and music-based merchandise, at the very least. Continue reading August’s Sonic 2020 Livestream Promises New Merchandise and Compilation Album
SEGA Will “Aggressively” Focus on PC Ports As Steam Sales Outperform
SEGA has announced that it will pivot its business towards its video games division, with a more “aggressive” push for PC ports of its legacy titles. Continue reading SEGA Will “Aggressively” Focus on PC Ports As Steam Sales Outperform
Sonic 2’s Hidden Palace Zone Rediscovered in Cancelled Mega Drive Prototype ‘Astropede’
Former SEGA Technical Institute artist Craig Stitt has revealed that assets from Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s long lost Hidden Palace Zone were re-used in a prototype Mega Drive/Genesis game that was pitched to SEGA of America in the 1990s. Continue reading Sonic 2’s Hidden Palace Zone Rediscovered in Cancelled Mega Drive Prototype ‘Astropede’
Giant Japanese Sonic Statue Beautifully Restored By Owner’s Bereaved Family
Remember the (now solved) mystery of the Japanese Sonic the Hedgehog statue in the woods? Well, when we last saw it, the 2-metre tall piece was in a huge state of disrepair – but this week, the family of the man who owned it has given it a wonderful restoration that brings it back to its former glory. Continue reading Giant Japanese Sonic Statue Beautifully Restored By Owner’s Bereaved Family
Aaron Webber Is SEGA of Japan’s New Director Of Strategy, Studio & Community Relations
Aaron Webber, also known as RubyEclipse, has received a promotion! Two months after announcing his departure from the Sonic public relations team, he’s announced his new position within the ranks of the company: SEGA of Japan’s Director Of Strategy, Studio & Community Relations.
Get Ready! Phantasy Star Online 2’s Getting An Expansion in 2021 Called “New Genesis”
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”!
Sonic Team Will “Take Good Care” of 2D and 3D Sonic In The Future
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.”
Continue reading Sonic Team Will “Take Good Care” of 2D and 3D Sonic In The Future
Tangle now available in Sonic Dash UPDATE: Now With Gameplay Footage
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:
Aaron Webber’s Leaving The Sonic PR Team For A New Position Within SEGA
Aaron Webber, also known in the Sonic community as RubyEclipse, has been the head of the Sonic public relations team for five years. As of today, however, that is changing. Webber has made a statement announcing that he is moving on to a new position within the ranks of SEGA.
Continue reading Aaron Webber’s Leaving The Sonic PR Team For A New Position Within SEGA
Sonic Birthday Lobby Returns to Phantasy Star Online 2; Beat Up Sonic Enemies For Rare Loot
In what appears to be an annual tradition, SEGA is once again celebrating Sonic’s birthday in its massive online RPG, Phantasy Star Online 2. Starting today, players can log in to find the ‘Sonic Lobby’, which will greet you with an adoring monument of the blue blur and offer special Sonic-themed items for a limited time. Continue reading Sonic Birthday Lobby Returns to Phantasy Star Online 2; Beat Up Sonic Enemies For Rare Loot
Game Gear Micro Full Details: Sonic Games, Colours, Bundles, Pricing and More!
Fresh details have been revealed on SEGA’s teeny tiny handheld remake, the Game Gear Micro – including four versions of the “micro”-console each sporting a different colour, and the inclusion of two Sonic the Hedgehog GG games within a couple of the models. Continue reading Game Gear Micro Full Details: Sonic Games, Colours, Bundles, Pricing and More!
Happy 60th Anniversary, SEGA!
Sixty years ago on June 3 1960, Nihon Goraku Bussan, a distributor of Rock-Ola jukeboxes, was established. The company was one of two created as a successor to Service Games, Japan, and was run by American salesman Richard Stewart. Service Games itself was established by Stewart as a distribution arm for the company he was a salesman for, Service Games, Hawaii, which was a company that specialized in selling coin operated amusement devices on US military bases. Nihon Goraku Bussan would acquire Service Games, Japan’s other successor, Nihon Kikai Seizo, four years later, before merging with Rosen Enterprises in 1965 and formerly becoming SEGA Enterprises. Continue reading Happy 60th Anniversary, SEGA!
