In a new interview done by GameInformer, Sonic Studio creative officer Takashi Iizuka talked more about the upcoming Sonic Colours Ultimate, Sonic Origins and the upcoming next main Sonic game, slated for a 2022 release.
One of the first questions asked was about the pandemic’s impact on the celebration plans for Sonic’s 30th anniversary. Iizuka was upfront and said that he would be “lying if I said that the pandemic didn’t affect our plans at all.”
We have been working from home at Sega of America since March of 2020, and while we have been effective at working from home, it did impact our plans. But we are not letting that stop us from executing on things as best as we can and have this be a memorable 30th anniversary for our fans.
Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Studio Creative Officer.
Sonic Colours Ultimate
In regards to Sonic Colours Ultimate, Iizuka repeated what he said in a previous interview with Famitsu. He expressed that he was aware that the Sonic movie was a success, and as a result, he “wanted to deliver a title that would be a quintessentially Sonic title for these new people to experience.”
Sonic Origins
Talking about Sonic Origins, Iizuka said that seeing the old Mega Drive Sonic games being re-released in a 4:3 aspect ratio was antiquated, and he wanted to give fans a more modern experience with the release of Origins.
We have released these titles many times in the past running on emulation but seeing that 4:3 screen ratio on modern 16:9 displays feels very retro. The concept behind Sonic Origins is to make these four legendary titles feel more modern. Of course, this means displaying the title in the full 16:9 screen formats of modern displays.
Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Studio Creative Officer.
Iizuka also said that fans can expect to see some new content being implemented in the classic games that go beyond what the SEGA Ages versions of Sonic 1 and 2 for the Nintendo Switch offered.
Sonic Origins will have features that not even the Sega Ages versions have. Not only will the playable game area be in the 16:9 format, but it will also be a multiplatform release of a title containing Sonic 1, 2, 3 & Knuckles, and CD.
Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Studio Creative Officer.
Sonic Origins makes it the first time in a decade that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles has been re-released, and Iizuka says that “having the chance to re-release this title after decades is something I am really looking forward to.”
Sonic’s next main game for 2022
Takashi Iizuka was also asked about the upcoming main Sonic game, that despite some leaks, SEGA themselves have tried their best to be very tight-lipped about.
Iizuka thanked fans for being patient in regards to the next main Sonic game, and said that after the release of Sonic Forces, Sonic Team in Japan was trying many different approaches to deliver a next-gen Sonic experience. It was also expressed that the team has been thinking about how a “modern gameplay experience should be for a Sonic title”, and that this game will probably define the path forward they plan to take for the next decade.
I do believe we will see an advancement in what a modern Sonic game can be. Of course, we will not deny the high-speed action that characterized previous modern Sonic games like Sonic Generations or Sonic Forces, rather we will create a title that our current gaming fans and new gamers will enjoy.
Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Studio Creative Officer.
Keep your eyes open on Tails’ Channel for more updates related to Sonic Colors Ultimate, Sonic Origins, and Sonic’s next main game.
