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| − | :''For similarly-titled media, see [[Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (disambiguation)]].''
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| | {{Bob | | {{Bob |
| − | |bobscreen=S4 Development Title.JPG | + | | bobscreen=Sonic4EpI PC title.png |
| − | |screenwidth=320px | + | | bobscreen2=Sonic4Episode2 Title.png |
| − | |system=[[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]], [[iPhone]], [[N2 Platform]] | + | | tab1=Episode I |
| − | |publisher=[[Sega]] | + | | tab2=Episode II |
| − | |developer=[[Sonic Team]] / [[Dimps]] | + | | icon= |
| − | |usa=July 2010 | + | | system=[[sega:Wii|Wii]] ([[sega:WiiWare|WiiWare]]), [[sega:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]] ([[sega:Xbox Live Arcade|Xbox Live Arcade]]), [[sega:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]] ([[sega:PlayStation Network|PlayStation Network]]), iOS, [[sega:Windows Phone 7|Windows Phone 7]], PC (Steam), Android |
| − | |japan=July 2010 | + | | publisher=[[sega:Sega|Sega]] |
| − | |europe=July 2010
| + | | developer=[[sega:Sonic Team|Sonic Team]], [[Sega:Dimps|Dimps]] |
| − | |genre=2D Platformer | + | | producer=[[Takashi Iizuka]] |
| − | |esrb=e|pegi=3|usk=6}} | + | | director=[[Toshiyuki Nagahara]] |
| | + | | genre=Action |
| | + | | esrb=e |
| | + | | pegi=3 |
| | + | | usk=6 |
| | + | | players=1 |
| | + | }} |
| | + | {{OtherPage|desc=similarly-titled media|page=Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (disambiguation)}} |
| | + | '''''Sonic the Hedgehog 4''''' is the collective term for two episodic ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' video games; ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II]]'', released in 2010 and 2012, respectively. It is a sequel to ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles]]'', marketed as being a return to the franchises' 2D roots. |
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| − | '''''Sonic the Hedgehog 4''''', codenamed ''Project Needlemouse'', is an upcoming [[Sonic]] game scheduled for release in July 2010. First announced on the GameSpot website on September 9, 2009, ''Sonic the Hedgehog 4'' will be in 2D, feature HD graphics, and be a downloadable title on XBLA, PSN, WiiWare, and the iPhone. It will be released in episodic format with the game's story spread throughout the series. It is a direct sequel to ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' and takes place after its story. [[Takashi Iizuka]], who was involved in level design in [[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]] is overseeing the project, while [[Jun Senoue]] is the game's Sound Director.
| + | During development the game was codenamed ''Project Needlemouse'', after [[Mr. Needlemouse]], a mistranslation{{ref|https://archive.vn/Vbhfv|https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1353276720011386881}} of the name "Mr. ハリネズミ", featured on Naoto Ohshima's original sketch for Sonic, read "harinezumi" and meaning "Mr. Hedgehog". While overseen by [[Sonic Team]], much of the development was handled by long-time ''Sonic'' collaborators, [[Dimps]]. |
| | | | |
| − | On March 22nd, NGamer revealed the game will have 3 Episodes consisting of 4 Zones each. [http://www.sonicstadium.org/news/ngamer-magazine-preview-confirms-game-length-special-stage]
| + | ''Episode I'' takes after ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic 1]]'' in some ways, while ''Episode II'' takes after ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic 2]]''. There was to be an ''Episode III'', likely taking after ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3|Sonic 3]]'', but in 2015 this was officially announced to have been canceled.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20180216184327/http://gameranx.com/updates/id/25983/article/sonic-4-episode-3-was-planned-has-seemingly-been-scrapped-for-good/}} |
| | | | |
| − | ==Gameplay== | + | ==Plot== |
| − | 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 will feature 3 acts, similar to [[Sonic 1]]'s gameplay, along with a boss act. Further details are yet to be revealed.
