Sonic HQ

The new Sega Ages series is an upcoming line of digital rereleases of classic Sega games for the Nintendo Switch. The series is being handled by the masters at M2, who were also responsible for the excellent Sega 3D Classics line for the Nintendo 3DS. So far the lineup includes Sonic and Thunder Force IV for the Genesis, Phantasy Star and Alex Kidd for the Master System, and Gain Ground for arcades.

The official Japanese page for Sonic was recently updated with new info on the game's features. Here's what I could gleam from Google Translate:

• Includes the ability to use the spindash and the new dropdash from Sonic Mania.
• The level select can be easily accessed without a code.
• Along with the international version and the Japanese version (with the additional parallax scrolling), it will also include the arcade Mega Play version! Mega Play was a system that allowed Genesis games to be played in arcades, similar to Nintendo's PlayChoice-10. The arcade version of Sonic is largely similar to the home version, except with fewer levels and a much harsher time limit.
• Ring Keep Mode, which was first introduced in 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2. This mode starts Sonic with 10 rings and halves the number of rings lost when hit.
• Challenge Mode, which offers two challenges. One is a time attack for Green Hill Zone, Act 1. The other is a score attack mode for the Mega Play version, where one mistake ends the challenge. Both challenges have world rankings.

I'm sure many are wondering, "why are they doing this instead of porting the mobile remake?" Well... who knows. But M2 still does great work, and I'm sure this will still be a great port of Sonic 1, even if it is the 500th one.

Recapturing that old 90's style cheesiness, Sega has uploaded a new infomercial for Sonic Mania Plus that harkens back to those glory days. Enjoy!

By 1993 plans to plant the seeds of a larger project than the two ABC cartoons were in play and bringing Sonic the Hedgehog to the big screen was the next goal. At the time the blue blur had serious commercial clout, and other video games movies were being made, so by August 1994 Sega had signed a deal with MGM Studios and Trilogy Entertainment.

“That was when I sat down with Edward Pressman [The Crow, Street Fighter] and a bunch of producers to find out who was the right partner for us,” says Risley. “I was basically driving the Sonic movie. I don’t know who came up with the idea – whether it was Tom or Shinobu [Toyoda, Sega executive vice-president and COO] or me, or we talked about it as a group – but having come from the movie world, I was always pushing those things. And when we got the go-ahead from Japan to push forward with the movie, it was a very small group of us working on it. I was finding partners, Shinobu was talking with Japan and Tom was making sure everything was running in order. Because, again, this wasn’t just a movie – this was something that could affect our whole brand.”

Continue for the full story......

New Mania Dev Diary!

Sega is ramping up marketing for the soon-to-release update and DLC for Sonic Mania, Mania Plus. Go behind-the-scenes of the development of Sonic Mania Plus in our first of two dev diaries! Join Kazuyuki Hoshino (Creative Director, Sonic Team) and Tom Fry (Art Director, Sonic Mania) as they discuss their collaboration and the art design of Sonic Mania. Check out the commentary below!

It didn't take long with E3 in full swing. Sega released another trailer for Team Sonic Racing. Their press release below: 

Sonic and Friends Race Into E3

With New Team Sonic Racing Gameplay Trailer

Fasten your seatbelts Sonic fans — you’re in for a high-octane ride! This week, SEGA® is heading to the 2018 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) to showcase never-before-seen content from the recently announced multiplayer racing experience, Team Sonic Racing™, developed by Sumo Digital. For those heading to the show or keeping up with the latest news at home, SEGA has unveiled a brand-new trailer today, giving fans a sneak peek at the speedways, race cars and fan-favorite characters coming to Team Sonic Racing. Take the game for a spin this winter when it launches both physically and digitally for Sony PlayStation® 4, Microsoft Xbox® One and Nintendo Switch™, with a digital only release on PC.

Ready to see more? Rev up your engines and head over to the official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube Channel to watch Team Sonic Racing in action with music by fan favorite Crush 40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=765jJE7HjUA&feature=youtu.be

For fans that are just getting up to speed, Team Sonic Racing combines the best elements of arcade and fast-paced competitive style racing with nostalgic characters and environments from across the Sonic Universe. Play solo or with up to 12 drivers online as Sonic, Shadow, Tails and other beloved characters in thrilling single and multiplayer game modes, including Grand Prix, Time Trial, Team Adventure. Throughout the race, players will be able to utilize various team mechanics including Item Transfer, Slingshot, Skim Boost and more to assist your teammates throughout the race to secure your spot atop the podium while having the option to customize their vehicle to suite their racing style.

E3 attendees are encouraged to stop by the SEGA & ATLUS Booth at West Hall #5222 from June 12 - 14, to hit the track with Sonic and Friends and take Team Sonic Racing for a spin!

To pre-order the physical edition please visit www.teamsonicracing.com, details of digital pre-order will be available at a later date.

It’s just a couple weeks away from E3 2018 but Sega’s Team Sonic Racing wasn’t able to cross that finish line as Wal-Mart has leaked its first details and screenshots before its announcement. 

Team Sonic Racing is expected to release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Sega will share more details in the near future.

Here are the first details and screenshots:

Team Sonic Racing combines the best elements of arcade and fast-paced competitive style racing as you face-off with friends in intense multiplayer racing. Race together and work together as a team by sharing power-ups and speed boosts. Take control of your racing style – Choose from 3 distinct character types and unlock game changing vehicle customization options to suit your racing style. Speed up. Gear Up Team Racing at Sonic Speed!

Article updated with official Sega press release

Twitter Tease!

Sonic’s official Twitter posted the above image. This was from Sonic Mania Adventures, but do you see the fine print? We will blow it up for you!

Well well well, we have a tease for an upcoming announcement. Could this be the previously teased Sonic racing game? My guess is it is but who knows! Also confirmation of Mania Adventures Ep 3 this month! ^_^

Stay tuned for more details. 

Dreamcast Reveal

It's hard to believe, but 20 years ago today, Sega announced & revealed the Dreamcast in Japan at the New Challenge Conference. I was only 11 years old then and was excited and wowed by upcoming PlayStation games such as Metal Gear Solid and Gran Turismo but when the Dreamcast was announced my mind was blown. Do you all remember the first time you ever saw Sonic Adventure? Not only were the graphics breaking edge, it was at a flawless 60fps. What are your favorite memories of the console? Let us know and click the article for their official press release!

90s Flashback!

We’re looking back at the start of it all for a little nostalgia! Does this bring you back? This was an exciting time to be a gamer indeed! Electronic Gaming Monthly - Issue 22 (May 1991). Sonic The Hedgehog coverage. Despite being the cover story, their coverage was only two pages. Check out those early Zone names... (Click Article for Images)

Mania Plus OST bundled in Japan!

Sonic Mania Plus is getting two CDs with the full soundtrack included in the Japanese physical release, according to their Japanese website. What all is included on the soundtrack? It features the full 54 track double CD, which not only includes all of the songs that appeared on the Data Disc's Sonic Mania album release, it also holds all of the “re-imagined” classic stage songs.

If you've been wanting to listen to the soundtrack while relaxing in the tub, the Japanese version is the one for you! Amazon Japan has it for the same price as the western release.