Looking to squeeze every last nanoliter of hedgehog blood from the corpse of Sega's beloved mascot, Sega announced that they'll be bringing an updated port of the 1991 blast processing hit to the Game Boy Advance. It's called Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis and will play exactly like the other 999,999,999 versions of Sonic The Hedgehog you've played on every other platform, from the Dreamcast to the PS2 to the TRS-80, but with the now classic spin dash move. You can also save your progress. *cough*

Sega also wants to remind you that Sonic Rivals is coming to the PSP and that more Sonic Adventure-style 3D platformers are still coming to the Xbox 360, PS3, and the Wii.

Hey, Sega, I know Sonic is keeping the lights on at HQ, but would it kill you to take some of the Shadow The Hedgehog cash and give us a System 16 collection so I can play some damned Shinobi?

Check the full release after the jump for more Sonic love.

The Blue Dude With the 'Tude Rockets Onto Next-Gen Consoles With Sonic The Hedgehog on PS3 and Xbox 360, a New Sonic Adventure on the Wii, Sonic Rivals on PSP, and a Special Edition of Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis for the GBA

He's fast, he's blue, he's sold over 44 million games, and he just turned 15 years old! Tomorrow, SEGA(R) will join millions of fans around the world to celebrate Sonic The Hedgehog's 15th birthday and his continued success with four bold new upcoming games. Born on June 23, 1991 as the fastest, most technologically advanced character for the SEGA(R) Genesis(R) console, Sonic continues to innovate as he prepares to blast onto next-gen consoles and the Sony PlayStation(R)Portable system with groundbreaking new adventures. Additionally, in honor of its beloved mascot's 16-bit roots, SEGA will release the game that started it all with Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis exclusively for the Game Boy(R) Advance this November. The game will feature two new additions to the classic 1991 debut including Sonic's famous Spin-Dash move and a new save ability, and will retail at the special price of $19.95.

Fans will be treated throughout the year to special 15th anniversary events, culminating with the release of three original Sonic adventures shipping later this year, as well as the original Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis for the Game Boy Advance. Sonic will make his first appearance on next-gen consoles with the dynamic new adventure Sonic The Hedgehog for the PlayStation(R)3 and Xbox 360(TM) this fall. Sonic The Hedgehog melds top-tier production values with next-gen art, physics, and game design to create the fastest and most intense Sonic experience yet. Featuring brand new interactive 3D environments, Sonic gameplay is taken to a whole new level with a large cast of new and returning characters, and a blistering sense of speed. Sonic will also debut this fall on the PSP(R) with Sonic Rivals, a one-on-one racing platformer that also features Knuckles amongst other rivals combining classic 2D gameplay with 3D worlds. Available in 2007, a new Sonic adventure is also in development for the Wii(TM) console, combining Sonic's high velocity with the unique Wii controller and a colorful retelling of the classic tale Arabian Nights.

"Sonic's 15th birthday is a landmark occasion bringing SEGA and Sonic fans together to celebrate the hedgehog's trademark speed, heroism, and attitude," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "The breathtaking speed and gameplay innovation that Sonic introduced in 1991 will reach new heights in Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic Rivals, and Sonic's new adventure for the Wii. These titles continue a super-Sonic legacy of ground-breaking gameplay and story elements that only next-gen consoles can deliver."

In addition to his video game fame, the "blue dude with the 'tude" has starred in two animated TV series, numerous comic book adventures, and an animated movie — he's even had his own theme park and was the first and only video game character ever featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. But it's his video games that matter most to his legions of fans. Sonic has starred in more than 30 video game adventures, a distinction that earned him his star on the 'Walk of Game' landmark honoring pioneering gaming icons.

With the four upcoming new games, Sonic The Hedgehog is ready to blaze his way to the top of the video game world with the same speed, optimism, and brashness that set the gaming world on fire in 1991.

About Sonic The Hedgehog

Currently celebrating his 15th anniversary, Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the most popular video game icons of all time with over 44 million games sold worldwide.

— Over 8,000 Sonic games are sold worldwide every day

— Gamers have spent over 500 million hours and collected over 66 billion gold rings playing Sonic The Hedgehog games

About SEGA(R) of America, Inc.

SEGA(R) of America, Inc. is the American Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA(R) Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The SEGA of America Web Site is located at www.SEGA.com.

About SEGA(R) Europe Ltd.

SEGA(R) Europe Ltd. is the European Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA(R) Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. The SEGA(R) Europe Web Site is located at www.sega-europe.com.

Will someone please check on the guys at UK:R? I suspect they're either having a string of minor heart attacks or wanking themselves into dehydration over this. Michael McWhertor

Send an email to Michael McWhertor, the author of this post, at mike@kotaku.com.