| + | ''Sonic the Hedgehog 4'' is set shortly after the events of ''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]'' and takes place before the events of "''[[Sonic Adventure]]''". After [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] manages to destroy [[Dr. Robotnik|Doctor Eggman's]] space station, he decides it is time to take a much deserved break. After parting with his companions [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] and [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]], Sonic sets off to explore new territories alone. |
| − | [[File:S4 Development Level Select.JPG|thumb|left|300px|The level select in this [[:Category: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Game Development Images|development image]] displays the 4 zones featured in Episode 1. [[Splash Hill Zone]] is currently highlighted.]] | |
| | | | |
| − | ==Marketing==
| + | However, unbeknownst to him, his nemesis, Dr. Eggman, has survived their last encounter, and has revisited and improved some of his very best robotic creations in another attempt to defeat Sonic. Sonic must travel through a variety of [[Zone]]s to defeat Dr. Eggman once again. |
| − | ===First announcement and teaser===
| |
| − | [[File:Needlemouse Teaser emblem comparison.gif|thumb|The silhouetted emblem resembles that of the one from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'']] On September 8, 2009, Sega revealed to GameSpot details about a new 2D Sonic game. Named Project Needlemouse, it would be released in 2010 and feature HD graphics. GameSpot conducted [[Ken Ballough interview by Gamespot (September 8, 2009)|an interview]] with [[Sega]]'s associate brand manager, [[Ken Balough]]. Balough described the game as a response to "''old-school Sonic fans [who] have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay.''"
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| − | A {{file|Project Needlemouse Teaser.flv|teaser video}} was also released. While the video didn't include any actual gameplay, it showed Sonic racing around collecting rings, with the words "Speed returns in an all new 2D adventure built from the ground up." It included sound effects from early Sonic games (like the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''). The video concludes with a silhouetted [[Sonic_the_Hedgehog_(16-bit)#The_Ribbon.2C_Ring.2C_and_Stars|"ribbon, ring, and stars"-style emblem]], which hides details such as the game's true name and main character (which would later be revealed as Sonic). The shape of the emblem closely resembled that of the one [[:File:Sonic1 title.png|on the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog'''s title screen]].
| + | ===[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I|Episode I]]=== |
| | + | The first episode sees Sonic travelling through four main Zones: [[Splash Hill]], [[Casino Street]], [[Lost Labyrinth]] and [[Mad Gear]], where he battles Dr. Eggman and altered versions of his past contraptions. Upon handling Dr. Eggman's four initial mechanisms, Sonic then squares off against the doctor in a boss battle marathon. If the game is finished with all seven [[Chaos Emeralds]] collected, a post-credits cutscene is shown, teasing the appearance of [[Metal Sonic]] in the next episode. |
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| − | ===Character Countdown=== | + | ===[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II|Episode II]]=== |
| − | On Monday, January 11, 2010, the "Project Needlemouse Character Countdown" began on the official [http://blogs.sega.com/ Sega Blogs]. This countdown would eventually reveal that Sonic is the only playable character in the game, after goals were met by the community. On Monday, a picture was released showing the names of potential playable characters. Each day that week until Friday, names would be crossed off that picture if enough fans answered Sonic-related trivia questions correctly. [[:File:Project Needlemouse Character Countdown.jpg|The list of possible characters]] included: [[Chip]], [[Charmy Bee|Charmy]], [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]], [[Vector the Crocodile|Vector]], Sonic's new friend Mr. Needlemouse, [[Shade]], [[Tikal]], [[Big the Cat]], [[Amy Rose|Amy]] and [[Froggy]].
