All-new 2D Sonic rolling out in 2010

Sega teases "built from the ground up" HD 2D adventure--code-named Project Needlemouse--that aims to return to original game's speed-oriented play; teaser trailer inside.

Project Needlemouse's mysterious debut.

Since he debuted nearly two decades ago, Sonic the Hedgehog has been Sega's mainstay mascot. Today, the Japanese publisher revealed that it is working on an all-new reinvention of the titular spiny spinner by taking him back to his two-dimensional roots.

The new game, code-named Project Needlemouse, will debut sometime next year on as-yet-unidentified consoles. So far, the only glimpse of the game has come via a mysterious teaser trailer, which only shows the outline of the new look of the hero at the end.

"Speed returns in an all new 2D adventure built from the ground up" declares the teaser trailer, before showing a blue blur zipping across the screen scooping up golden rings. Accompanying it is a litany of sound effects and visual cues from the first Sonic the Hedgehog, who launched worldwide in the summer of 1991 on the Sega Genesis system.

Since then, the character has helped launch all of Sega's systems until its last, the Dreamcast, went on sale 10 years ago. In the years since that console's implosion, Sonic has appeared on all its former rivals' consoles in dozens of games and has undergone several high-profile reboots. The most recent games to feature him were last fall's Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, and Sonic Unleashed, which was better reviewed on the Wii than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Speaking with GameSpot, Sega associate brand manager Ken Balough confirmed that Project Needlemouse will feature HD graphics. He also said the game's concept was a response to "old-school Sonic fans" who "have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay." For more details, check out GameSpot's full interview with Balough.

685 Comments

  • ChiefSonic

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:01 pm PT

    You know, i know sonic team idea why there making in 2D, But why not 3D?? Go back to the games with Sonic adventure games with the 3D, those games were the best

  • SuperfastSonic

    Posted Oct 19, 2009 8:03 am PT

    That's a teaser all right. It has way more questions than answers.

  • Spongeskeeter

    Posted Oct 19, 2009 2:04 am PT

    Great, now if Sega would just hire me to work for them I'd make this a really good Sonic game. How come you ask? because I've read quite a few forums/boards/posts about sonic games to know what the fans want. (kidding, I don't really want to work for them)

    Hey! There's an idea for you guys Sega! Just listen what the fans want in a game then the next Sonic game will be awesome! *makes a sarcastic smile scary enough to send you nancy boys at Sega packing home... I said nancy boys...

  • Xanth93

    Posted Oct 12, 2009 7:45 pm PT

    I hope this doesn't fail. Sonic 06 and Sonic Unleashed both sucked horribly.

  • chuckytiffany

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 2:59 pm PT

    This better not be my idea. Cause I came up that they should make a 2d sonic game with all his current abilities (homing attack, light dash, speed boost, etc.), Better controls, Reduce characters to Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, and Eggman. I will Buy it though. I hope it is not like the gay-ass Sonic 06.

  • gamedude2009

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 6:31 am PT

    @ Vandalay16: Yeah, the lyrics are very annoying. I conpletely agree with your statement.

  • Vandelay16

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 11:56 pm PT

    All I want is Sonic Tails Knuckles and Robotnik as the main characters, bring back special stages and the Super Sonic theme from Sonic 2 and I will be happy. Also great music with NO lyrics I want awesome catchy tunes.

  • Darkmoone1

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 5:42 pm PT

    @neokids That's like saying why Bowser should'nt be in every Mario game....makes no sense.

    Anyway, Im wondering what the Special stages in particular might be like.

  • neokids

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 3:36 pm PT

    Ugh, everytime I hear Sega wanting to re-invent Sonic, I think of Sonic the Hedgehog for Xbox 360 / PS3. That title has pretty much scarred me for life, and it didn't get any better with Sonic Unleashed. And please...listen to everyone here when they say...do not bring back Eggman as a boss. He's been defeated so many times, it makes me wonder why I should buy the next game when he's going to be there again.

  • PlayTogether

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    I really can't wait for this. PLEASE MAKE IT JUST LIKE THE ORIGINALS!

