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Yuji Naka

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Yuji Naka

The Best Video Game Adaptation of All Time Races Onto Peacock in March
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Sonic the Hedgehog is racing onto Peacock. The 2020 movie, often considered the best video game adaptation of all time, will be added to the streaming service next month.

Beginning March 1, Peacock subscribers will be able to stream Paramount Pictures' Sonic the Hedgehog, starring Ben Schwartz as the voice of the titular blue hedgehog. Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog is a new take on the beloved video game franchise, following the blue speedster as he teams up with a local sheriff (played by James Marsden) to stop the mad scientist Dr. Ivo Robotnik, who is brought to life by fan-favorite comedic actor Jim Carrey.

RelatedSonic the Hedgehog 3 Sets Streaming Premiere Date

After making bank at the box office, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is heading to streaming.

While video game adaptations very rarely succeed at the box office, Sonic the Hedgehog surprised both critics and movie-goers, setting the biggest opening...
See full article at CBR
  • 2/21/2025
  • by Lee Freitag
  • CBR
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Ott Release Date: Keanu Reeves & Jim Carrey’s $420M+ Film Arrives On Digital Platforms – Here’s How & Where To Watch It Online!
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Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Ott Release Date Revealed ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is enjoying a winning run at the box office and has recently crossed the $400 million mark worldwide. Amid that, a report has revealed the movie’s digital release. Keanu Reeves joining the franchise has undoubtedly boosted the film’s box office numbers. Keep scrolling for the deets.

About the film

As the name indicates, it is the third film in the Sonic film series, which is based on the video game series. The game series was created by the Japanese developers Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohishima and Hirokazu Yasuhara for Sega. John Wick star Keanu Reeves joined the franchise as an antagonist, Shadow the Hedgehog, with the old cast reprising their roles from the past film. It includes Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Idris Elba.

The movie by Jeff Fowler...
See full article at KoiMoi
  • 1/21/2025
  • by Esita Mallik
  • KoiMoi
Is 'Sonic the Hedgehog' the Best Video Game Adaptation?
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Quick Links The 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Franchise Has Been Successful at Universe-Building The Creatives Love the 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Characters and Universe

As Sonic the Hedgehog has been a dominant force at the box office during the holiday season, it has become abundantly clear that the franchise as a whole has become the best video game to movie adaption to date. The bar might seem low, given the fact that so many video game movies tend not to live up to their source material and usually aren't very good, but there are some, every so often, that break the mold.

2006's Silent Hill has been well-received over time by fans, while 2021's take on Mortal Kombat, despite a few nitpicks, was also a step in the right direction. What makes them difficult to get right is that there are usually a lot of backstories to adapt,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 1/4/2025
  • by Gaius Bolling
  • MovieWeb
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to Release Special Shadow Prequel Ahead of the Movie's Long-Awaited Launch
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A new manga prequel story featuring Shadow the Hedgehog is expected to release just in time for Sonic the Hedgehog 3's long-awaited launch. With only a couple of weeks remaining in 2024, all eyes are fixed on Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Following the success of the two films that came before it, fans are gearing up for the ultimate confrontation between Sonic and Shadow, especially with Keanu Reeves set to voice the latter. Now, with only a few days left until its release, a new manga featuring the pair is preparing to release in select regions.

According to Manga Mogura Re (Anime & Manga News) on X, Paramount Pictures and Sega of America are giving out a brand-new manga starring Sonic and Shadow that serves as a prequel to the highly anticipated film. Titled Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission - Episode 0, the cover features the titular hedgehogs closing in on each...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 12/17/2024
  • by Angela Davis
  • ScreenRant
The 5 Biggest Controversies In The Sonic Franchise
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"Sonic the Hedgehog" is one of the most iconic video game franchises in history. The property centers on the titular Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog with superspeed who battles the evil scientist Doctor Eggman. Created by Japanese developers Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and Hirokazu Yasuhara, Sonic debuted in 1991 on the Sega Genesis and gave the company a mascot that could compete with Nintendo's Mario. Quickly, Sonic became a worldwide phenomenon, helping Sega become a major player in the console wars of the early 1990s and even becoming the first video game character to get a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1993.

The media franchise has since expanded far beyond video games, with Sonic starring in his own comic book series, animated TV shows, and, most recently, a series of highly successful live-action movies — movies that helped break the video game adaptation curse. Still, as popular as the...
See full article at Slash Film
  • 10/27/2024
  • by Rafael Motamayor
  • Slash Film
Netflix Is Losing 1 of the Best Video Game Movies of All Time This Month
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2020's Sonic the Hedgehog proved video game movies can succeed if the adaptation is faithful to the IP. The film was also a hit because Sonic's CGI design was overhauled following backlash from fans and critics.

Sonic the Hedgehog is leaving Netflix's offerings on Oct. 31. The film was added to the library in September and became an instant hit, ranking in the platform's weekly top ten (U.S.) days after it started streaming. The reception was largely credited to the anticipation for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, slated to premiere in theaters on Dec. 20. The Sonic the Hedgehog films are proving to be a lucrative series, considering how Sonic the Hedgehog 2 outpaced the first film in box office earnings. Still, the 2020 original is credited as the franchise's breakout installment; that film would have bombed if Sonic's initial CGI design wasn't improved for the theatrical release.

