Christmas presence

SEGA's announced it'll launch Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on PS3 and PS Vita in Europe on 16th November 2012.

The air, land and sea racer features famous faces from favourite franchises like Panzer Dragoon and Jet Set Radio, set to return on PSN later this summer of course.

Will you take SEGA's latest racer for a spin in November?

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Wii U date "to be confirmed"

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on 3DS has a confirmed release date for Europe: 16th November.

The SEGA racer is still on course for release on Wii U but its release date is still to be confirmed by the publisher.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed features characters and courses from classic SEGA franchises including Skies of Arcadia, Golden Axe and Jet Set Radio. The trailer below shows a stage inspired by legendary series Panzer Dragoon, which might make it the best trailer you watch all day.

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Straw poll

Two of the world's most recognisable animals combined today in what scientists are probably calling "disgusting".

This Hello Kitty and Sonic the Hedgehog plush toy — officially called the Sonic x Hello Kitty Super Jumbo Plushy — is heading to Japan this weekend to commemorate the reopening of SEGA's flagship Joypolis arcade. It's part of a new collaboration between Sanrio and SEGA that will spread worldwide next summer, so you're safe for now.

Hello Kitty confirmed as playable sidekick in the next Sonic game, then. As long as we can be Badtz-Maru we're happy.

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Scan this

Fancy a free app for your 3DS? Of course you do.

Scan the QR code below and you can download the Mario and Sonic at the London Olympics 2012 Virtual Card Album for free. The app lets you collect themed cards based on Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games via SpotPass, StreetPass, connecting to Nintendo Zone hotspots or by spending Play Coins. You can also trade cards with other players using the 3DS console's infra red function. There are 73 cards to collect in total with different rarity values, but you get five to start your collection.

The application is only available until 9th September.

If you're in the UK and have a 3DS, scan the QR code below following these instructions:

• Hold L or R on the 3DS Home Menu to bring up the camera.
• Tap the chequerboard option — this opens up the QR reader.
• Align the frame with the QR code and it will offer you a link.
• Press A.

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Let us know what you make of this latest eShop freebie.

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Start saving your rings

UDON Entertainment has revealed a huge History of Sonic hardback book for launch in North America this September.

It's the same book as Pix'n Love Publishing announced for Europe, though it doesn't look like North America will get the cool embossed gold foil cover. The book itself spans nearly 300 pages and has been produced in conjunction with SEGA Japan, with developer interviews, concept art and more.

The asking price for this slice of hedgehog history? A mere $49.99 when it hits in September. Or pre-order it from Amazon for $31.81.

One of gaming’s classic characters gets his first-ever art book retrospective in a massive new tome from UDON!

In-stores this September, from UDON and Diamond Distribution

TORONTO: Celebrating more than 20 years as the official mascot of video game giant SEGA®, Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most recognizable video game characters in the world! With over 70 million games sold, hundreds of episodes of his TV series, countless licensed tie-ins, and a comic book series that’s been running non-stop since 1993, FANS KNOW SONIC, and now UDON has teamed up with Pix’n Love Publishing to bring fans the ultimate guide to SEGA’s spiky blue speedster— The History of Sonic the Hedgehog!

The History of Sonic the Hedgehog is a hefty 300-page hardcover book debuting this fall, featuring everything you thought you knew… and much more… about the famous “blue blur!” The book has been a true labour of love for the crew at Pix’n Love Publishing, who partnered with SEGA of Japan to produce the original French edition earlier this year! The new UDON Edition of The History of Sonic the Hedgehog features all the same great content, but with a complete English translation for North American fans!

The History of Sonic the Hedgehog covers every 2D and 3D Sonic game in detail, ensuring that every generation of Sonic fan will find a lot to love! The book also details every spin-off game, every crossover, and even rare cameo appearances by Sonic across the gaming universe! Whether you’re looking for a detailed history, character profiles, promotional art, game packages, or even rare concept art, you’ll find it in The History of Sonic the Hedgehog!

The History of Sonic the Hedgehog is the book that fans of this series have been waiting for, and whether you’re an avid gamer, a Sonic comic reader, or just have fond memories of this series, you’ll want a copy on your shelf!

Key Features:

• Beautiful 300-page hardcover collection in a unique “widescreen” format.
• Sonic’s longevity and popularity is rarely matched in video games! He’s appeared on more than 15 video game systems and in more than 100 games, including the recent fan-favorite Sonic Generations for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft!
• The Sonic the Hedgehog video game series’ covered in this volume have sold more than 70 million units!
• The Sonic the Hedgehog comic line from Archie has been running non-stop since 1993, with over 300 comics released! Sonic has also appeared in manga, novels, picture books and even colouring books, but this is his first-ever art book appearance!

Click here to pre-order The History of Sonic the Hedgehog through Amazon.