| + | Episode II primarily focuses on Sonic's rivalry with Metal Sonic, following on from their last encounter during the events of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD|Sonic CD]]''. [[Tails]] also joins Sonic in this episode. Eggman uses Metal to keep Sonic at bay while his plan gets put into motion, which is a [[Death Egg mk.II|new Death Egg]]. |
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| − | [[File:Needlemouse Shellcracker.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Shellcracker]] concept artwork from ''Project Needlemouse'']]A bonus point could also be earned each day. If at least three bonus points were earned by the community by Friday, "something special" would also be awarded. On Friday, this was revealed to be drawn concept artwork of a [[Shellcracker]] [[badnik]] from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' | + | ==Gameplay== |
| | + | ''Sonic 4'' attempts to replicate the feel of the [[Sega Mega Drive]] ''Sonic'' games with elements such as side scrolling levels and classic-style badniks. Each Zone features 3 Acts, similar to ''Sonic 1''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s design, along with a boss Act. The [[Homing Attack]] and [[Spin Dash]] are present. [[Monitors]] return in this game, and power-ups attainable from them include the [[Speed Shoes]], [[Shield]], and [[Invincibility]]. |
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| − | {| | + | [[Special Stage (Sonic the Hedgehog 4)|Special Stages]] are present, with ''Episode I''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s being based on ''Sonic 1'' and ''Episode II'''s being based on ''Sonic 2''. In both games, if all 7 [[Chaos Emeralds]] are collected in the Special Stage and 50 or more [[Ring]]s are collected the player will be able to transform into [[Super Sonic]], a feature which has not been implemented in regular levels in an action Sonic game since ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''. The transformation is activated by pressing a button that is not Jump, making transforming into Super Sonic less likely to be accidental. In the Wii version, it's simply the {{1}} button, while on the 360 it is the {{X}}/{{Y}} buttons. |
| − | !style="padding:10px" valign="top" align="left" class="bottomtempalt"|'''Day 1 (Monday)'''
| + | ==Characters== |
| − | [http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/11/project-needlemouse-character-countdown-day-1/ Sega Blog post] | + | ===Playable=== |
| − | |style="padding-left:10px" |'''Trivia questions:'''
| + | *''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' |
| − | #In Sonic 1, how many rings were needed at the end of an act to enter a special stage?
| + | **''[[Super Sonic]]'' |
| − | #How many emeralds were in the original Sonic 1 for Genesis / Mega Drive?
| + | *''[[Miles "Tails" Prower]]'' (episode II) |
| − | #What colors were these emeralds?
| + | *''[[Metal Sonic]]'' (episode metal) |
| | + | ===Non-playable=== |
| | + | *''[[Dr. Eggman]]'' |
| | | | |
| − | '''Challege:''' Get 100 replies on the Sega Blogs with three correct answers in 20 hours. Get over 250 correct replies for a bonus point.
| + | ==History== |
| | + | ===Development=== |
| | + | On March 22, NGamer revealed that the game will have 3 Episodes, each comprising 4 Zones.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20110817104700/http://www.sonicstadium.org/2010/03/ngamer-magazine-preview-confirms-game-length-special-stage/}} Each Zone has 4 Acts, the last of which is a boss battle with Sonic's perpetual nemesis [[Dr. Eggman]]. |
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| − | '''Outcome:''' Over 700 correct replies within the first 12 hours; challenge met with a bonus point awarded. Charmy and Chip were eliminated. | + | ==Controversy== |
| − | |-
| + | ''Sonic the Hedgehog 4'' is a controversial game among fans of the ''Sonic'' franchise. Sonic's post-''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' appearance was met with outrage from fans who were expecting the original Mega Drive look, to the point where a petition was started. Year after year there are stories of perceived low quality in graphics, music, and gameplay. ''Episode II'' has a slightly better reputation but is still considered to be "more of the same". The sheer amount of outrage may have lead to ''Episode III'' being canceled. |
| − | !style="padding:10px" valign="top" align="left" class="bottomtempalt"|'''Day 2 (Tuesday)'''
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| | | | |
| − | [http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/12/project-needlemouse-character-countdown-day-2/ Sega Blog post]
| + | ==External links== |
| − | |style="padding-left:10px" |'''Trivia questions:'''
| + | {{LinkRetro|topic=39938|title=Sonic Retro discussion thread}} |
| − | #What was the general name for the robot enemies in the early Sonic games?
| + | *[http://www.sonicthehedgehog4.com Official Website] |
| − | #50 Rings is always nice, but 100 is even nicer - why so?
| + | *[http://sonic.sega.jp/SonicTheHedgehog4/ Japanese Official Website] |
| − | #In Sonic 2 for the Genesis / Mega Drive, how many lives was a 'continue' worth?
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| − | | |
| − | '''Challenge:''' Get 500 replies on the [http://www.facebook.com/Sega?v=feed&story_fbid=281091230729&ref=mf Sega Facebook page] and [http://www.facebook.com/Sonic?v=feed&story_fbid=248659265138&ref=mf Sonic Facebook page] with three correct answers in 20 hours. Get over 750 correct replies for a bonus point.
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| − | | |
| − | '''Outcome:''' Over 900 correct replies were posted; challenge met with a bonus point awarded. Vector and Tikal were eliminated.
