This topics aim is to talk about one of the often neglected sides of the Sonic fandom, the promotions and promotional content.
This first post looks at all the promotions I know of, but I hope that people in other countries can add their own promotions to the topic, or add additional promotional information that I have missed in this post.
The post combines information with pictures, print advertisements, commercials and trailers.
You will need WinRAR to watch some of the files.
Sonic 1 - 23rd June 1991
North America
The Megadrive had seen small sales in Japan, so SEGA had concentrated on beating the NES, and upcoming SNES in America. The talk on the street is that Sonic was a direct result of SEGAs’ need to find a character capable of battling the SNESs’ then up and coming ‘Super Mario World’.
Sonic was released with a comic book created by Archie as a promotion for the game. The comic attempted to clarify Sonics’ back story. The comic served as a pilot for the Archie Sonic comic, likely given to Archie because of its work with the promo Sonic comic.
SEGA also released the Sonic Console bundle.
Print advertisements
Sonic 1 advertisement
Sonic multi page advertisement:
Sonic 1 advertisement page 1 and 2
Sonic 1 advertisement page 3 and 4
Sonic 1 advertisement page 5 and 6
Sonic 1 advertisement Page 7 and 8
Sonic multi page advertisement:
Sonic 1 advertisement page 1
Sonic 1 advertisement page 2 and 3
Commercials
Sonic 1 HAG commercial
United Kingdom
In Europe, the Sonic console bundle largely contributed to the Megadrives success, often outnumbering the recently released SNES at a factor of 2:1. Chris Foulger (Ex SEGA employee) offers his take on Sonics’ success. “SEGA made gaming cool. Sony used the same technique by associating its Playstation with the club land generation and it wrongly gets the credit for creating this approach.â€￾
Japan
In Japan SEGA decided to promote Sonic by sponsoring the up and coming ‘Dreams Come true’ band. In which order the events occurred is unknown, but this partnership struck up a deal between the two, either where SEGA got the sponsorship because ‘Dreams come true’ had composed music for the game, or the sponsorship had allowed ‘Dreams come true’ to compose music for the game. The latter seems to be true, as the ‘Dreams come true’ promotion of Sonic started in 1990, where his image adorned the trailers at the ‘Gigs’ the band played.
In Japan SEGA released the Sonic console pack in, whereby the Sonic game was bundled with the Megadrive
Print advertisements
This is part of a two page advertisement:
Sonic 1 advertisement 1
Sonic 1 advertisement 2
Commercials
Sonic 1 commercial
Sonic 2 - October 1992
Sonic 2 was the first ever game to receive a simultaneous release date. The date, which fell on a Tuesday, was dubbed ‘Sonic 2’s day’.
United Kingdom
In the UK the game arrived in three shipments, each carried by three ‘Bowing 747’s’. The shipment arrived two days before the release of the game at ‘Heathrow Airport’, which aimed to distribute the game across the United Kingdom in time for its release.
‘Hamelys’ toy store in London, in partnership with ‘Games Master’ had recently unveiled a dedicated games floor, essentially a large arcade composed of demo booths. SEGA was given its own section, and so was the perfect place to celebrate the launch of Sonic 2.
SEGA’s choice of ‘celebrities’ to attended the party only seems to demonstrated, that at the time, they didn’t care who attended, just as long a somebody did. The gust list was composed only of a small percentage of video game journalists, the rest being made up by the likes of ‘Easterner’ star Todd Carty, basically people who couldn’t give a toss about Sonic.
At the end of the evening the ‘Celebrities’ were lead down to Hamelys basement, where they were shown a demo of Sonic 2, and listened to the delightful ‘Super Sonic Single’
The Super Sonic Single was produced as a musical song to promote Sonic 2. The techno sounding dance track featured remixed sounds from the original Sonic game, suggesting most Sonic 2 content was shrouded in secrecy. The record was released on LP, CD, and Cassette Tape. All funds from the record sales were donated to charity, the forerunner to Tom Kalinskes’ ‘SEGA Foundation’.
