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Sonic the Hedgehog 4 goes episodic this summer

Project Needlemouse revealed as side-scrolling sequel to speedster's original Genesis trilogy; Episode 1 confirmed for Wii, Xbox 360, PS3.

Sega has taken the wraps off Project Needlemouse, and the publisher is positioning the game as a proper sequel to the series' Genesis genesis and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, specifically. The publisher has released a new trailer for the game, revealing its official title: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1.

Sonic can outrun everything but his past.

Sonic can outrun everything but his past.

Sega debuted a trailer (viewable below) for the game, showing off the fourth proper installment of the iconic side-scrolling platformer star. The teaser starts with a retrospective of the series, gradually transitioning the memorable mammal's visage to a new HD version of Sonic, with waypoints at 1991 (the original Sonic), 1992 (Sonic 2), and 1994 (Sonic 3)

The trailer also revealed a few other details about the game, most notably its platforms and release window. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will arrive this summer as a downloadable title on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii.

While diehard fans have often pleaded for a new 2D installment in the Sonic series, the publisher has for years pursued 3D projects and spin-offs. Most recently, the series incorporated gameplay revolving around transmogrification in the critically panned Sonic Unleashed. The iconic hedgehog also tried out high-speed driving skills in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and character progression in the BioWare-developed DS role-playing game Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.

In an interview with GameSpot, Sega associate brand manager Ken Balough revealed a few more details about Sonic 4. Specifically, he said the game will pick up the series after Sonic & Knuckles and incorporate established 2D gameplay mechanics for the series like the spin dash and power sneakers. Additionally, the game will incorporate leaderboards for players to test their speed against one another and will incorporate motion controls on the Wii and PlayStation 3 (with the Sixaxis controller, not necessarily the upcoming "Arc" motion controller.)

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's full interview with Balough.

249 Comments

  • crazykirby500

    Posted Oct 14, 2010 5:20 pm GMT

    its outtttttttttttttttttttttt i want soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad

  • gladiatorale

    Posted May 9, 2010 2:30 pm GMT

    can't wait!!!!

  • gamer082009

    Posted Mar 26, 2010 4:01 pm GMT

    I hope they make the graphics into today's standards but leave the gameplay original.

  • IIHitandRunII

    Posted Mar 26, 2010 1:28 am GMT

    the only thing i hate about this is that his feet aren't moving as fast as the old games it seems like he's walking fast rather than running.... but still looking forward for this -.-

  • xEpiphoneSG

    Posted Mar 13, 2010 8:01 pm GMT

    if you think about it it was a good idea to go 3D for awhile, because everyone has that nostalgic feeling...it brought in more gamers who were into 3d platforming, and it also gave original fans more variety...now they can start making games the same way again, and they have learned from past projects what to add...also i think it would be cool if there were somehoe RPG elements in Sonic 4...just like small things, like whenever you get a certain power up, you can have it twice as long, or you only need 75 rings for a life

    also it would be cool to make your own levels and share them through LIVE or PSN...but probably not gunna happen

  • mariostar0001

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 8:44 am GMT

    Why is everyone so worried about the graphics after ONE MOVIE?!

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 6:27 pm GMT

    As for the homing attack in this game, I have no problems with it. If it's similar to Sonic Rush's homing attack, I'm good. I don't see how it would be a problem to 2D Sonic games. But I can't speak too far, we just have to see more footage of the actual game.

  • Kou-Nurasaka

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 4:21 pm GMT

    Reading this makes me wanna play the original Sonic the Hedgehog. That was the best game ever made for its time.

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 3:15 pm GMT

    2 second gameplay and people are already getting nervous and panicky. Just calm down and let's wait for more footage please.

    For those worrying about the way Sonic runs in the trailer, read this:

    http://forums.sega.com/showpost.php?p=5534383&postcount=1

  • Mega_Loser

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 1:34 pm GMT

    i think the animation is a little unconnected and ugly, i hope they fix it.

