Project Needlemouse becomes Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

February 4, 2010 by Timothy Torres · 1 Comment
Filed under: Action

[Updated with video!]

This morning at 3AM Eastern Time, GameSpot in conjunction with Sega answered the prayers of an entire generation who grew up during the halcyon days of the Genesis. No more stupid sidekicks, we cried. No more dull treasure hunting, no more disjointed gameplay, no more awful camera to constantly wrestle with. No more werehogs.

Taking a cue from Mega Man 9 and the hallowed niche it carved, Sega’s taking Sonic back to his 2D roots. Project Needlemouse has been revealed, and it is Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, a direct sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles. To paraphrase Jaleel White’s now YouTube-Pooped into senselessness cartoon version of the blue guy, we’ve been waaaaiitiiiiing.

Tags: 2.5d game, 2d game, 2d graphics, genesis, project needlemouse, sega, sonic the hedgehog 4: episode one

Project Needlemouse returns Sonic to the forefront

January 16, 2010 by Jeffrey L. Wilson · 3 Comments
Filed under: Action

Those SEGA folks sure pulled a fast one. And I approve of their shenanigans.

The company threw the collective gaming world for a loop with its week-long trivia contest that was designed to let blog.sega.com commenters eliminate a list of Sonic sidekicks and extras to reveal the true playable characters. After all the dust was cleared, only Sonic remained much to the delight of old school hedgehog fans worldwide.

It was a minor, but welcome ploy that is personally much appreciated. SEGA demonstrated that it knows exactly what long time Sonic fans want: the blue hedgehog, not bats, cats, and critters with guns.

Kudos, SEGA. You are now walking the righteous path.

Tags: project needlemouse, sega, sonic, sonic the hedgehog

SEGA begins to unveil the mystery that is Project Needlemouse

January 12, 2010 by Jeffrey L. Wilson · 1 Comment
Filed under: Action

Longtime Sonic fans who have been consistently abused by the hedgehog’s post 16-bit adventures have flocked to Project Needlemouse as the series’ savior. The famous trailer that dropped last year hyped the series’ return to classic 2D gameplay, and was seen as the great vindicator for over a decade of subpar Sonic offerings (despite any information being revealed).

Consider the Project Needlemouse hype machine in full blast. SEGA’s building excitement leading up to the grand unveiling of Project Needlemouse by recruiting fans to spread the word about the upcoming game. There appears to be a number of contests that will appear this week, which will lead up to the grand unveiling of the game’s playable characters.

Probably the most interesting news here is that Project Needlemouse doesn’t refer to Sonic himself; Sonic has a friend named “Mr. Needlemouse.” Color me a bit skeptical that there’s yet another buddy added to the Sonicverse, but I have (stupidly or no) faith that SEGA has learned from its mistakes.

Note: Does anyone else find it odd that Knuckles and Tails aren’t listed in the image above?

Tags: 2D, 2d game, 2d graphics, project needlemouse, sega, sonic, sonic the hedgehog

Virtual Vox Pop: What’s Your Most Anticipated 2D Game of 2010?

December 30, 2009 by Jeffrey L. Wilson · 5 Comments
Filed under: Virtual Vox Pop

Pictured: Hope.

Virtual Vox Pop is a weekly open mic in which we ask you, the reader, to sound off on a particular topic. This week, it’s the 2D games of 2010.

2009 proved an absolutely amazing year for 2D games with strong showings in virtually every genre conducive to the style of play. However, the calendar is poised to flip, and with that happening will come a new year filled with a slew of fresh titles designed to dazzle the gamingverse. A quick run down of some of the early standouts:

Personally, SEGA’s Project Needlemouse has my joystick ready to rock thanks to a teaser video that hints of a new, 2D Sonic game. Anyone who’s familiar with my gaming history knows of my sorted love affair with the hedgehog (and my desire to see the heartbreak come to an end), so 2010 is already shining bright.

What are you most looking forward to playing in 2010?

Tags: 2d game, 2d games, 2d graphics, 8-bit left 4 dead, b-boy brawl, dark void zero, final fight: double impact, glory of heracles, project needlemouse, super street fighter IV, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Ultimate All-Stars