Print advertisements
Super Sonic Single advertisement
America
Commercials
Sonic 2 commercial
Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s mock take on the infomercial:
Sonic 2 ‘infomercial’ commercial
Sonic 2 ‘listen up’ commercial
Japan
Print advertisements
This is a two page print advertisement:
Sonic 2 multi advertisement 1
Sonic 2 multi advertisement 2
Sonic 2 GG advertisement
Sonic 2 MD advertisement
Commercials
Sonic 2 ‘teaser question’ commercial
Sonic 2 commercial
Sonic Mania
Lifesavers sweets ran a large promotion for Sonic in America, which included these games:
• Sonic Chaos
• Sonic Spinball
• Sonic CD
The lifesavers company and SEGA named the promotion: ‘Sonic Mania’
Commercial
Sonic Mania commercial
Sonic CD - 23rd September 1993
Japan
Commercials
Sonic CD commercial
America
Print advertisements
Sonic CD advertisement
Sonic Chaos - 19th November 1993
Japan
Print advertisements
Sonic & tails advertisement a
Sonic & tails advertisement b
Commercials
Sonic & Tails 2 commercial
America
Print advertisements
Sonic Chaos advertisement
Sonic Spinball - 23rd November 1993
America
Lifesavers and SEGA teamed up to offer a promotion on the game.
Print advertisements
Sonic Spinball Lifesavers advertisement
Sonic Spinball advertisement
Commercials
Sonic Spinball commercial
United Kingdom
Print advertisements
Sonic Spinball advertisement
Japan
Commercials
Sonic Spinball commercial
Sonic 3 - 2nd February 1994
Sonic 3 was yet another Sonic game to receive a simultaneous release, and was to become known as ‘Sonic Thirds day’.
America
In North America Lifesavers continued it’s sponsorship of the Sonic games. In this promotion 10 Lifesavers sweet wrappers could be mailed to SEGA (with the correct form) in exchange for a 10$ refund (if already bought) or discount on the Sonic 3 game.
Cracker Jack also sponsored Sonic 3 by offering Sonic prizes in their product, such as tattoos and pencil toppers.
Print advertisements
Sonic 3 Lifesavers promotion
Sonic 3 Cracker Jack promotion
Commercials
Sonic 3 commercial
United Kingdom
The European band (native to Germany) ‘Right Said Fred’ released a promotional single for the game entitled ‘Wonderman’. The single was yet another atrocious stab at pop music from the game industry. Equally atrocious was the cover art, featuring the lead singers head spliced onto the body of what appears to be a former ‘Mr World’, with a gloved hand not too dissimilar to Sonics own. The soundtrack was also featured during the television advertisements for the game.
Wonderman CD cover
Mc Donald’s ran a Sonic 3 ‘Happy Meal’ promotion. The Happy Meal boxes were themed with the levels of the game, and could be cut out and assembled to form play fields for the toys that were included with the meal.
SEGA also commissioned a set of Sonic 3 prints that were likely displayed at consumer electronic shows to promote the game.
Print advertisements
These were teaser ads that ran in instalments in games publications:
Sonic 3 teaser advertisement 1
Sonic 3 teaser advertisement 2
Sonic 3 Argos advertisement
Germany
Print advertisements
Sonic 3 advertisement
Japan
Print advertisements
Sonic 3 teaser advertisement
Sonic 3 advertisement
Commercials
Sonic 3 commercial
Sonic Drift - 18th March 1994
Japan
Print advertisements
Sonic drift advertisement
Commercial
Sonic Drift commercial
Sonic & Knuckles - 18th October 1994
North America
In North America Lifesavers continued it’s sponsorship of the Sonic games. In this promotion 10 Lifesavers sweet wrappers could be mailed to SEGA (with the correct form) in exchange for a 10$ refund (if already bought) or discount on the Sonic & Knuckles game.