  • aleiko

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 1:17 pm GMT

    I'm gonna be honest with you (and don't give me negative feedback Sonic lovers, which you seem to do for the SLIGHTEST of skepticality), but I have a feeling this might be a horrible attempt to create another good sonic game..remember, that the president of Sega who made sonic Golden is gone =(...and the Sonic in the upper left (the coin image) has a Golden Ring and awesome Wings...but that sonic isn't the one I once know and everyone knows i'm right...THIS SONIC ISN'T THE SAME AS OUR CLASSIC SONIC ;.;..R.I.P President Isao Okawa..if only someone could inherit the greatness you made sonic back in the 16 bit days, SA and SA2

  • GaMeR_Willz

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 11:35 am GMT

    I loved past Sonic games. So I'm definitely going to get this one for the PS3.

  • Spiltsoda1234

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 5:04 am GMT

    i liked the graphics and 3D but i dont like is that he looks like hes speed walking.

  • lucerovski

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 12:46 am GMT

    Am I the only person who thinks the animation looked a little off? I hope the physics feel just like Sonic 3.

  • Ardus

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 10:19 pm GMT

    Episode 1?
    Please don't make this bad guys.

  • youngmurk911

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 8:52 pm GMT

    great news

  • Artanis_cl

    Posted Feb 7, 2010 9:32 pm GMT

    coooooooooooooooooool!!!!!

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 7, 2010 7:20 pm GMT

    I want a remake of Ice Cap level, please

  • Jakeiiii

    Posted Feb 7, 2010 3:53 am GMT

    Motion controls... interesting

  • rabidjack

    Posted Feb 6, 2010 6:12 pm GMT

    are they not all the same?

  • chrispicard

    Posted Feb 6, 2010 12:14 am GMT

    the trailer made me feel like a kid again, i had so much fun playing the originals, i've grown up with games and the games have grown up along side me, for example i'm playing mass effect 2 right now, amazing game, but seeing this trailer... i kinda want this, it's like going back to my youth to play the sequel they never made, like in an alternate universe or something... anyone else getting me?

  • D1zzyCriminal

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 5:14 pm GMT

    As long as his arch nemisis is called "Robotnick" instead of "Eggman" im happy.

  • Burning_Typhoon

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 2:15 pm GMT

    The Homing attack was probably more necessary for a 3D Sonic game... not a 2D one. Sonic turned invincible for a moment when you double tap the jump button in Sonic 3, that was good enough.

    Sonic gained a new attack with each genesis game, why not keep the tradition going? Give him his speed builder thingy he had in Sonic CD and you're good to go. Along with the exact moves he had in Sonic 3.

    SEGA should have done this ages ago... we should be on Sonic the Hedgehog 11 by now...

  • EvJune

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 1:11 pm GMT

    Finally, I've been waiting for a "real" Sonic game like this since the success of Megaman 9.

  • Simulator_Shock

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 12:59 pm GMT

    So damn ridicules how long it took Sega to finally get the message.

  • JDWolfie

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 8:46 am GMT

    So, wasn't Sonic Rush on DS like Sonic 4?

  • Nintendofreakx

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 8:12 am GMT

    Yes! Its been way to long since a console got a 2d sonic game! Definite 1st day download.

  • nickythenewt21

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 6:39 am GMT

    This is like the part in Avatar where before the Na'vi go to war with the humans, Jake asks their God for help, and the girl is like "Eywa only keeps the balance of life," but when it looks like the Na'vi are going to lose, Eywa sends a bunch of animals to help.

    In short, SEGA finally listened, and Sonic is back.

  • sieg6529

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 2:59 am GMT

    I'm totally going to play this, but I wish SEGA were more than a 1 trick pony.

  • FidelSarcastro

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 10:17 pm GMT

    It's about freaking time... finally after years of roaming the creative wasteland Sega has finally seen the light of day. Finally we can have a sonic game truely worth owning. I mean its not as if Sonic fans havent been screaming it from the top of our lungs... we dont want spin off games, we dont want over involved storylines or filler characters... give us a traditional sonic side scroller with updated graphics and simplistic yet entertaining fast gameplay... thats it. Our collective prayers look to finally be answered.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 9:58 pm GMT

    Sonic is BACK.

