Sonic Colors

Sonic Colors, entitled Sonic Colours (ソニック カラーズ) outside of America and Japan, is an upcoming game for the Nintendo Wii console and Nintendo DS. It was first announced on May 26, 2010 in a press release by Sega for Italy, and included a teaser trailer.

Development
Sonic Colors will be available on the Wii and the Nintendo DS in Late 2010. Sonic Colors for the Wii seamlessly combines both 3D and classic 2D game play perspectives, similar to the day stages of Sonic Unleashed while the Nintendo DS version takes full advantage of the console's dual screen, similar to the Sonic Rush series. The Wii version is developed by Sega and Sonic Team whereas the DS version is developed by Sonic Team and Dimps.

The head supervisor is Takashi Iizuka. Morio Kishimoto will be directing the Wii version of the game, Kishimoto was also involved in the Sonic Storybook Series. Takao Hiyabayashi will be directing the DS version, Hiyabayashi was in the development of Sonic Unleashed.

 "The general difficulty of Sonic Colours will suit younger fans; zones still fly by and you’ll wonder at times just how much control you actually have. But each level is crammed, throwing you from one experience to the next. Couple that with the vibrant, colourful new world though and hopefully older Sonic fans will have enough to go at too."

Plot


Dr. Eggman supposedly turns a new leaf and builds an intergalactic amusement park up in space, made up of several planet sized attractions. However that is not the only thing he is planning, the true purpose of this amusement park is to capture alien creatures known as Wisps, who harness a powerful color energy which Eggman needs. Sonic and Tails found out what was going on and had headed to "Tropical Resort" a place in the Eggman Intergalatic Amusement park. Over there, Sonic and Tails find a White Wisp named Yacker who seems to know some more information on Eggman's plan. Sonic and Tails, along with the silent guide of their new friend, are unfolding a new adventure by stopping Eggman and setting the Wisps free.

The story will be done by the writers of the famous SEGA game, MadWorld as stated by Takashi Iizuka and the writers of Happy Tree Friends to add humor to the cutscenes. The story of the Wii version and the DS version are different. The DS version will show a different role of the Wisps, the DS version also has Knuckles and Amy in the story.

The Nintendo Power magazine reveals that the story is "minimalistic", "light-hearted" and appropriately "goofy".

Playable

 * Sonic the Hedgehog /Super Sonic
 * Wisps (power-ups for Sonic to use only)
 * Robo-Sonics (exclusively for co-op)
 * Mii (exclusively for co-op)

Non-Playable

 * Dr. Eggman
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Yacker
 * Orbot
 * Cubot
 * Knuckles the Echidna (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Amy Rose (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Silver the Hedgehog (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Blaze the Cat (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * E-123 Omega (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Rouge the Bat (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Shadow the Hedgehog (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Charmy Bee (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Vector the Crocodile (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Espio the Chameleon (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Cream the Rabbit (Exclusively for the DS version)
 * Big the Cat (Exclusively for the DS version)

Enemies

 * Egg Pawn
 * Spinner
 * Buzz Bomber
 * Burrobot (big and small)
 * Motobug
 * Crabmeat
 * Spiny
 * Orbinaut

Voice actors
The game, alongside Sonic Free Riders, is the first to feature the new English voice cast, with all voices except for Eggman's being changed.

Stages
(The game will feature more than 8 different planets, one of Eggman's ships and one satellite)

Note: Game World's levels act as Special Stages. If you complete a set of 3 acts, you get a Chaos Emerald.
 * Tropical Resort
 * Sweet Mountain
 * Starlight Carnival
 * Planet Wisp
 * Aquatic Park/Aquarium Park
 * Asteroid Coaster
 * Terminal Velocity
 * Game World (multiplayer)

Special Stages
The DS version has Special Stages in which by completing each, a Chaos Emerald will be received. It is entirely similar to the Special Stages that were used in Sonic Rush, except instead of collecting rings, Sonic will have to collect colorful balls, like in Sonic Heroes. The player needs to collect the spheres of the same colors as the top screen. The rainbow ones can be collected at any time. There are also checkered ones, that if the player has collected all of them a 10 sphere bonus will be received.

