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We know that Sonic Generations represents a sort of back-to-basics approach, with a focus on classic and modern Sonic gameplay. But is it so back-to-basics that it's devoid of Sonic's extended cast of characters? We asked director Hiroshi Miyamoto if Sonic's friends would show up in the new game.

"We really wanted to encapsulate 20 years of Sonic characters," Miyamoto told Joystiq, "so we've got those really memorable bosses, we've got memorable rivals as well that you can play against; so far we've announced Metal Sonic and Shadow."

In addition to those adversarial characters, "There's many friends in there as well." He added something that almost made us really scared: "We've tried to include as many friends as possible." Oh ...

"They're not playable, but there are many friends." Oh!

While every game ever battles it out for a lucrative spot in yet another financially ruinous November, Sonic Generations grabs the first available date for its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. Sega's brisk, blast-processed stroll down memory lane will launch on November 1 in North America, and November 4 in Europe (where you can also obtain an elaborate special edition).

Sega has only confirmed the launch dates for Sonic's console outings at this time. The 3DS version, which features platform-exclusive levels and a two-player versus mode, is scheduled for "late 2011."

Just like in Europe, Sonic Generations on 3DS is without a firm release date in North America and Australia. November is the best answer we can get, with North America looking at a 'Late 2011' release. Thanks to Shadzter for the heads up!

#sonicthehedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog is now 20-years-old. To celebrate, Sega is bringing two Sonics together in Sonic Generations for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. To sweeten the deal, Sonic gets a rare "collector's edition" bundle, full of collectible tchotchkes. More »

If you're a long-time Sonic fan, it's likely that Sega has already gotten you with Sonic Generations, which celebrates the character's history. But now, the publisher has smartly guaranteed that all those same fans will upgrade to the new collector's edition -- by including a gold ring, something that every Sonic fan exhibits a Pavlovian response to. Ironically, it appears to be a paperweight, and thus designed to make things stop moving.

Along with that trinket, the set includes a statuette of Sonic and his pal Sonic, an artbook with unseen illustrations from the series, a 20th anniversary soundtrack, and a documentary called "History of Sonic: Birth of an Icon." Oh, and there's a PS3 or Xbox 360 copy of the actual game, and a DLC voucher.

This is even more stuff than was included in retail listings for the Collector's Edition. But a few important things won't be part of the deal: there won't be a Collector's Edition for the 3DS version, and there won't be an American release either. This is for Europe only.

Check out more screens here

It’s two decades since Sonic first sped onto your screen, and in honour of the world’s favourite hedgehog, the best of past and present have been combined in a 3D sprint down memory lane, in Sonic Generations for Nintendo 3DS. Strap yourself in for the ultimate Sonic adventure as you ‘see double’ and experience the sound barrier-breaking fun in a whole new dimension.

Strange things are afoot in Sonic’s world as mysterious time holes appear, whisking Sonic and pals back in time. Our spiky blue hero will meet all sorts of familiar faces, both friend and foe, as well as his younger self. Past and present will need to team up to fight for the future against the forces of evil.

Jaw-dropping tricks and traps await you on each inventive level, whether you’re racing round brand new courses or revisiting old favourites. You can play as either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic, each with their own track through the levels and their own stylish skills and mega moves. You’ll use old-school spin-dash attacks with Classic Sonic, or master the ‘Sonic Boost’ move with Modern Sonic. You’ll also get to see the levels in a different light as Sonic rescues his captured friends, who can then join him in replays of the levels.

This Nintendo 3DS adventure includes an unlockable special stage as well as missions and collectables available via StreetPass. The 3D Screen display gives your Sonic experience more depth, meaning you’ll be fully immersed in the action as the levels take on glorious stereoscopic dimensions.

Whether you’re a longstanding fan of Sonic, or you’re new to his fast-paced world, Sonic Generations on Nintendo 3DS is the perfect way to experience Sonic gaming in fifth gear.

* Multi-Card Play offers a two-player Versus Mode so you can take on a friend to earn status points and compete to see who’s the fastest hedgehog on the block

* Receive new unlockable content including new missions via StreetPass as you interact with other players when you’re out and about

* Use Play Coins to unlock whole new challenges

* Legendary levels from Sonic’s history come alive in glorious stereoscopic 3D

One of the first games I ever owned was Sonic the Hedgehog on the Game Gear. I took it everywhere, a security blanket with buttons. So it was more than a touch nostalgic to get hands-on with Sonic on the 3DS, with its comparable form-factor and vividly-coloured screen. And I guess that's the point of the game itself. Sonic Generations is all about reliving the past, commemorating the history of one of video games' most iconic characters. It's both a retrospective and a love letter...

