Sonic Rumor Roundup: Sonic Toys Party leaks and whispers of Sonic Heroes remake

It seems these days, unless you’re constantly on social media and following a handful of oddly named accounts with shadowy account owners, you’re probably not going to be clued into what Sonic rumors are swirling around. Heck, even I had to crosscheck most of the stuff dropping this week as it seemed news was leaked and then dispelled within a few hours from the same people. So what is going on in the world of Sonic?

Jakks Pacific reveals first wave of Walmart exclusive SEGA action figures featuring Streets of Rage, Super Monkey Ball and Altered Beast

SEGA has been slowly dropping reveals of new SEGA action figures from Jakks Pacific on social media, and thanks to SEGA employee Mike Cisneros it has been confirmed that the first wave of figures has been fully revealed. Releasing exclusively at Walmart stores, the characters are Axel Stone from Streets of Rage, Aiai from Super Monkey Ball and the Werewolf transformation from Altered Beast. In addition to multiple points of articulation, the figures will also come packed with accessories. While Axel has seen a premium figure released featuring his Streets of Rage 4 look, the upcoming figure from Jakks Pacific is the first time (to my knowledge) that his original Genesis/Mega Drive look has been given a figure. Aiai, meanwhile, is no stranger to action figures, as he and some of his monkey friends had figures released by GamePro and JoyRide Studios around 20 years ago. The Werewolf form from Altered Beast has seen statues and vinyl toys, but this would be his first action figure release.

We should be seeing these at stores and hopefully online in the coming weeks, and if they sell well enough we should see a wave two! In the comments, let us know what SEGA characters you’d like to see in action figure form!

SEGA Talk #136: SEGA World – International (1990s)

This episode we take another week off from games to talk about theme parks, specifically the short lived ‘SEGA World’ range of theme parks that went on from the UK to South Korea!

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Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGA appoints former Disney exec Justin Scarpone as new executive to lead global transmedia strategy

It looks like SEGA wants to increase their global presence, as they just recently announced former Walt Disney executive Justin Scarpone as the Executive Vice President, Head of Global Transmedia Group for SEGA effective April 1st, 2024. Justin is probably most well known for launching a little indie title known as Kingdom Hearts. Between the Sonic movies and the New Energy, New Era lineup of video game revivals, it looks like SEGA is serious about expanding their presence. Welcome to the team, Justin. Word of advice: don’t talk to Sonic fans on social media.

After the break, check out the full press release!

Red vs. Blue – Sonic X Angry Birds mobile event sees the two franchises cross paths in multiple games

It finally happened. Sonic and Angry Birds are teaming up for a mobile crossover event! Five mobile games – Sonic Forces, Angry Birds 2, Sonic Dash, Angry Birds Dream Blast, and Angry Birds Friends – will feature new events where Sonic and the Angry Birds characters cross paths. Characters from both franchises join forces in these events to defeat Dr. Eggman and the Pigs. The Sonic and Angry Birds Mobile Crossover Event is happening now from March 14 to March 21 on both iOS and Android platforms.

SEGA Announces Puyo Puyo Puzzle Pop; Launches April 4th Exclusively On Apple Arcade!

Today, SEGA has announced that another entry to their iconic matching puzzle themed franchise, Puyo Puyo Puzzle Pop, will be making its way exclusively to Apple Arcade. The mobile title will have the cherished classic gameplay on the go for new and veterans alike with tons of fun features including:

  • Single Player & Multiplayer Modes (Endless, Lesson, Online)
  • 24 Playable Characters
  • All-new Voice casted Story
  • Optional Rules (Puyo Puyo 2 or Puyo Puyo Fever)
  • Additional Rules & Characters in future updates.

Puyo Puyo Puzzle Pop will be available exclusively for Apple Arcade on April 4th.

 

Celebrating the SEGA Dreamcast Legacy: Join the Newgrounds Dreamcast Collab!


Artwork by @inksaji on Twitter

Are you an artist or animator who grew up with the SEGA Dreamcast and its games, such as Sonic Adventure, Shenmue, and Power Stone? Look no further! A group of SEGA Dreamcast fans, led by shleptboi, is gathering to create the ultimate collab on Newgrounds to celebrate the legacy of the console and its video games. They’re seeking tons of talent for the project, whether you’re an artist, animator, musician, voice actor, etc.

Currently, the project has over 200 artists/animators contributing and continues to grow. You can join in on the collaboration as well. Be sure to read the guidelines for the project and check the spreadsheet to see how you can contribute. The deadline for the Newgrounds Dreamcast Collab is June 2nd, so don’t miss out on sharing your love and favorite memories of the Sega Dreamcast! We’re excited to see how the project turns out!

SEGA Talk #135: Unreleased Sonic Movies – Trilogy Entertainment Group (1994-1995)

On this special SEGA Talk podcast we will be looking at newly found information on a very early script pitched by Trilogy Entertainment Group for SEGA and MGM, plus we look at the famous re-write that has also made its way to the wild. Get your popcorn ready!

