Updates to Sonic ChannelTwo updates have been made to the Project Sonic of Sonic Channel. The ever expanding section now houses a photo gallery of the Sonic booth that was at this year’s Hobby Fair. The photographs lack the humour that found in previous SoJ photo galleries, but they do give a slightly better indication of the size and design of the booth.
The second addition is a link to the Sonic Team Sonic X website, which has been updated with a video featurette on the popular anime.
Gems and Shadow Previews
New information about forthcoming Sonic gamesPreviews of Sonic Gems Collection and Shadow the Hedgehog have appeared at Gamespot and Gamerfeed, which help to clarify the more ambiguous aspects of these forthcoming games.
A recent article on Sonic Gems Collection in Gamespy only reported that the Streets of Rage trilogy would be absent from the US release of the game. Gamespot’s preview of the title, however, confirms that Bonanza Brothers will also be cut.
More pleasingly, the Gamespot preview reveals that the forthcoming compilation will house a hefty 140 pieces of unlockable art work in its museum section. The hints menu system that was originally introduced in Sonic Mega Collection Plus will also be returning.
A rather optimistic preview of Shadow the Hedgehog in Gamerfeed briefly reveals that the title’s two player mode will allow players to play as not just Shadow, but also Sonic. However, it isn’t clear if Sonic will be able to use any of Shadow’s weaponry.
To the Next Level
Classic Sega license to be reinvented for new consolesAccording to Gamespot, San Francisco-based development studio Secret-Level is reinventing a classic Sega franchise for PS3 and X-Box 360. Sega’s statement about the project doesn’t actually reveal which franchise is being reworked, but Gamespot speculate that it may be the Sonic series.
Simon Jeffery, President and COO of Sega, made the following statement:
"Sega will become a leading publisher on the next generation of console hardware by marketing great Western-developed content that includes properties from a rich portfolio of Sega games.
The talented design team at Secret Level has demonstrated innovation in game development and has a history of technical achievements that will help Sega reinvigorate a vintage and highly commercial franchise.â€￾
More details can be found at Gamespot and Gamerfeed.
European Gems
PAL version Gem Collections NewsSega might be promoting Gems Collection as containing the rarer titles of the Sonic series, but European players will be pleased to learn that their rarity wont be reflected in the price, as Play.com are reporting the game will have a RRP of £19.99. Play are offering a further £5 discount on the price, making Gems Collection one of the most inexpensive new Sonic console games to be released in Europe.
There is, however, some bad news to accompany the good, as several retailers are reporting the PAL version will be released on the 7th of October, which is slightly later than SoE’s original vague date of ‘sometime in September’.
European players wanting to know if the PAL release will include the Japanese soundtracks for Sonic CD and the full assortment of bonus games will be kept in suspense for a little bit longer, as SoE spokesman Hicham Rakim told the GHZ Newsboard that European division “currently has no information regarding the release of Sonic Gems on consolesâ€￾.
