With SEGA already releasing Sonic: Lost World and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games on the Wii U and 3DS, many of us have been left to wonder what the third game in their exclusivity deal with Nintendo would be. Today, we finally got that answer, and oh boy, has it caused quite a ruckus.
It turns out the rumors about the Sonic Boom cartoon becoming a video game came true. Indeed, there will be a Sonic Boom video game for the Wii U and 3DS, and from what SEGA’s shown so far, it appears the game feature co-op support for up to four players. The console version is being built on CryEngine 3.
The story will serve as a prequel for the Cartoon , which will air on Cartoon Network this fall, and will center on an adventure in an ancient land. The Wii U version is being developed by California-based Big Red Button, which was founded by former Naughty Dog developer Bob Raffei and has former Sonic Xtreme prototype co-lead designer and art director Chris Senn on staff. For the 3DS version, Sanzaru Games is developing it, and it’ll feature a different story and levels, while taking place in the same world as the cartoon and Wii U version. According to SEGA, Sonic Team is collaborating with both studios on their efforts.
As you can see from the images and videos, Sonic and his friends look quite different than they have in the past, and it’s sparked a wide chasm of response from fans. Some like it, and some hate it. What else is new, right?
Unfortunately for our little blue buddy, Sonic has had an identity crisis as of late, with some fans wanting him to appeal to their childhood memories, while others prefer the more modern Sonic Adventure style. Still, others have expressed interest in seeing Sonic evolve further, which is kind of the direction SEGA is now taking him in Sonic Boom.
Let’s be honest for a while, most of us loved Sonic since we were kids, but we’ve grown up. Sonic had to do that too but still has to appeal to future generations, so kids play an important role to him now, and he’s still cool to them.
Moreover, I don’t think the changes are that dramatic … aside from Knuckles looking like he’s been The Rock’s workout partner and Sonic getting blue arms and a hipster scarf. People do seem to hate the bandages, though, but overall, I think their design looks nice and carries over some their features from games of the past.
The TV series will run across 52 episodes, each being 11 minutes in length, and is being co-produced by OuiDO! Productions and SOA. Sonic Boom has an a official website and an official YouTube channel.
Lastly, Takara Tomy will be developing a toy line for the show, so expect good quality figures. Tomy has been making other SEGA related figures too, such as the Go Go 575 ones.
So what do you think about the new look? Tell us your thoughts about it!
Meh… Not that appealing.
If Sonic has grown up then his fights have not. I hope the serie will prove me wrong.
WHY IS EGGMAN’S MUSTACHE TIDY AGAIN
I’m mostly curious what the Archie comic series will do with this. They’re still pretty fresh off the last reboot.
Hmmmm I don’t know about the game, it looks like it can work but the bandages need to go. Especially on the shoes it makes no sense. I am not against Sonic wearing clothes, I think he should have a long time ago but bandages make no sense.
As for him growing up, he continued to grow from SA1 to Sonic 06 and then regressed.
– Though the worst offence is probably the music, horrible.
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Trailer for the TV show looks horrible:
– “My name is Dr. Eggman!” _ No your name is Ivo Robotnik!
– Tails crashing in a plain and not flying out? Wtf?
Man I agree with you. The soundtracks for the older games were awesome and their voices weren’t so awkward and misused. I feel like this new show is trying too hard to be funny and dramatic at the same time.
I don’t mind the new looks, really. The taped up arms and legs make more sense than the Mickey Mouse-looking gloves of old, and I actually particularly like Tails and his goggles.
It looks like the gameplay is varied enough, part Sonic Adventure 2, part Sonic Heroes, and several new ideas injected, too. So long as the Knuckles stages don’t involve hovering around stale, static stages with bad music, I think we may be in good shape.
Cautiously optimistic, as always.
I think a lot of people who have been criticizing some of the makeover of the characters and some of the silliness of the cartoon are taking everything way too seriously.
SEGA stated from the very beginning that the Sonic Boom cartoon was geared towards children, so just because it doesn’t follow every law of physics or uses liberties for the sake of storytelling or humor doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. So what if Tails and Knuckles crashed on the floor instead of flying or hovering? It’s a kid’s cartoon. Seriously, guys.
I thought some of the jokes were pretty funny, and I liked that it kind of poked fun at itself. The animation looks great, as well.
As for the makeover of Sonic and the other characters, I don’t think they’re necessarily bad. Sure, it seems a bit weird that Sonic and some of the others have wraps on the hands or feet, but honestly, what can you change on characters who are generally naked save for gloves and shoes? Should they have given them all clothes or something?
What they’ve shown of the game itself, looks like it has potential. I think going back to the Sonic Heroes style of play but allowing up to four people to play simultaneously is a great idea, especially given that it’ll be on the Wii U and 3DS.
More than anything, though, I think it’s kind of weird that I just suggested on one of the latest Nerdcasts that SEGA give a Western company a chance to develop a console Sonic title instead of Sonic Team. I’m really excited to see what the folks at Big Red Button will do with the Wii U version.
To be fair(?), among “a lot of people” are vast pockets who will straight-up throw a tantrum if you use the name Eggman. SEGA’s got an uphill battle to try and please everybody, that’s for sure.
True, and I don’t think those people will be fully satisfied no matter what. If I were SEGA, I wouldn’t even try to appease those fans.
Someone shitted all over Sonic and is now giving it to back to us sonic fans. I remember when I was 11 years old and I was playing Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 Playing it now, yeah it wasn’t that great but their storylines were totally original and interesting. I remember trying so hard as a kid trying to finish all the characters story’s in the first game just to see Sonic turn Super in the end. That was epic, and as a kid I enjoyed it. I really have been hoping that they could make these new games more original and with deeper complex story lines that would keep me on my toes, that would totally save Sonic, not giving him a few inches of height and Jesus…what happened to Knuckles? Knuckles was awesome being small and that he had so much strength! Someone…just remake Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 with hd textures and better graphics then I’d be happy.
Terrible. Horrible. Here we go again SEGA. Close your doors, please, and let Sonic rest in peace.