Sonic the Hedgehog 4

For similarly-titled media, see Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (disambiguation).

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4
System(s): Microsoft Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade), Sony PlayStation 3 (Sony PlayStation Network), Nintendo Wii (WiiWare), Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (App Store)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sonic Team / Dimps
Genre: 2D platformer
ESRB PEGI USK 6

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a Sonic the Hedgehog episodic game with its first episode released in October 7th, 11th, 12th, and 13th in the US regions, October 7th, 13th, and 15th in the EU region, and October 12, 13th in the JP region. It was originally codenamed Project Needlemouse, after Mr. Needlemouse, the name given to several early prototypes of Sonic.

The game was first announced on the GameSpot website on September 9th, 2009, the 10th anniversary of the Sega Dreamcast. The game is a 2D, download-only title on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, WiiWare, and Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch; and features HD graphics on the former two platforms. It is a direct sequel to Sonic & Knuckles and is set after the events of that game. It was released in episodic format, with its storyline spread across several episodes. Takashi Iizuka, who was involved in level design in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, is involved with the development, while Jun Senoue is the game's Sound Director.

On March 22, NGamer revealed that the game will have 3 Episodes, each comprising 4 Zones. [1] Each Zone has 4 Acts, the last of which is a boss battle with Sonic's perpetual nemesis Dr. Eggman.

Both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 versions support custom soundtracks.

Gameplay

The game intends to replicate the feel of 16-bit era Sonic games with elements such as momentum-based physics and classic-style badniks. Each zone features 3 acts, similar to Sonic 1's gameplay, along with a boss act. The Homing Attack and Spin Dash are present.

Platform Differences

In order to fit within WiiWare size limits, music in the Wii version uses a sequenced format similar to MIDI or module formats. As a result, there are noticeable differences from the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions, which use recorded music.

The iOS version retains the rotating minecart stage and has an option for camera rotation when running through loops.

Criticism

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has been criticised due to the design and content of the game. Some people believe that it is not a true sequel to the classic games, due to Episode I's content being largely based on that of previous games with minor changes, and level design that features speed boosters in every level (a staple of Dimps' level design with their previous Sonic games) and object placement that forces the use of the Homing Attack. The latter is a move that some fans do not feel belongs in a 2D game, particularly not one based on the classics and set before its debut in Sonic Adventure. The music has also been criticised, due to it featuring low-quality synths and drum samples (the latter from Sonic 2, not the more advanced ones from Sonic 3) that vary little between songs.

A highly controversal item is Sonic's design, which is the modern style model that debuted in Sonic Adventure and has since received refinements until its most recent state in Sonic Unleashed. Many fans believe that the classic Sonic design should have been used, and a petition was set up for SEGA to include the different version. However, in a magazine Takashi Iizuka said that the classic style wasn't returning, as all games since Sonic Adventure have featured Sonic in his modern design.

Production Credits

Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 credits

Resources

Artwork

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  Title Screen Logo

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  Leaked Box Artwork

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  Box Artwork (Clean)

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  Title Screen Pose

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  Sonic Running

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  Sonic Falling Down

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  Eggman Artwork

External links

• Official Website
• Japanese Official Website
• Initial announcement (and teaser trailer) on Gamespot
• Project Needlemouse Music from Hedgehog Day on YouTube
• Sonic 4 announcement and trailer on Gamespot
• The interview with Ken Balough on Gamespot
• Sega America Blog: Project Needlemouse Character Countdown – Finale and Concept Art!

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems
	2007  Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic the Hedgehog 2     2009  Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Sonic & Knuckles     2010  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I | Sonic Adventure     2011  Sonic the Hedgehog CD     2012  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II | Sonic Adventure 2 | Sonic the Fighters      Prototypes  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I (PartnerNET build)

	2006  Sonic the Hedgehog     2008  Sonic Unleashed     2009  Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection     2010  Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing     2011  Sonic Generations     2012  Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed      Prototypes  Sonic Generations (Demo 1/2)

filler
	2006  Sonic the Hedgehog | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     2007  Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Sonic Spinball | Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island     2008  Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit) | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)     2009  Sonic Chaos | Sonic & Knuckles     2010  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I      Prototypes  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I (WiiWare JP prototype)