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.
We all remember Sonic 2 HD and how it regrettably met its end not long after releasing a playable demo of Emerald Hill Zone due to internal controversy. Just because the door on that project closed though doesn’t mean that this was the end for them. Some of the team, now working under PagodaWest Games, put their talents toward a brand new IP for iOS systems called Major Magnet.
Retro Engine creator and the man behind the 2011 digital port of Sonic CD Christian “Taxman” Whitehead confirmed as much in a tweet to his followers earlier today congratulating the group on the successes the dev’s title has met, including an Editor’s Choice award from Apple itself.
While Sonic 2 HD may be resting eternally, definitely give these guys some love and pick up the game on your iOS device and hope that they can bring the game over to other platforms. Good job, PagodaWest!
Turns out Pocket Gamer France was right about Sonic Dash releasing on Thursday. Hardlight said on Twitter (before removing the tweets) that the game will be released at midnight for $1.99/£1.49. Unless you live in New Zealand, then the game is already out for you.
Touch Gameplay has recorded some gameplay footage, which can be viewed above. It shows that you’ll be able to unlock Tails, Knuckles and Amy as playable characters and that it is indeed a Temple Run-style game. Though instead of having to tilt the device to move, you swipe with your finger left and right to let Sonic do a quick step. Graphically it looks pretty good, it seems to be using the Sonic Generations models for Sonic and some of the enemies. Also, microtransactions, because that’s a thing you can earn money with on iOS.
[Source: SEGADriven]
SEGA has officially announced Sonic Dash for iOS. According to their press release the game will be a 3D endless runner, probably in the style of Temple Run and the like. The stage nobody at SEGA can seemingly get enough of, Seaside Hill, will be present in this game. When Pocket Gamer France reported on the game last Thursday they said that the scenery will change as you get further, so it could be that more than one zone will be represented. There will also be leaderboards that show your friends’ best times.
Pocket Gamer France also reported that the game will be released this Thursday, March 7th. It’s not unusual for an iOS game to be released shortly after its announcement. For example, Hardlight’s previous game Sonic Jump was released two weeks after it’s announcement. Sonic Dash will be released on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
[Source: SEGA Blog and Pocket Gamer France]