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| − | |- | |
| − | !style="padding:10px" valign="top" align="left" class="bottomtempalt"|'''Day 3 (Wednesday)'''
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| − | | |
| − | [http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/13/project-needlemouse-character-countdown-day-3/ Sega Blog post]
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| − | |style="padding-left:10px" |'''Trivia questions:''' | |
| − | #How many acts were in each zone of Sonic 1?
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| − | #What was the first game to feature Super Sonic?
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| − | #The original Sonic the Hedgehog featured special stages with morphing backgrounds - can you name two of the animals seen in that background?
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| − | | |
| − | '''Challenge:''' Get 750 replies on the [http://forums.sega.com/showthread.php?t=309349 official Sonic forums] with three correct answers in 20 hours. Get over 1000 correct replies for a bonus point.
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| − | | |
| − | '''Outcome:''' At least 750 correct replies were made, but the bonus point challenge was not met. Shade and Amy were eliminated.
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| − | |-
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| − | !style="padding:10px" valign="top" align="left" class="bottomtempalt"|'''Day 4 (Thursday)'''
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| − | | |
| − | [http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/14/the-needlemouse-challenge-final-day/ Sega Blog post] | |
| − | |style="padding-left:10px" |'''Trivia questions:'''
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| − | #If you locked Sonic 3 onto Sonic and Knuckles, what was the largest amount of emeralds you could collect from special stages?
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| − | #Yuji Naka is credited with much of Sonic’s history, but who is the man that actually designed Sonic?
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| − | #During his creation, what was the Japanese name originally given to Sonic?
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| − | | |
| − | '''Challenge:''' Get 1000 tweets replying to [http://twitter.com/sega @sega on Twitter] with three correct answers in 24 hours. A bonus point would be awarded if over 1250 correct replies were made or if #SEGA or #Needlemouse became trending topics.
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| − | '''Outcome:''' Over 1000 correct replies were made; challenge met with a bonus point awarded. Shadow, Sonic's new friend Mr. Needlemouse, Froggy, and Big the Cat were eliminated, leaving only Sonic.
| + | ==References== |
| − | |}
| + | <references/> |
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| − | All of the trivia questions had to do with the gameplay or creation of early Sonic games. This strengthened the idea that Project Needlemouse would be a game that somehow was related to the first Sonic games. In revealing that Sonic is the only character, the Sega Blog acknowledged that this was in response to "thousands of [fans] out there asking for a game where Sonic is the only playable character." Project Needlemouse would focus only on Sonic. The Shellcracker concept artwork further suggests that this game is closely related to the original Sonic games like ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' and ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2''.
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| − |
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| − | ===The Needlemouse Challenge: Part 2===
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| − | [[File:ConceptMotobugNeedlemouse.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Motobug]] concept artwork from ''Project Needlemouse''.]]
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| − | On January 27, 2010, the official Sega Blog announced the [http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/27/project-needlemouse-community-challenge-2-new-concept-art-and-a-very-special-reward/ second and final competition]. This competition was realized because of [[Trakker]]'s magnificent artwork of [[Slicer]], which was in the same style as the official [[Shellcracker]] artwork released. Because of how impressed Sega was with it, they started the 2nd competition, which took a different path than the first one. It asked blog visitors to submit their own concept art of [[badnik]]s. Along with the competition, concept art of a [[Motobug]] was shown.
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| − |
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| − | {|
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| − | !style="padding:10px" valign="top" align="left" class="bottomtempalt"|'''Part 2 (Thursday-Monday)'''
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| − | [http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/27/project-needlemouse-community-challenge-2-new-concept-art-and-a-very-special-reward/ Sega Blog post]
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| − | |style="padding-left:10px" |'''Task:'''
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| − | #Submit concept art of your favorite old school Badniks.
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| − |
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| − | '''Challenge:''' Submit 100 total pieces of concept art by February 1st, 2010.
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| − | '''Reward:''' The actual name of Project Needlemouse would be revealed, along with concept art from the first zone and an extra bonus.
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| − | '''Outcome:''' According to Sega, well over 300 pieces of Artwork were submitted within the contest's '''first 48 hours'''.
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| − | ''"If our target had been a ship and your entries arrows, we wanted you to simply fire off one-hundred arrows and hit our ship. That would have been enough.''