  • killeracer0210

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 9:26 pm GMT

    Finally I found how does sonic how does he look like,
    I have been waited for a long time.

  • soultaker2004

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 8:51 pm GMT

    Can't wait!!!! I remember playing the sonics on my genesis.

  • jonajacket

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 7:54 pm GMT

    I hope they release a retail version when all episodes are out. This looks like Sega could be back in business and I'm a materialistic whore.

  • BTroxell

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 7:10 pm GMT

    Sonic didn't fail on a third dimension the past couple Devs failed sonic. Sonic adventure 2 was bad@#$ and I hope people agree with me on that. Its awesome they are going back to 2d for a bit. Maybe when they are done they will realize what makes sonic sonic and make a proper 3d iteration.

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 6:46 pm GMT

    I'm not against this episode idea. Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles are practically episodes of each other and those games were one of the best games ever made. So this episode idea shouldn't be bad.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 5:47 pm GMT

    Finally Sega listened, yet I don't like the episode thing, can't they release the full game in one shot?

  • neobita

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 5:38 pm GMT

    To make up to the legacy fans all over this years, they NEED to make it episodic. Whilst Episode one will be THEIR take on the Title, then episode 2 would be based on what feedbacks we as the fan gives to the first game (I hope). And for that I thank you SEGA for bringing everybody (fans) back. Although it is in SEGA's reputation to spoil a Sonic title, I hope they would listen more to the legacy fans and take notes for future improvements. Those fans that stood sturdily by SEGA during the 1998 and 2002 which is a hard time for the company. Heck, some of the fans even tried to raise some donations to avoid the company that they love and cherish so much being sold or merge with other company that would spoil / taint the spirit of SEGA and Sonic Team especially. While I was wondering whether they would listen to us, Sonic The Hedgehog 4 IS coming out right? Well that ought to mean someone in SEGA DOES!

    ALAS, I would like to extend my greatest gratitude for this game and I hope that everyone would come back (being adjacent with life, experience and knowledge of other games) and MAKE it the best game ever by sharing feedbacks for the game, just like what we are doing now. regards
    neobita

  • melty3219

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 4:49 pm GMT

    Awesome! and it will be downloadable which means it will be cheap and i will have easy access to it. Very good news don't let me down Sega.

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 3:54 pm GMT

    I was about to go to bed last night when this announcement appeared. XD

    Still, this was like a dream come true...

    I am going to play Sonic 1-3 before this game comes out, just to get warmed up.

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 3:49 pm GMT

    Metal Sonic needs to be in this game as a boss the battle in Sonic CD was epic.

  • blehbeast1234

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 3:47 pm GMT

    Thank God this is coming out. So freaking excited. In celebration, I think I'll play Sonic Mega Collection tonight! WOOT! Good call SEGA.

  • tman978

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 3:47 pm GMT

    wait wait wait....Did anyone here play Sonic Rush? That game was Awesome. The Sonic Advance games were good too. But Sonic Rush could have easily been called Sonic 4, Good gameplay, Music and graphics. Hell, the story was good.

  • redweed

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 3:40 pm GMT

    A good Sonic game? I'm all confused. Is this the apocalypse?

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 3:26 pm GMT

    2010 game of the year right here.

  • coltsfan4ever

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 3:03 pm GMT

    Finally Sega gives the fans what they wanted all along!!!! A 2d AND possibly good Sonic game.

  • Slagar

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 2:43 pm GMT

    DO WANT.

  • TerrorriskX

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 2:31 pm GMT

    And watch the first complaint of purists for this being about this game not being done in 2D Sprites...Honestly Sonic is Sonic for me, 2D, 3D or 2.5D, if I like it I play it regardless of scores.

  • Egotte

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 2:00 pm GMT

    Sonic Adventure has evolved into the nightmares that became the recent 3D debacles. I think we've seen enough of Sonic in 3D for a while.

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