Sonic Simulator
Main article: Sonic Simulator

Sonic Sim is the multiplayer mode of the game which can be unlocked by collecting red emblems. There are total 21 stages and only Robo-Sonics and Miis are playable.

Music
The game will be having it's own sound track called ViViD SOUND X HYBRiD COLORS produced by Wave Master. It will consist of the main themes and the in-game level music.

The theme song of the game is Reach For The Stars. It is sung by Jean Paul Makhlouf from the band, Cash Cash. The ending theme of the game is Speak With Your Heart, the composer is yet unknown.

The music will be composed by SEGA Sound Team. Takashi Iizuka states that: "Since the game has an amusement-park setting and a more fantastical visual style, they're trying to expand the usual "cool" Sonic sound and focus on making fun, up-tempo music that will really get players' blood pumping.""

The Nintendo Power Magazine praised the music by saying it's, "annoying, catchy and rubbish", and that is what they always liked about the music in Sonic games.

Videos
Video:Sonic Colors - Color Power Gameplay Trailer|Sonic Colors Gameplay Trailer 1 Video:Sonic Colors Nintendo Wii Gameplay - Game Land Co-op Mode Direct Feed (480p)|Sonic Colors 2-player Video:Sonic Colors Gameplay Trailer|Sonic Colors Trailer Video:Sonic Colors GameSpot Trailer|Sonic Colors Gameplay Trailer 2 Video:Sonic Colours - Super Sonic in Aquarium Park Zone (HD)| Video:Sonic Colours - Gameplay Trailer 4|Sonic Colors Gameplay Trailer 4

Previews
A preview of the Official Nintendo Power Magazine gaming studios said that the action was fast, the levels were nice and long, and that there were loads of different routes available through each level. Their favorite Wisp was the Drill Wisp. In the end they mentioned that Sonic was at his best at mimicking Mario elements similar to 2010's hit game Super Mario Galaxy 2. They said the game will be the equivalent of all-daytime stages of Sonic Unleashed. IGN said that Sonic Colors might be, "The best Sonic game of this generation", praising its level design and fully-packed action with vibrant colors. It also was also nominated as the Best of E3 by IGN, but however, it did not win. Sonic Colors was nominated for Best Platformer Game at Gametrailers E3 2010 awards. Later IGN had given their own review giving it a very positive score of 8.5 which is awarded as the "Editors Choice award" on IGN's behalf on both DS and Wii. For the DS version they had said that it is on of Sonic's best portable platformers and it a little classic touch in it. The said that go up slopes and falling in pits was very frustrating however the boss-fights were great. They said that the levels were very fun as it had great pacing but one major problem was that the game had no checkpoints and then you would have to start from the beginning of the level even if you are in a boss-fight. For the Wii version, they said that it is one of the most attractive looking games on the Wii this year as it has great animation and they mentioned that it was the best that Sonic has ever looked. They said the music was good having a huge amount of visual stages, from Casino, to parks and interstellar space areas. The thing they liked was that the cast of characters was greatly reduced. They said the game's platforming was good and was similar the platforming of the Super Mario Series. They complained on the game having many extra competitions and made it frustrating. They said that it was very important to do the extra missions that made the game no fun anymore. They said the Co-op wasn't very fun as it was frustrating and they said that one screen is not enough for two Sonics.