Related 10 Video Game...
See full article at CBR
  • 10/16/2024
  • by Manuel Demegillo
  • CBR
“This is what I have been waiting for”: Sonic 3 Pays Homage to the Most Iconic Anime Without Which There’d Have Been No Akira Toriyama & Eiichiro Oda
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The first full trailer for the much-anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is finally out, offering viewers the first look at Sonic’s return as he gears up to face Shadow, who’s finally revealed to be voiced by Keanu Reeves.

Shadow | Credits: Paramount Pictures

But what the trailer doesn’t tell you is that Shadow pays homage to one of anime’s biggest movies ever made! Yes, we are talking about the 1988 critically acclaimed cyberpunk action film, Akira.

Shadow pulls an “Akira” in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Akira bike sliding scene | Credits: Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.

While facing Sonic in what seems to be the biggest fight fans have been highly anticipating, Shadow takes his bike on the road and slides in the same way Mitsuru Kuwata does in Akira.

That scene took place when Mitsuru chases down answers and tries to get to the bottom of what happened with his friend Kaneda,...
See full article at FandomWire
  • 8/28/2024
  • by Anand Bhaskaran
  • FandomWire
September Will Be A Huge Month For Fans Of Sonic The Hedgehog
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Next month should be huge for Sonic fans as, in addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 3s marketing campaign starting soon, Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) is coming to Netflix on September 1. One of the most successful multi-media franchises of the last four decades, Sonic the Hedgehog started in 1991 with Segas Mega Drive game and has since spawned countless adaptations and products. Still, it was only in 2020 that Sonic made it to the big screen.

Starring Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, and James Marsden as Tom Lord Donut Wachowski, Sonic the Hedgehog brings its titular character into the real world. The movie has Sonic traveling from his universe to ours and making Green Hill his new home, a dynamic Sonic fans were no strange to thanks to Sonic X. Sonic lives a happy but unfilled life until he has to team up with Tom to stop Doctor Eggman in a hilarious,...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 8/26/2024
  • by Marcelo Leite
  • ScreenRant
Jim Carrey's 10 Best Performances, Ranked
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Jim Carrey is a familiar name to most people, even those who don't know some of his work. He's had a successful run in stand-up comedy, and he's become one of those actors who seems to be able to take on any role without any issues. As his career has gone on, he's gained a dedicated fan base who have acknowledged his ability at acting.

Given that he started out in comedy, he got placed in many roles of the same genre. However, what's become obvious is that Carrey can be a villain, a central comedy character, or even a role that requires deep, meaningful acting. Drawing up a list of his best performances highlights the range that Carrey has achieved.

Carrey Humanized a Classic Villain in Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog PGAnimationAdventureComedy

Sonic, a speedy blue hedgehog from another world, is forced to flee to Earth to escape...
See full article at CBR
  • 5/31/2024
  • by Ruby Brown
  • CBR
“Thanks. Appreciate this!”: Even Idris Elba Can’t Keep Calm as Sonic Spin-off ‘Knuckles’ Reaches Yet Another Milestone
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Paramount’s miniseries Knuckles has made new history by becoming the most-watched original series on the platform on its premiere weekend. It was viewed more than 4 million hours after releasing all six episodes last April.

Paramount+’s Knuckles

Knuckles also helped give a boost in the viewership of other Sonic the Hedgehog titles. This made Idris Elba feel very happy as he expressed gratitude on his social media platform.

Idris Elba Celebrates The Success Of Paramount’s Knuckles

Executive vice president of programming at Paramount+ Jeff Grossman released a statement via Variety about the success of Knuckles.

SUGGESTEDFans Hail Sonic 3 Announcement as Jim Carrey Franchise Raises Expectations After Scott Pilgrim Success

“The ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ fans came out in full force. We’re so thrilled with the record-breaking performance of ‘Knuckles’ and the incredible lift the whole Sonic universe has experienced following ‘Knuckles” premiere.”

Idris Elba via CBS News

Idris Elba,...
See full article at FandomWire
  • 5/3/2024
  • by Ariane Cruz
  • FandomWire
Jack Black, Charlie Day, Scott Menville, Chris Pratt, Kevin Michael Richardson, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, and Anya Taylor-Joy in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Chris Pratt Fights Donkey Kong, Races Go-Karts in New ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Trailer (Video)
Jack Black, Charlie Day, Scott Menville, Chris Pratt, Kevin Michael Richardson, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, and Anya Taylor-Joy in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
While the first trailer for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” focused on Jack Black’s King Koopa/Bowser and the visual splendor of the Mushroom Kingdom, this second look offers up a better, longer look at Mario himself. The spot offers a mix of high fantasy adventure tropes and IP-specific beats like Mario being thrashed by Donkey Kong, Mario wearing the raccoon suit and a final beat featuring essentially a massive game of “Mario Kart.” “Super Smash Bros.” may have to wait until the sequel.

