E3 2001: First Impressions: Sonic the Hedgehog Advance

Sonic made his Game Boy Advance debut behind closed doors at the ongoing E3 in Los Angeles. Although this latest game plays from a side-scrolling 2D perspective and looks very similar to the Sonic games on the Genesis console, Sega representatives were quick to point out that Sonic Advance is an entirely new game being developed specifically for the Game Boy Advance. Referring to this fact during the course of his presentation at Sega's "unleashed" reception, Sonic Team's Yuji Naka said that it was refreshing to return to development in the 2D world, after games such as Sonic Adventure.

Sonic Advance will have new levels designs, and each character will have some new moves that will be debuted in Sonic Adventure 2, including Sonic's new rail-grind move. Additionally, Sonic Advance will have new multiplayer gameplay modes. Players can use the Game Boy Advance link cable in such multiplayer modes as chaos emerald hunt and head-to-head battle.

In the game, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy are all playable characters. Naturally, Dr. Robotnic has concocted another diabolical scheme, and it is up to Sonic and his friends to stop his latest evil plans. The gameplay system will be similar to that of the Genesis games, as the player must dispose of enemies, collect rings, unlock secret areas, and uncover the hidden chaos emeralds.

Sonic the Hedgehog Advance will be released this November for the Game Boy Advance.