The History of Sonic the Hedgehog

Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 300, Colour
Size: 9.25? wide X 8.5? long
Price (U.S.): $49.99
ISBN: 1-926778-56-1
ISBN 13: 978-1-926778-56-3
In-stores September 2012.

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Finally a grown man

SEGA's loveable blue mascot reaches another milestone today, celebrating his 21st anniversary.

On this day in 1991 SEGA unleashed Sonic the Hedgehog on North America. His speed and spectacular stunts made him an original, and players took him to their hearts. Nearly 50 games and over 80 million sales later, Sonic's still here.

Last year for the hedgehog's 20th anniversary we brought you plenty of spiky content, so be sure to read about The Sonic Games That Never Were, our Staff Memories of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic: The Nintendo Years Part One and Sonic: The Nintendo Years Part Two.

Happy birthday, you little scamp.

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New tracks too

Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed for 3DS — and, in all likelihood, Wii U — isn't just about boats, cars and planes. It's about ninjas and air pirates and axe-wielding dwarves, too.

SEGA's just confirmed that Shinobi legend Joe Musashi will be a playable character, following-up his appearance as a bonus character in last year's 3DS exclusive Shinobi. He joins SEGA legends Vyse from Skies of Arcadia Legends, Gilius Thunderhead from Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio's Beat and more.

SEGA and Sumo Digital also revealed two new tracks: Adder's Lair pulls the gruesome skeleton from Golden Axe's character select screen into a race track, while a level based on Jet Set Radio's Tokyo-to promises sunsets and near-misses with oncoming trains. These two join levels based on Panzer Dragoon, Sonic the Hedgehog and more.

It's sure to form a big part of SEGA's E3 offering so we're hoping for more screens, reveals and that all-important Wii U confirmation next week.

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Get ready to race

IGN's lifted the lid on SEGA's next character crossover, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.

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After endless rumours, SEGA's lifted the lid on Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for Nintendo 3DS.

The racer sees Sonic and friends racing in cars that also transform for aquatic and aerial travel. That might sound a little familiar to Mario Kart 7 veterans, but developer Sumo Digital has assured fans it's very different: you race on the water's surface, not below the waves, for one.

Confirmed characters so far include the usual cast of Sonic characters as well as Golden Axe dwarf Gilius Thunderhead and Vyse from Skies of Arcadia, Beat from Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi's B.D. Joe. There's also a Panzer Dragoon stage confirmed, which gets us very excited indeed.

The racer is so far revealed for 3DS but we'd put money on a Wii U version being announced before too long. Expect more details later today.

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SONIC & ALL-STARS RACING TRANSFORMED™ CHANGES THE RULES OF RACING

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO – 30th April 2012 – SEGA® Europe and SEGA® of America Inc. are excited to announce Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed™, a thrilling new racing experience featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and a fantastic cast of SEGA All-Stars competing across land, air and water in vehicles that fully transform from cars, to planes to boats. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will speed on to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation® Vita, Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system and PC Digital Download late in 2012.

Following on from the huge success of Sonic & SEGA All-Star’s Racing™, the characters now have their own unique transforming vehicles designed to take advantage of the varying terrain. The line up on the Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed grid sees SEGA favourites – including Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr Eggman and AiAi – return to battle against newcomers that include Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe and Vyse of Skies of Arcadia. The brand new dynamic environments and tracks in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed are once again inspired by SEGA’s illustrious gaming history. When the road falls away beneath you in Super Monkey Ball’s Temple Trouble track your car transforms into a boat and speeds down the rivers and rapids, whilst the Panzer Dragoon inspired track, Dragon Canyon, takes you into the sky in complete control of your plane, barrel rolling to out-manoeuvre rivals and obstacles before transforming back in to a car and racing to the finish line.

“Given the fantastic feedback we received from critics and consumers alike for the first game we really wanted to push the boundaries on our follow up game, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed” commented David Corless, Global Sonic Brand Director. "Transforming vehicles allow us to do this – as well as drifting your car around the corners of a track, you get to fly your plane and pilot your boat against others all within one race. Add to this a grid full of star characters, retro IP, fun, fast race modes and cool tracks and racing fans of all ages are sure to love this one!”

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed also sees the popular All-Star moves return with a brand new mechanic allowing your All-Star bar to power up faster if you race daringly and stylishly. An all new fair weapon system ensures that weapons fired at your vehicle can either be blocked or evaded once you have gained the skills to do so, making each race a unique and exhilarating experience whether it’s on water, in the air or on land. Old rivalries can be settled and new track records set in the enhanced online multiplayer mode, whilst the Grand Prix mode and competitive Battle Arenas will prove that Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is certainly set to change the rules of the race.

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UK Wii owners - Sonic Colours and Epic Mickey »10 each at Sainsbury's. Oh, and Metroid: Other M for »37.99.