Monthly Archives

June 2013

A Very Happy 22nd Birthday to Our Favorite Little Friend

June 23, 1991. 22 years ago today, the world was hit with a concept unlike any other. Sega was gunning for the king’s throne from Nintendo and it had just launched its meal ticket to do just that. Amazed from the cutting edge looks and bright colors not seen meshed together so elegantly before, the world was captivated and a new star was born.

It’s been a rough couple of years for this little bugger, but many can agree that he’s made an amazing rebound in the past few years, like a teenager who pissed away the best years of his life only to realize, “Well, damn, son, I need to get my act together.”

And while we all have different opinions about the character, whether we like his classic stout look or the lankier taller look, we can all agree that without him, these past 22 years would not have been possible at all.

So join us as at the Sonic Retro family of sites raises its glass to one of Sega’s most influential mascots.

Happy 22nd Birthday, Motobug! Please enjoy playing through his exciting debut adventure one more time.

June 23, 2013 by GeneHF

Community, Fan Works, Hacking

Sonic Hacking Contest 2013 Now Open for Registration

Rev up your disassemblies, it’s that time of the year where aspiring Sonic game hackers get their chance to show off new game ideas once more. Registration for the 2013 Sonic Hacking Contest is now open. In the past, the contest has seen magnificent entries such as the highly-praised Sonic Megamix or the blistering fast (and brutally difficult) Sonic Boom.

Novice hackers of course shouldn’t be so intimidated to enter after seeing names like those, since all it takes is a little creativity to strike gold. Robotnik’s Revenge, anyone?

This year is promised to be the biggest year for the contest according to contest judge SuperEgg.

Yes folks, this year all the stops have been pulled, and media coverage wasn’t an exception. For years, this contest had been only covered by MegaGWolf, but this year is going to be different. Through many hours of research and development, the judges realized that the need to bring attention to this community gem has been lacking, and something needed to be done about it.

I took the initiative and invited one of the ever popularly growing YouTube reveiwer, SomeCallMeJohnny, to play with us during this contest. He will be making a series of videos reviewing the hacks in the contest. Another incentive to make sure your hacks are tip top shape for contest, eh?

Johnny is a cool guy, so be nice. No promises that he won’t bite, cause you never know, the evil Sonic hat could easily possess him again……

With more eyes on the contest than ever before, it’s time to see what all the hackers out there, talented or otherwise, can really do. To submit an entry, vote and comment, you must have a Sonic Retro OR a Sonic Stuff Research Group account that has gone through the respective site’s trial period. Exceptions will be considered, so don’t let this be a deterrent.

Submissions must be done through the contest’s website, located here.

June 22, 2013 by GeneHF

Game News

Shadow the Hedgehog Now Available on PSN in Japan

Once thought to be an April Fools joke when it was announced, Shadow the Hedgehog is now available on PSN in Japan. It’s being released as a “PS2 Classic”, meaning it’s just the PS2 version running in an emulator. Do note that this was easily the worst version, so it might be best to get the game for Gamecube or Xbox instead. Or you can just ignore it and forget that it ever existed like I did until just now.

The classic hasn’t been announced for release yet in the US and Europe, but it can be bought using a Japanese PSN account for 1,200 yen.

[Via Siliconera, video by shadowlink4321]

June 19, 2013 by TimmiT

Community, Fan Works, Music

Sonic After the Sequel Releases Today

Another fine release by Lake Feperd (and his crew of musical co-horts) today as Sonic After the Sequel which is a fan-made sequel to Sonic Before the Sequel which was a prequel to Sonic the Hedgehog 2. You can visit this link here to grab the game for yourself. Pretty impressive considering the previous release was only a year ago, yet retains its own unique level themes, branching paths and more. In addition, Lake Feperd has announced a few months ago that he is working on a new Sonic fan game titled Sonic Chrono Adventure which takes inspiration from other titles such as Sonic CD and involves time travel and more open world gameplay.

But don’t get ahead of yourself, check out After the Sequel today! While you’re waiting, you can view the release trailer shown above.

June 15, 2013 by Bartman3010

Game News

E3 2013: Mario and Sonic 2014 Assets and Info

You know what? The fact that this is the fourth Mario and Sonic games so far warms my heart a bit. There’ll be people who read this who could care less about this game’s existence. I’d get this if I had people to play the game with honestly. From a design perspective, this is a pretty ingenious way to combine the two franchises together directly and have it make sense. Plus if it means more things like this, then by all means. Its the second of three Sonic games published by Nintendo.

Mario and Sonic go for the gold!
Join Mario and Sonic and the rest of your favorite characters as they team up and compete in events at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Features:

Experience realistic events from the Winter Games, including curling, skiing, figure skating pairs and snowboard slopestyle, which will make its Olympic Games debut in Sochi, Russia.
In addition to these realistic events, the game also includes Dream Events set in the worlds of Sonic and Mario that let players perform dynamic moves not possible in real life. For example, experience the adrenaline rush of Winter Sports Champion Race, a mixed event that combines skiing, snowboarding, skating and bobsleigh in a single race.
The Wii U GamePad controller and the first use of Wii Remote Plus functionality in the series offers greater depth of control and intuitive game play that immerses players in each event.

Here’s a load of E3 assets after the jump.