SEGA of America also used MTV’s ‘Rock the Rock’, the music festival staged in Alcatraz prison and broadcast live, to promote the game. Sonic & Knuckles was the official sponsor of ‘Rock the Rock’ and used it’s sponsorship to advertise the game as much as possible.
Print advertisements
Sonic & Knuckles advertisement
Sonic & Knuckles advertisement
This was part of a two page advertisement:
Sonic & Knuckles advertisement part 1
Sonic & Knuckles advertisement part 2
Posters
Sonic & Knuckles poster
Commercials
Sonic & Knuckles commercial
Europe
SEGA released the Sonic & Knuckles console combination pack.
A demo of the ‘Sonic and Knuckles Collection’ PC game was included in the released ‘Sonic Dance Power VIII’.
United Kingdom
The chocolate bar ‘Milky Way’ ran a promotion to win a copy of Sonic & Knuckles.
Print advertisements
Sonic & Knuckles Milky Way promotion
Australia
Print advertisements
Sonic & Knuckles advertisement
Sonic Triple Trouble
America
Print advertisements
Sonic Triple Trouble advertisement
Japan
Commercials
Sonic & Tails 2 commercial
Knuckles Chaotix - March 1995
Europe
Print advertisements
Knuckle Chaotix advertisement
Sonic The Fighters - June 1996
Japan
SEGA released a Sonic The Fighters phone card, the phone card being a frequent medium SEGA used for advertising:
Sonic the Fighters phone card
Sonic 3D - November 1996
United Kingdom
Print advertisements
Sonic 3D Flickies Island advertisement
America
MooTown ran a promotion to win Sonic 3D Blast stuff and more.
Print advertisements
Sonic Blast advertisement
Sonic 3D Blast MooTown promotion
Sonic Jam - 20th June 1997
Japan
SEGA released a Sonic Jam phone card, the phone card being a frequent medium SEGA used for advertising.
Sonic Jam phone card
Print advertisement
Sonic Jam advertisement
America
Print advertisements
Here is a two page teaser print advertisement for Sonic Jam:
Sonic Jam advertisement page 1
Sonic Jam advertisement page 2
Dutch
Print advertisements
Sonic Jam advertisement
Sonic R - 18th November 1997
America
Print advertisements
Here is a two page teaser print advertisement for Sonic R:
Sonic R advertisement page 1
Sonic R advertisement page 2
Japan
Commercials
Sonic R advertisement
Sonic Adventure - 23rd December 1998
Japan
A set of teaser print advertisements kicked off the Japanese campaign. The Japanese public were completely unaware of the new Sonic game in development, so the teaser ads had the desired affect. Over night a series of billboard Sonic posters (featuring the classical Sonic Adventure silhouette) appeared in Japanese cities. They could be found in bus stops and in Japanese tube trains.
SEGA staged the ‘Sonic Adventure International forum’, a large show designed to show case Sonics’ new game, and ultimately hype the fans. The hype worked, and fans queued for three days just to catch the first showing, there were a total of three shows.
At the door fans were greeted with a Sonic Adventure promotional pack contained within a paper tote bag, decorated in the games art. Despite the promo pack, Sonic merchandise sold at a tremendous rate, it being stated that SEGA recouped the cost of the show in merchandise alone. And what a show it was.
The show began with an introduction from Japanese hosts unknown outside Japan, explaining the core principles of the game. As they did, words such as RPG, Adventure Fields, and many more, were flashed up upon a large nearby television screen. The host were later greeted by none other than Yuji Naka, who burst through a giant paper Sonic screen onto a smoke shrouded stage. Yuji talked more about the game, showing a series of small trailers that showcased each character; these advertisements were then shortened and broadcast on Japanese television.
Surely the most important part of the show was when a comical ‘Making of Sonic Adventure’ was broadcast on the massive screen, revealing, and showing comparisons, of places that provided inspiration for levels in the game.