SEGA Unveils the Absolutely Adorable Game Gear Micro
Have you ever wanted a SEGA Game Gear that could actually fit in your pocket? Well good news, because SEGA did you one better with their newest mini console, the SEGA Game Gear Micro, which is so small you could (probably) swallow it, or at least fit comfortable in the palm of your hand. Continue reading SEGA Unveils the Absolutely Adorable Game Gear Micro
SEGA Has BIG News Coming Up, Here’s What We Know… and Don’t.
We currently live in a world where E3 is cancelled. Well, everything is kind of cancelled. But that doesn’t mean the hype train hasn’t left the station! Rumours have been circulating about SEGA’s next project, and according to some reputable sources, it’s going to be a big one.
Continue reading SEGA Has BIG News Coming Up, Here’s What We Know… and Don’t.
Happy Birthday Sonic! Sonic Channel’s June Artwork Features Blue Blur
How is it nearly June already? Have we really been quarantining for two months solid?? Well, June is always the happiest month for us at Sonic Stadium because it happens to be the birthday of SEGA’s fast-running mascot! And today, SEGA has revealed its latest artwork for the month of June, featuring Sonic himself. Continue reading Happy Birthday Sonic! Sonic Channel’s June Artwork Features Blue Blur
Takashi Iizuka to be Featured in Next Week’s Sonic 2020 Stream
So far, SEGA Japan’s Sonic 2020 streams have been rather uneventful, mostly focusing on merchandise for the Japanese market. While that probably won’t be changing with next week’s episode, it will be the first to feature Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka. Continue reading Takashi Iizuka to be Featured in Next Week’s Sonic 2020 Stream
Sonic Official Livestreams Returning This Thursday
If you enjoy the Sonic Official livestreams you’re in luck, because they are returning on Thursday! Sonic the Hedgehog Social Media Manager Katie Chrzanowski has put out the call for fan art to be featured on the stream, which you can submit here.
Chrzanowski confirmed that the streams will be done virtually until it’s safe for them to return to the office. As usual, you will be able to watch the stream on the official Sonic YouTube channel.
Sonic Says “Stay Home” in New Billboard
SEGA Brand Manager Nathan Shabazi has shared a new Sonic billboard. The billboard promotes the #StayHomePlayHome hashtag, which has been utilized by organizations and companies to encourage people to remain indoors during the pandemic. Check it out below:
In his tweet Shabazi thanked Liquid Advertising for getting these up, although it’s not exactly clear where these are going up at the moment.
via Twitter
Sonic Chief Brand Officer: Exciting News Coming For Sonic’s 30th Anniversary
As you might be aware, it’s Sonic’s 30th anniversary next year. Just in case you were worried that SEGA might forget about that fact, and have absolutely nothing planned, fear not! SEGA America’s Chief Brand Officer for Sonic, Ivo Gerscovich, has teased that they have some ‘exciting’ things to share soon. Continue reading Sonic Chief Brand Officer: Exciting News Coming For Sonic’s 30th Anniversary
SEGA Releasing Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Stamps and Pin Sets via Japan Post
Finally, the worlds of stamp collecting and SEGA collide! To commemorate the House of Sonic’s 60th anniversary, Japan Post will be selling a limited edition set of postage stamps and pins that are designed around SEGA’s legendary console history. Continue reading SEGA Releasing Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Stamps and Pin Sets via Japan Post
Randomly, SEGA Has a Booth in VRChat’s ‘Virtual Market 4’ Exhibition
It’s probably a sign of the times, what with E3 2020 and Gamescom 2020’s physical expos both being cancelled, but SEGA Japan is going to be attending a virtual games event later this month. In VRChat. No, we don’t really know why, either. Continue reading Randomly, SEGA Has a Booth in VRChat’s ‘Virtual Market 4’ Exhibition
Zoom Like Sonic With These Official Video Conferencing Backgrounds
To all of you who are working from home during this coronavirus pandemic global lockdown – SEGA Japan wants you to know that it understands you. One of the big cultural shifts of the last few months, as countries experience house-bound isolations, is the rise in adoption of video conferencing apps like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Many of these allow you to call using custom backgrounds. You can see where this is going. Continue reading Zoom Like Sonic With These Official Video Conferencing Backgrounds
SEGA’s New Human Super Hero Has A SEGA Saturn-Themed Backstory
You might be aware of this already, but 2020 marks SEGA’s 60th anniversary – and the company has gone to great lengths to celebrate, including building an awesome-looking microsite covering its long history. SEGA recently revealed a new ‘hero’ called ‘Sega Shirou’, a new ‘mascot’ to promote the publisher in adverts – and a new video has included a truly random twist on the character’s backstory. Continue reading SEGA’s New Human Super Hero Has A SEGA Saturn-Themed Backstory
New Remixes Featured in this Boss Trailer for Sonic at the Olympic Games!
