Bursting onto the scene, the current bigwig of Sega, Yukio Sugino, has been tapping the side of his nose about potentially breathing life back into some of the company’s timeless classic IPs, the crowd-pleaser Sonic the Hedgehog making the top of the list.
Sega’s Love for Sonic: A Look at Future Reboots and Remakes
As 2023 unfolds, the blue speedster looks set to ride a wave of popularity, though the same can’t be said for the rest of Sega’s brood. Nonetheless, recent years have seen Sega throwing a bone or two to its other IPs, evidenced by the 2021 revival of Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown and Samba de Amigo: Party Central.
Related: Sonic Superstars: An Early Look at the Teased Fifth Playable Character
In particular, the latter game, a participant from Sega’s sleepier franchise, hasn’t had fresh ink since 2007. This rhythm-mastery series has been left twiddling its thumbs in the world of crossover cameos and re-polishes, with the hopes of a brand-new title looking as thin as a whisker. However, the resurfacing of Samba De Amigo on Nintendo Switch in 2023 seems to have lighted a new hope in Sugino’s eyes for more revivals of similar ilk.
This revelation unfolded during a personal exchange between Sugino and Famitsu, a renowned Japanese magazine. The conversation steered towards Samba De Amigo: Party Central, referred to as a reboot by the interviewer, a notion promptly amended by Sugino. He clarified that he perceives it as a newfangled addition to the series. Sugino went on to detail Sega’s strategies concerning its prevailing IPs, hinting at Sonic the Hedgehog. He affirmed that the iconic blue hero, being Sega’s flagship IP, has sparked thoughts of dishing out reboots and remakes alongside new releases.
Reflections on a Sonic-Boom Year for Sega
His chat further meandered to the much-anticipated co-op platformer, Sonic Superstars. Sugino expressed his intentions of incorporating ‘reboot-esque elements’ into this new chapter. His excitement over the upcoming launch was palpable, with him waxing eloquent about the game’s nod to classic 2D gameplay and the debut of co-op multiplayer.
Probed on what turned his head during Sega’s previous fiscal year, Sugino singled out Sonic’s sterling 2022 performance. He praised the blue hero’s blockbuster appearance on the silver screen, coupled with the warm welcome and commercial victory Sonic Frontiers enjoyed. Sugino even confessed that the game’s sales had outdone his expectations. His happiness was amplified by the flow of positive feedback from Western gamers, leading him to believe that Sonic the Hedgehog is indeed sprinting in the right direction.
More: Sonic Origins Plus: Leaked Footage Unveils Amy Rose’s Super Form
Source: Famitsu
About The Author
Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.