300

Sonic the Hedgehog: An Endangered Species?

Dark Arcanine | October 01, 2008 | Blog | PC Playstation 2 Company 
A blogger Don Reisinger has typed up an article on the Sega mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. Their claim is simple, Sonic is dying out and is no longer able to meet expectations, or match the older games.

Their evidence includes poll statistics, competition from other companies and mascots, the hype is now gone for new releases as the original players are getting older and that it lacks the appeal of current day games: sex and killing.

Is this really goodbye Sonic?
And unfortunately, it's becoming clearer by the day that Sonic, a stalwart of that time, is dying of old age with each sub-par title from Sega trying to revive the old hedgehog.

News Story attached to:
23 comments | go to source (news.cnet.com) | Add to favorites! favourite this article | send to friend
Latest Comment
Most recently commented on by Capn Droid on Oct 4, 2008
Related Articles
64 PSN Update: FLOCK & Sonic's Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection Demos (0)comments April 9, 2009
68 Sonic blasts onto the iPhone (2)comments May 24, 2009
100 Sonic & SEGA All-Star Racing Revealed (13)comments May 28, 2009
58 Electronic Theatre In-depth Review: Sonic Unleashed (0)comments April 25, 2009
Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 1 thumbs!
    Final Blade | October 01, 2008
    I don't think so. I mean seriously the fans just didn't like how it wasn't the same as the old ones with the 2D graphics and gameplay. I'm sure if Sonic keeps true to that and while incorporating some new generation stuff, it'll sell every well. Hopefully Sonic Unleashed is going to be that game. But again, I'm biased here since I'm a long time fan of Sonic and probably always will be, so any new sonic game I'll buy.
    • 0 thumbs!
      Capn Droid | October 02, 2008
      The problem is, Sonic Dark Brotherhood completely erases everything that's good about Sonic... while Sonic Adventure 2 was, indeed, a somewhat fun game to play on occasion, it also erases the 2D element of the game, which is essential for this series. This is a platformer, and won't be able to survive any other way. Mario had it lucky.
      • 0 thumbs!
        Final Blade | October 03, 2008
        I disagree, I personally liked most of the sonic games, hence why I stated im biased. Sonic is one of those things where as long as I get fun out of them, its easily enjoyable. Thats why I find them good. Cause I found the fun in all of them.
        • 0 thumbs!
          Capn Droid | October 04, 2008
          quote
          But again, I'm biased here since I'm a long time fan of Sonic
          I did not see that comment; thanks for pointing that out.

          I just can't help but think Sonic's really lost the original formula. Sure, they've got different formulas... but when it comes to a classic icon, it really isn't the same. It's this sort of situation that makes me want to say "why not invent a new series?"
  • 0 thumbs!
    BANDITO ATTACK | October 01, 2008
    its kinda hard to 'match the older games' when they were just typical platformers.

    they could make a good sonic game if they wanted to, but they just keep trying the absolute stupidest shit imaginable.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Big A2 | October 01, 2008
    I miss SEGA's old franchises, Sonic basically over took them when they switch to 3D was made. Or maybe it's a good thing that Ecco and Alex Kid didn't get turned into the crap modern day SEGA is known for.
  • 2 thumbs!
    Tenken | October 01, 2008
    No sex appeal and violence?!? That pink hedgehog Amy is damn FINE! And Shadow carried guns in his game! WTFLOGIC!

    It all started with Sonic Heroes, that's when the games started sucking. Badly.
    • 1 thumbs!
      lord monkey | October 01, 2008
      Thats what we wanna see, Sonic Unleashed hot coffee mod where Sonic and Amy do a whole lot of sex.

      The kids will love it.
      • 1 thumbs!
        Capn Droid | October 02, 2008
        Didn't you hear? He's after human chicks now.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Dark Arcanine | October 01, 2008
    I agree, I do believe Sonic has a tiny bit of sex appeal... although I think it's rather tame compared to a lot of modern day games.

