List of unofficial Sonic media

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Unlicensed developers and fans have created unofficial Sonic media, especially video games, relating to the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. These products include video games, video game mods, ROM hacks, and animations. Due to the popularity of the franchise, some of these products have received media attention. Sega is permissive of most fangames if they are not for profit.[1]

Video games[]

Fangames[]

The following are all original games based on the Sonic series.

  • Green Hill Paradise Act 2 is a 3D Sonic game built by Daniel "SuperSonic68" Coyle and other collaborators with the 3D Sonic Games Development Kit. This game gained notability for receiving a positive response from Sega.[2][3]
  • Sonic Utopia is an open-world, 3D Sonic game in development.[4]
  • Sonic: Before the Sequel is a 2D Sonic game set in between the events of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Originally, the game had a soundtrack with reused music coming from different video game franchises like Kirby, but a second release came with original music specifically for the game. The game received wide critical praise for its faithfulness to earlier titles, and two sequels, Sonic: After the Sequel and Sonic Chrono Adventure, were later developed and released.[5]
  • Sonic Dreams Collection is a parody game presented as a Dreamcast development kit containing cancelled Sonic games. The game caught media attention for its bizarre nature and its intent to lampoon the Sonic fandom.[6]
  • Sonic Fan Remix is a 2.5D Sonic game created in Unity that features reimagined levels from past Sonic games.[7]
  • Retro Sonic is a 2D Sonic game created by Christian Whitehead. It is the first game to use the Retro Engine (the engine used for the 2011 remaster of Sonic CD), and later merged with two other Sonic fangames, Sonic Nexus and Sonic XG, to form Retro Sonic Nexus.[8]
  • Sonic Robo Blast 2 is a 3D Sonic game that uses a modified version of the Doom Legacy engine and has been in development since 1998. The game gained notability for being the first 3D Sonic fangame, and it continues to be updated by its developers and supported by its community to the present day.[9] A kart racing variant, Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart, was released in November 2018 using the same engine.[10]
  • Chao Resort Island is a fangame for Microsoft Windows and macOS, based upon the Chao-raising minigames in Sonic Adventure.[11]
  • Sonic World is a game heavily based upon the Sonic Adventure titles and Sonic Heroes. It features over 30 playable characters and the ability to make Heroes-style teams, as well as remastered levels from various Sonic games.[12] In 2020, an upgraded version called Sonic World DX was released for the Sonic Amateur Games Expo 2020.[13]
  • Sonic Z-treme is a homebrew Sega Saturn game that aims to recreate concepts from the canceled game Sonic X-treme using original code. It can be run on real Saturn hardware if burned to a disc.[14]
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 HD is a high-definition fan remaster of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in development. The final version is planned to feature additional stages and the ability to play levels as Knuckles the Echidna.[15]

Unofficial ports[]

The following are unofficial ports of Sonic games for various systems.

  • Somari is a pirated version of Sonic the Hedgehog released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994. However, rather than starring Sonic, the game features a character named "Somari", who is essentially Nintendo's mascot Mario wearing Miles "Tails" Prower's shoes. There is an inspired rom hack Genesis version as well.
  • Sonic 3: Angel Island Revisited (also called Sonic 3 A.I.R.) is a port of Sonic 3 & Knuckles to PC and mobile devices based on the ROM file for the original Genesis release.[16] The port was first released in 2019.[17]
  • Sonic 1 SMS Remake and Sonic 2 SMS Remake are unofficial remakes of the 8-bit Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Master System games, released in 2019 and 2020 respectively for Microsoft Windows and Android. The remakes feature widescreen gameplay and add new playable characters, levels, and game mechanics from other Sonic games.[18][19]
  • A Commodore 64 port of the 8-bit Sonic the Hedgehog was released on December 21, 2021. It is the first game to require the REU expansion cartridge, due to the game's intensive design for the C64 base hardware.[20]
  • Sonic Chaos is an unofficial remake of the 8-bit 1993 game of the same name. It features Sonic Mania-style gameplay elements, sprites and graphics, as well as new game mechanics and boss fights. The remake is currently in development.[14]
  • Sonic P-06 is an unofficial remake of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) for Windows powered by Unity. It is currently in development and has released several demos.[21]

Mods and ROM hacks[]

The following some of the modified versions of existing Sonic games, created using special programs and utilities.