At Some point during the show a demo was shown to the audience. To prove the authenticity of the demo Yuji invited the audience to choose what level they wished him to play.
Members of the audience were invited to participate in a cheering contest for Sonic Adventure; the cheering was recorded and later added to the game for use in one of its many FMV sequences.
These to files join together to form the entire ‘Sonic Adventure International Forum’ video:
Sonic Adventure International Forum video part 1
Sonic Adventure International Forum video part 2
Sega released its rage of Sonic pin badges for sale (always characterized with the Sonic game of that period) featuring a Sonic Adventure theme. Each Sonic Adventure character was in pin form as well as the games logo.
SEGA released a Sonic Adventure phone card, the phone card being a frequent medium SEGA used for advertising:
Sonic Adventure phone card
SEGA released Sonic Adventure postcards, the type found in cinemas, which is likely where these was found, and probably on games counters too. The post cards were characterized with the calling card art used to promote Sonic Adventure in Japan; a postcard was released for each of these characters:
• Sonic
• Tails
• Amy
• Big
• Knuckles Eggman
• E-101 Gamma
Print advertisements
This was the Japanese banner featured on tube trains:
Sonic Adventure Train banner
Sonic Adventure train advertisement
Commercials
Sonic Adventure commercial
These commercial aired on Japanese television, and were adapted from the ones featured in the ‘International forum’ video:
Sonic Adventure ‘Sonic’ commercial
Sonic Adventure ‘Tails’ commercial
Sonic Adventure ‘Knuckles’ commercial
Sonic Adventure ‘Amy’ commercial
Sonic Adventure ‘Big’ commercial
Sonic Adventure ‘E-102 Gamma’ commercial
Sonic Adventure ‘Dr Eggman’ commercial
America
2 days before the official release of Sonic Adventure, and in Hollywood the game was released. The game was only made available for the period of time until the official release, it was branded as ‘Sonic Adventure Limited Edition’ featuring this slogan on the box art.
Print advertisement
Sonic Adventure advertisement
Commercial
Sonic Adventure commercial
Sonic Pocket Adventure - November 1999
America
Print advertisement
Sonic Pocket Adventure advertisement
Sonic Shuffle - 14th November 2000
America
Print advertisements
Sonic Shuffle advertisement
Sonic Adventure 2 - 19th June 2001
America
In America, they too received the Sonic Adventure 2 Anniversary pack, albeit a cut down version. In the American version the game and slipcase were absent. Instead American only received the anniversary box, which came sealed in shrink warp. The box is identical to that of the Japanese one, but since it was not housed in a slipcase, it came sealed in shrink wrap. So the only way to tell if you have the American version is to find a sealed copy.
America received the greatest Sonic anniversary promotion. A series of items, which can be classed as jewellery, were released. The released items were: the Sonic Crystal Cube, the Sonic Ring and the Sonic Statue.
A Sonic Figurine: There were about 250 of these being offered at the time. It stands at 8.5 inches tall, and the figure could either stand alone or on its 10th Anniversary commemorative base:
The Sonic Ring: There were only 500 of these being offered and were made of sterling silver and was slightly adjustable, however, you could order your ring size so it would fit you. It came in a black velvet box with a guarantee card indicating the serial number of the particular ring:
A Sonic Crystal Cube was the 3rd item offered in Sonic's 10th Anniversary. A three-dimensional, wire frame-style model of Sonic has been laser-etched into a crystal cube. This was a modern-day equivalent of a ship in a bottle. There were only 500 limited editions of this:
SEGA of America also announced two exciting promotions! Through these limited-time promotions, Sega gave Sonic fans the chance to win Dreamcast systems, games and Sonic memorabilia signed by Yuji Naka.
The Sonic Adventure 2 T-shirt Giveaway released 300 limited edition Sonic Adventure 2 T-shirts, which featured Shadow art. These could be won by entering a competition from SEGA. The contest ran between April 23 and May 18, 2001; winners were announced on May 21.
