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Sega has announced not one but two new Sonic games for release in 2017.
The first is Sonic Mania, a title that resembles the original 2D pixel art releases that kickstartered the franchise. Though the game comes with entirely new levels and characters, it also features ‘classic’ gameplay as well as reimagined levels from Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic CD, Sonic 3, and Sonic and Knuckles.
It is being developed by PagodaWest Games with the help of Christian Whitehead and Simon Thomley, the indie development duo who remastered the original Sonic games for mobile devices. It is set for a digital release in spring 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
The second title is a 3D release that is being made by Sonic Team, the developers behind Sonic Colors and Generations. This game – dubbed Project Sonic at the moment – is coming out for both physically and digitally at the end of 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, NX and PC. This is the second third-party game announced for NX, following Just Dance 2017.
Sonic Mania was born out of our fans’ love of the classic Sonic 2D platform games,” said Sonic Team head, Takashi Iizuka.
This type of collaboration is a first for Sega and we hope everyone will be both surprised and delighted by this title. Sonic Mania has been a passion project for the entire team and we look forward to sharing more details about it later this year. Having the game actually playable at the event itself tonight was testament to the dedication of the team behind it.”
Sonic chief brand office and SVP of Sega of America Ivo Gerscovich added: Today brought thousands of fans together from all over the world to get a look at all the facets of our beloved Sonic the Hedgehog from his foundation in video games to music, TV, mobile, toys, fashion and beyond. This is only the beginning for Sonic and we’re happy our fans were here to celebrate this exciting new direction.”
Here is the upbeat Sonic Mania trailer:
And here’s a look at the more edgy and apocalyptic Project Sonic:
