Sega Returns To Its Roots With Sonic The Hedgehog 4

What is "Project Needlemouse?" Well, it's Sega's latest attempt at reviving the ailing Sonic franchise.

According to GameSpot, Sega wants to make this a "proper sequel" to both the original Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 3; this new game will be called, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. You can view a trailer through the link above and as you can see, it starts with a quick retrospective of the classic series and also tells us that it'll arrive for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii as a downloadable title this summer. It sure as hell looks 2D, which is exactly what the fans have wanted ever since Sega started messing up the 3D installments; most recently, Sonic Unleashed and the ill-advised Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. Apparently, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will simply pick up where Sonic & Knuckles left off, re-incorporating old-school 2D gameplay mechanics much to the delight of veteran fans. For years, we haven't found a Sonic game worth playing...but how can anyone resist the allure of a true-blue 2D sequel?

The other good news is that as a downloadable title, it won't cost anywhere near as much as a standard disc-based game. A perfect rejuvenation for the summer!

2/4/2010 10:49:17 AM Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Subscribe to Ben Dutka on Twitter

Comments

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

Natalisrubbish
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:03:06 AM
Reply

If it is done right, sounds like it could be awesome!

3 up, 0 down

mexgeo86
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:06:10 AM
Reply

Wow, this actually looks very good

3 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:13:35 AM
Reply

Between this and Megaman 9 and 10 I am a happy 2D gamer.

2 up, 0 down

Byakko2009
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:13:41 AM
Reply

I saw this on youtube awhile ago and it looks great. The last time I played through an entire Sonic game was Sonic 2. All the 3D games have been horrible. Now all Sega needs to do is bring Virtua Fighter 5 R to PS3...

0 up, 0 down

Akuma07
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 11:11:48 PM

Hey.....

dont say that...

Sonic Adventure was one of the best sonic games ive ever played. and i grew up on sonic

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:21:56 AM
Reply

Awesome move on their part, but c'mon the Dreamcast 3D Sonics were pretty darn good too.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/4/2010 11:22:21 AM

5 up, 2 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:23:23 AM

haha i just posted something agreeing with you World... I loved SA2: Battle... IMO best 3d sonic they made.

2 up, 2 down

telly
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 4:28:51 PM

Was thinking the same thing. No question, the 3D Sonics of late have been embarrassing. But i really enjoyed the first 3D Sonic on Dreamcast.

Regardless, I love the trend these days of giving us the occasional traditional, 2D-style updates to our favorite series along with the more modern entries.

Oh, and the real reason I'm happy about this --Sonic 4 is yet ANOTHER argument in favor of a proper, 2D sequel to Symphony of the Night for the consoles!!!!!!

1 up, 0 down

nad
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 4:44:01 PM

I actually bought the dreamcast for sonic
the 2 sonics on it were amazing, and the second one got even better when they released it on the gamecube with multiplayer
I always wonder why they dont release a sonic like the ones on the dreamcast

0 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 5:15:32 PM

SA2:B is my favorite sonic game ever.

1 up, 1 down

Byakko2009
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 3:01:54 AM

The 3D sonic games were terrible Sonic games in the same way that Beyond the Beyond was a terrible RPG. There was no way you could get me to hold up on the analog stick to finish the entire game. You have to be stoned the entire time to think those games were any good. And I mean STONED, too stoned to get up and want to change the disc. Don't even get me started on that horribly cheesy music. The Dreamcast only made me wish for a PS2, and actually I was fortunate enough to have a PS1.

The only games I could stand to play on Dreamcast were the fighting games, but that's all it had and even those lacked serious replay value. The only game I played often was Capcom Vs Snk 1. The Dreamcast was a terrible console, software-wise.

0 up, 0 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:22:29 AM
Reply

I am really excited for this... definitely need to go back to 2D and cut it out with the cheesy storyline and horrible voice acting.

I liked Sonic Adventure 2 Battle a lot and its what made me buy the gamecube... I thought the storyline was decent and the only real gripe I had was the levels you had to play as tails and robotnick (o and the fact that they called him eggman).

**Just watched the trailer and I wish there was some more gameplay but w/e. from what I saw though it didn't look too fast paced but thats judging it on 2-3 seconds of sonic running so I will just keep my mouth shut until it comes out and hope sega delivers

Last edited by laxpro2001 on 2/4/2010 11:28:02 AM

3 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:46:43 AM

"eggman"=fail

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/4/2010 11:46:51 AM

4 up, 2 down

556pineapple
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:27:32 AM
Reply

I downloaded the demo for Sonic Unleashed, and it was very fun, but also very misleading (no Werehog segments included). I think after 16 years, they've finally taken the hint that Sonic was perfect the way he was, and this is definitely the right step.

2 up, 4 down

airwedge1
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:32:49 AM
Reply

They could update the graphics and do 2.5 D like little big planet. The video literally looked like they left the graphics un-updated from 1992

4 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:47:25 AM

yeah 2.5d would be better.

3 up, 1 down

DGo8
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:41:19 AM
Reply

lool when they went from 92 up through the years it looked the same until 2010..and that wasnt a big change.