Sonic the Hedgehog is more than just a blue creature who runs quickly. He's a mascot, a hero, an inspiration to many ... and now, in honor of the 20th anniversary of his first game, he's a guitar. The Japanese branch of guitar company ESP has partnered with Sega to make a limited edition Sonic electric guitar designed to look like Sega musician Jun Senoue's. It features the hedgehog's smirking face on the body, and his shoe on the headstock.

It'll be available through the end of the year for ¥136,500 ($1782). After the break, Senoue demonstrates with a little Sonic music. You can find more of his playing at the ESP site.

If you're looking for a much, much cheaper collectible, the Belgian Post is launching a series of Sonic stamps on August 29.

[Thanks, Jake.]

Below the video interview you can see a translation of the answers...


Direct link here
Interviewer: "You're working on Sonic Generations. Sonic has followed me my whole life. And in the past 20 years, there also have been games that were'nt so good from sonic. how is this game coming back to the old school quality?

Iizuka: "It's going to be Sonic's 20th Anniversary, and therefore there are more generations of fans.There are people like you, who've played Sonic for 20 years, but there are also newer fans who got to know him from the cartoons. We want to convert the best aspects of Sonic into something that all different fans can like. That's why we try to produce a connection between the sonic features, from the first sonic with the sicescrolling-phase until the modern sonic features."

Interviewer: "What makes this sonic game so special, compared to the other sonic games? Are we going to see some new features or does it stay with the classic sonic gameplay?"

Iizuka: "This game will tell the entire history of sonic. Because of that it's not important to insert new ideas. We want to connect the classic and modern features through a timetravel of the sonic series."

Interviewer: "Which familliar characters will we see in this sonic generations game? Are we gonna see the return of tails? Who is gonna be in this game?"

Iizuka: "The classic and modern sonic are playable, because the game is about the history of the sonic series. However we try to have as many of the charming and unique characters of the past 20 years of the sonic series in the game, ex. Tails, knuckels or shadow. In some missions you can play minigames with the friends of sonic."

Interviewer: "Talking about minigames with friends: how does it look with multiplayer, what can we expect there?"

Iizuka: "No, The playstation 3 and xbox 360 are singleplayer only. The nintendo 3DS, which is developing in the same time, will be multiplayer through wifi."

Interviewer: "will there be a Wii U version?"

Iizuka: "Too bad, no. Sonic generations is only for the Playstation 3, xbox 360 and the 3DS"

- Sonic's friends gather at a picnic to celebrate his 20th anniversary
- a mysterious dark force intrudes and sends everyone, Sonic included, back in time
- while trying to find a way back home, Sonic bumps into classic Sonic and classic friends as well

Thanks to Immewnity for the heads up!

#sonicgenerations Or, at least all the crap that used to be associated with them. More »

These details may or may not pertain to the 3DS outing of Sonic Generations. We'll share them with you just incase they do cross over.

- Modern Sonic will talk but Classic Sonic won't
- Classic Tails will speak on behalf of Classic Sonic when the two Sonics meet up
- Classic Sonic's skills may expand beyond spin dashing and jumping

#sonicthehedgehog For Sonic the Hedgehog's 20th anniversary, Sega and Sonic Team will bring two versions of its mascot—in "classic" and "modern" flavors—together for a time-traveling, old school-meets-new school adventure. But only one of those Sonics will actually speak in Sonic Generations. More »

Time to check in with Mario and Sonic ... and Sonic and Sonic. We've overloaded this post with blue hedgehogs, by presenting new Gamescom trailers for both Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the already Sonic-laden Sonic Generations.

#sonic There's only two Tails, but each Tails has two tails, making it four tails. See, I used the capitalization of the headline as misdirection! Just watch the video. More »

After so many disappointing Sonic games, Sega is picking a safer formula and remaking chunks of old Sonic games, almost pixel-by-pixel. At least, that appears to be the case in this Sonic Generations video from Gameswelt.tv. Behold: The Chemical Plant Zone (and City Escape, if you want something more modern).

Travel with Sonic gameplay through the ages!

Sega has revealed yet another all-too-familiar playground for Sonic Generations' twin Hedgehogs: the hazardous, pipe-permeated Chemical Plant Zone. Check out Sonic, Sonic and Metal Sonic's escapades in the new-old level in the gallery below!

#watchthis Celebrating the 20th anniversary of its spiky blue mascot and the upcoming double-stuffed Sonic Generations, Sega show us how far Sonic has come, how far he's gone off course, and how Sonic the Werehog gameplay never really counted. More »

SEGA released today a retrospective trailer for Sonic Generations, showing off Sonic's appearances in video games over the last 20 years...

Well I know that my excitement meter just broke for Sonic Generations.  Seeing that they’ve decided to add Chemical Plant Zone made me jump with glee the moment I saw the first images, but then more surprises were waiting when I clicked the link.  A stage featuring none other than one of my favorite characters [...]