Review
NGamer are the first who made their review of the game, they gave it an 86%. They had commented on the Wisp power by saying, "These aren't powerups, they're toys - single-use shots of pure fun that have the happy side effect of opening up new pathways in already pleasingly labyrinthine stages." About the difficulty of the game they had said "The result is a series of intricate and occasionally extremely tricky levels." Nintendo Power had also given their magazine review giving the Wii a 9.0/10 and the DS version a 7.5/10. They had praised the Wii version saying that "Not just a step in the right direction, but an unequivocal success." they had also said that they would like a second installment of both versions, praising the careful platforming and level length. However, they criticized the Wii version for the boss-fights saying that the boss-fights are "Recycled, slapping on a new coat of paint and altered attack patterns". They had appreciated the DS version for the fast and brilliant level design, but had criticized that the game was too short, containing of approximately 4 hours of gameplay unlike the Wii version that has 20+ hours of gameplay. The British magazine ONM (Official Nintendo Magazine) had given the Wii version an 86% and the DS version 85% saying pretty much the same as NGamer and Nintendo Power but they also criticized the multiplayer of the Wii version saying, "It just doesn't fit well in the game. They could have made it like the multiplayer in New Super Mario Bros. Wii but we guess they decided to take a different turn. And it's a pretty annoying one at that". They praised the game's speed and scenary though saying, ''"It's almost sad to say that most of the time the beautiful scenary in the game is reduced to a speedy blur. But at the same time it's wonderful to see that Sonic is back in shape and running brilliantly to the catchy tunes again".  WiiMagazin, which is a German gaming magazine, said, "There is a God, and he's a Sonic fan".'' They gave the Wii version 92% and the DS version 90%. IGN gave both the Wii and DS versions an 8.5/10 also giving it an Editor's Choice Award saying, "This is the best looking Sonic game in years and one of 2010's biggest surprises". They criticized the multiplayer and later difficulty of the game saying, "One screen isn't enough for two Hedgehog's". They also said, "We had a lot of unexpected trouble near the end of the game. Sometimes you feel so frustrated that you feel like throwing the Wiimote and Nunchuck out the window or something." They praised the game's graphic's though saying, "Graphics are outstanding and makes the game look like a true work of art." Famitsu uses a panel of four reviewers to judge games however they gave most panels for the game 8, making it have a score of 34/40 which is equivalent to 85% and the DS version got 32/40 which is 80%. These are the highest Famitsu scores for a Sonic title since Sonic Adventure for the Dreamcast was given a 38/40 in 1998.

Trivia

 * The planet Game Land is eerily shaped like Sonic's head.
 * SA-55's real name has been revealed known as "Orbot" in this game.
 * If a customer pre-orders Sonic Colors at Gamestop, the customer can get a free hat with the look of Sonic's Sonic_Hat.png quills on their head.
 * This is the second game in which Egg Pawns wear certain clothing or armor depending on the stage enviroment, the first being Casino Park in Sonic Heroes.
 * In the last cutscene of the Wii version, one can see only one red Wisp in the background, however there is no Red Wisp in the Wii version.
 * Sonic Colors will mark the first 3D Sonic game since Sonic Heroes, to feature the classic level title cards at the start of a level.
 * This game marks the first time Sonic is able to perform a double jump since Sonic R.
 * The Wisps in the DS version are different than those in the Wii version, with the exception of the orange, white, yellow, and cyan Wisps. They can also be used in different ways in each version.
 * Sonic Colors features a fully animated title screen; a feature not seen from a 3D Sonic game since the Gamecube remake: Sonic Adventure 2: Battle.
 * In the E3 demo when Sonic would activate the "Drill Power" the announcer would say, "Spin!" but in the final version of the game he says, "Drill!". Also, before activating the power of any Wisps, the announcer would say, "Color!" in the demo version, but in the final build he doesn't say anything until Sonic activated the power.
 * This is the first game where the player can interact with the Result screen directly.
 * This game is going to feature 6 acts per stage on the Wii version while the DS version has 3.
 * This is the first 3D game since Sonic Adventure to have Sonic enter water without losing a life, but he can only enter water in the 2D sections of the level.
 * This is the first time Sonic can perform a Stomp attack on a handheld console.
 * This is the very first game to feature Rings in CGI.
 * This is the first 3D game since Sonic '06 in which Sonic can both Spin Dash and Spin Dash Charge, but this can only be used with the Pink Wisps.
 * This is the first time Sonic interacts directly with Orbot.
 * This is the first main series 3D game where Sonic can transform into Super Sonic with 50 rings.
 * This is the first 3D Sonic game that Super Sonic is playable without hacking.
 * This is the only main series 3D game where Sonic can fight the last boss with no need of a super form.
 * This is the first game since Sonic Heroes to feature Big, first game to feature the Chaotix and Cream since Shadow the Hedgehog, and first to feature Silver, Blaze, Rouge, Omega and Shadow since Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).