Sonic at the Olympic Games may be short a certain rival team, but it’s definitely not short of “rivals” in this new boss trailer!
Continue reading New Remixes Featured in this Boss Trailer for Sonic at the Olympic Games!
Send Your ‘Messages to SEGA’ And Win This Cool Sonic Chalk Bag
SEGA’s official 60th Anniversary website has now opened its virtual doors to accept messages of support from fans around the world – which means that you now have a perfect opportunity to try and get yourself one of these limited edition SEGA 60th Anniversary chalk bags! Continue reading Send Your ‘Messages to SEGA’ And Win This Cool Sonic Chalk Bag
SEGA America’s Sonic 2020 Panel Has Been Indefinitely Delayed
Some sad news for all of us still holed up in our houses with nowhere to go – SEGA has just announced that its Sonic the Hedgehog panel, originally planned for SXSW, has been indefinitely delayed. Continue reading SEGA America’s Sonic 2020 Panel Has Been Indefinitely Delayed
Tomoya Ohtani to Guest Star in Sonic Channel’s Next ‘Sonic 2020’ Livestream
SEGA Japan has announced the latest in its monthly programme of Sonic-focused livestreams – and this time, series sound director Jun Senoue and art director Kazuyuki Hoshino have a special guest in attendance. Continue reading Tomoya Ohtani to Guest Star in Sonic Channel’s Next ‘Sonic 2020’ Livestream
Meet SEGA’s 2020 April Fools Prank: Tribot
It’s April 1, so we all know what that means: pranks, jokes, and…just things that aren’t real. For 2020, SEGA Japan has decided to create a brand new character: Tribot, a female counterpart to Orbot and Cubot.
SEGA Launches 60th Anniversary Website
SEGA turns 60 this year, and the company has launched a new website to mark the occasion! Called “GO SEGA,” the website contains a summary of SEGA’s 60 year history, as well as a message from SEGA Group chairman Haruki Satomi. In the message (read here), Satomi talks about the company’s aspirations for the future, the meaning of “GO SEGA,” and promises special content throughout the anniversary.
What exactly that content is, we don’t know as of yet. The website’s “events” section is currently greyed out. In addition to the history lesson and Satomi’s message, the website will also be accepting 100 character messages from SEGA fans about their experiences with the company and its games. These messages will be accepted between April 21 and June 3, and will eventually be displayed on the website. 60 lucky people will even have a chance to win a special 60th anniversary handbag, pictured below:
What are you hoping for from SEGA during it’s 60th anniversary? Let us know in the comments!
The next Sonic 2020 broadcast happens on 3/27
The Sonic Movie Coming to iTunes and BluRay this Spring!
With many movie theaters now closed due to the pandemic, Hollywood is taking its theatrical releases like “Onward” and “Trolls 2” and putting them available to download digitally. According to an iTunes listing, Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” will be available to purchase digitally on March 31st. What’s more, it will include bonus features likely meant for the Blu-Ray release, coming May 19th, as well.
Continue reading The Sonic Movie Coming to iTunes and BluRay this Spring!
