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Sonic Generations trots out this holiday

Sega's iconic hedgehog returns with 2D/3D hybrid platformer melding stages from series' past 20 years on 360, PS3.

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Sega's marketing department apparently can't keep up with its iconic hedgehog. Today, the publisher officially announced that Sonic Generations will arrive for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this holiday, after word of the title first slipped out through a Facebook teaser earlier this month.

Sonic may be returning to 2D, but the stages will be given an HD face-lift.
Sonic may be returning to 2D, but the stages will be given an HD face-lift.

Sonic Generations will capitalize on Sonic the Hedgehog's 20th anniversary. As such, Sega will be touching upon three different Sonic generations, beginning with the classic 2D side-scrolling age and progressing to the hedgehog's 3D adventures. Specifically, these eras are the 2D Genesis days, 3D's introduction with the Dreamcast, and then today's modern HD graphics phase.

Sega has rebuilt a number of levels from games gone by for Sonic Generations, and players will be able to speed through these stages in 2D and 3D perspectives. Sonic's abilities will also depend on the incarnation that players choose, as the spin dash and spin attacks will be open to Sonic 2D, while his 3D persona will be able to use the homing attack and sonic boost abilities.

Though the stages will be reimaginings of classic levels, Sonic Generations will feature a new storyline. In it, a "mysterious new power" opens up rips in space time, which pulls Sonic and his crew back in time, where he battles new challenges alongside his former self.

For more information, check out GameSpot's first look at Sonic Generations, as well as a Q&A with producer Takashi Iizuka.

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