That closer look includes Chris Pratt’s preemptively controversial vocals, which mostly sound like, well, Chris Pratt playing a blue collar plumber who embarks on a fantastical adventure. The notion of Chris Pratt voicing Mario is one of those things where the perpetually online rant and whine but general audiences either don’t care or approve of the choice because they like the actor.

Strong...
See full article at The Wrap
  • 11/29/2022
  • by Scott Mendelson
  • The Wrap
Why Are Retro Games More Expensive Than Ever?
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As the average price of a modern Aaa game goes from 60 to 70, gamers and industry figures everywhere start to wonder if anything can be done to lower the costs of inflating modern development budgets and help reduce prices in the process. Of course, if you think the prices of major modern games are getting a bit ridiculous, you should really check out what’s happening with retro games.

You may have heard the recent news about an unopened copy of Sonic the Hedgehog that sold for over 400,000 (and how even Sonic creator Yuji Naka thought it was a scam). Believe it or not, that sale was actually on the lower end of high-value retro game deals, as shortly before that sale occurred, a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. sold for an insane 2 million.

Given such ludicrous prices, one can’t help but wonder what is happening in the retro gaming market.
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 5/10/2022
  • by Matthew Byrd
  • Den of Geek
The Ascent (1977)
Best Games to Play in 2021
The Ascent (1977)
While 2020 was a landmark year for the gaming industry thanks to the release next-gen consoles and PC graphics cards, there are plenty of exciting new games to play 2021. From highly-anticipated sequels like Halo Infinite and Resident Evil Village to brand-new experiences such as New World and Deathloop, there are plenty of titles to try.

We’ve curated a list of the 2021 games we absolutely loved, as well as the upcoming ones we’re most excited about, including big Aaa blockbusters and imaginative indie titles. Keep in mind that we’ve only included games that at the very least have a vague “2021” release window attached, which is why we’re not including games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel or Final Fantasy XVI. We’ll of course update this article as new 2021 titles are announced.

Here’s what you have to look forward to this year:

Age...
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 8/30/2021
  • by John Saavedra
  • Den of Geek
The Internet Is Losing It Over Baby Yoda Vs. Baby Sonic
Sonic the Hedgehog’s last-minute character redesign certainly won’t fix every problem suggested by the marketing for the upcoming flick. But when you compare the overwhelmingly negative reception to the movie’s first trailer with the internet’s warmer response to the latest TV spot, you have to imagine that the bosses at Paramount Pictures are feeling a lot more optimistic about next year’s release than they were six months ago.

Even those who aren’t particularly looking forward to the video game icon’s big screen outing will generally concede that the new design’s a step up from what we saw before. And after the recent reveal of Baby Sonic, some fans are even going as far as to argue that a certain cute little Force-user now has some genuine competition.

Even actor Ben Schwartz, who provides the voice of Sonic in the film, has actively encouraged the comparison,...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 12/29/2019
  • by David Pountain
  • We Got This Covered
Sonic The Hedgehog Creator Wants To See Original Design In An Alternate Cut
It’s safe to assume that many of us have been appeased now with the new design of Sonic the Hedgehog. Despite some fans still unhappy with how things are going though (and with Conan O’Brian trolling the hell out of them), most of us can breathe a sigh of relief as our childhoods remain intact in anticipation of the movie.

But we may not be out of the woods just yet, as original Sonic creator Yuji Naka shared a tweet recently where he seems to lament the disappearance of the original “creepy” design and says that he’d like to see an alternate cut of the film with it left intact. Say what?!

映画ソニックの新しいデザイン出て来ましたね。しかし、前のツイート消してるようですが、前のは無かったことにするんでしょうか?前のデザインのままのもDVDとかで見たかったのに残念ですね。 https://t.co/XhmfNmr4EI

— Yuji Naka / 中 裕司 (@nakayuji) November 12, 2019

The tweet translates thusly:

A new design for the movie Sonic came out. However, it seems that the previous tweet has been erased.
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 11/16/2019
  • by Andrew Heaton
  • We Got This Covered
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog Creator Still Has a Big Problem with the Movie Redesign
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka still has a pretty big problem with the movie's redesign. Yesterday, fans were treated to the first trailer with the newly redesigned hedgehog. For the most part, video game fans seem to be satisfied with the outcome, which should come as no surprise. The first design of the character was pretty bad, to say the least, so any improvements were going to be a major step in the right direction for the big screen adaptation.

While Sonic The Hedgehog fans are happy with Paramount's new design, the mastermind behind the character still has some gripes. When we first saw the movie version of the iconic hedgehog, he had some human features, including long legs, teeth, and eyes. The original design was rather horrifying. Now, we have something that is much closer to the character that fans know and love as seen in the Sonic the Hedgehog redesign trailer,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 11/13/2019
  • by Kevin Burwick
  • MovieWeb
Sonic The Hedgehog Creator Still Isn’t Sold On The New Design
How successful will Sonic The Hedgehog be when it lands next year?