Sega, Soap Shoes and GamePro magazine teamed up for the Sonic 10 Anniversary Marathon, an online contest which ran from June 1 to June 30 and appeared in GamePro magazine's July issue. Sonic fans registered at: http://www.sega.com/SonicContest to win one of 30 prize packages, which include:
one 10th Anniversary Sonic Hardware Bundle (including Dreamcast console signed by Yuji Naka);one Sonic Swatch watch, a pair of Soap shoes, and one-year subscriptions to GamePro magazine.
SOAP shoes are made for grinding. They are extreme sports shoes made by the SOAP company. The shoes were worn by Sonic in the game, they were a custom form of the ‘SOAP Scorchers’ shoes, presumable the ones which were won in the contest:
Soap Scorchers
The Sonic Adventure 2 themed console was just like its Japanese counterpart, but the Sonic VMU was absent. The absence of the VMU was greatly rectified by the presents of Yuji Nakas signature on the console. Only a few of these signed consoles were made, and they could only be won:
Sonic Swatch Watch: Issued and produced for the employees of Sega Corporation and given away at contests, the Swatch Watch displays times in Swatch's beats and in hours. The watch comes in a silver tube and lay on etched foam padding. It is extremely rare:
Sonic Swatch Watch
The Phantasy Star Online version 1 game came with a demo of Sonic Adventure 2 (The SA2 Trail), as did later versions of Sonic Adventure.
SEGA gave out Sonic Adventure 2 promotional pins at E3.
Trailers
Sonic Adventure 2 ‘ying yang’ trailer
Sonic Adventure 2 ‘anniversary’ trailer
Europe
The Sonic Adventure 2 themed console was just like its Japanese counterpart, but the Sonic VMU was absent. The absence of the VMU was greatly rectified by the present of Yuji Nakas signature on the console. Only a few of these signed consoles were made, and they could only be won in a competition held by SEGA of Europe:
Sonic Adventure 2 themed console
Sonic Adventure 2 themed console
The Phantasy Star Online version 1 game came with a demo of Sonic Adventure 2 (The SA2 Trail), as did later versions of Sonic Adventure.
A series of demos were released in Europe to the press, Know as the ‘White labels’ Sonic Adventure 2 also received one of these press releases.
Promotional shop material was also released, including a Sonic Adventure 2 poster, banner, and giant cardboard stand.
Sonic Adventure 2 banner:
Sonic Adventure 2 banner
Sonic Adventure 2 stand:
Sonic Adventure 2 stand
Japan
The release of Sonic Adventure 2 was engineered to coincide with Sonic s 10th anniversary, and so Sega decided to use and incorporate this into Sonic Adventure 2’s marketing pitch.
SEGA released a Sonic Adventure 2 phone card (featuring the prototype logo), the phone card being a frequent medium SEGA used for advertising.
In Japan SEGA released the ‘Sonic Adventure 2 Anniversary pack’. The pack was available at retail for only two days. It contained a Copy of Sonic Adventure 2, the anniversary box which housed a Sonic medal, tribute music CD and a small Sonic history book. Both the game and the anniversary pack were then contained within a cardboard slip case adorned with Sonic Adventure 2 art.
The pack goes some way to demonstrating the fact that you cannot engineer rarity, unless a low print run is involved. As such, the pack never sold considerable well, or perhaps SEGA had produced too many, in any case the pack now occupies many a warehouse and can be purchased for small change.
Japan also produced an anniversary item that goes above and beyond the former, but is unfortunately (for the Japanese) topped by its American counterpart.
