Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Confirmed for WiiWare

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has been revealed to the world. The game, planned as a comeback of old-school Sonic, was previously codenamed Project Needlemouse and is a platformer based on a 2D plane with 3D models. A teaser trailer and an interview about the download-exclusive game now known as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 are now online, with more information soon to come.

You can view the trailer for the HD versions below:

Despite past rumours, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 and its follow up episodes will indeed be heading to WiiWare, running in full 480p, whereas its counterparts on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will be running at 1080p. Other than those differences however, SEGA intend all versions of the game to be given the same treatment, much like Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing.

Sonic will use his Spin Dash and Homing Attack to blast through a series of Zones inspired by the original Mega Drive titles. The game's storyline will continue directly from the end of Sonic 3 & Knuckles; after destroying the Death Egg and saving Angel Island, Sonic is taking a well-earned holiday exploring a new territory...until Dr. Robotnik/Eggman reveals himself as a fellow survivor of the previous battle and launches a new assault, pulling Sonic right out of relaxation and into retaliation. Special stages will be making a return, and completed levels will be selectable directly from the main menu so that you can play your favourite sections again and again.

For those dying to know more, here are a few snippets from Gamespot's interview with Sega's Ken Balough.

GS: The subtitle is Episode 1. Does this mean it's episodic content?

KB: As mentioned, I think the best way to view it is as a first part in a much larger adventure. When Sega released Sonic 3, ultimately it was the part 1 of a story that saw its conclusion in Sonic & Knuckles. In that same spirit, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a bigger story, and this is that first chapter. I think it's also safe to say that by the end of the episode one, fans will be very excited to see what's in store for episode two!

GS: Why did you decide to make this a downloadable title?

KB: In recent years, we've seen a huge surge of classic game properties making a return in this arena. [Downloadable] games offer players a chance to play terrific games without breaking the bank. It's also a promise to Sonic fans. We're going to deliver a Genesis-era Sonic game as if it were created today that goes to the core of what classic Sonic fans desire. This means [the fan] gets to judge us on our work each step of the way, and we plan on delivering that goal in a big way.

GS: Will there be any differences between the different versions? That is, will the Wii have motion control, or will the PS3 and 360 run at 1080p?

KB: For all intents and purposes, the games are designed to be identical. There are a few differences per what each console can output visually: Wii will be at 480p, while the XBLA and PSN versions will run at 1080p. However, for certain areas of the game, the Wii will be able to use motion control, and the PS3 will be able to use the Sixaxis.

Be sure to read the full interview over at Gamespot, as there are lots of interesting bits for anyone excited about the game.

With a clean mix of 2D and 3D visuals, and the music grounded in the 16-bit era, Sonic 4 could either make or break Sonic's big return to gaming gold. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will be hitting download services this summer, and you can also follow the game on the official website.

Are you excited for Sonic 4? Do you believe it will truly live up to the Mega Drive classics? Discuss your thoughts below...