[Source: Nintendo Press]

June 12, 2013 by Bartman3010

Game News

Updated: E3 2013: Sonic Lost Worlds Assets and Release Date

Update: We asked Sega community manager Kellie Parker to clarify on the release date, she has confirmed the date is currently set for Holiday 2013 as Gonintendo’s article is incorrect. In addition, Sega has released a trailer for the Nintendo 3DS version which can be seen here.

Sega has brought the E3 asset dump truck to bring you more information on Sonic Lost World including a release date set for ~~October 13th~~. In addition, you get to know the names of the Deadly Six: Zavok, Zazz, Zeena, Zik, Zomom and Zor.

Overview

When the Deadly Six threaten to destroy his world, Sonic’s new moves and power-ups are the only way to defeat them before it’s too late!

In his latest plot to defeat Sonic and rule the world, Dr. Eggman has harnessed the power of six menacing creatures known as the Deadly Six. However, when the Deadly Six rise up against their new master, Sonic must unite with his arch nemesis Eggman and explore the mystical Lost Hex in order to take them on head-to-head. Use Sonic’s amazing new moves and incredible Color Powers to speed across a variety of unique terrains, racing inside, outside and upside down in every level.

Key Features

Sonic moves like never before. Vault over obstacles, free run up and along walls, and sky dive between islands at lightning speed. Plus the Spin Dash is back!

Execute new and improved Color Powers. Sonic can now fly through the air, tear up levels and explode into enemies. He’s more powerful than ever!

Speed through a variety of exhilarating levels. Explore massive mind-bending courses, vast underground tunnels and colossal structures in the sky as you run inside, outside and upside down.

Save the world one fight at a time. Take on each of the devious Deadly Six in dynamic boss battles which test all of Sonic’s moves and power-ups.

Race friends in high speed multiplayer races. Take them down across a range of ultra-competitive levels and modes – it’s the ultimate supersonic showdown!

Wii U Exclusive Features

Wield the Wii U™ GamePad to execute exclusive Color Powers – tilt, touch, aim and more.

Someone wants to watch TV? No problem! Play the full game using only the GamePad screen.

Share and charge up items by sending them into the Miiverse™ to share with players around the world.

Play together. Have a friend pilot radio controlled gadgets to help Sonic by destroying enemies and obstacles.

Race against a friend as you play on the GamePad screen and they play on the TV.

3DS Exclusive Features

The first handheld Sonic game ever to feature fully realized Nintendo 3D levels.

Unleash Color Powers exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.

Exclusive Special Stages! Tilt using the Motion Sensor to navigate hair-raising levels and obtain the elusive Chaos Emeralds.

Create and customize radio controlled gadgets to help Sonic.

Race against friends locally through ad-hoc and online through network play.

PLUS: Share your gadgets between the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions.

You’ll find the rest of the E3 assets after the jump including the trailer.

[Source: Nintendo Press, Gonintendo] Continue Reading

June 11, 2013 by Bartman3010

Game News

Plenty of New Sonic Lost World Gameplay Footage

Recently an IGN staffer tweeted that today they’d put up more Sonic Lost World stuff, and they certainly delivered. Above you can see 12 minutes of gameplay showcasing one Windy Hill act and two Desert Ruins acts with commentary from IGN guy and Aaron Webber. You can also see Sonic’s new moves, the return of the Wisp abilities and Aaron Webber failing to get to an alternate path. IGN also put up a new preview with some new details.

Besides the Wii U gameplay above, there are also three gameplay clips of the 3DS version (made by DIMPS) for you to watch on your computer monitor after the jump.

June 7, 2013 by TimmiT

Game News

Three Sonic Games to Arrive on Ouya

Loops to be Defied Laws of Physics

As revealed by Games Industry International, Sega has announced three Sonic the Hedgehog titles will be made available for the OUYA Console. The three being Sonic the Hedgehog 4 – Episode I, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 – Episode II, and Sonic CD. No release dates have been revealed, however all three games will be priced at $6.99 with demo versions available for each. Why they cost more compared to the other platforms they’ve been released on has not been made clear, all three games are reported to be optimized for the NVidia Tegra 3™ chipset, the best in mobile chipsets, nothing can beat NVidia Tegra 3™. NVidia Tegra 3™. This may also mean other functions such as two player simultaneous will be possible with Episode II and other minute enhancements.

Release dates have not been announced, however the OUYA will be released on June 25th and is likely to launch with the games available from their store.

[Source: GamesIndustry International]

June 6, 2013 by Bartman3010

Community, Fan Works, Hacking, Humor

Fan-Game Frenzy: Sonic Doom II – Bots on Mobius

Watch live video from vidyaretro on TwitchTV

Have you subscribed to our Twitch channel? We’ve been doing some streams to mess about while we prepare for the next Retro Community Day (Which is likely to happen soon!) When you subscribe, you’ll learn about when we do some unannounced streams. (That is, what we don’t announce on the front page.)

Last Friday, me and the Retro crew sat through the precursor of Sonic Robo Blast 2; Sonic Doom 2 – Bots on Mobius, a total conversion of Doom II: Hell on Earth that attempts to bring the aesthetics of the Sonic universe with guns. Well, sort of. We play through the mod to it’s completion, for better or worse as I jog my memory of this mod from over 10 years ago. Sonic fan games during the 90’s were certainly something else and somehow, I spent some time of my youth playing this. Probably more than I should have.

If you want to play the mod for yourself, SSNTails recently updated the mod to be compatible with zDoom and you can find it here.

June 5, 2013 by Bartman3010