But well done sega bring sonic back how he should be...but do 2D little Big Planet Style 2.5D

1 up, 0 down

whiskeytango74
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:47:45 AM
Reply

I hate to say it but im about as excited for this as i am GT5 and God of War 3

2 up, 0 down

Jalex
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 11:53:09 AM
Reply

Great Sonic titles have been few and far between since the Genesis days, but I've still enjoyed the majority of them overall. And if this title truly hearkens back to the original games, we'll likely have our first great one in a good long while.

2 up, 0 down

fuk u
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 12:11:32 PM
Reply

Right on! this game I remember playing when I was a lil buck, really looking forward to this and it wont cost near as much? well it better not lol cool cool this is the first classic im actually excited about-

0 up, 0 down

Superman915
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 12:11:34 PM
Reply

this is cool, but i would rather have had Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 come out for the PSN.

1 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 12:17:26 PM
Reply

This looks like a GREAT download.

There's no way I would spend $60 on a 2-D Sonic game. But I could definitely throw a couple bucks at SEGA for a download.

Nice work!

2 up, 0 down

robinhood2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 12:29:43 PM
Reply

ABOUT TIME!

3 up, 0 down

Alienange
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 12:30:49 PM
Reply

The sad part is that Sonic could be great in 3D just as Mario currently is. But no, level design, story and characters have all been rotten. It's no curse. Sega has simply been using the wrong people to make the Sonic games. Something tells me that going back to 2D is not going to solve that problem.

If they can do it, then more power to them. But considering the track record, I'll wait for the reviews.

Last edited by Alienange on 2/4/2010 12:31:16 PM

3 up, 2 down

NeoHumpty
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 12:58:38 PM
Reply

Good job, Sega. Now if Konami will take note. Old school Castlevania, maybe?

1 up, 0 down

sonic1899
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 12:59:30 PM
Reply

I might finally buy another sonic game. The last one I had a blast with was Sonic Advance 3

0 up, 1 down

Nlayer
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 1:08:07 PM
Reply

I am happy to hear this! I can finally look forward to a Sonic game now without too much worry. Hope they make it without messing things up, wonder how many "episodes" there will be though.

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 1:30:21 PM
Reply

Wow, this is interesting.... I'm actually excited about a modern 2D game!

3 up, 2 down

Riku994
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 2:11:40 PM
Reply

My childhood can now officially continue....

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 2:28:59 PM

...while drunk.

0 up, 2 down

frylock25
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 2:20:48 PM
Reply

i played the hell out of sonic as a kid. i had a sega instead of a super nintendo. when sonic and knuckles came out with that flip open top to play old games with new characters, greatest thing i had seen as a gamer at the time.

now my daughter loves to play old school sonic games. this will be perfect. i will play the hell out of this my self but nothing better than a game i want that i can share with my kid. i hope they ditch the 3d idea and stick with this.

1 up, 0 down

Silent_J
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 2:45:26 PM
Reply

Wasn't there a sonic game for the psp in 2D that was really good ,Im not sure what it's called.Just going off of a faint memory here,correct me if im wrong.

Really excited about this.

Last edited by Silent_J on 2/4/2010 2:45:44 PM

0 up, 0 down

SympoziumPawa
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 3:25:56 PM

Sadly there were two of a series called Rivals ironically it was mediocre.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 3:04:29 PM
Reply

Great, but couldn't they have done a better job on the graphics?

It seems to look more than a bit outdated & so Playstation one'y

0 up, 0 down

www
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 3:46:41 PM
Reply

3D didn't do it no harm, SEGA did. Mario was also 2D back in the day but how superb was Mario64 & Mario Sunshine, damn. I think SEGA got it all wrong with the 3D and I don't think 2D its gonna make it far better in anyway, as of now it seems LBP and Braid own 2D, they shouldn't follow the same logic and think Sonic will be an automatic masterpiece if it goes 2D.

I still love 3D, they should take a page from Ratchet & Clank's book.

Last edited by www on 2/4/2010 3:47:53 PM

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 9:35:18 PM

That's what I'm saying. People make games. If you keep using the people who make crap games then 3D or 2D, it's going to suck.

If SEGA can't even make a decent 2D game, then I highly suggest they retire the hog.

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 3:53:39 PM
Reply

'Bout goddamn time!

Seriously
Learn a thing or two from Littlebigplanet

It doesn't HAVE to be fully 3D

2.5D has been proven to be a beautiful thing

Street Fighter IV did it
Littlebigplanet did it

Heck, even in the ps1 days, games like Tomba, Klonoa did it as well!

2.5D is a success!

Will probably get this if it's done right

2 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 4:05:09 PM
Reply

They finally figured it out!

Thank you Sega, a Sonic that I interests me again!

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 2/4/2010 4:05:39 PM

0 up, 0 down

brighat1971
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 5:16:26 PM
Reply

Maybe somebody at Sega finally caught on to it. Sonic is a 2D character. Put him in a 2D game and have it available on PlayStation Network, XBLA and WiiWare. It will do much better. I will definitely keep an eye on this game as well as the new Bonk game coming out soon.