Sadly, we’re not in possession of a time machine, but at the very least, we predict the live-action debut of Sega’s mascot has an infinitely greater chance to impress audiences next year thanks to recent events. As if you hadn’t already heard, Paramount Pictures, keenly aware of the huge backlash that Sonic’s original design received from fans earlier this year, has spent the last several months fast-tracking a new visage for the so-called Fastest Thing Alive.

Following a number of premature leaks, yesterday marked the long-awaited official reveal of Sonic’s redesign. Having had a solid 24 hours to mull over the changes, the general reception to his new look has been overwhelmingly positive. Now sporting his iconic white gloves, less prominent teeth and drastically improved facial features, this iteration of the 90s icon is,...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 11/13/2019
  • by Joe Pring
  • We Got This Covered
Sonic The Hedgehog Poster Reveals Best Look Yet At The Redesign
We all know that when the Sonic The Hedgehog movie was first revealed, there was – shall we say – some controversy over the titular character’s design. Pretty much everything from his teeth, his legs and even the decision to include Coolio’s “Gangster’s Paradise” in the official trailer were all either called into question, or just flat-out torn apart.

Even Sonic’s creator, Yuji Naka, has been known to express his dislike of it. And if the original creator has only negative things to say about your interpretation of their character, you know you’ve screwed up. Having said that, Jim Carrey (who’s playing Dr. Robotnik) has apparently criticized the backlash, expressing concerns about fans and audiences having input on the film’s creation. Make of that what you will.

It’s no secret, then, that fans old and new were not best pleased with how the studio...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 10/27/2019
  • by Andrew Heaton
  • We Got This Covered
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Producer Thinks Fans Will Be Pleased with Redesign
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog producer Tim Miller thinks fans will like the upcoming redesign. Before the first footage was even unveiled, fans of the little blue hedgehog were worried about the big screen adaptation. Things took a negative turn when a teaser poster was released to movie theaters, featuring Sonic's new lengthy blue legs with buff calf muscles. From there, it was all downhill. When the first trailer dropped earlier this year, fans were appalled by what they saw when the cartoonish video game character had two human eyes and teeth.

Tim Miller is currently out promoting his upcoming San Diego Comic-Con appearance for Terminator: Dark Fate and he was asked for a Sonic the Hedgehog update. Miller serves as producer on the project, while Jeff Fowler is on board as director. "This is a franchise, and it has to be great," says Miller when talking about how important bringing Sonic to the big screen is.
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 7/11/2019
  • by Kevin Burwick
  • MovieWeb
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Movie Delayed as Iconic Character’s Shapely Legs, Human Teeth Redesigned
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
The “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie won’t make its November 2019 release date, director Jeff Fowler announced on Twitter Friday, saying that the team is “taking a little more time to make Sonic just right.”

The film, which has Ben Schwartz providing the voice of Sonic and also stars Jim Carrey, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter, now has a Feb. 14, 2020 release date.

The news comes just weeks after the movie’s first full trailer drew fan criticism, memes, and home-made redesigns ignited by Sonic’s overall design. The video game icon’s stubby in-game appearance was replaced with a humanoid Sonic with long, lean runners’ legs, red sports shoes and — perhaps most disturbing — a full head of teeth.

Earlier this month, Fowler took to Twitter to say that the “message is loud and clear. You aren’t happy with the design & you want changes. It’s going tp happen. Everyone at...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 5/24/2019
  • by Brian Crecente
  • Variety Film + TV
Sonic The Hedgehog Co-Creator Thanks Fans For Demanding Character Redesign
Paramount Pictures broke the internet in all the wrong ways on Tuesday with the first trailer for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie. While director Jeff Fowler’s feature debut didn’t have the best buzz behind it already, the first footage of the classic video game character’s live-action outing brought the backlash to a whole other level.

The recent preview gave fans plenty to complain about, from the unfunny humor to the perplexing use of “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio on the soundtrack. The most frequent point of criticism, however, was surely the new design for Sonic himself, which came complete with creepy human teeth. After the character received widespread condemnation on social media, Fowler announced via Twitter that the team had taken note of the response, and will make some changes to Sonic’s design prior to release.

This latest development caught the attention of original Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka,...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 5/5/2019
  • by David Pountain
  • We Got This Covered
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog Co-Creator Thanks Fans for Demanding Movie Makeover
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog has the potential to be a smash at the box office later this year. But, fans were not excited at all when the first trailer dropped earlier this week. The outrage started well before the first footage landed when a leaked image showed off some muscular and furry blue legs. When leaks were later proven to be the real deal, it sparked an all-out war on the new look of Sonic the Hedgehog and now, the studio has decided to go back and make some big changes. Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka is on board about this idea.

Sonic the Hedgehog director Jeff Fowler announced earlier this week that they were going to go back and redesign the character. Disney fans were angry over the look of Will Smith's Genie in the upcoming live-action Aladdin remake, but the Sonic outrage sparked an intense emotional response, which has...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 5/4/2019
  • by Kevin Burwick
  • MovieWeb
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Even Sonic the Hedgehog Creator Is Not Impressed by Live-Action Makeover
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
It appears that even one of the Sonic the Hedgehog creators isn't very happy with the live-action look of the character. Earlier this week, the first full look at the blue hedgehog from the upcoming movie was leaked online and fans were not happy with what they saw. The images have since been deleted, but they can be found easily. The outrage over the look started back at the end of last year when a poster revealed Sonic's rather buff calves and fur.