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| − | ''Instead, you shot one hundred arrows, fired two hundred cannons, launched multiple air-to-land missiles, detonated at least three warheads, and sent the ship splintering into the air in a grand explosion of planks and pieces – of what used to be a target – as they fell, smoking, to the ground. (Note: The term ‘blew it out of the water’ just wasn’t accurate.)"''
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| − | |}
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| − | The challenge was completed, and Sega announced the next week would be Hedgehog Week, which would start on GroundHog Day, "Hedgehog Day," and would be a week full of big reveals and possibilities to earn prizes.
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| − | ===Hedgehog Week===
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| − | Hedgehog Week started on Hedgehog Day. (Groundhog Day in US) The reason this day was chosen was because it was the original release date for [[Sonic 3]]. The 1st things revealed on Hedgehog Day were as promised, 2 new pieces of concept art: a palm tree and a sunflower, both reminiscent of [[Sonic 1]]. The bonus turned out to be a short clip of music from the new game, which accompanied the "Happy Hedgehog Day" banner on Sega's official website.
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| − | This particular blog post was also where the prizes would be decided by post numbers. The big prize was a copy of [[Sonic 3]] that was signed by one of its original developers, [[Takashi Iizuka]], with post #333. Other prizes included ''"a Sonic & Metal Sonic Wall Scroll (Featuring classic Sonic – who has black eyes), a brand new Sonic the Hedgehog Clock, a Sonic Towel and more!"'' Most winners were in 50 post increments. (50,100,150,etc)
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| − | Sega said not to confuse the music as the big surprise, and stated that the surprise would be revealed on Thursday, February 4th, 2010.
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | File:Needlemouse sunflower.jpg|First zone sunflower concept art
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| − | File:Needlemouse palmtree.jpg|First zone palmtree concept art
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| − | </gallery>
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| − |
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| − | ===Official Unveiling===
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| − | [[File:Needlemaus Rot Plat.jpg|thumb|right|Concept Art for a rotating platform]]
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| − | On February 4, 2010 at midnight PST, the official title of Project Needlemouse, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, was revealed on the Gamespot website. It was accompanied by an interview with Sega's Ken Balough and a trailer containing a few seconds of gameplay footage.
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| − |
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| − | ==Resources==
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| − | ===Artwork===
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | File:Sonic4ep1.png|Title Screen Logo
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| − | File:Sonic4Episode1-box.PNG|Leaked Box Artwork
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| − | </gallery>
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| − |
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| − | ==Concept Art==
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | File:Needlemouse Shellcracker.jpg|Shellcracker
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| − | File:ConceptMotobugNeedlemouse.jpg|Motobug
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| − | File:S4 enemy 07.jpg|Masher
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| − | File:S4 enemy 09.jpg|Newtron
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| − | File:S4 enemy 10.jpg|Bubbles
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| − | File:Needlemouse sunflower.jpg|Sunflower
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| − | File:Needlemouse palmtree.jpg|Palmtree
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| − | File:S4 bushes.jpg|Bush
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| − | File:Needlemaus Rot Plat.jpg|Rotating platform
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| − | </gallery>
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| − |
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| − | ==External Links==
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| − | *[http://www.sonicthehedgehog4.com Official Website]
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| − | *[http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6216991.html Initial announcement (and teaser trailer) on Gamespot]
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| − | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMwKBg-VcpA Project Needlemouse Music from Hedgehog Day on YouTube]
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| − | *[http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/projectneedlemouse/news.html?sid=6249445&tag=topslot;img;1&mode=previews Sonic 4 announcement and trailer on Gamespot]
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| − | *[http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/projectneedlemouse/news.html?sid=6216990&mode=previews The interview with Ken Balough on Gamespot]
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| − | *[http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/01/15/project-needlemouse-character-countdown-finale-and-concept-art/ Sega America Blog: Project Needlemouse Character Countdown – Finale and Concept Art!]