0 up, 0 down

gungrave
Thursday, February 04, 2010 @ 6:36:29 PM
Reply

I love me some old school Sonic. After watching the trailer and seeing how he use to run, seeing the new Sonic just felt off to me. The way he was running....it didn't capture Sonics speed. The old sprites made it look like he was hauling ass but his new animation looked like that fool was jogging =/ I'm hoping that isn't the case but the clip that showed him running through the level showed him going at running speed with that goofy jogging animation. Either way I'm buying it =P

0 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 12:00:09 AM
Reply

unleashed was a ok game, not great but a step in the right direction.
they say its going back to its old roots but how many times have i herd that before?
ill stick with my sega genesis collection thank you.

1 up, 0 down

Sol
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 12:15:42 AM
Reply

Hyper Sonic better be in this... and let Tails go Super without the Super Emeralds...

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 12:32:50 AM
Reply

I'm buying it, 2D is not dead and certain games work perfectly on 2D.

2 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 12:57:27 AM
Reply

Haha...lol...it took you guys long enough...oh man...it's funny how a step back for sonic games (in a lower dimension) is a step forward in a business sense. The game would also be a lot easier to make in 2D. Man, lol. I'm sold, this is just too good!

0 up, 0 down

shaydey77
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 5:35:29 AM
Reply

Sweet. Thsi is badly overdue!! WE need more "d games anyways. Everyone knows that's where the real pick up and play games are. I can't get my gf to play Killzone or Cod. But drop an old school Sonic game into my ps2 and all i hear is ....yeah just one more level... :P

0 up, 0 down

Akuma07
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 11:13:45 PM

soooooooooooooooooooooooo true

PixelJunk monsters and the like, are what i hear about now hahaha

0 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 5:45:52 AM
Reply

Only thing I'm thinking about it the "Episode 1" part at the end...makes me wonder if there will be DLC episode 2 and so on...i mean that wouldn't be too bad, getting more lvls and stuff would definitely make it that much better, but yeah, haha strange

0 up, 0 down

realmadpuppy
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 6:40:09 AM

from what I read the whole thing is going to be a PSN/XBL downloadable game.

0 up, 0 down

realmadpuppy
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 6:38:28 AM
Reply

As much as I love me some 2d sonic I thought the daytime levels in sonic unleashed were pretty damn good. if they got rid of the hub worlds and the nighttime levels it would have been a great game.

1 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 8:52:46 AM
Reply

two words;
YAY SONIC

0 up, 0 down

laxpro2001
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 12:22:00 PM
Reply

For all those saying sonic in 3d doesn't work, it worked pretty well on DC and GC remakes.

Not to mention if you played the demo for Sonic Unleashed you're likely to find it fun if you are a fan of sonic. The problem is they have a dumb gimmick in each game like the wear-hog.

In fact, I believe it was on this site that I read an article that they couldn't make a game with all high speed running levels because it would take too much time but on that note I feel its what sonic needs to be successful in 3d

1 up, 0 down

Mamills
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 3:25:33 PM
Reply

OMG!!!!!!!!!!
FINALY
A SONIC GAME I AM GETTING

WOW SEGA TOOK YOU GUYS LONG ENOUGH BUT U FINALLY UNDERSTAND

Sonic died to me after sonic and knuckes
sonic 3 was the last sonic game worth playing

2 up, 0 down

Akuma07
Friday, February 05, 2010 @ 11:12:41 PM
Reply

are people forgetting the Sonic Adventure series?

am i the only one who truly thought they were awesome games?!?!?!

Or am i simply the only one who owned a Dreamcast at the time? -_-

2 up, 0 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra cheats	PSP
Final Fantasy XII cheats	PS2
Zone of the Enders: 2nd Runner cheats	PS2
LEGO Batman cheats	PSP
Juiced cheats	PS2
Space Channel 5 cheats	PS2
Need For Speed 2: Underground cheats	PS2
Colin McRae Rally 2.0 cheats	PS1
Toy Story 2 cheats	PS1

Getting Twisted Metal on Valentine's Day?
	Yep, I can't wait!
	I'll get it, but not until later.
	I'll have to wait for the reviews.
	This just isn't my cup of tea.

Playstation 3

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation PS4

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

Interact

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Sega Returns To Its Roots With Sonic The Hedgehog 4

Comments

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Related Sites

Sponsor

Our Poll

Sponsor

Shank 2 review	PS3
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review	PS3
The Darkness II review	PS3
Soul Calibur V review	PS3
NeverDead review	PS3
Final Fantasy XIII-2 review	PS3
Scarygirl review	PS3
AMY review	PS3
NFL Blitz review	PS3
All Zombies Must Die! review	PS3

Sniper Elite V2 preview	PS3
UFC Undisputed 3 preview	PS3
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning preview	PS3
Asura's Wrath preview	PS3
Grand Slam Tennis 2 preview	PS3
Final Fantasy XIII-2 preview	PS3
Starhawk preview	PS3
Dirt Showdown preview	PS3
NFL Blitz preview	PS3
Rainbow Six: Patriots preview	PS3