Yuji Naka, former head of Sonic Team, has revealed his true opinion over the live-action look of Sonic the Hedgehog. Naka was one of the people responsible for bringing the character to life in the first place and he isn't very happy with what he saw online, along with many fans who feel confused as to why there was such a drastic shift in appearances. Sonic is...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 3/6/2019
  • by MovieWeb
  • MovieWeb
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Even One of Sonic’s Creators Thinks Movie Version Is Strange
Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Last year, a leaked poster for the upcoming “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie horrified many fans by displaying the eponymous mammal’s strangely buff calves. Now, another leak is giving us an even better look at movie Sonic and nobody’s happy — not even the character’s original creator.

The leak comes courtesy of entertainment branding agency Hamagami/Carroll Inc., according to Eurogamer. The page where the images first appeared has since been removed, but they managed to make their way onto the internet anyway.

This is the first time fans are getting a peek at movie Sonic’s face, and they definitely have some opinions. A major point of contention seems to be his eyes, which are far smaller than his video game counterpart’s.

Yuji Naka, the former head of Sonic Team and one of Sonic’s original creators, seems displeased with the leaked images as well. “Is this a ‘Sonic’ movie?...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 3/5/2019
  • by Stefanie Fogel
  • Variety Film + TV
Sonic Live Action Movie Leaks Are Disturbing
Matthew Byrd Mar 5, 2019

These leaked images from the Sonic movie are even worse than Sonic 2006.

Hamagami/Carroll Inc, an entertainment branding company, have seemingly leaked the first images of Sonic from the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie, and fans are not happy with what they're seeing. Among them is Yuji Naka, creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, who seems almost betrayed by what he's looking at.

"Is this a Sonic movie?" asked Naka via a translated version of his recent tweet. "I feel that it is important to look at the whole body visual of Sonic and head body and stomach. Did you not get a little more balance?"

It should be noted that these images are not official. The branding company even removed the original page they were featured on. Even if they are official, they do not necessairly represent the final design of the character even if they are official.
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 3/5/2019
  • Den of Geek
Sonic CD's Soundtrack Remains Gaming's Strangest Controversy
Matthew Byrd Feb 13, 2020

The brilliant music of Sonic CD has led to a strange debate about localization.

For many, 1993’s Sonic CD represents the best and worst of Sega’s glory days. It’s a game that utilized the best technology available to deliver a fast, colorful, and ambitious experience that showcased Sega’s desire to do what “Nintendon’t.” Sadly, it was also a game that had the great misfortune of being available exclusively for the Sega CD, an “ambitious” CD add-on for the Genesis that promised to deliver more than the console ever could and is considered one of gaming’s more notable hardware failures.

Yet, the most fascinating thing about Sonic CD isn’t the way it so perfectly summarizes why Sega is arguably the most beloved console manufacturer that is no longer making video game consoles. No, the most fascinating thing about Sonic CD is...
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 9/14/2018
  • Den of Geek
Sonic The Hedgehog creator joins Square Enix
Ryan Lambie Jan 22, 2018

Yuji Naka, the programmer and designer behind the classic Sonic The Hedgehog, has joined Final Fantasy firm Square Enix...

When it comes to Sega, no other game summed up the company's height of success better than Sonic The Hedgehog. The game that turned the Mega Drive (or Genesis) into a true competitor to the Super Nintendo, Sonic The Hedgehog and its blue, spiky hero became the driving force behind Sega's expansion in North America and Europe.

See related 35 must-watch movies in 2017

One of the key figures behind that game was Yuji Naka, a designer and programmer who'd worked on a string of titles at Sega since the mid-80s. Although he was far from well-known even at the time, Naka worked behind the scenes on the coding for such hits as Alex Kidd In Miracle World (Sega's unofficial mascot, at least before Sonic ousted him) Phantasy Star I and II,...
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 1/22/2018
  • Den of Geek
Phantasy Star: new video celebrates 30 years of the console RPG
Ryan Lambie Dec 20, 2017

Sega RPG series Phantasy Star celebrates its 30th anniversary - and a new video explores its rich history...

Back in the late 80s, Nintendo Entertainment System owners got some great console RPGs, spearheaded by the out-and-out classics Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. But as the genre exploded in popularity, Sega answered with a sprawling adventure for its own systems, beginning with the Sega Mark III (or Master System in the west): Phantasy Star.

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Where Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy were set in quasi-Tolkien worlds of magic and beards, Phantasy Star changed things up by telling its story in a sci-fi setting vaguely akin to the Dune series of novels. The result was another long-running and much-loved RPG series,...
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 12/20/2017
  • Den of Geek
Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works book hits Kickstarter
Ryan Lambie Sep 14, 2017

Fond memories of Sega's final console, the Dreamcast? Then you need to check out this lavish book on Kickstarter...

