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Sonic Superstars announced, launches this autumn

Return to 2D.

Sonic Superstars, a new 2D Sonic platformer, was announced at tonight's Summer Game Fest.

It's set for release this autumn across PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Switch, and PC (Steam and Epic).

Unlike last year's Sonic Frontiers, this is a return to classic sidescrolling Sonic but with a gorgeous art style akin to Sonic Generations and some fun new twists. Check out the trailer below.

Sonic Superstars - Announce TrailerWatch on YouTube

It begins, of course, in a Green Hill Zone-esque lush jungle with rainbows and lovely sunsets. It's in 2.5D as Sonic runs and spins in and out of the screen.

Sonic will be joined by Tails, Knuckles and Amy, and the game will include up to four player co-op. The campaign can be played solo or in multiplayer.

The gang will have access to Emerald Powers when Chaos Emeralds are collected. Some stages will have little gimmicks too - a futuristic neon stage has voxel characters that turn into squids!

Sonic designer Naoto Ohshima has created a new character players will have to face. And classic special stages are also returning. Yes, even that horrible rotating maze from Sonic 1.

It's all looking fun and vibrant (if a little slow) and is a very welcome surprise.