  • Unleashed Project is a mod of Sonic Generations developed by Team Unleashed that consists of modders Dario FF, S0LV0, ChimeraReiax, and MilesGBOY that ports most of the daytime stages from Sonic Unleashed. The mod additionally features new textures and shading techniques designed to mimic those featured in Sonic Unleashed, and a revamped hub world.[22]
  • Sonic the Hedgehog Megamix is a total conversion mod of Sonic the Hedgehog developed by Team Megamix. The modified game features redesigned levels and multiple playable characters, each with unique abilities. Originally created on Sega Genesis hardware, Sonic the Hedgehog Megamix was eventually moved to the Sega CD in order to take advantage of the system's improved storage and CD audio capabilities.[23]
  • Super Mario Generations is a mod of Sonic Generations developed by Daku Neko that replaces characters with those from the Mario series, and alters some of the sound and graphical effects of the game to make it more close to that of Mario. It is notable for making an appearance in the modding section of Guinness World Records 2017: Gamer's Edition.[24][25]
  • Sonic Boom is a mod of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 which features new graphics, gameplay components, and music. Despite its title, the mod has nothing to do with the TV series of the same name. Sonic Boom is known for its intense speed, difficulty and large amount of bosses.[26]
  • Motobug the Badnik in Sonic the Hedgehog is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog that replaces Sonic with a Motobug, as well as altered stage design in a few levels. The programmer Polygon Jim (who is now deceased) was the inspiration to the name of the Motobug Heavy Rider rides in Sonic Mania as a tribute.[27]
  • Knuckles in Sonic 1 is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog created by Simon "Stealth" Thomley which replaces Sonic with Knuckles the Echidna, complete with his moveset and sprites from Sonic & Knuckles.[28]
  • Sonic 1 Boomed is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog that implements Sonic's redesign from the Sonic Boom animated series, and additionally gives Sonic voice clips that play when the player simply jumps or collects rings.[29]
  • Sonic 3 Complete is a hack of Sonic 3 & Knuckles which provides a more improved version of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with intent to make it closer to the original vision of the game.[30]
  • Sonic 2 Retro Remix is a large-scale hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. This hack features completely redesigned zones and requires the player to collect Chaos Emeralds in order to proceed through the game. Players must fulfill certain missions and objectives in order to collect emeralds, in a vein akin to Super Mario 64.[26]
  • Sonic 2 XL is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that replaces the game's golden rings with onion rings that cause Sonic to become morbidly obese when he collects them, noticeably slowing him down and hindering his jump and ability to Spin Dash. If Sonic gets too obese, he'll lose a life, but he'll lose weight over time by simply running for a while, and hitting ? monitors will instantly remove all his body fat. The primary challenge of the hack is to collect as few rings as possible.[31]
  • The S Factor: Sonia and Silver is a work-in-progress multi-level hack of Sonic the Hedgehog which centers around Sonia the Hedgehog, Sonic's sister who appeared in the TV series Sonic Underground, and Silver the Hedgehog, a time-traveling, psychokinetic hedgehog who first appeared in 2006's Sonic the Hedgehog, who each have unique abilities. Scourge the Hedgehog from Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog comic series can also be unlocked.[32]
  • Yoshi in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that replaces Sonic with Yoshi, complete with his abilities from Yoshi's Island.[33]
  • Sonic 2 Long Version is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that restores any scrapped levels from the original game, such as Dust Hill, Genocide City (or Cyber City) and Hidden Palace.[34]
  • There was an unofficial Hebrew translation of Sonic the Hedgehog released in 2017 by Barashka.[35]
  • Sonic 3D Blast: Director's Cut is a hack of Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis) released by the game's lead programmer, Jon Burton, in 2017. It features improved controls and gameplay additions not seen in the original version, such as a level editor, a password save system, time attack challenges, and the ability to transform into Super Sonic.[36]
  • Smash Remix is a ROM hack of the 1999 Nintendo 64 fighting game Super Smash Bros. It retains the gameplay style of the original release while adding new gameplay modes, stages, and characters.[37][38][39] An update to the mod in February 2022 added Sonic and Super Sonic as playable characters, along with Sonic the Hedgehog-themed stages and music.[40]

Film and animation[]