The Sonic Adventure 2 Anniversary Dreamcast console was produced in Japan for the celebration, and only 200 of the units were made for retail. The console was blue, featuring art from Sonic Adventure as well as the Anniversary logos. The customization art came in the form of transfers or stickers, leading many to believe that these consoles are fan made, which just isn’t the case. Japan saw many themed Dreamcast’s released, and in all cases they came with a themed VMU, as did the Sonic Dreamcast. The Sonic Adventure Dreamcast used the Sonic VMU that was already available on retail in Japan, and is just as equally rare to attain today (the VMU retail version) as the Sonic Adventure 2 Dreamcast:
The Phantasy Star Online version 1 game came with a demo of Sonic Adventure 2 (The SA2 Trail)
Trailers
Sonic Adventure 2 ‘from the dark’ trailer
Sonic Adventure 2 trailer
Sonic Advance
Japan
Commercial
Sonic Advance commercial
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle - 20th December 2001
Japan
SEGA released a Sonic Adventure 2 Battle phone card, the phone card being a frequent medium SEGA used for advertising:
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle phone card
Trailers
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle ‘GBA connectivity’ trailer
American
Print advertisements
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle advertisement
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle advertisement
Commercials
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle ‘audition’ commercial
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle ‘get back’ commercial
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle ‘good VS evil’ commercial
United Kingdom
SEGA released a giant game box mock up for use in stores:
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle giant game box
Print advertisements
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle advertisement
Sonic Mega Collection - 19th December 2002
America
Print advertisements
Sonic Mega Collection advertisement
Sonic Advance 2 – 19th December 2002
Japan
Sega of Japan released promotional jigsaws for its ‘Advanced’ series; Sonic Advanced 2 was no exception to the rule.
United Kingdom
In the UK Sonic Advanced 2 received its own set of promotional products: The Sonic Advance 2 T-shirt, which came with the game when pre-ordered, or the Sonic Advance 2 Juggling balls, another promotion available to people who pre-ordered the game.
SEGA also produced Sonic themed postcards, the sort of promo postcards you find in cinemas, which is one of the places they were found. The cards were also likely available on video game shop counters.
America
In a partner ship with Belgium chocolate producer ‘House of Brussels’ Sonic Chocolates were produced. In a promotion with Sonic Advance 2 the chocolate wrappers contained hints and tips that were taken from the ‘Prima’ strategy guide. The guide ‘coincidentally’ features an advertisement for these chocolates.
Sonic Adventure DX - June 2003
Japan
Commercials
Sonic Adventure DX commercial
American
Print advertisements
Sonic Adventure DX advertisement
Sonic Adventure DX advertisement
United Kingdom
Print advertisements
SEGA released an advertisement presented in a James Bond style:
Sonic Adventure DX advertisement
Sonic Pinball Party - Spring 2003
Japan
Commercials
Sonic Pinball Party commercial
Sonic-N - 7th October 2003
America
Commercials
Sonic N commercial
United Kingdom
Posters
Sonic-N poster
Sonic Heroes - 30th December 2003
Japan
Japan also received Sonic Heroes retail posters. These were larger than the standard retail posters available in the west.
Sonic Heroes flyers were handed out during the Tokyo game show in 2003
In a promotion for the release of Sonic Heroes on PC, SEGA offered a few luck people a Sonic variant of the Saturn PC control pad:
Print advertisements
This flyer was handed out during the Tokyo game show in 2003:
Sonic Heroes flyer
Commercials
Sonic Heroes commercial
Sonic Heroes commercial
Trailers
Sonic Heroes ‘Tokyo game show 2003’ trailer
America
In America SEGA kicked off its promotion with the release of the Sonic Heroes demo, for the Gamecube, PS2 and XBOX (sadly Europe only received the demo on the XBOX).
*note* Psychobob - If anybody still has anyone of these demos, please contact me.
SEGA of America ran the, what should now be famous, retired heroes ads. They came in the form of both television and print advertisements. Another two audio visual ads were run: one short ‘Heart rate’ ad:
The other being possibly THE GRETEST SONIC ADVERTISMENT EVER, likely displayed during cinema trailers (it features the American voice over guy). The ad has no title, but due to a caption and theme mentioned through out, shall be referred to as: the Sonic Heroes ‘Redefined action’ advertisement.
