With Sonic’s seemingly undying allure pulling in fans and generating substantial box office earnings, Sega’s iconic speeding marsupial may be heading for a reboot or remake.
Yukio Sugino, Sega’s president and chief operations officer, shared this possibility in an enlightening interview with Famitsu, as translated by DualShockers.
The past few years have witnessed Sonic the Hedgehog galloping to triumph with SEGA’s latest batch of releases, including a whimsical attempt at parodying itself earlier this year. Meanwhile, last year brought forth Sonic Origins, which was met by a bit of criticism due to technical bugs while Sonic Frontiers soared above Sega’s sales projections, encouraging fans that Sonic was on the right course.
Simultaneously, Sonic Superstars, a revival of the franchise’s 2D side-scrolling roots, is in the works. A unique creation from Sonic’s original designer, this development has certainly piqued fans’ anticipation. But Sega’s plans don’t stop here. “In parallel with [Sonic Superstars], we are considering reboots and remakes,” Sugino explained.
Sugino’s comments hint at a promising future for Sonic the Hedgehog fans, which was all but guaranteed after its first two films earned big at the global box office and became one of the most successful video game adaptations to make it out of the cutting room floor.
With remakes and reboots under consideration, could Sega be hinting at remastered versions of Sonic’s other 2D titles, or even the games released as part of Sonic Origins Plus? Might we even see a revival of the Sonic Adventure games from the Dreamcast era, fondly remembered as “legendary” by Sonic Frontiers director Morio Kishimoto? Fans certainly hope so.
Sugino outlined Sega’s approach to rebooting and remaking games. He insisted that the studio evaluates each franchise on their own merits, and the decision depends on whether the timing is “appropriate” or not. The importance of determining the best approach for each IP was emphasized, from new releases to reboots. “Of course, we have to do new things, but not all IPs are the same for new releases and reboots,” Sugino clarified.
This strategy was evidenced by Samba De Amigo: Party Central, slated for Nintendo Switch release on August 29. Instead of labeling it a reboot, Sugino classified it as a new series entry. Sonic Superstars, in contrast, represents a “return to 2D action” and carries a reboot aspect, especially when compared to Sonic Frontiers.
Sugino’s words resonate strongly with Sonic fans globally. In an ever-evolving gaming market, Sega continues to adapt and innovate while preserving its treasured past. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the revival of other dormant franchises like NiGHTS, Jet Set Radio, or Crazy Taxi. For now, though, Sega seems intent on nurturing its “flagship IP.”
When asked about other classic franchises possibly returning, Sonic creative officer Takashi Iizuka remained tight-lipped as he affirms that the team is “totally focused” on Sonic. However, he did hint at Sega’s expansion, noting the recent hiring spree at Sonic Team in Japan.
Despite the silence on potential reboots of other classics, Sega’s persistent focus on Sonic is clear. A new Sonic game, Sonic Superstars, developed by Arzest under the guidance of Sonic’s original creator Naoto Ohshima, will launch later this year. It promises a new four-player side-scrolling platformer filled with adventures, villains, and new powers, all set against the backdrop of the enchanting North Star Islands.
While the wait continues for a potential Sonic reboot or remake, Sega continues to cultivate and revitalize its legacy, aiming to blend the nostalgic past with an exhilarating future.
Undoubtedly, Sonic the Hedgehog remains Sega’s crown jewel, and fans can look forward to more thrilling adventures from the enduring franchise.
Outside of Sonic the Hedgehog, SEGA owns other several properties that continue to revel in the mainstream spotlight. For example, Persona 5 Tactica and Persona 3 Reload are coming out on November 17 and early 2024, respectively. In addition to this, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is also set to release on November 8 with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth following suit next year.
