<![CDATA[Kotaku: sonic and the secret rings]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: sonic and the secret rings]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/sonic and the secret rings http://kotaku.com/tag/sonic and the secret rings <![CDATA[ What Is Sonic Rush Adventure? ]]> RUSH RUSHTrademark hunters at Sonic the Hedgehog fansite Sonic Stadium uncovered an interesting recent filing from Sega for a video game named Sonic Rush Adventure. While details are miniscule—there's nothing to go on save the game's title—I have to wonder what the game could be.

Is it simply a sequel to the Nintendo DS sidescrolling game Sega released in the fall of 2005? It could very well be. It was one of the best rated Sonic games of the past five years, performing just as well critically as Sonic's first forays into 3D gaming, Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2. Sonic Rush did pretty well in the sales department, too.

Maybe Sonic Rush Adventure is a totally new title, distinct enough from its DS ancestor to warrant new branding.

Given Sega's recent comments that a "reinvention" of the series is overdue, comments made after the release of Sonic the Hedgehog for PS3 and Xbox 360 and Sonic and the Secret Rings for the Wii, I wouldn't be surprised to see a new take on the Adventure series.

Will Sega keep the Sonic Rush 2D gameplay, adding more story driven elements and exploration? Could they take a Super Paper Mario approach, merging the series' 2D and 3D strengths, eliminating one of its biggest weaknesses, shoddy 3D camera control? Why wouldn't they simply name a standard Sonic Rush sequel Sonic Rush 2?

I'm just riffing here and fully aware that all this conjecture based on a simple trademark registration is mostly wishful thinking, but I'm hoping that Sonic Rush Adventure isn't just Sonic Rush 2 and will give Sonic an opportunity to shine. Michael McWhertor

New Sonic Rush game in the works? [Sonic Stadium via NeoGAF Forums]

]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:20:20 MDT Michael McWhertor http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=251253&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Clip: See Sonic and the Secret Rings Ending ]]>

Spoiler! Above is a cruddy quality clip of the Sonic and the Secret Rings ending. Kinda hokey. No wait, extremely hokey. It doesn't contain human kissing, proving that rational-thinking people still work at Sega. Brian Ashcraft

New Sonic Game Ending [Insert Credit]

]]> Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:00:18 MST Brian Ashcraft http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=239059&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Week in Games: Crackdown Edition ]]> Some great games coming out this week and the PS3 gets some love with flOw and Virtua Fighter 5. Xbox 360 owners will be scrambling for a copy of Crackdown and a chance to get invited to the Halo 3 beta. For me, I'll be laying my cash down for Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja. What will you be getting?

Flynn De Marco

]]> Sun, 18 Feb 2007 18:00:00 MST fdemarco http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=237712&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Sega, Save Our Sonic! ]]> Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog may still do some healthy business at retail these days, but that doesn't mean he (and his shitty friends, like Shadow) haven't been the butt of seemingly infinite jokes and poor reviews. Can the Sega faithful take much more? Will Sonic and the Secret Rings be our savior or the straw that broke the camel's back?

1UP's resident sourpuss Jeremy Parish takes a look at the five things Sega needs to add to or subtract from the current Sonic design formula to win back the hearts and minds of jaded gamers everywhere. Obviously, dumping Shadow is on the list, but some well-considered recommendations fill out the other spots.

One suggestion I'd like to make? Nothing new, but dump that awful 3D camera. Maybe Sonic Team ought to take a cue from Retro Studios and make good use of their morph ball gameplay stylings. Michael McWhertor

Hit Reset: How Sega Can Save Sonic the Hedgehog [1UP]

]]> Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:40:53 MST Michael McWhertor http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=236351&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Sonic Producer Talks Smash Bros, Secret Rings ]]>

The official UK Nintendo magazine picked the brain of longtime Sega employee and Sonic producer Yojiro Ogawa to get his thoughts on the oft-requested inclusion of the sassy blue hedgehog in Nintendo's upcoming Wii fighter Super Smash Bros. Brawl. His thoughts?

In my personal opinion, it would be great to have Sonic in it. But that would really involve Sonic and Nintendo's management, it's nothing to do with me!

Huh. It's not a denial. Maybe we can expect that Mario and Sonic crossover after all? Yeah, I'm not holding my breath either. Ogawa also spoke about his inspiration for Sonic's upcoming Wii adventure, a concept many gamers hoping for the mascot's return to glory can most likely get behind.

The original Mega Drive Sonic game used only one button and the controls were very simple. That allowed gamers to experience high-speed gameplay and that was something I used as a concept for this title as well.

Chant with me now. Please be good. Please be good. Please be good. Michael McWhertor

Sonic And The Secret Rings: Interview And Impressions [OUKNM]

]]> Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:40:59 MST Michael McWhertor http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=234515&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ flOw Gets Solid Release Date ]]> Pushing the PLAYSTATION 3 "launch window" to its limits, SCEA and thatgamecompany will finally release their abstract aquatic survival game flOw on the PlayStation Store this February 22. The PS3 downloadable game will feature 1080p graphics, 5.1 surround sound, and SIXAXIS control for maximum immersion. Recreational pharmaceuticals optional.

Good news, to be sure, but it comes just a day after potential hits Virtua Fighter 5 for the PS3, Crackdown for the Xbox 360 and Sonic and the Secret Rings for the Wii. That's an expensive week for multiplatform gamers.

More detail is available at the official flOw site. Michael McWhertor

Feel the flOw [Gaming-Age]

]]> Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:20:25 MST Michael McWhertor http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=234435&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Boxart: Wii's Sonic and the Secret Rings ]]>

The first Wii Sonic game, Sonic and the Secret Rings, will ship on Feb. 20, Sega just confirmed. I don't know, is boxart worth its own post? I can't decide. Brian Crecente

]]> Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:37:10 MST Brian Crecente http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=232706&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Sonic Wii Hits Early ]]> Maybe we're all setting ourselves up for disappointment, but it seems that everywhere you turn people are holding out hope that maybe, just maybe, Sonic and The Secret Rings for the Nintendo Wii will be good. The wait for impending disappointment (or return to Sonic glory) is now just a little bit shorter, as Sega has pushed up the release date for the racer-platformer to February 20th.

Cross your fingers, hope that Shadow is not unlockable and wait patiently for reviews. Michael McWhertor

]]> Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:40:39 MST Michael McWhertor http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=232389&view=rss&microfeed=true