Sonic to return this Christmas
SEGA of America announces gun-toting Shadow the Hedgehog, based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, for release in the "holiday season" Stateside.
Sonic the Hedgehog is set to return to consoles later this year - in a sense.
At last night's 2005 Walk of Game Induction ceremony, SEGA of America announced Shadow the Hedgehog, based on Sonic's dark alter-ego, which will be out in time for Christmas in the USA.
According to reports based on a short trailer, the new title mixes 3D platforming - rail sliding, homing jump and speed bursts included - with Ratchet & Clank/Jak & Daxter-style shoot-'em-up action, and it'll be interesting to see how that comes across.
Details of other gameplay specifics, characters and target platforms weren't disclosed, but it's a safe bet that it'll be multiplatform after the success SEGA enjoyed with Sonic Heroes last year. More details should be announced at E3.
In terms of a European launch, we'd say that next February is a decent bet. A Sonic title has topped the UK charts following a February release for the past two years running - deposing a Need For Speed Underground title on both occasions, curiously - and SEGA may well try for a hat trick.