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| − | *[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/04/are-these-leaked-sonic-the-hedgehog-4-videos/ Leaked "Sonic the Hedgehog 4" Footage | Kotaku Australia]
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| | {{S4Omni}} | | {{S4Omni}} |
| − | {{Sonic360games}}
| + | [[Category:Android games]] |
| − | {{SonicPS3games}}
| + | [[Category:Xbox 360 games]] |
| − | {{SonicWiigames}}
| + | [[Category:PlayStation 3 games]] |
| − | [[Category:Prereleases]] | + | [[Category:BlackBerry games]] |
| − | [[Category:Xbox 360 Games]] | + | [[Category:Windows Phone 7 games]] |
| − | [[Category:PS3 Games]] | + | [[Category:iDevice games]] |
| − | [[Category:Wii Games]] | + | [[Category:Steam games]] |
| − | [[Category:Mobile Phone Games]] | + | [[Category:Wii Virtual Console/WiiWare games]] |
- For similarly-titled media, see Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (disambiguation).
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is the collective term for two episodic Sonic the Hedgehog video games; Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II, released in 2010 and 2012, respectively. It is a sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, marketed as being a return to the franchises' 2D roots.
During development the game was codenamed Project Needlemouse, after Mr. Needlemouse, a mistranslation[1] of the name "Mr. ハリネズミ", featured on Naoto Ohshima's original sketch for Sonic, read "harinezumi" and meaning "Mr. Hedgehog". While overseen by Sonic Team, much of the development was handled by long-time Sonic collaborators, Dimps.
Episode I takes after Sonic 1 in some ways, while Episode II takes after Sonic 2. There was to be an Episode III, likely taking after Sonic 3, but in 2015 this was officially announced to have been canceled.[2]
Plot
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set shortly after the events of Sonic 3 & Knuckles and takes place before the events of "Sonic Adventure". After Sonic manages to destroy Doctor Eggman's space station, he decides it is time to take a much deserved break. After parting with his companions Tails and Knuckles, Sonic sets off to explore new territories alone.
However, unbeknownst to him, his nemesis, Dr. Eggman, has survived their last encounter, and has revisited and improved some of his very best robotic creations in another attempt to defeat Sonic. Sonic must travel through a variety of Zones to defeat Dr. Eggman once again.
The first episode sees Sonic travelling through four main Zones: Splash Hill, Casino Street, Lost Labyrinth and Mad Gear, where he battles Dr. Eggman and altered versions of his past contraptions. Upon handling Dr. Eggman's four initial mechanisms, Sonic then squares off against the doctor in a boss battle marathon. If the game is finished with all seven Chaos Emeralds collected, a post-credits cutscene is shown, teasing the appearance of Metal Sonic in the next episode.
Episode II primarily focuses on Sonic's rivalry with Metal Sonic, following on from their last encounter during the events of Sonic CD. Tails also joins Sonic in this episode. Eggman uses Metal to keep Sonic at bay while his plan gets put into motion, which is a new Death Egg.
Gameplay
Sonic 4 attempts to replicate the feel of the Sega Mega Drive Sonic games with elements such as side scrolling levels and classic-style badniks. Each Zone features 3 Acts, similar to Sonic 1's design, along with a boss Act. The Homing Attack and Spin Dash are present. Monitors return in this game, and power-ups attainable from them include the Speed Shoes, Shield, and Invincibility.
Special Stages are present, with Episode I's being based on Sonic 1 and Episode II's being based on Sonic 2. In both games, if all 7 Chaos Emeralds are collected in the Special Stage and 50 or more Rings are collected the player will be able to transform into Super Sonic, a feature which has not been implemented in regular levels in an action Sonic game since Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The transformation is activated by pressing a button that is not Jump, making transforming into Super Sonic less likely to be accidental. In the Wii version, it's simply the 
button, while on the 360 it is the 
/
buttons.
Characters
Playable
Non-playable
History
Development
On March 22, NGamer revealed that the game will have 3 Episodes, each comprising 4 Zones.[3] Each Zone has 4 Acts, the last of which is a boss battle with Sonic's perpetual nemesis Dr. Eggman.
Controversy
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a controversial game among fans of the Sonic franchise. Sonic's post-Sonic Adventure appearance was met with outrage from fans who were expecting the original Mega Drive look, to the point where a petition was started. Year after year there are stories of perceived low quality in graphics, music, and gameplay. Episode II has a slightly better reputation but is still considered to be "more of the same". The sheer amount of outrage may have lead to Episode III being canceled.
External links
Sonic Retro discussion thread
References
button, while on the 360 it is the 
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buttons.
