Sonic 4 delayed until late 2010

By Oli Welsh Published 21 May, 2010

iPhone version revealed.

SEGA has decided to "extend the development of" Sonic the Hedghehog 4: Episode 1. The download game will now be released in "late 2010" instead of this summer.

The publisher also announced that the retro 2D revival will be coming to iPhone and iPod Touch as well as XBLA, PSN and WiiWare.

"The additional time will allow the Development Team to focus on ensuring overall high quality throughout the game by continuing to tune, balance, and maintain the kind of polish that an important title like this demands, and ultimately providing fans with an unrivalled classic Sonic feel," says the press release, which you can find at the SEGA Europe blog.

Read more in our recent Sonic 4 hands on.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (23) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • muscleblade #1 2 years ago

    Good call. This better be amazing.

  • Pasco #2 2 years ago

    I don't trust SEGA and I don't trust DIMPS. The animations and particle effects already look cheap. It's pretty noticable when in the trailer they show Sonic evolving and the newest version is the only one where he is not leaning forward at full speed.

    No, Sonic Rush wasn't good.

  • Slipstream #3 2 years ago

    Aww shame really, Sonic's blue skies and awesome music go hand in hand with summer. But I guess if it means a better gameplay experience, then it ought to be worth the wait.
    Edited by Slipstream at 21/05/10 @ 09:04

  • mychuma #4 2 years ago

    Bummer. Almost can hear the rings :).

  • WinterSnowblind #5 2 years ago

    I assume this was done because of the vast amount of negative feedback they've had from the leaks.
    Maybe they'll at least take the time to sort out the animation and some of the dodgey physics.

    Since they've called it Sonic 4, they really can't afford to have it anything less than perfect. A knew (good) Sonic Advance 4 wouldn't be bad, but they're calling this the successor to Sonic 3 & Knuckles. And I have a feeling that will be the games biggest downfall.

  • peteb #6 2 years ago

    I thought Sonic Rush was good. Apparently so did other people too. Sure, it wasn't as good as the older Sonics, but it's a long way off being a bad game. Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 weren't terrible either. But it all went downhill from there of course.

  • cardboardMonster #7 2 years ago

    Good news, really. I saw all of the footage that was leaked on to YouTube and it looked pretty good, but a bit rough around the edges. Level design, music and classic gameplay were all there though.

  • sonicyoda #8 2 years ago

    I thought Sonic Rush was awesome. I loved how when you started the game, it actually 'started'. You were thrown straight into the first stage without a tutorial or opening cinematic. Classic Sonic.

  • the_dudefather #9 2 years ago

    Sonic rush for me

    speed boosters>>>>>>>>>>>hold right>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>*pit/robot/spikes. restart from checkpoint.

    had cool music though

  • TruSmiles #10 2 years ago

    I actually preferred Sonic Rush Adventure to the original Sonic Rush, the game flowed better, was more enjoyable, and the level design was better. I'm talking about the levels of course, not the speedboating, although I kinda enjoyed them too.

    But Sonic 4 isn't going to play like Sonic Rush. For a start, there is no boost button, it'll be classic Sonic running with momentum. From what I've seen of the videos so far, the level design seems varied enough that is really is a classic Sonic game, just needs tweaking, polishing, etc. I don't actually care about the animations; as long as it plays well, who cares?

  • sonicyoda #11 2 years ago

    @PayAU

    Oh I understand that but I still enjoyed it. Yes it was more of a visceral, 'hold right' affair but it certainly appealed to me as a long time Sonic fan. I like it more as a speed-run game more than a platformer. Plus it didn't have all the mineral collecting and speed-boat races of its' sequel. It had a proper Special Stage too. Each to their own.

  • sonicyoda #12 2 years ago

    Democracy!

  • Ryze #13 2 years ago

    While they're paying attention to feedback, they should kick off a 16player online port of the original Arcade Daytona USA for Xbox live.

    With more tracks from the rest of the series.

  • FenderMaster #14 2 years ago

    better jump physics? ditch the mine cart level?

    i hope so...

  • Kami #15 2 years ago

    "unrivalled classic Sonic feel"

    Big words, and I've been hurt far too much hoping for this, so actions will be speaking far more clearly here...

  • TravisTouchdown #16 2 years ago

    Last good Sonic game: [link url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_Pocket_Adventure
    ]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_H...[/link]

  • rarehobo #17 2 years ago

    it looks terrible anyway and i doubt the delay will really improve anything.

  • mychuma #18 2 years ago

    For all of your convenience:
    [link url=http://tiny.cc/0gomw
    ]http://tiny.cc/0gomw
    [/link]
    Splash hill zone trailer.
    Edited by mychuma at 22/05/10 @ 12:49

  • Jelly_Head #19 2 years ago

    As long as the extra development isn't spent on adding nasty american child voices to all the characters, or cheesy cut scenes, I'm disappointed (this was going to be the highlight of my summer) but prepared to wait.

  • Jelly_Head #20 2 years ago

    I assume this was done because of the vast amount of negative feedback they've had from the leaks.

    Perhaps Sega deliberately leaked that footage to test the water with the fans who basically want nothing more than a rehashed Sonic 1/2/3/&Knuckles?

    I'm a massive fan of the originals Megadrive games, and I too just want "more of that, please"; however, as a software developer, I kind of feel for Sega because what developers like doing is breaking new ground, pushing boundaries and trying new things.

    If Sega actually deliver exactly what fans of the classic Sonic games want, there's a small chance it could end up being very underwhelming.

    Me, I'm actually still happy playing the originals in Sega Genesis Ultimate Collection.

  • JeroenZM #21 2 years ago

    There may be hope if they remove the mine cart level in it's entirety.

  • alcides #22 2 years ago

    Sonic advance 1,2,3 were OK.

  • smelly #23 2 years ago

    I think i'm getting old. I completed ALL the "real" sonic games as a kid.

    But i went back recently to play 1 and 2 on XBLA.. And i totally SUCK at them!