It was the console that marked the end of Sega's part in the console market, but the Dreamcast was an impressive swansong: with its online connectivity, novel controller and impressive library of games, the system retains a loyal fanbase almost two decades on from its launch in 1998.

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British publisher Read Only Memory have, over the past few years, released some quite stunning books about the history of videogames, one of them being 2014's Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Collected Works, which contained interviews, a lengthy essay about the classic 16-bit system, plus tonnes of artwork, plan drawings and other rarely-seen illustrations. Clad in thick black boards and beautifully designed,...
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 9/14/2017
  • Den of Geek
Sega To Make A Special Sonic The Hedgehog Announcement Next Week
Hold on to your hats, Sonic The Hedgehog fans, Sega has a special announcement in store for you all next week. The reveal – whatever it is – will be made at next week’s SXSW (South by Southwest) entertainment event as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations for the World’s Fastest Hedgehog.

But that’s not all, oh no. Among many others that have worked on the series over the last two-plus decades, Yuji Naka – the man that created Sonic – will also be present at the event. The event description on SXSW’s events page reads:

Yuji Naka (Sonic Original Creator), Takashi Iizuka (Head of Sonic Team), Roger Smith (Voice of Sonic the Hedgehog), Mike Pollock (Voice of Dr. Eggman), Austin Keys (Sega), Aaron Webber (Sega)

25 years had to go fast, and here we are today wondering where it all went. Join the original creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, along...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 3/9/2016
  • by Joe Pring
  • We Got This Covered
Rodea The Sky Soldier Review
The development history behind Rodea the Sky Soldier is a troubled and unorthodox one. Developed by Prope and designed by Yuji Naka of Sonic the Hedgehog and Nights into Dreams fame, the title originally wrapped development as a Wii exclusive back in 2011. The release was held back several years, during which a 3Ds port was additionally developed and the original version was revamped to be a Wii U title.

With such a long development period, and an iconic figure like Naka on board, one would hope that the final product would be memorable. Unfortunately, that is far from the case. Rodea is, unfortunately, visually bland, tricky to control, and usually more frustrating than fun. It shows its age in many aspects, and feels like a botched transition between consoles in terms of the control scheme and mechanics. Players looking for the next Japanese sleeper hit will have to look elsewhere.
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 11/9/2015
  • by John Fleury
  • We Got This Covered
New Rodea: The Sky Soldier Trailer Showcases Huge Boss Fights
Rodea: The Sky Soldier, the latest title from Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka, is very close to its November 10th North American release, courtesy of Nis America. To celebrate, the developer released a new trailer today for the Wii U version of the game, showcasing some of the large-scale boss fights that the titular robot Rodea will get involved in.

Bosses will include a phoenix-like robot, a flying serpent, and some other giants that definitely seem to be drawing from Shadow of the Colossus in terms of visual design. Since much of the gameplay consists of Rodea soaring through expansive environments and making use of a lock-on target system for attacks, players will need to aim him carefully to hit the weak spots on each enemy.

We’ll have a review of Rodea: The Sky Soldier up shortly, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out the trailer above...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 10/30/2015
  • by John Fleury
  • We Got This Covered
Rodea The Sky Soldier Has A New Release Date
Nis America still plans to release the long-delayed Rodea the Sky Soldier on both Wii U and 3Ds this year, but those interested in playing the latest title from Sonic the Hedgehog and NiGHTS into Dreams creator Yuji Naka will have to wait slightly longer than originally planned.

While previously set for an October 13 release in North America, Nis America has rescheduled both versions of the game to launch on November 10 in North America and November 13 in Europe. While the game has been confirmed for a digital release on the Nintendo eShop, some enticing bonuses are being offered for gamers who buy physical copies.

Launch copies of the 3Ds version will come bundled with a copy of the game’s soundtrack, and first print Wii U copies will include the original, unreleased Wii version of the game that was created before transitioning to Nintendo’s current consoles.

We will continue...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 8/12/2015
  • by John Fleury
  • We Got This Covered
Rodea The Sky Soldier - new game from the creator of Sonic
From the creator of Sonic The Hedgehog comes Rodea The Sky Soldier. Here's a brand new trailer...

Yuji Naka was still a teenager when he joined Sega in the early 80s, and his early work included programming duties on the likes of Phantasy Star and the Sega Mega Drive conversion of Ghouls N Ghosts.

But in the early 90s, he headed up the game that would make Sega globally famous: the high-octane platformer, Sonic The Hedgehog. Until he left the company in 2006 to found his own company, Prope, Naka continued to produce various Sonic sequels and spin-offs, but also headed up some refreshingly different games, too, including Burning Rangers and the superb Nights Into Dreams.

Naka's latest game is called Rodea The Sky Soldier, which is coming out this autumn for the 3Ds, Wii and Wii U. It's a much more ambitious game than Naka's other games he's created through Prope,...
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 7/2/2015
  • by ryanlambie
  • Den of Geek
Nis America Will Be Bringing Rodea The Sky Soldier To North America And Europe This Fall
Despite the lack of solid third-party releases, the Nintendo Wii U has been on a roll over the past few months. The good times look to continue into 2015, too, as Nis America has announced that they will be bringing Rodea the Sky Soldier to North America and Europe later this year.

