Sonic Generations Is Official, Screenshots and Video Included

Sega has announced Sonic Generations, a special title that will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic character by taking players through the most popular iterations of the blue hedgehog, going from 2D side-scrolling levels to 3D ones.

Sega's Sonic franchise hasn't been going through the best of years recently, as most new games tried to innovate but only managed to disappoint fans of the long-running series.

Things have been getting better with the release of Sonic 4: Episode 1, which remastered original Sonic levels in high definition and gave fans a blast from the past in terms of gameplay, but fans still aren't happy.

Now, Sonic Generations will take things one step further, as it will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the blue hedgehog by combining some of the most popular levels across the series of games, with both 2D side-scrolling stages as well as 3D ones being featured.

“Sonic Generations will certainly be a fitting celebration for Sonic’s 20th Anniversary,” commented David Corless, Global Brand Director for Sonic.

“By having the classic 1991 Sonic that many fans know and love team up with his modern day incarnation, we are bringing back the nostalgia of the early days of Sonic and combining it with the innovation and stunning HD technology of the modern gaming era. Sonic Generations will bring to life the last twenty years of Sonic’s universe in a truly unique and imaginative way.”

The motivation between the blend of classic and new Sonic levels is that a dangerous new power threatens the Sonic universe, and creates time holes that pull the hedgehog, alongside his friends, back through time, encountering older locations as well as recent levels filled with brand new dangers.

Sonic will be able to use both classic powers like the Spin Dash or Spin Attack in 2D mode, as well as the Homing Attack or Sonic Boost in the 3D one.

Sonic Generations will be released onto the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this holiday season, but, until then, you can check out screenshots and a video of the new title below.