Sega has revealed a new 2D Sonic game with HD graphics codenamed Project Needlemouse that’s meant to be the first step in bringing Sonic “back to his 2D roots.”
It might not be the Dreamcast 2 news we were all hoping for, but Sega’s announcement today of Project Needlemouse, a new Sonic game, is not completely insignificant. Due in 2010, Project Needlemouse is a brand-new 2D Sonic game with HD graphics that sounds at least like Sega is finally giving all the Sonic fans what they want and making an old-school-inspired Sonic game.
“Old-school Sonic fans have long asked to see Sonic return to a more 2D style of gameplay,” Sega’s Kevin Ballough told GameSpot. “Many liked the daytime stages in Unleashed but wanted to see a game that plays purely similar to the early games of the Genesis. Project Needlemouse is that critical first step that brings Sonic back to his 2D roots.”
Old-school is definitely the vibe the Project Needlemouse teaser trailer is going for. It opens with the classic “SE-GA” start-up jingle and then a blue blur speeding across the screen from left to right, collecting rings. “Speed returns in an all-new 2D adventure built from the ground up,” the trailer declares. Next there’s a glimpse of a silhouette of a logo that looks like the old Sonic emblem.
I have to wonder, though, that doesn’t look exactly like the shape of Sonic’s head in the logo. Maybe it’s just me being blind, or maybe Project Needlemouse has a new character? One that no old-school Sonic fans will even come close to liking? Wouldn’t be the first time it happens.
