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Sonic leads latest iTunes games wave

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Dec 18, 2007 11:43 am PT

Sega ports original Genesis adventure of its emblematic hedgehog to Apple's multimedia service; PopCap's Peggle also available.

Last fall, Namco's Pac-Man led the first wave of games to be released on iTunes. Today, another iconic game character--Sonic the Hedgehog--headlined the latest batch of games to be released on the service.

Like other games, Sonic the Hedgehog will cost $4.99--the standard price set by Apple--and will be playable on all iPods that support video, including the new Nano. However, unlike other iPod games, this is a port of the Sega Genesis original, and marks the first time a console game has been rejiggered for the iPod.

Sega president Simon Jeffery told GameSpot that Sega had listened to criticism of previous iPod games, and designed a two-tiered control scheme--one for two-handed play, and a one-handed scheme for "players on the go." He also said that the game had been in the works for some time, following extensive talks between Sega and Apple, which is notoriously choosy when it comes to selecting games for iTunes.

"Apple is very keen on the Sonic franchise, as Sonic is one of the most iconic game characters of all time," said Jeffery. "They're looking for games that appeal to as wide an audience as possible."

In addition to Sonic, today also saw the casual game publisher release Peggle for the iPod and Macintosh. Previously released on the PC, both versions of the game feature the two-player duel mode, 55 levels, 10 magical powers, and 75 Grand Master challenges featured in the original title. The iPod edition lets players listen to their own playlists while playing the game.

55 Comments

  • zestolime

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 12:37 pm PT

    it is the best game for ipod yet

  • TIDUSFOREVERX2

    Posted May 24, 2009 8:52 am PT

    The controls only need a little tweaking, the visual aspect is very nice, especially with full screen capability. The gameplay is exactly as it should be just like the good old days on the genesis. I hope to see Sonic 2, 3 and S&K (with a patch to play the full S3&K) eventually.

  • cs1323

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 9:51 am PT

    I was surprised like most to see Apple release the original Sonic game on the iTMS recently. After that, I immediately had to pick it up along with Bomberman. Yes, the controls are a bit tough to master, but it's still quite fun! This automatically makes me want to believe that one day Super Mario Bros. from the NES will make its way to iTunes as well. It's only a matter of time, but who knows? Playing a MARIO game on an iPod will possibly be the greatest thing of all time!

  • -SiiLeNCE-

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 9:01 am PT

    it sounds cool in theory but in practice i'm sure it sucks. there's just some games you can't port to certain systems like explain to me how you can play this effectively with a click wheel

  • dinodefender

    Posted Dec 21, 2007 4:32 pm PT

    ?????????????ZAHHHHHH??

  • theclaw135

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 3:19 pm PT

    The Genesis version of Sonic the Hedgehog is perhaps the most widely direct-ported and *legally* emulated game of all time. It has official versions on more platforms than any specific title in history. Tetris doesn't count since unlike Sonic the Hedgehog, its versions were in fact remakes due to having clearly different sounds, graphics, mechanics, etc.

    Sonic:

    Genesis
    GBA
    PS2 (twice, Sonic Mega Collection Plus and Sega Genesis Collection)
    Xbox
    GCN
    Xbox 360
    Wii
    Dreamcast
    PC (three times. Sega Smash Pack, Sonic Mega Collection Plus, and Gametap)
    Saturn
    PSP
    iPod
    Arcade coin-op
    Mobile phone

  • xboxman360

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    I love it! although it is a challenge to control at first.

  • neji122793

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 12:31 pm PT

    thats cool weird but cool wonder how the controls are.

  • happyyoi

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 8:51 am PT

    to pandabear86: if you don't have an ipod then be quiet about how bad you think games are on it. And gamespot: you should review games for the ipod.

  • lewser5

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 8:20 am PT

    Interesting, i wonder how well does this work. Apple please let us have more games and not be so strict.

  • mikewalsh69

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 7:43 am PT

    briliant my portable gaming is now solved by apple. sony and nintendo should've released some sort of device that allows games to be played on the go....... wait a minute....

  • vampiredust99

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 6:17 am PT

    Playing games on an iPod is possibly the dumbest thing I've heard all year. It's not exactly a Game Boy Advance is it? Even the N-Gage was better than Apple's convoluted efforts.

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 2:26 am PT

    No way would it be comfortable playing games on an iPod or phone. No analog stick, lack of D-Pad, large buttons, etc. Just sick with the DS or PSP if you want a world of gaming in your hands.

  • MikeySSH

    Posted Dec 18, 2007 11:54 pm PT

    i still want games for my zune.. come on microsoft, if you believe, anything is possible! :-D

  • Chincey

    Posted Dec 18, 2007 8:11 pm PT

    Bomberman is on Itunes now

  • Mattyrock

    Posted Dec 18, 2007 7:15 pm PT

    Kewl...

  • togo2828

    Posted Dec 18, 2007 4:49 pm PT

    WHY ARENT THERE GAMES FOR THE FREAKIN I-PHONE, IM WAITING

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