With SEGA already releasing Sonic: Lost World and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games on the Wii U and 3DS, many of us have been left to wonder what the third game in their exclusivity deal with Nintendo would be. Today, we finally got that answer, and oh boy, has it caused quite a ruckus.
It turns out the rumors about the Sonic Boom cartoon becoming a video game came true. Indeed, there will be a Sonic Boom video game for the Wii U and 3DS, and from what SEGA’s shown so far, it appears the game feature co-op support for up to four players. The console version is being built on CryEngine 3.
The story will serve as a prequel for the Cartoon , which will air on Cartoon Network this fall, and will center on an adventure in an ancient land. The Wii U version is being developed by California-based Big Red Button, which was founded by former Naughty Dog developer Bob Raffei and has former Sonic Xtreme prototype co-lead designer and art director Chris Senn on staff. For the 3DS version, Sanzaru Games is developing it, and it’ll feature a different story and levels, while taking place in the same world as the cartoon and Wii U version. According to SEGA, Sonic Team is collaborating with both studios on their efforts.
As you can see from the images and videos, Sonic and his friends look quite different than they have in the past, and it’s sparked a wide chasm of response from fans. Some like it, and some hate it. What else is new, right?
Unfortunately for our little blue buddy, Sonic has had an identity crisis as of late, with some fans wanting him to appeal to their childhood memories, while others prefer the more modern Sonic Adventure style. Still, others have expressed interest in seeing Sonic evolve further, which is kind of the direction SEGA is now taking him in Sonic Boom.
Let’s be honest for a while, most of us loved Sonic since we were kids, but we’ve grown up. Sonic had to do that too but still has to appeal to future generations, so kids play an important role to him now, and he’s still cool to them.
Moreover, I don’t think the changes are that dramatic … aside from Knuckles looking like he’s been The Rock’s workout partner and Sonic getting blue arms and a hipster scarf. People do seem to hate the bandages, though, but overall, I think their design looks nice and carries over some their features from games of the past.
The TV series will run across 52 episodes, each being 11 minutes in length, and is being co-produced by OuiDO! Productions and SOA. Sonic Boom has an a official website and an official YouTube channel.
Lastly, Takara Tomy will be developing a toy line for the show, so expect good quality figures. Tomy has been making other SEGA related figures too, such as the Go Go 575 ones.
So what do you think about the new look? Tell us your thoughts about it!