Set to be released on both the Wii U and Nintendo 3Ds, Rodea centers around the titular machine soldier. 1,000 years prior to the start of this adventure, Rodea made a promise to Princess Cecilia that he would protect the sky kingdom of Garuda from the Naga Empire. After being awakened and repaired by a young inventor named Ion, Rodea learns that Garuda has lived in peace for the past 1,000 years. Shortly after awakening, though, the forces of the Naga Empire return, and Rodea must honor his promise once again.

Featuring colossal battles set in the skies, Rodea the Sky...
See full article at We Got This Covered
  • 2/20/2015
  • by Eric Hall
  • We Got This Covered
Sonic And NiGHTS Together At Last, At Least In The Form Of Dlc For 'Lost World'
by Matt Hawkins

This just in; the upcoming "Sonic Lost World" for the Wii U will have a special edition that can only be obtained via pre-ordering. The Deadly Six Bonus Edition as it's called with include a code that can used to download the NiGHTMARE Dlc.

With it, Sonic will go face to face against Nightmaren foes, who all hail from the Sega Saturn classic NiGHTS Into Dreams. Which as all diehard Segaphiles will tell you is a weird, the circle is complete type of deal.

So what's story? In the mid 90s, Sega had managed to hold its own against Nintendo during the 16-bit wars, thanks to "Sonic the Hedgehog." But with the upcoming 32/64 bit era, Sega knew that they had to enter the 3D platforming arena, so a three dimensional Sonic game was commissioned and put into production.

But not by its creator; Sonic Team decided to do something decidedly different,...
See full article at MTV Multiplayer
  • 8/23/2013
  • by MTV Video Games
  • MTV Multiplayer
Hirokazu Yasuhara
'Sonic' co-creator Hirokazu Yasuhara joins Nintendo of America
Hirokazu Yasuhara
Hirokazu Yasuhara has joined Nintendo, it has been revealed. The Sonic co-creator will work at the firm's Nintendo Software Technology studio in Redmond, Washington, according to Gamasutra. While his role is unspecified, the studio has previously worked on portable titles such as Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem on DS and a number of DSiWare releases. Yasuhara started his career at Sega, working alongside fellow co-creator Yuji Naka as director, game planner and (more)...
See full article at Digital Spy
  • 4/5/2012
  • by By Matthew Reynolds
  • Digital Spy
'Fable' Creator Peter Molyneux Unlocks Lifetime Achievement Award
"Fable" creator Peter Molyneux is pretty well-known in the gaming community for his tendency to speak hyperbolically and tease ideas that don't always deliver. Fortunately, "Fable" is one of his biggest ideas, and it has delivered over the course of three Xbox/Xbox 360 console releases, each of which improves on its predecessor. Between that series, not to mention "Syndicate," "Black & White," "Populous" and "Theme Park," it should come as no surprise to learn that the longtime developer of original games is being honored at this year's Game Developer's Conference with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Molyneux, who started working with games in 1982, will be receive his honors on March 2 in San Francisco. He joins an illustrious group, which includes id Software founder John Carmack, "Metal Gear Solid" creator Hideo Kojima, Sid Meier, Richard Garriott, Shigeru Miyamoto, "Defender" and "Robotron: 2084" creator Eugene Jarvis, "Marble Madness" creator and longtime industry consultant Mark Cerny,...
See full article at MTV Multiplayer
  • 1/19/2011
  • by Adam Rosenberg
  • MTV Multiplayer
The London Games Festival ends on a high note with ‘We Sing Robbie Williams’
Organisers of the London Games Festival have added to the bill once again as the festival expands to unprecedented levels. We Sing Robbie Williams will now be hosting a party to end the festival, and its also been announced that some of Britain’s leading future developers will be showcasing their work to the public. Details of the new events are as follows:

Students at Qantm College London will be showing off their latest games, demos, environments, characters, animations and Unreal levels in a special Showcase event on 27th October, 2-6pm. Play the games developed by the students and vote for your favourites, or fight to the death in students’ Unreal levels, all are welcome! Nordic Games’ We Sing Robbie Williams launch party will take place on 4th November, the last day of the London Games Festival, ahead of the game’s launch on 12th November.

