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| (Image Source: GameSpot/SEGA) |
Sonic The Hedgehog is now 30 years old. Since its debut in 1991 for the 16-bit Sega Genesis video game system, one of the most iconic and most memorable characters in video game history has been everywhere - from his main games and spinoffs during the 16-bit era to his mixed bag of 3D action-adventure platformers on next-gen consoles, from cartoons to a blockbuster movie with a sequel coming out in the foreseeable future. In celebration of the Blue Blur's 30th year anniversary, a handful of surprises were announced at the recent Sonic Central livestream featuring new games, remasters of classics, mobile game events and more.
Headlining these surprises is Sonic Colors: Ultimate, a remastered version of the 2010 platformer, set to be released on September 7, 2021 for the Sony PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and the PC. Developed by Blind Squirrel Games, the game sports an updated look and feel, new features and a new Rival Rush mode. Like the classic game, Sonic Colors: Ultimate sees Dr. Eggman's interstellar amusement park powered by a sinister source. The big bad has captured aliens called Wisps to fuel the park and it is up to Sonic to save them. In celebration of its upcoming release, Sega announced a two-part animated series dubbed Sonic Colors: Rise Of The Wisps with long-time Sonic voice actor Roger Craig Smith reprising his role as the speedy blue critter in this short slated for a summer release.
Meanwhile, old and new Sonic fans can get a chance to experience playing classic Sonic games on modern consoles with the Sonic Origins compilation featuring Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD among others. Sonic Forces, Sonic Mania and Team Sonic Racing are available on PlayStation Now while Sonic Mania will come to the Epic Games Store on June 24. Sonic Mania and Team Sonic Racing will be included in Amazon Luna's library of games later within the year. Players of Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, Sonic Dash and Sonic Racing can expect exciting in-game events where they get limited-time gear, costumes and characters.
You may also catch the chilidog-loving hedgehog as he drops in on other games this year. Dress up in full Sonic gear in Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - The Official Video Game and deck your Two-Point Hospital space with Sonic-themed items and characters. Meanwhile, in Lost Judgment, you can visit any Sega arcade in the game to play the arcade-exclusive fighting game Sonic The Fighters. Sonic fans should also look forward to the Sonic Prime animated series coming soon on Netflix. Created and produced by Man Of Action, the 24-episode series follows Sonic's adventure where he is thrust into a strange and mysterious Shatterverse. The gloved hero will not only be racing to save the universe but also finding himself in a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
Closing out the Sonic Central livestream is a teaser for an upcoming Sonic game. Details for the said game are yet to be disclosed, but it is set to be released in 2022 for the PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. For more updates on Sonic's 30th year anniversary celebration, visit www.sonic30th.com. In case you want to catch up more on these announcements, you may watch the full Sonic Central livestream below courtesy of IGN.