    I'd love to see a new 2D Streets Of Rage in HD, me and my mates used to love that back in the day!

  • scabsandashes

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 12:18 pm PT

    sonic was never a good 3d game, i mean if u had played it on its own merit without the love of the originals the first one that came out on dreamcast would have been a bareable pass but now its just junk. im actually looking forward to this baby tho

  • Franzkill

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 12:05 pm PT

    @S1vi0 The trailer confirmed that it is an ALL NEW sonic adventure bulti from the ground up so highly unlikely that it will be a remake of any of the classic Sonic games.

  • Franzkill

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 11:57 am PT

    I'm confident abaout this one. Sonic Unleashed was more than a step in the right direction and proved that Sonic still had some life in him yet.

    As long as this doesn't mean an end to 3D Sonic games though I'll be happy. Still waiting for a TRUE Sonic Adventure 3

    *Sends cookies to SEGA wanting Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 on XBLA

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 6:12 am PT

    they should put the original ones on psn/xbl

  • MERGATROYDER

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 12:16 am PT

    Give me Sonic for the Dreamcast as a digital download on either the PSN or XboxLive and it will surely be purchased within minutes. That was a great 3D version of Sonic. I am hoping this next title proves that Sega still has it for the Sonic series.

  • xemnas_kh64

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 7:50 pm PT

    Although I agree most 3D Sonic games are pretty bad, anyone remember Sonic Adventure 2 Battle?

    Wasn't that bad...

  • AniMazter

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 5:15 pm PT

    Wow, I applaus Sega for making this valiant attempt. It may not work, but they are trying what sonic is made for, not a mario copycat...

  • Scazzar

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 1:35 pm PT

    As much as I excited to hear about a new 2D Sonic (and maybe other franchises will get the hint that you don't need 3D to be successful ahem Castlevania) I have to agree with Glade Gnarr, this will be some other stupid idea that makes absolutely no sense for the Sonic franchise.

  • senorbusyman

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 1:35 pm PT

    Dont SCREW this SEGA!!!

  • lowkey254

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 11:51 am PT

    Hmm... interesting.

  • JtAgentX

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 12:57 am PT

    Actually his real name is Dr. Robotnik, Sonic and the others call him "Dr. Eggman" because of his body..lol I call him Robotnik though.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 7:38 pm PT

    Don't get your hopes up, they probably have some new crappy idea screw it up.

  • frazzle00

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 7:19 pm PT

    Dr. Eggman is his Japanese name, and Dr. Robotnik his English one (although Dr. Eggman has been used outside of Japan too). The name Eggman is simply a reference to the shape of his body .

  • JakeYourself

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 5:18 pm PT

    @navak37

    i never understood why they called him both eggman and dr. robotnik. but doesnt he use egg shaped machines to turn the animals into robot creatures? or was i too stoned to notice?

  • S1ivi0

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 12:51 pm PT

    "...which only shows the outline of the new look of the hero at the end." sonics new look? im sorry, but does this not look familiar to them?

    http://www.infendo.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/sonic-the-hedgehog-2.jpg

    my guess is its either

    a) a remake of the original Sonic(s) (if they did this, i wouldnt mind them doing Sonic 1, 2, and 3&K) or
    b) its just implying that it really IS going back to its roots and that the game will be just like the old ones jsut on next gen.

  • Flashbang99

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 10:57 am PT

    slayersdeath200
    needlemouse is probably meant to mean hedgehog lol

  • navak37

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 10:44 am PT

    Prolly a bad translation, it's japanese publishers

    ps anyone know why they call him eggman anyways? when did that switch happen?

  • slayersdeath200

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 3:20 am PT

    Why have they called it project needlemouse is the mouse a new charatcter or somthing?! I am excited about this as its going back to 2D and kcik some ass of Dr Robutknik

  • dramadude186

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 10:18 pm PT

    I want to be excited about this, because the 2D Sonic games rocked. But it seems like Sega's been promising to "reinvent" Sonic and take him "back to his roots" with every game for the past 5 years. So call me cautiously optimistic.