Almost halfway through the festival,...
See full article at Nerdly
  • 10/17/2010
  • by Kat
  • Nerdly
Peter Molyneux
Record attendance for Eurogamer Expo
Peter Molyneux
The Eurogamer Expo has seen record attendance this year. Over 20,000 visitors attended the event at Earl's Court in London over the weekend to make it the largest of its kind in the UK. As well as hosting hands-on demos of new and upcoming releases, it featured developer sessions from the likes of Peter Molyneux and Sonic The Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka. "This year's Eurogamer Expo (more)...
See full article at Digital Spy
  • 10/4/2010
  • by By Matthew Reynolds
  • Digital Spy
Christine Cavanaugh, Charlie Adler, Mark Ballou, Cam Brainard, Jim Cummings, Rob Paulsen, Bradley Pierce, Kath Soucie, Cree Summer, and Jaleel White in Sonic the Hedgehog (1993)
'Ivy The Kiwi' gets a release date
Christine Cavanaugh, Charlie Adler, Mark Ballou, Cam Brainard, Jim Cummings, Rob Paulsen, Bradley Pierce, Kath Soucie, Cree Summer, and Jaleel White in Sonic the Hedgehog (1993)
Rising Star Games has announced that Ivy The Kiwi will arrive in Europe and other Pal territories later this month. Designed by Sonic The Hedgehog co-creator Yuji Naka, the platformer will be available for Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. Ivy follows the adventures of a lost baby bird on a quest to find its mother. Players must negotiate several stages filled with obstacles while following a trail of feathers left by Ivy's parents. "It's a real pleasure (more)...
See full article at Digital Spy
  • 10/2/2010
  • by By Mark Langshaw
  • Digital Spy
'Ivy the Kiwi?' Review - From The Man That Brought You Sonic
Yuji Naka is a name that's been associated with some memorable titles over the years, including Sega's most important property, Sonic the Hedgehog. In his latest title, "Ivy the Kiwi?" his studio, Prope, has gone back and evoked the essence of Sonic by making the main focus of the gameplay center around the titular character, Ivy, a small woodland creature who runs a lot. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, depending on your feelings about Sonic's latest titles) it's doubtful that "Ivy" will have the same staying power as a certain blue hedgehog.

The Basics

After mysteriously falling from the sky in the "forest where the birds live," Ivy, a small, partially hatched fowl, immediately ran off in search of her mother, and it's up to the player to help Ivy succeed in her quest. At its heart, "Ivy the Kiwi?" is an action puzzle game, wherein you have to help Ivy...
See full article at MTV Multiplayer
  • 9/3/2010
  • by Jason Cipriano
  • MTV Multiplayer
Games: Review: Ivy The Kiwi?
When you start playing Ivy The Kiwi?, the game’s dusk-colored storybook presentation, chirping titular baby bird, and bouncy repetitive score seem to promise a pleasant, old-school time. Then you accidentally lead your adorable avian ward into a set of spikes for the seventh time, and the word “Fail” appears onscreen like an accusation. That’s how old-school Ivy really is—though it’s old-school in an unexpected way, considering that its designer, Yuji Naka, is the proud programming papa behind Sonic The Hedgehog. Ivy has more in common with the simple, manic pleasures of Naka’s Chu Chu Rocket ...
See full article at avclub.com
  • 8/30/2010
  • avclub.com
Out this week in the gaming world 8.24.10
I hope everyone is ready to know what is out this week in games! Speaking of games I got a PS3 this week and it's awesome! I still love my X360 but I do love me some Blu-Ray action! Now all I need is a Wii and a Wii fit for my living room area to be complete! Anyways! On to the games!

 

Mafia 2 (X360, PS3 & PC)

The sequel to Mafia immerses players once again in the late 1940s mob underworld.

I wanna play this now! I need to kill some people!

Released today.

 

Video Games | Mafia II | E3 09: Trailer XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

 

 

Shank (X360)

Shank is an action/adventure Beat-'Em-Up game by Klei Entertainment.

Released today.

 

Video Games | Shank | Launch Trailer XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

 

 

And Yet it Moves (Wii & PC The PC version came out last year.)

Guide your paper-crafted hero through a surreal two-dimensional world...
See full article at GeekTyrant
  • 8/24/2010
  • by Mars
  • GeekTyrant
The PS3 Slim Diet: Five Consoles We’d Like to See Get Slim
At half the weight – the original PS3 weighed fifteen pounds, the new Slim a mere seven – and half the launch price, Sony’s machine is joining a time-honored tradition of console streamlining. Both the PS1 and PS2 got sleek redesigns, but it’s a practice that goes beyond the Sony family.

Sega released four separate models of Genesis, even a handheld version called the Nomad, and Atari tried to keep their one portable, the Lynx, alive by giving it the “Slim” treatment. Nintendo have slimmed every single one of their consoles, with the exceptions of the N64 and Virtual Boy (yes, even the Gamecube. Disagree? Then what do you call the Wii?) Not all consoles have gotten the second lease on life a redesign brings though. Here are the consoles we’d like to see get slimmed down.

Neo-Geo

Snk got halfway there by releasing a disc system with old school Geo ports,...
See full article at MTV Multiplayer
  • 8/25/2009
  • by John Constantine
  • MTV Multiplayer
Sega to launch 'Let's Tap' on Wii
Sega has announced the release of a new game for the Wii console that involves a tapping control system, reports CasualGaming.biz. Sonic The Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka is behind Let's Tap, which includes five different game modes played by tapping close to the Wii Remote. Having been released in Japan during December last year, the game will now be launched in North America and Europe in the summer. Sega's senior product manager Jo Fawell claimed that the game has a minimalistic design in order to (more)...
See full article at Digital Spy
  • 4/15/2009
  • by By Andrew Laughlin
  • Digital Spy
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