Sonic Colors

"Just push. We have to hurry. I already have my revenge planned out, and next time I will not fail!"

- Eggman

Sonic Colors (ソニック カラーズ) in Japan and America, or Sonic Colours in Europe and Canada, is a 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 came out on the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS in late 2010. Much like its predecessor Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colors for the Wii seamlessly combines both 3D and classic 2D game play perspectives, while the Nintendo DS version takes full advantage of the console's dual screen, similar to the Sonic Rush series. The Wii version was developed by Sega and Sonic Team where the DS version was developed by Sonic Team and Dimps.

The head supervisor was Takashi Iizuka. Morio Kishimoto directed the Wii version of the game. Kishimoto was also involved in the Sonic Storybook Series. Takao Hiyabayashi directed the DS version. Hiyabayashi was involved with the development of Sonic Unleashed.

Wii version
The scene starts with Sonic and Tails in Tropical Resort, a part of Eggman's Interstellar Amusement Park. Sonic says that he loves the place because of its beauty and everybody else would enjoy. Tails agrees and asks Sonic why are they here because it seems that Eggman is actually showing a remorse of his past deeds and the park doesn't look harmful at all. Sonic disagrees with that, certain that Eggman's theme park is part of a plot. Tails then says that the way they came in was through Eggman's elevator, but Sonic says that Eggman must be begging them to ruin his plan. They then hear some noise and Sonic runs to see what is going on, where he sees Orbot and Cubot chasing two Wisps, one white and the other cyan. Sonic was not sure what was going on but he knew that he had to save the Wisps. When he does, he asks the Wisps on what is going on, until suddenly the cyan Wisp goes inside Sonic with Sonic completely unaware of it. He turns into a laser and goes around the place at an incredible speed.

Tails is seen with a White Wisp modifying his Miles Electric until the White Wisp says something unintelligibly as Tails tells him that he is making a translator so that he can understand what the Wisp is saying. Sonic then reaches Tails in his laser form and then the Cyan Wisp comes out of Sonic's body and goes. Sonic tells Tails in amazement on what just happened. Tails tells him that it is kind of hard to believe. But the white wisp tries proving that Sonic is right through gestures, but Sonic and Tails fail to understand. Sonic is then certain Eggman is up to something.

Further in Tropical Resort, Eggman counts up the captured Wisps and tells Cubot and Orbot he needs more when Orbot warns him that Sonic is here. Eggman then tells them to get serious and tells Orbot to unleash the "Big Boy". Sonic trashes the robot easily and goes to Tails who is fixing up the translator and the White Wisp with him. The translator is finished, but still had a few problems, especially when it would translate the Wisp incorrectly. Thanks to the translator, Sonic and Tails found out that his name is Yacker and he is part of a race called Wisps who live in a distant planet and Yacker's people are kidnapped and he is desperate in saving them. Sonic agrees to free the Wisps but he prefers calling them aliens. Meanwhile Orbot and Cubot picks up parts of the destroyed Big Boy, and they didn't care to pick up the arm of the robot, but actually the arm was on top of a machine leaking a purple fluid which malfunctions Eggman mind-controlling machine later in the story.

Sonic reaches Sweet Mountain and sees a giant generator. Sonic decides to investigate it because it was glowing. A giant pirate ship showed up to guard the generator, only to be destroyed by Sonic. After destroying the pirate and his ship, Tails came up to Sonic along with Yacker. Tails tells him that Yacker had given him more information that Eggman is behind the capturing of the Wisps.

The two then visit Starlight Carnival looking for Eggman. Eggman took them by surprise and mind-controlled Tails by zapping him with a purple laser and forces Tails to fight Sonic, but Sonic refuses to fight him as Tails is still his friend, when Tails was ready to hurt Sonic, he fell on Sonic as Eggman ran out of power so Tails came back to his senses. Eggman reveals that he plans to do this to the whole world. Sonic beats up a robot that Eggman sent before leaving. Tails' translator reveals: the energy the Wisps provide is called "Hyper-go-on power" and Eggman is after that energy. Also, Eggman is using 5 generators to hold the theme park together. Lucky for Sonic, he had already broken two generators without even knowing that he had to break them.

Sonic then reaches Planet Wisp and then Aquarium Park and breaks the generator over there. At Asteroid Coaster, Sonic and Tails find a factory of Wisps being mind-controlled and turned into "Nega Wisps", Wisps with a purple or violet color. Sonic destroys that factory and thought that the Wisps have been changed back. He then reaches Tropical Resort and celebrates his victory with Tails and the Wisps as he thought Eggman was finally defeated and starts break-dancing.