Stores were given promotional items for display purposes. Such items included the Sonic Heroes counter display, a cardboard standee of Team Sonic surrounded by all the other teams remaining logos and topped with the Sonic Heroes logo. A giant 2 meter high stand variation was also released. The large stand only depicted the top half of Team Sonic, which sat atop a large base featuring the sky background from the western Sonic Heroes game cover, and the team logos at its base.
Sonic Heroes counter display
Print advertisements
Sonic Heroes Electronic Boutique advertisement
Sonic Heroes advertisement
Sonic Heroes advertisement
Sonic Heroes Render Ware advertisement
Sonic Heroes SEARS advertisement
Sonic Heroes two page advertisement:
Sonic Heroes advertisement page 1
Sonic Heroes advertisement page 2
Commercials
Sonic Heroes ‘heart rate’ commercial
Sonic Heroes ‘new heroes’ commercial
Sonic Heroes ‘redefined action’ commercial
Trailers
Sonic Heroes trailer
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom promotion saw the release of the Sonic Heroes demo on XBOX only. The demo was part of a promotion in which SEGA released 3 items to stores, which in turn gave away the items to people who pre-ordered the game. The XBOX demo was granted exclusively to the ‘GAME’ store, and could only be gained if a £1 deposit was made for the XBOX version of the game. The demo features the ‘GAME’ logo printed on its cover. ‘GAME’ released two promotional flyers, one informing the public off the pre-order offer, and the other informing the public of the game and its release date.
Other promotional items included the Sonic Heroes T-Shirt and Sonic Heroes mug. These were promoted by all shops (except ‘Game’ which supported the demo promotion).
The Playstation 2 received a Sonic Heroes press release, which was obviously intended for the press. This release contained a full version of the game.
It also appears there was a Playstation 2 demo that was no intended for the pubic, but for use in demo pods. This demo has never turned up on eBay, and I have only ever seen it running on demo pod at Toys’R’us.
Posters were displayed on shops, and were double sided, featuring different game art on each side. One of the sides also took the form of a print advertisement, and attempted to appeal to the British public by playing on the idea of British imperialism. The characters in the advertisement were dubbed in slang terms, in cockney. Sonic was ‘The gov’nor’, Knuckles was ‘The Enforcer’ and Tails was ‘The Chopper’.
Print advertisements
Sonic Heroes advertisement
‘GAME’ released two promotional flyers, one informing the public off the pre-order offer, and the other informing the public of the game and its release date:
Sonic Heroes ‘GAME’ demo flyer
Sonic Heroes ‘GAME’ flyer
Europe
Commercial
This is the French commercial, which was also released in English:
Sonic Heroes French commercial
Trailers
Sonic Heroes trailer
Sonic Battle - 4th December 2003
Japan
Commercials
Sonic Battle commercial
America
Print advertisements
Sonic Battle advertisement
United Kingdom
SEGA chose to advertise Sonic Battle on the back of the Sonic Advance 3 manual.
Print advertisements
Sonic Battle advertisement
SEGA chose to advertise Sonic Battle on the back of the Sonic Advance 3 manual:
Sonic Battle manual advertisement
Sonic Advance 3 - 7th June 2004
Japan
Commercials
Sonic Advance 3 commercial
Sonic Advance 3 commercial
United Kingdom
Retail posters were released for shop display, the print advertisement is just a scaled down version of the retail poster. Various other retail items were released, such as stands and shelf strips.
SEGA produced a Sonic Advance 3 shirt, which was gained by pre-ordering the game.
Print advertisements
Sonic Advance 3 advertisement
Sonic Mega collection + - 2nd November 2004
United Kingdom
The game received a press release for the Playstation 2. This release contained a full version of the game.
A double sided shop display poster was also created; one side of the poster was also converted into a print advertisement. As well as the poster, a promotional cardboard cube was also released. Featuring art from the game, the cube was displayed in shops.
Japan
Posters
Sonic Mega collection poster
