Sonic the Hedgehog
News, coverage and analysis tracking Sonic the Hedgehog across the outlets.
Sonic Team head talks about how SEGA was once ready to stop making Sonic gamesSonic Team head Takashi Iizuka revealed that SEGA considered discontinuing Sonic games during a period of downturns, even after the Sonic Boom series. He stated that the company was ready to stop making Sonic games at one point, and he was tasked with revitalizing the franchise. Iizuka credits fan support for the series' current success and the continued investment in new titles.- Sonic Team boss says SEGA tasked him with bringing Sonic back from the deadSonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka revealed that SEGA once considered abandoning the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise due to its perceived decline. Iizuka was tasked with finding a way to revive the series, indicating a significant effort to bring the franchise back to prominence.
Sonic the Hedgehog Woobles Kits Let You Crochet Amigurumi Sonic, Tails, and KnucklesThe Woobles has released new crochet kits featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, and Knuckles as part of the franchise's 35th anniversary. The kits include all necessary materials and tutorials for creating amigurumi characters approximately four inches tall. A separate Chaos Emerald accessory kit is also available.- Sonic x The Woobles collection available todaySEGA and The Woobles have launched a new collaboration collection featuring iconic Sonic characters. The collection includes three unique kits and a special mystery accessory kit, offering fans a creative way to bring their favorite characters to life.
- Sonic x Fortnite is coming this yearEpic Games has officially confirmed a crossover event between Fortnite and Sonic the Hedgehog, also referencing Sonic Racing CrossWorlds. The announcement was made at Unreal Fest Chicago 2026, though specific details about the collaboration remain scarce.
- SEGA announces Sonic’s 35th birthday bash with games, guests and moreSEGA is celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th birthday with a special event featuring games, guests, and music. The company will also be raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital during the event, which will be hosted by streamers like Jacki Jing.
Sonic Pico Park brings together the best of both seriesSonic Pico Park is a co-op puzzle game developed by Tecopark that merges the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise with the Pico Park series. Players team up with up to eight participants, choosing either a Sonic character or a classic Pico Park cat, to navigate platforming puzzles and reach the finish line. The game incorporates familiar Sonic mechanics like rings and character abilities such as Tails' flight and Knuckles' glide, alongside classic Pico Park elements like stacking and tethered puzzles. Sonic Pico Park is set to release on PC later this year.
Sega says it made a 'life-sized figure containing Sonic's DNA,' and I have a few questionsSega is celebrating the 35th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog with a life-sized "Sonic the Hedgehog DNA Figure." Created in collaboration with the bio art collective Lom Baby, the figure contains a fluid-filled chamber with what Sega claims is Sonic's synthesized DNA, symbolizing his enduring essence. The exhibition is currently on display at the Tokyo Sega Store.
Sega unveils life-size Sonic The Hedgehog statue filled with 'synthetic DNA'Sega has unveiled a life-size Sonic The Hedgehog statue in Tokyo, claiming it contains synthesized 'DNA' created through a partnership with biotechnology firm LOM BABY. While no new mainline game was announced, the statue celebrates Sonic's 35th anniversary and features a Chaos Emerald. The statue is a one-of-a-kind display piece and not for sale.- Little Rock Zoo names cheetahs Sonic and Blaze after social media campaignThe Little Rock Zoo has named two of its four new cheetah cubs Sonic and Blaze, following a social media campaign where the public voted on names. The names were chosen due to overwhelming support online.
Sonic Team lead would love to "magically" remake every Sonic game but says it would take as much time "as…Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to remake every classic Sonic game for modern platforms but stated that the resources required would be better allocated to developing new titles. He noted that remaking older games to the standard of new releases would demand similar time, money, and effort. While many older Sonic titles are not readily available on current consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, some are accessible on PC, and fan communities have created updated versions.
Sonic lead says AAA developers have much to learn from indie studiosTakashi Iizuka, producer for Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, believes that AAA developers can learn valuable lessons from the operational and economic models of indie studios. He highlighted how indie developers can quickly iterate on ideas and bring them to market, contrasting this with the significant time and financial investment required for large-scale AAA titles. Iizuka also drew parallels between the games industry and the film industry, noting how smaller creative projects can achieve significant success.
Sega explains why Sonic classic games aren’t coming back anytime soonSega's Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka explained that re-releasing classic Sonic games is complex due to modern player expectations for improved visuals and controls. This complexity leads Sega to prioritize new game development over extensive remasters. Despite this, the franchise is experiencing a strong period with successful movies and games.
Sonic Team head wants all Sonic games on modern platforms, would “magically do it” if possibleSonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to make all past Sonic games playable on modern platforms, but acknowledged the significant resources required, comparing the cost to developing a new title. He indicated that the focus remains on creating new experiences rather than remaking old ones, though SEGA has released remasters like Sonic Generations recently. The possibility of a third year of DLC for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is also dependent on the game's continued success and fan demand.- Sonic Team head says he wants every Sonic game playable on modern hardwareSonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to make every Sonic game playable on modern hardware, addressing fan requests for better backward compatibility. This initiative aims to preserve the franchise's legacy and make its extensive library accessible to new and returning players.
Sega is beefing up the Sonic Team on its 35th anniversary, hiring across multiple key rolesSega is actively hiring for its Sonic Team across multiple key roles, including producer, lead planner, and graphics programmer, as the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary. While the specific project for these new hires remains undisclosed, the increased development activity suggests a new title is in the works, potentially addressing fan anticipation following a relatively quiet showing at Summer Game Fest.- PSO2 New Genesis celebrates its fifth anniversary with freebies, music, and events as it tests an in-game LLM chatbotPhantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is celebrating its fifth anniversary throughout June and into the rest of the year with various in-game events, freebies, and new content. Sega is also testing an in-game LLM chatbot called the Conversational Mag, allowing players to interact with their in-game Mag via text.
Sonic Pico Park Preview – Gotta Go Fast With FriendsSonic Pico Park is an upcoming co-op puzzle-platformer that was previewed at Summer Game Fest. Players control Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, working together to solve environmental puzzles using abilities like spin-dashes and character-specific moves. The game emphasizes chaotic fun and accessibility, making it suitable for both Sonic fans and newcomers.
Sonic Spectrum Next - Sonic The Hedgehog comes over to the Spectrum NEXT via dave18A new release titled Sonic Spectrum Next brings the classic Sonic the Hedgehog game to the ZX Spectrum Next, developed by dave18. This port is a direct conversion of the Sega Master System version and follows dave18's previous successful port of Astro Warrior. The developer cited architectural similarities between the Sega Master System and ZX Spectrum Next as enabling this ambitious project.- Game Crossovers and CollaborationsThe article discusses various game crossovers and collaborations, including a trailer for the Sonic 35th Anniversary and a surprise announcement of an 'Among Us' TV show on Paramount+.