SEGA along with Gamespot, have just announced that Project Needlemouse is actually Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1; the first part in an episodic series of games similar to the way Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were 2 halves of the same game.
The game will be released digitally via the X-Box Marketplace, Playstation Network, Wiiware and the Iphone. This follows Capcom's strategy by releasing Mega Man 9 exclusively on digital services, despite the series being released as hard-copy software up until that point.
The game will be released worldwide in July 2010. It will see the return of signature moves such as the spin-attack and collectable items like the Power Sneakers. Classic enemies, designs, scenery and 16 bit inspired music are also confirmed to make a comeback. The game is also designed similarly to Sonic Rush with 3D character models moving on 2D backdrops.
Gamespot also have the exclusive teaser trailer showing off the game's first piece of gameplay footage. Check it out here:
An
official site has also been opened. It contains countdown timers indicating when the next piece of news, media etc is going to be announced. Keep your eye on this one!
All the current details on the game can be found in an interview with SOA's Ken Balough.
The interview can be found here. An interesting point I'd like to pick up on is this:
"GS: Is this where the Sonic franchise is moving, or can we still expect to see console and portable titles?
KB: Sonic as a brand is definitely not moving away from our packaged console versions. Making Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I for download is just a new way to offer a great Sonic experience through a different medium."I'm gonna take a stab in the dark and say that this answer could prove that once all episodes of Sonic 4 have been released digitally, SEGA will release them all as a packaged console game.
Excited!
[Source:
The Sonic Stadium]
)!
