Less than a week ago, Sonic 1 received a Taxman/Stealth makeover for mobile platforms. The updated port has already cracked the Top 10 Paid Apps list in the US for both Google Play and the iOS App Store at #2 and #8, respectively. As we covered earlier, there are a ton of bonus features that more than warrant its $2.99 price tag. We encourage you to purchase the app, which you can find in the links below. After the jump you will also find some screenshots showcasing some of the bonus features (slight spoilers).
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If you’ve heard of the recent rumblings of the debug mode for the latest Sonic 1 port, you may not be aware of some of it’s hidden features that some of you die hard Sonic fans will get a kick out of. Rolling balls, goggles, animal buddies, unfinished editor features and more await you in this port, and we’ve got a video of almost two hours worth of content.
You have a number of ways for trying out the debug mode yourself. First start a “No Save” game and choose a character. If you have a controller plugged in you can use the traditional method of entering the cheat codes (Up, Down, Left, Right, Hold A + Start) or on the touch screen, after selecting. Otherwise, on the touch screen, tap the letters S-E-G-A in that order and listen for a ring chime. Then hold two fingers on the bottom of the touch screen. When the title screen appears, slide both fingers to the top of the screen to enter the level select.
Here you can enter the sound test for some additional cheats.
04, 01, 02, 06 – Obtain all emeralds
01, 09, 09, 01, 00, 06, 02, 03 – Debug mode.
To activate debug mode tap the GUI in the top left corner of the screen.
[UPDATE: It's now on the Google Play store.]
Ever wondered when Taxman and Stealth’s Sonic 1 Retro Engine remaster would be made available? Next week? Next month?! Well, in fact it is actually hitting both the iOS and Android as soon as today or tomorrow depending on your region and platform. Most regions should be seeing the iOS port as soon as right now, or at least tomorrow. As for Android, according to Taxman on the Retro Forums he says, “Thursday 16th PST for Android, US & Canada so you’ll have to wait a bit longer sorry.”
Android Police reports that Taxman and Stealth’s remastering of Sonic the Hedgehog will be released on Android and presumably iOS as well later this month for $2.99. Those who have already bought Sonic 1 on iOS will get this release as a free update. The site also released some gameplay footage of the Android version, which confirms that this is indeed Sonic 1 in widescreen running nice and smooth.
Also it has shows that Sonic can indeed use the spindash in this new version. The music isn’t present in this video, presumably because they aren’t done making the tracks sound nicer yet. The menu isn’t present either, as they probably aren’t allowed to share the neat new features. Also no zone title cards for some reason.
Sonic Stadium noticed on a job listing on LinkedIn for SEGA Hardlight that they are developing a new iOS game titled Sonic Dash. Hardlight has previously worked on Sonic Jump for iOS/Android and the PC version of Viking: Battle for Asgard. The job listing also says that they are working on both new IP and existing SEGA IP (such as Sonic). SEGA has already altered the job listing to remove any mention of Sonic Dash, but Sonic Stadium had screen capped before they removed it.
Going by the name, I think it’s safe to assume that this game will be in the style of endless runners like Canabalt and Temple Run (Which totally copied Sonic and the Secret Rings), or something level-based like Rayman: Jungle Run. Anyway, it seems like the drought of upcoming Sonic games that we know of is finally over!
[Source: Sonic Stadium]
A week after Sonic Jump got released for Android devices, the iOS version of the game has suddenly become free. If this is just a one-day deal or a permanent price drop is unknown, but seeing how this sort of deal happens often with iOS games it’s most likely the former. So if you have an iPhone or iPad and like free stuff, you might want to go get it.
You can grab Sonic Jump here. Note that all the things in the in-game store do still cost money. The game still costs two bucks for Android users, so if you’re one and are willing to pay money for it you can go buy it here.
[Via Wario64 on Twitter]
Update: Turns out this is part of the 12 Days of Christmas promotion on the App Store, meaning that it’s only free until tomorrow, January 1st.
All Stars Racing Transformed is only a little over a month away at this point. With this close to release, a number of people may be looking to retire their copy of Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing. Comparing the two is almost like comparing apples to oranges. That said it still acts as an important stepping stone that deserves an honorable mention. Before it becomes overshadowed from it’s upcoming sequel, we rattled the memories of Executive Producer at Sumo Digital Steve Lycett in an E-mail interview regarding development for Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing and what it’s sequel has benefited from their efforts.