    Now where's my copy of Sonic and Knuckles...?

  • N-One

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 9:24 pm PT

    Bring this to Wii, & I'm happy.

  • punkdsk8erdude

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 9:17 pm PT

    Thank God.
    This is what Sonic Unleashed should've been.
    Sonic games since Adventure 2 really have just gotten progressively worse, with the acception that Unleashed was better than Sonic the Hedgehog, but both were pretty bad.
    I've been saying sega should do this for the longest time.
    Once i started seeing Sonic go downhill, I've said it should return to it's roots.
    Take a look at his rival - mario.
    Mario obviously has been very successful in his 3d adventure/platform games since SM64, as Sonic was sucessful with Adventure and Adventure 2, but after that, sonic starting failing.
    Look at mario with the New Super Mario Bros on DS and coming out on Wii - its old school Mario gameplay, with current graphics, and up dated gameplay with additional stuff.
    This is definitely the right move on Sega's part.
    and that logo for the new game, obviously is an updated version of the original sonic logo, which is a BOLD and ballsy move on there part - i get there trying to promote they're going back to its roots, but if they are even gonna go back to that great start-up screen logo that we all remember from when we were kids with sega genisis, they better deliver.

  • errorcode69

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 7:37 pm PT

    @EdwardoMario16

    I completely agree with you. sega is playing around with these stupid gimmicks for sonic. new characters are good, but they dont need to be crappy. and optionality is always good.

  • frazzle00

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 6:27 pm PT

    I honestly hope they don't screw this up. Please SEGA, no silly extraneous characters, no crappy human/hedgehog romance. Just plain, simple and great 2D platforming .

  • mm5048

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 5:49 pm PT

    I think they finaly got the idea ( I sure hope so, they need to)

  • 9th_SolBadguy

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 10:42 am PT

    here we go again i just hope i get to see SHADOW THE HEDGE HOG

  • hannify

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 10:09 am PT

    also sega dont call dr robotnik eggman it is just a stupid name.

  • Flint247

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 8:32 pm PT

    I hope there will downloadable levels or remakes of the older levels.

  • UnknownPerson55

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 8:21 pm PT

    ill be waiting for the reviews to come before i decide on whether or not to buy this on

  • 06JRM06

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 7:49 pm PT

    I'm sorry, but I've given up on the blue mouse putting out a good game years ago. If it turns out great, fantastic, but I'm not holding my breath for this.

  • solidine

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 7:34 pm PT

    That's nice. They still have to prove it to me, though.

  • Zidaneski

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 6:12 pm PT

    Just make it like the early games and more catchy tunes!

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 5:38 pm PT

    I bet it'd work if they kind of made it like a racing game too

  • AlexLJ

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 4:43 pm PT

    If this is the oportunity for my childhood hero to come back to life then I'm ALL FOR IT!!!

  • NuKkU

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 4:20 pm PT

    OMG have SEGA finally listened to me ive been asking for a 2D Sonic for ages this is what they should do just release on PSN and Live instead of making a bad 3D sonic

  • DanC1989

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 3:46 pm PT

    Think it'll be a full retail game or a download?

  • BlackcloudC28

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 3:30 pm PT

    Things I hope for:
    1. NO NEW CHARACTERS!!!!!!!!!
    2. NO STUPID GIMMICKS!!!!!!!!!
    3. EGGMAN AS BAD GUY!!!!!!!!!

  • Jedilink109 posted Sep 10, 2009 2:39 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Jedilink109

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 2:39 pm PT (hide)

    They need to make a completely new type of sonic game. One where instead of going along preset paths, they put sonic in an open world style game where he can go anywhere and do anything. I think it would be much better than what he's been in lately...that is if the game is given the time and effort to be a solid titlPr

  • Flint247

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 2:02 pm PT

    @EdwardoMario16

    I totally agree.

    Why are people saying Sonic and 3D don't work when it has already proved that it does?

  • Locutus_Picard

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 1:59 pm PT

    Sonic & Tails combo = WIN
    And add optional Knuckles...

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