Sonic pulls a Megaman…Sonic 4 Announced

Sega has finally announced details about Project Needlemouse. After only hinting at gameplay mechanics and characters included, its officially out that Project Needlemouse is Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Much like Megaman 9, and the upcoming Megaman 10 it will be a 2D side scrolling adventure. However, unlike Megaman it will have 3D visuals. Seen below in the most teasery of teaser trailers, it looks like even the art assets from the Sonics 1-3 have been converted to 3D.

After years of lackluster 3D platforming mis-adventures Sonic is going back to his roots, but really how far back is he going? Sonic has had 2D adventures on GBA, PSP and DS. They aren’t even that old. The most recent two were released in 2007. If anything this looks to be Sonic Team giving up and going back to what they are good at.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 will be downloadable on the PSN, Wiiware and Xbox Live Arcade later this year. Presumably, if this one does well, more episodes are to come.