  • Sonic in JAWS is a 2009 computer-animated, comedic short film produced by BalenaProductions. The film itself is a short remake of the 1975 film, Jaws, with Sonic and Tails in the roles of Martin Brody and Matt Hooper respectively, and Conker the Squirrel in the role of Quint. In 2011, it subsequently got remade and remastered in HD.[44]
  • Sonic is a live-action/computer-animated 2013 short film written and directed by filmmaker Eddie Lebron and produced by Blue Core Studios, intended to be a prequel to the original video game.[45] Jaleel White, who provided Sonic's voice for DIC Entertainment's cartoons, reprised his role,[46] and numerous internet personalities make appearances.[47] Lebron hoped the film would lead to a deal with Sega for an official feature-length Sonic film.[48] Yuji Naka, co-creator of the series, called the film "awesome".[49]

Fansites[]

  • TSSZ News was a Sonic-focused news website founded in 1999. The website was shut down in 2020 by its owner after posting a controversial tweet that compared the events of certain Sonic games' plots to Black Lives Matter protests.[50][51]
  • Sonic Amateur Games Expo, known as SAGE for short, is an annual online event which began in 2000 and hosted by the Sonic Fan Games HQ website. The event spotlights Sonic fangames and original game projects in development.[21][52]

References[]

  1. ^ Zhang, Carol (May 12, 2021). "Sonic the Hedgehog Fan Games Are Mostly Allowed By Sega". Screen Rant. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Fans Make The 3D Sonic Game We Deserve". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  3. ^ Alexandra, Heather. "Sega Takes Shot At Nintendo, Encourages Fans To Keep Making Sonic Stuff". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  4. ^ "Open-World Sonic The Hedgehog Game Being Made By Fans". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  5. ^ Red Bull UK (August 30, 2013). "Extra life: The amazing fan-made game revivals". Red Bull. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  6. ^ Fingas, Jon. "'Sonic the Hedgehog' tribute games reflect a mascot's fall from grace". Engadget. Archived from the original on August 20, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  7. ^ McWhertor, Michael. "Did Sonic Fans Just Release A Better Sonic the Hedgehog HD?". Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  8. ^ Ponce, Tony (August 29, 2012). "The joy of fan games, pt. 2: Fan game heroes!". Destructoid. Archived from the original on March 19, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  9. ^ Menegus, Bryan (July 22, 2016). "The Fan-Made Sonic Game That Won't Die". Gizmodo. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  10. ^ Tarason, Dominic (November 19, 2018). "Free fan-racer Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart is brilliant knockabout fun". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  11. ^ Fahey, Mike. "New Sonic Fan Game Is All About Raising Chao". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  12. ^ Parlock, Joe (September 9, 2015). "Fangame Sonic Worlds is looking really impressive with its latest release". Destructoid. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  13. ^ "Downloads". Sonic World. August 9, 2014. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
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  15. ^ Corriea, Alexa (June 24, 2014). "The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 HD fan project is back from the dead". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  16. ^ "Sonic 3 A.I.R." projects.sappharad.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
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  18. ^ Baxter, Daryl (September 4, 2021). "How fans have created the Sonic games you've always wanted". TechRadar. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  19. ^ Sonic SMS Remake official website
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  21. ^ a b Summers, Nick (December 11, 2019). "One fan's struggle to fix the worst game in Sonic history". Engadget. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  22. ^ Petitte, Omri (March 21, 2013). "Sonic Generations mod adds most levels from console-exclusive Sonic Unleashed". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  23. ^ Cavalli, Earnest (January 3, 2007). "Sonic Megamix: Welcome Back to 1991". Destructoid. Archived from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  24. ^ Cowan, Danny (November 3, 2015). "Fan Modders Turn Sonic Generations into a 3D Mario Game". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  25. ^ Records, Guinness World (2016). Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2017. ISBN 978-1910561409.
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  29. ^ Hester, Blake (April 11, 2016). "Hacker combines one of the best Sonic games with arguably one of the worst ones". Kill Screen. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
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  39. ^ Walker, Ian (May 11, 2021). "ROM Hack Puts Conker in Super Smash Bros". Kotaku. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
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  45. ^ Luster, Joseph (October 4, 2012). ""Sonic the Hedgehog" Fan Film Will Make Its Debut at MAGFest 11". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
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  47. ^ Welch, Hanuman (January 11, 2013). "A "Sonic the Hedgehog" Live Action Fan Film is Something We Didn't Even Know We Wanted (Video)". Complex. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  48. ^ Lebron, Eddie (March 1, 2012). Eddie Lebron Q&A. Blue Core Studios. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
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  50. ^ Adams, Robert N. (June 1, 2020). "News site shuts down after comparing Sonic the Hedgehog to Black Lives Matter protestors". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
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