However, Eggman still possessed the energy of the Nega Wisps, regardless of the generator's state, Eggman then activates the Mind Control Cannon but the cannon malfunctions due to the robot arm that Sonic accidentally struck in the weapon. With the park falling apart from backlash, Eggman vows to destroy Sonic instead. In Tropical Resort, Sonic and Tails feel an earthquake and head to Eggman's elevator to go back home. Unfortunately, both were stopped by Dr. Eggman in his newest mecha. Tails is unsure of their success, so Sonic shoves Tails back into the space elevator and sends him back, leaving him to fight Eggman.

The two fight once again and finally with the help of every type of Wisp, Sonic defeats Eggman with the Final Color Blaster. The malfunctioning cannon creates a black hole of negative energy that consumed the amusement park and the defeated Eggman while Sonic tries to run away from the growing black hole. While even he was unable to outrun a black hole, all of the Wisps use their energy to neutralize the black hole and save Sonic as he lies fainted and Yacker changes the Nega Wisps back to normal. Sonic wakes up back on Earth, breathing heavily and tired looking. Tails comes to him and told Sonic that he shouldn't have pushed him into the elevator like that but thanked him for handling Eggman all by himself. Yacker comes and thanks them and the good news is that Tails' translator is working perfectly. Yacker tells them that he has to go back to his planet, saddening Tails. Yacker then high-fives Sonic and Tails, then goes back to his planet.

Out in space, Eggman has survived and yells at Orbot and Cubot to push his transport back faster. Eggman is furious at losing again and plans his revenge but Orbot told him to look on the bright side by telling him that Cubot finally got his voice back. It all ends with Cubot excited to get his voice back, and celebrates by continuously talking until the scene ends, causing Eggman to wish for the maddening silence of the void of space.

DS Version
The DS version of the game has the same scenario though, more brief and no jokes added. The difference is that the translator works perfectly in the DS version. After each world is beaten Sonic unlocks missions for that planet and his friends appear in it. Thus, after all Chaos Emeralds are collected from Special Stages there is a special boss called Nega Mother-Wisp. She is actually Yacker's mother who was possessed by the Negative Hyper-go-on energy. Sonic had no choice but to fight her in the form of Super Sonic.

After fighting her, she was able to turn back to her normal form, Mother-Wisp. Sonic found out that she is not only Yacker's mother but is the mother of all Wisps and the creator of Planet Wisp.

Eggman captured the Mother-Wisp before the cutscene "Hyper-go-ons Charging" as it can be assumed the "giant alien" was her. At this point Sonic had just cleared Aquarium Park.

However, Eggman did lose control of the Mother-Wisp before Sonic cleared the 3rd mission in Asteroid Coaster, but he had already turned her into a Nega-Wisp by then.

The story was done by the writers of the famous SEGA game, MadWorld as stated by Takashi Iizuka and the writers of Happy Tree Friends have added humor to the cutscenes.

Playable

 * Sonic the Hedgehog/Super Sonic
 * Robo-Sonics (exclusively for co-op)
 * Mii (exclusively for co-op) (Wii)

Non-Playable

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

Enemies

 * Egg Pawn
 * Spinner
 * Buzzbomber
 * Burrobot
 * Mole
 * Motobug (Big and Small)
 * Crabmeat
 * Spiny
 * Orbinaut
 * Chopper (Big and small)
 * Jawz
 * Sandworm
 * Aero Chaser
 * Crab-like Interceptor

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 stages (except special stages in the DS version) are accessed by a world map. The 8 stages listed below, Challenge Mode (where each act is consecutively), and Options can be selected from the world map.

A wonderful space park with a view of Sonic's home planet, the visitors riding in their hover cars can enjoy shopping, sight-seeing and lots of fun in the luxurious paradise. Centered around a lush tropical vegetation and urban industrialism, this resort is just to relax and enjoy.
 * Tropical Resort

A very "sweet" and joyous land comprised different types of food ranging from candies to hamburgers and to popcorn even. This planetoid is very distinct from the others the entire landscape is mixture between military industrialism to an almost infinite layered cake ground. Sweet Mountain is very beautiful with its candy cane grind rails to it's towering burgers, even it's mechanical side is breathtaking, additionally one of the most beautiful features is it's pinkish peach orange sky.
 * Sweet Mountain

Starlight Carnival, a space armada set in the darkness of space illuminated by the luminous neon lights covering everything in sight. The space fleet comes out of worm holes, transporting them around space and brings its big festive light show around the dark space. The tour along pathways of light, through festive starships and across their illuminated and colourful decks is truly an amazing experience.
 * Starlight Carnival

Planet Wisp is the home planet of the Wisps. A once lush and harmonious little planet in far away space. But the evil Doctor Eggman took the peaceful wisps home planet with a powerful tractor beam and it is currently being constructed into a theme park, so this area is off limits to park goers. Planet Wisp is filled with very prominent alien vegetation with a beautiful Earth-like sky, but due to Eggman, machinery takes a least half the planet, and lakes of toxic waste can be seen taking over the once clear waters.
 * Planet Wisp