    I was not quite sure on this article myself, I know a lot of younger children who love this game. I think the industry just needs them to grow up a bit to replace the older gamers and all good, no need to revert back to old methods.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Galacticdramon | October 01, 2008
    Lacks sex and killing? Naturally Rouge's cleavage physics and Shadow's weapon addiction aren't enough.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Play ISDF | October 01, 2008
    So what, all games must have sex and killing to be good? Who comes up with this crap logic? Isn't say, LittleBigPlanet one of the most awaited games at the moment and as far as I know, it doesn't have sex or killing. Same goes for Spore (Sporn not included), Portal, Rockband/Guitar hero series, there are a lot of games out there that are fairly good and don't revolve around sex and killing. Besides, by the looks of things, Sonic Unleashed will revive the series for old school fans.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Sonic Flash | October 01, 2008
    It's Sega's fault entirely that their Sonic games are doing so poorly. Sonic is fine. I'm pretty sure you can even rationalize introducing new chars each time if you made the game good enough.

    Awkward kiss scenes? Carrying guns around? Glitchy cameras and poor gameplay mechanics? Those are allll your fault, Sega.

    Case in point: Capcom releases an 8-bit Mega Man game for dirt cheap; people go apeshit for it because it's EXACTLY what the series was started on and designed for.

    Games that would succeed:
    - Original 16-bit Sonic game with no storyline, just like Sonic/Sonic 2/etc
    - 3D game with extra care taken to camera and controller mechanics, no new characters, random temporary locales
  • 0 thumbs!
    Fishlock | October 01, 2008
    Well, Sonic is going to be a were wolf/knight.

    Maybe...
  • 0 thumbs!
    ZaikXory | October 01, 2008
    If Mario hasn't died out yet, then Sonic won't die out either.
    • 0 thumbs!
      Big A2 | October 01, 2008
      Think to your self, are the modern day Mario games good? Yes. Are the modern day Sonic games good? No.
      • 0 thumbs!
        ZaikXory | October 02, 2008
        Thats not necessarily true. Some of the modern day Sonic games are pretty good.
        • 0 thumbs!
          Big A2 | October 02, 2008
          Source please.

          But seriously, name one.
        • 0 thumbs!
          Capn Droid | October 02, 2008
          Please. Not only must you name me that, but also any good Mario game on the market, excluding Super Smash Bros.

          ... Mario Kart. Never mind, .

          But again, one good Sonic game from this generation. Hell, last generation, if you can't find one. Just tell us.
      • 0 thumbs!
        Zaraze | October 02, 2008
        That won't stop Sega milking it until long after it's dead.

        Apart from that The Dark Brotherhood is good. Outshined by several other RPGs yes, but it's still a great game and it makes most of the caracters likeable.
        Of course it was developed by Bioware, Sonicteam will probably never repeat the ideal =(
  • 0 thumbs!
    MrX867 | October 02, 2008
    This game series should have died long ago,
    don't get me wrong I love Sonic games, I grew up with sonic;
    but they should have killed it instead of making Sonic go through the shame of all those crappy games. Or just make the games like 2.5D instead of full 3D.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Dark Arcanine | October 02, 2008
    Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood is interesting because of the fact it's designed for the Nintendo DS.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Scott 1 | October 02, 2008
    I do like Sonic but I gotta admit, it is dying a bit. I must say that I prefer the old 2D platform types of Sonic; the 3D versions can still be fun but they're quite annoying.
    But yeah, kids will always love Sonic no matter what, so I suppose it will have life in it for quite some time.

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.

Submit Newshelp

Last Commented

Take a Gander at NIS' PS3 Exclusive RPG, Last Rebellion
1 min ago
Forza Motorsport 3: JDM Screens
1 hours 35 mins ago
Game Sequels We Want To See Happen
2 hours 47 mins ago
Bleszinski Hints at Taking a Different Stylistic Approach With Gears
2 hours 48 mins ago
Best Buy's PS3 bundle comes with Metal Gear Solid 4 and Killzone 2
2 hours 49 mins ago
Pre Order Ratchet & Clank Now You Won't Believe What You Get
2 hours 58 mins ago
(0.0993/d/aeon)