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Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

Long lost 1994 Sonic the Hedgehog movie treatment from Trilogy Entertainment Group uncovered and archived

In 1994, Trilogy Entertainment Group, who were behind such films as Tank Girl and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, partnered with MGM and SEGA to develop a movie that would evoke the same sense of entertainment found in films like Batman and Jurassic Park. The first of these attempts to be publicly known was actually the second attempt (we’ll get to the first attempt shortly).

Written by contracted screenwriter Richard Jeffries, “Sonic: Wonders of the World” was an eight page treatment written in 1995 that saw a Roger Rabbit-esque story of Sonic and Robotnik emerging from a child’s television as the video game world met the real world in a high stakes adventure. This treatment was discovered in March 2022 by Jacob Berkley who was researching for his book “The Complete History of Sonic SatAM”, and despite missing pages 6 and 7, the treatment gives a solid idea of how the film would play out.

However, little did Sonic fandom know that an earlier treatment existed. In fact, it has been something of a white whale for me for the past eight years and something I’ve kept a secret until recently. The first treatment sees a totally different take on the story of Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic is a teenage boy named Jimmy Hedgeman who fights a fingerless bioengineer named Dr. Paul Elleson. But before we get to the content of the treatment, let me tell you how the treatment was discovered…

SEGA Announces Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble for Nintendo Switch

Today, SEGA has announced a brand-new Super Monkey Ball game during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase for the Nintendo Switch titled “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble”. The new entry will have new characters joining AiAi and gang on a brand-new journey to seek out 7 mysterious artifacts that are said to be the key to locating The Legendary Banana in 200 all-new stages.

The game will also have tons of features including local 4-player co-op in an all-new Adventure mode, 16 players online battles where players can compete online across multiple game modes, customize your character with over 300 stylish items to choose from, and a brand-new gameplay mechanic called Spin Dash that allows players to sprint past rivals or create new shortcuts to victory.

Pre-Orders are now available for Nintendo Switch for both Physical and Digital Editions on the game’s official website. Hit the jump to check out screenshots of the new game.

SEGAbits, Sonic Retro & Cybershell read through a long lost Sonic movie treatment!

Update: Watch the archived stream here!

Join us TONIGHT at 7:45PM Central at The Game Show Game Twitch channel as we read through a 32 page treatment for a Sonic movie, drafted in November 1994!

This proposed film was from Trilogy Entertainment Group, a team who attempted a live action Sonic movie from 1994-1995. While fans have known about the 8 page treatment from 1995 called Sonic the Hedgehog: Wonders of the World, there also existed an earlier and much longer treatment called Sonic: The Movie which is so damn weird that SEGA asked them to start from scratch, which is where the Wonders of the World came in. So what we have to share is a HUGE piece of Sonic movie history that has been unseen until now!

Watch the first trailer for Knuckles, mini-series set to hit Paramount+ on April 26

The trailer for the six episode series Knuckles, a spin-off from the Sonic the Hedgehog films, has just dropped! With the trailer drop comes an April 26th date for all six episodes.

The trailer showcases Knuckles training Tom’s fellow Green Hills sheriff Wade in the ways of the warrior, and along the way we see a former Robotnik tech expert who seemingly has gone rogue and is using old robots combined with powered-up Knuckles quills. Two well dressed characters also seem to join this new villain, and if I can throw out one guess it is that these are the Sonic movie’s take on Black Arms. Don’t ask me why I believe this, but let’s just say it rhymes with “sneaked snorey chords”.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie logo revealed, Jim Carrey is back as Doctor Robotnik

In a very Shadow filled week, the Paramount Pictures and Sonic movie social media accounts have shared an official look at the logo for the upcoming third Sonic film, which will fittingly be titled Sonic the Hedgehog 3. In addition to the logo reveal, which was accompanied by an orchestration of Sonic Adventure 2‘s “Live and Learn”, Variety broke the news that Jim Carrey is returning as Doctor “Eggman” Robotnik. Carrey’s involvement was up in the air after the actor alluded to retiring from acting, though he did say he was not fully retiring. Clearly the Sonic movies are a good time for Jim, which explains his returning to the role.

Sonic X Shadow Generations remaster set for Autumn 2024 release

SEGA has announced a remaster to the 2011 hit Sonic Generations, titled Sonic X Shadow Generations. The remaster is obviously tied to tie in with the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, which will prominently feature Shadow the Hedgehog. The remaster is being described as an “all-new collection” and will feature a new Shadow story campaign featuring new powers and abilities in stages from his 2005 solo game and 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2. The original Sonic Generations experience will also be present, with newly remastered stages, upgraded visuals and a promise of new bonus content.

The game is due out this Autumn for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC.