News: Sega to Release Sonic 4

In a triumph for nostalgia, Sega has announced its plans to rejig its ailing Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, releasing a follow-up to the last 2D platformer, which launched in 1994.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode One (not-so-cryptically referred to by Sega as Project Needlemouse until now) will return to 2D gaming, unlike recent outings by the blue rodent. According to CNET, the game will support motion control on both Wii and PlayStation 3, and will run in full 1080p on Xbox and PS3 platforms.

At this stage it appears that Sonic 4 will only be available via online download, with no exact price or release date. But for those waiting 16 years for this release (or not), a couple of months more can’t hurt.