Ten years after the release of Sonic the Hedeghog's first real 3D adventure, Sega has announced that the blue hedgehog will be starring in an all-new 2D game next year. In an interview with Gamespot, Sega of America's Ken Ballough revealed the first details about the upcoming Sonic title, codenamed Project Needlemouse.
"Old-school Sonic fans have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay," Ballough said.
Furthermore, Ballough explained that while many enjoyed the daytime levels in Sonic Unleashed, fans have truly desired a title that plays like the original Genesis Sonic games.
"Project Needlemouse is that critical first step that brings Sonic back to his 2D roots," Ballough said.
In addition, Ballough stated that, "you can definitely expect HD graphics," in Sonic's new 2D adventure. This statement makes the likelihood of a Wii release lower.
While Sonic has been on a number of 2D excursions over the past decade, the majority of these titles were created outside of Sega by the developer Dimps. The last 2D Sonic platformer developed by Sonic Team was Sonic & Knuckles, which debuted on the Sega Genesis in the second half of 1994.
Interestingly, Sonic designer Naoto Oshima's original name for the famous hedgehog was Mr. Needlemouse.
No official title or release platform is currently known.
Check out the teaser trailer over at Gamespot.
" This statement makes the likelihood of a Wii release lower. "
The Wii might not be capable of "HD graphics" but just look at games like "Guilty Gear Accent Core", "Wario World: Shake it!", and just a few days ago "Muramasa: The Demon Blade". Wii can definitely handle 2D very well.
Wasn't The Secret Rings made by the Sonic Rush team?
Though random fact, Ristar's producer made both Rush and Rush: Adventure.
It's a common misconception among Sonic fans that Sonic Rush and it's sequel captured any of the look or feel of Genesis-era Sonic titles.
Hopefully one day they'll learn that it didn't. They probably won't, though.
I'm still upset we haven't seen any baby Sonics yet.