Aquarium Park is a gorgeous and amazing oriental-themed underwater aquarium. Visitors can enjoy the amazing city of pagodes and the countless pools and aquariums filled with all sorts of sea life (and mechas). The Aquarium Park is a planet with a flooded surface, therefore it's made up of many underwater spheres holding cities and sea life combined. Its most comical and famous location is it's sushi restaurant "The Bucket-O'-Sushi", where apparently the food is terrible, they have recently added fish to the menu, primary endangered and rare species. Asteroid Coaster is a theme park centered around wild and dangerous rides. The large rock planet is surrounded by a huge, endless asteroid field, that's also used for the countless roller coaster. These rides runs through the asteroid field, vast space and large planetoids filled with toxic sludge in dangerous curves, loops and corkscrews in spiky, draconic and skeletal roller coaster carts. The Asteroid Coaster is the wild, cool and awesome world for the boyish love of danger, action and extreme rides. Terminal Velocity is a hay wire space speedway that takes place on the space elevator, a transportation tower connecting Sonic's home world to Dr. Eggman's amusement park with extreme acceleration and velocity. After a system failure it's starts to crumble leading chucks of the pathway ascending from out of place. Game Land is Dr. Eggman's artificial planet of arcade games, that houses it's most popular game the Sonic Simulator, a game which players run through 21 levels with an optional pal. Here the player can unlock levels by collecting red rings from the other amusement parks to in turn finish the third act of each level which gives the player a Chaos Emerald.
 * Aquarium Park
 * Asteroid Coaster
 * Terminal Velocity
 * Game Land

Note: Game Land's levels act as Special Stages. If a set of 3 acts are completed, the player gets a Chaos Emerald at the end of the third.

All the stages above (besides Game Land), once selected, will take the player to the stage-specific area map. Each area map has 6 acts and a boss selectable, and 7 "S" ranks and 30 special rings to be earned. However, Terminal Velocity being the final stage has only 2 acts selectable and no special rings to collect.

Special Stages (Nintendo DS Exclusive)
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 and count as 2 spheres. If they have a number on them, they count as the number they have. There are also checkered ones, that if the player has collected all of them a 10 sphere bonus will be received. Also, there is a special checkered sphere before the end of each round (there are 3 rounds, each one requiring a different sphere color), and if the player touches it, many required colorful spheres will roll from the one side to the other. But the player has to be careful as touching any balls that aren't in the right color will shove them out of the course, enabling their collection.

Sonic Simulator
Main article: Sonic Simulator The Sonic Simulator popularly called Sonic sim, is the multiplayer mode of the Sonic Colors which can first be unlocked by collecting a few red rings then by collecting more other acts will be unlocked. There are total 21 stages and only Robo-Sonics and Miis are playable, but in actuality it's a popular game in the famous Game Land.

Music
The game now has its own soundtrack called ViViD SOUND X HYBRiD COLORS produced by Wave Master. It also consists of the main themes and the in-game level music.

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

The music is composed by SEGA Sound Team. Takashi Iizuka stated 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 is "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 Official Trailer Video:Sonic Colors GameSpot Trailer|Sonic Colors Gameplay Trailer 2 Video:Sonic Colours - Gameplay Trailer 4|Sonic Colors Gameplay Trailer 3 Video:Sonic Colors - US Commercial (Publicité U.S)|Sonic Colors commercial

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 one of Sonic's best portable platformers and it had 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 the player would have to start from the beginning of the level even if the player is 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 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
Reviews for the game were mostly positive, with a Metacritic ranking of 78 for the Wii version and 79 for the DS version, and a GameRankings score of 78.84% for the Wii version and 77.07% for the DS version. IGN gave both versions a score of 8.5 and an Editor's Choice Award, calling it "the best Sonic game in 18 years," praising its gameplay and level design, while criticising some difficulty spikes later in the game, as well as the two player co-op, stating, "One screen isn't enough for two hedgehogs." IGN also gave the Wii version the 'Quick Fix Award' in their Best of 2010 awards. Famitsu gave the Wii version 34/40 while the DS version scored 32/40. NGamer gave the Wii game 86%, praising its gameplay and soundtrack, though criticizing some easy and "rehashed" bosses. Nintendo Power gave the Wii version of Sonic Colors 9 out of 10, praising the game as "an unequivocal success", and gave the DS version 7.5 out of 10, criticising the game's short length. Official Nintendo Magazine gave the game 86% for the Wii version and 85% for the DS version. WiiMagazin, a German gaming magazine, gave the Wii version a 92% and the DS version a 90% rating praising a remark saying, "There is a God, and he's a Sonic-fan". Joystiq gave the game 4 out of 5 stars, saying "Sonic Colors succeeds where so, so many other Sonic games have failed." Eurogamer gave the Wii version 8/10, calling it "stupefyingly fast and utterly thrilling." GameSpot gave the Wii version an 8 out of 10 praising the game's level design, sense of speed, and graphics, but criticizing its bare-bones, poorly-designed co-operative play. CNET reviews gave the game 4 stars, praising that the game offers a mix of 3D action and classic Sonic side-scrolling with dazzling visuals and exhilarating platforming. 1UP gave the Wii version a B+ rank, calling it "the best 3D Sonic in ages." Wired gave the Wii version a 7/10, praising its "Excellent music, colorful graphics" and "fun and varied level design" while criticising its "somewhat twitchy jumping controls" and the fact that later levels "are filled with cheap deaths."

