Sonic HQ25 Years & Counting!

Sega announces the North American release of its latest Sonic the Hedgehog title for the Game Boy Advance.

Sega of America has today announced the North American release of Sonic Battle for the Game Boy Advance. The game, which is being published by THQ, is essentially a 2D fighter in which players can pit a number of characters from previous Sonic the Hedgehog titles against one another.

"We're thrilled to be working with Sega to bring another high quality handheld title to Sonic fans, building on the continued success of the Sonic brand," said Peter Dille, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "Game Boy Advance owners are in for another action-packed Sonic experience with this year's offering."

"With THQ's handheld publishing expertise, we have had tremendous success leveraging the Sonic brand on the Game Boy Advance platform," said Hide Irie, president and COO, Sega of America. "We're pleased to bring Sonic Battle to the expanding Game Boy Advance marketplace."

For more information on Sonic Battle, check out our previous coverage of the game.

By Justin Calvert

Source: Gamespot

Sega announces the North American release of Sonic Heroes for the GameCube; PS2 and Xbox versions to follow.

Sega has today announced the North American release of Sonic Heroes for the GameCube. The game is Sega's first original Sonic the Hedgehog title in three years, and it challenges players to control three players simultaneously as they progress through 14 stages en route to a confrontation with the evil Dr. Eggman

"Sonic Heroes represents a milestone in the history of Sega as the first entertainment title launching across all three next-generation console systems," said Hide Irie, president and chief operating officer of Sega of America. "We are excited to deliver what we feel is the best Sonic game yet to the largest possible gaming audience."

PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of Sonic Heroes are currently scheduled for release on January 27. For more information, check out our previous coverage of the game.

By Justin Calvert

Source: Gamespot

Karl Bollers wished Sonic fans a happy new year and informed of an editorial decision involving Mobius 25 Years Later:

"Hey, Sonic fans! Just wanted to say Happy New Year and thanks for your loyal support during this past year and in previous ones.

Hope you're enjoying the new direction we've taken beginning with issue #130. We at Archie hope to make Sonic even bigger and better in 2004 than it was in 2003.

Sonic Editor J.F. Gabrie and I had a lengthy story conference this weekend to discuss upcoming storylines in the current SONIC series.

Regarding the continuity of Mobius 25 Years Later, it was decided by Justin and myself that even though the future depicted will be the one seen in the SONIC: IN YOUR FACE SPECIAL it is indeed an ALTERNATE future, similar to DC's Elseworld series.

That isn't to say that it won't be action-packed entertainment. Believe us when we say that M:25YL is going to really deliver!

And, sure, Sonic and Sally might not end up being king and queen in the future.

But who knows...

...they just might!

Peace

KB"

Edit: You can follow the story and the reaction here.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #134
"Home, Epilogue: Say You Will" : The poignant aftermath to this epic tale's climactic finale. With the present crisis abated last issue, Sonic finally has the chance to catch up to those near and dear to him, especially one Princess Sally Acorn. SCRIPT: Karl Bollers. ART: Jon Gray (pencils) and Michael Higgins (inks). ALSO: "In Transit": the "Mobius, 25 Years Later" series continues as lord Rotor returns to the Kingdom of Knothole, while Knuckles consults with the Brotherhood of Guardians at Haven II. SCRIPT: Ken Penders. ART: Steven Butler (pencils) and Ken Penders (inks).

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #135
Three titanic tales in one issue! "Anonymous": Dr. Robotnik has a new enemy to contend with, and it isn't Sonic. This enemy has left a special present for Robotnik and signed it... you guessed it... "Anonymous"! SCRIPT: Romy Chacon. ART: Art Mawhinney (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks). "Agent from K.N.O.T.H.O.L.E.": Sonic receives a mysterious message prompting him to travel incognito to meet someone in the middle of the Eggman Empire... someone who should be dead! Can this be a trap? SCRIPT: Romy Chacon. ART: Ron Lim (pencils) and Nelson Ribeiro (inks). "Dealing With the Devil": The next exciting installment of our popular series of tales depicting "Mobius: 25 Years Later" continues! SCRIPT: Ken Penders. ART: Steven Butler (pencils) and Ken Penders (inks).

Kikizo just sent me a link to their Sonic Heroes Hand-On: All-Revealed article, which features a ton of new screens, videos, and info. Many stages and bosses are revealed here, so those who want to be surprised may not want to read it.