All articles tagged with #sonic the hedgehog
SEGA says Sonic is a symbol that drives the company's broader IP strategy, but it missed its goal of globally expanding Sonic-related titles and the latest Sonic game didn’t meet sales expectations; the company will add selling power to each title, even as Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds sales were disappointing, with DLC plans (Godzilla and Evangelion) still on the horizon.
Sega, teamed with iam8bit, is reissuing the original Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on $100 NTSC Genesis-compatible Legacy Cartridges to celebrate Sonic’s 35th anniversary. The sets ship in Q3 2026 and include a full-color booklet and restored artwork, with a rare “Chaos Emerald” variant appearing in 1 of every 8 cartridges. Pre-orders are live, and the releases echo iam8bit’s past legacy cartridges for classic games. Also announced during the anniversary stream are Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition for Switch 2 and two physical Switch collections (Classic Sonic: Origins, Mania, Superstars; Modern Sonic: Frontiers, Colors: Ultimate, Forces) due in October at $49.99. Sega’s broader 35th-anniversary plans include digital content, fan events, merch and more, plus a new narrative podcast.
SEGA will host a Sonic the Hedgehog 35th birthday live stream on June 23 at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET, available on YouTube and Twitch, featuring gameplay, activities, music, and a charity fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with hosts Jacki Jing, GamesCage, RogersBase and a roster of guests.
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka said he'd love to have every Sonic game ever released playable on current hardware, but porting and remastering costs would be roughly the same as making a new title, so Sega is prioritizing new experiences. Sega has pursued remasters like Sonic Generations, and there’s potential for more DLC for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds depending on sales and fan demand.
Former Sega of America VP Mike Fischer claims Yuji Naka stole credit for Sonic the Hedgehog, calling him 'the most miserable person I’ve ever worked with' and recounting an incident where Naka refused to sit with Naoto Ohshima; Fischer also notes Naka's alleged conviction and highlights Ohshima’s contributions, with Fischer’s career context across Sega, Namco, Microsoft and Epic.
A feature on how ultra-fast gameplay challenges human cognition, using Landfall’s Haste as a centerpiece to show speed-by-design can capture the rush without sacrificing control, then branching into industry perspectives with Sunset Visitor/Black Tabby Publishing’s Prove You’re Human, the indie rhythm-game surge led by People Of Note, and a critical look at Life Is Strange: Reunion that weighs fan service against narrative impact.
Kristen Bell has closed a deal to voice Amy Rose in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, with Jeff Fowler returning as director. Paramount has slated a March 19, 2027 release, joining a cast that includes Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Keanu Reeves as Shadow, among other returning stars from the franchise.
David Rosen, a Brooklyn-born entrepreneur who transformed a photo booth venture in Japan into Sega Enterprises, died Dec. 25 in Los Angeles at 95. Over four decades, he helped elevate arcade and home gaming, contributing to a burgeoning industry now valued at about $200 billion with iconic titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage.
Sega released a nostalgia-filled trailer to mark Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th anniversary and signaled a year of partnerships, collectibles, fan events, and potential new game announcements in 2026, highlighting Sonic's journey from the Mega Drive debut to films, LEGO, and cross-media appearances, with June 21, 2026 as the official anniversary date.
SEGA reveals a comprehensive 2026 Sonic 35th anniversary slate, kicking off with an anniversary trailer and rolling out digital retrospectives, fan meet-ups, limited merchandise, museum pop-ups, live concerts, and a brand-new narrative podcast, with more content to be announced throughout the year.
Sega has partnered with Waze to introduce Sonic the Hedgehog as a voice navigation option, adding a fun and energetic element to driving with Sonic-themed icons and moods, as part of Sega's broader collaborations and marketing campaigns.
The IOC and SEGA have announced a multi-year licensing deal featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, with a first look at artwork combining Sonic and Olympic symbols, and plans for merchandise releases in 2026, emphasizing the values of sport and play.
Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog has entered a multi-year licensing partnership with the International Olympic Committee, featuring a collaboration that combines Olympic values with Sonic branding, and plans for merchandise collections launching in 2026.
Puma has announced a limited edition Sonic the Hedgehog collection launching on October 30, 2025, featuring apparel and accessories inspired by Sonic, Tails, and Shadow, along with in-game decals for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, celebrating the game's release.
LEGO has announced a new Sonic the Hedgehog set featuring a microscale SEGA Genesis controller with 260 pieces, priced at $19.99, which can be displayed in two ways and includes customizable stickers and a Green Hill Zone scene on the back.