GameTrailers was more critical of the game, citing unresponsive controls and underused Wisp powers, giving the Wii version a 6.4, preferring the DS version, which scored a 7.9. GamesRadar gave the Wii version 7/10, praising the game's replayability while criticizing some 'horribly cheap deaths'. . Game Informer gave the Wii version a 7.0 score, criticizing floaty physics and inconsistent difficulty, though it did award the DS version a score of 8.5, saying "[Dimps] continues its run of entertaining titles with Sonic Colors."

Trivia

 * SA-55's real name has been revealed known as "Orbot" in this game.
 * If a customer pre-ordered Sonic Colors at Gamestop, the customer got a free hat with the look of Sonic's Sonic_Hat.png quills on their head.
 * This game marks the first time Sonic is able to perform a double jump since Sonic R (and Super Smash Bros. Brawl if counted).
 * 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.
 * This is currently the last Sonic game developed for the DS, as the portable version of Sonic Generations is for the Nintendo 3DS.
 * 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 time Sonic can perform a Stomp Attack on a handheld console.
 * This is the first main series 3D Sonic game where Sonic can transform into Super Sonic during the normal stages.
 * This is the only main series 3D game where Sonic can fight the last boss with no need of a super form and Eggman serves as the final boss.
 * An unused Eggman voice clip reveals that the Wisp's energy is more powerful than Chaos energy.
 * During one of Eggman's announcements, he mentions a yellow car with license plate "1NOM155" is about to get hit by an asteroid. This could be a reference to Crazy Taxi (another Sega game) as one of the characters, Axel, drives a taxi with the same license plate.
 * In the final cutscene of the Wii verison, the Red and Violet Wisps can also be seen, even though they are DS-exclusive. Similarly, the Blue, Pink and Green Wisps are seen in the ending of the DS version, even though they are Wii-exclusive. Also in the DS version, the opening cutscene (accessible from the options menu) shows all 10 types of Wisps.
 * Towards the end of the game, the Miles Electric's screen is shown. Earlier in the game, Tails says that the translations on there are in binary code, but the code shown on the device is in hexidecimal format. The bottom line of code translates to: "If you can read this, youXfre a geek!".MilesElectric.PNG.]]
 * Unlike the other games, Sonic doesn't get an extra life upon gaining 100 rings in the Wii version.
 * In DS version, Cheese is missing his bow-tie.
 * The DS version uses some CGI cutscene footage from the Wii version.
 * Sonic acts surprised that Dr. Eggman captured an entire planet, even though he has already done this with the Little Planet in Sonic CD.
 * During an act, when Super Sonic mode is activated, any Wisps' power cannot be used except from the White Wisp.
 * This is the first 3D Sonic game where if the player starts a new game the player is taken to the first stage immediately rather then showing a cutscene first.
 * The DS version of this game takes the drowning tune out of Sonic Rush.
 * In the cutscene after the credits to show what happens to Eggman after the ending, Cubot says "What's up with those things anyway?" However, the subtitles say "What's up with those guys anyway?
 * In the back of the box of the game (the US Version), there's a text that says "And preform new moves". It is supposed to say: "And perform new moves." 
 * This game is one of the few games where the regular boss fights are against Eggman's unmanned robots rather than Eggman in a manned robot.
 * This is the second main series game where any variation of the Tornado doesn't make an appearance.
 * When Orbot installs a new voice chip for Cubot, he says "The think bone's connected to the talk bone... the talk bone's connected to the mouth bone". This is a reference to Dem Bones, a traditional song writtien by James Weldon Johnson.
 * There is a typo in the DS version when at the Aquarium Park. They spell aquarium as 'acquarium'.
 * This is the first Sonic game in which none of the stages are on Earth, they are all on individual planets.
 * The Wii version is the first main series Sonic game in which the Chaos Emeralds are not involved in the story.
 * The game brings back some characteristics of the classic games, such as underwater access and pushing boxes.
 * Most enemies are taken from classic games as well, such as Moto Bugs, Buzzers, Crabmeats, Choppers and Egg Pawns.
 * The Frenzy and Void wisps are revealed as Mega-Wisps in the Wii version manual and in the final cutscene.