He's fast, he's blue, he's sold over 44 million games, and he just turned 15 years old! Tomorrow, SEGA will join millions of fans around the world to celebrate Sonic The Hedgehog’s 15th birthday and his continued success with four bold new upcoming games. Born on June 23, 1991 as the fastest, most technologically advanced character for the SEGA Genesis console, Sonic continues to innovate as he prepares to blast onto next-gen consoles and the Sony PlayStation Portable system with groundbreaking new adventures. Additionally, in honor of its beloved mascot’s 16-bit roots, SEGA will release the game that started it all with Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis exclusively for the Game Boy Advance this November. The game will feature two new additions to the classic 1991 debut including Sonic’s famous Spin-Dash move and a new save ability, and will retail at the special price of $19.95.
Fans will be treated throughout the year to special 15th anniversary events, culminating with the release of three original Sonic adventures shipping later this year, as well as the original Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis for the Game Boy Advance.
Sonic will make his first appearance on next-gen consoles with the dynamic new adventure Sonic The Hedgehog for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this Fall. Sonic The Hedgehog melds top-tier production values with next-gen art, physics, and game design to create the fastest and most intense Sonic experience yet. Featuring brand new interactive 3D environments, Sonic gameplay is taken to a whole new level with a large cast of new and returning characters, and a blistering sense of speed. Sonic will also debut this Fall on the PSP with Sonic Rivals, a one-on-one racing platformer that also features Knuckles amoungst other rivals combining classic 2D gameplay with 3D worlds. Available in 2007, a new Sonic adventure is also in development for the Wii console, combining Sonic’s high velocity with the unique Wii controller and a colorful retelling of the classic tale Arabian Nights.
“Sonic’s 15th birthday is a landmark occasion bringing SEGA and Sonic fans together to celebrate the hedgehog’s trademark speed, heroism, and attitude,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. “The breathtaking speed and gameplay innovation that Sonic introduced in 1991 will reach new heights in Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic Rivals, and Sonic’s new adventure for the Wii. These titles continue a super-Sonic legacy of ground-breaking gameplay and story elements that only next-gen consoles can deliver.”
In addition to his video game fame, the “blue dude with the ‘tude” has starred in two animated TV series, numerous comic book adventures, and an animated movie — he’s even had his own theme park and was the first and only video game character ever featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. But it’s his video games that matter most to his legions of fans. Sonic has starred in more than 30 video game adventures, a distinction that earned him his star on the ‘Walk of Game’ landmark honoring pioneering gaming icons.
With the four upcoming new games, Sonic The Hedgehog is ready to blaze his way to the top of the video game world with the same speed, optimism, and brashness that set the gaming world on fire in 1991.
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