The Colors, Sonic, the colors!

Yesterday SEGA let 'Sonic Colors' out of the bag, the latest Wii-exclusive Sonic game. Unlike previous releases like 'Black Knight' and 'Secret Rings', 'Colors' will have a DS version. Let's have a look at the press release, shall we?

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (May 26th, 2010) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. & SEGA® America, Inc., today announced Sonic Colours™, a brand new high speed action adventure in which Sonic the Hedgehog races through incredible theme park inspired worlds to rescue a colourful alien race from the clutches of Dr Eggman. Sonic Colours will be available on the home video game system Wii™ and the Nintendo DS™ system late in 2010.

An extraordinary amusement park has been seen orbiting around the home planet of Sonic the Hedgehog, and rumours are spreading that an alien race of Wisps, who have a unique colourful energy, are being held captive there by the evil Dr Eggman. Soon after arriving at the amusement park Sonic discovers he is able to use these mysterious alien forces to help the Wisps escape! Sonic Colours for the Wii seamlessly combines both 3D and classic 2D game play perspectives, whilst the Nintendo DS version takes full advantage of the console’s dual screen.

“The vibrant alien world of Sonic Colours enables players to race at top speed through incredible looking planets, each with their own unique visual style.” commented Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing, SEGA. “In addition to the classic Sonic game play style, the colourful new Wisp power ups offer a fresh new way of exploring these worlds and helps make Sonic faster than ever before!”
Sonic Colours sees Sonic accelerating to adrenaline-pumping super speeds and blasting through obstacles in ways never before seen in a Sonic game. The alien Wisps in Sonic Colours each have a unique “Colour Power” that, once freed, Sonic is able to absorb whilst speeding through the various theme park inspired planets. The Wisp energy enables Sonic to create new paths through the stages by drilling through the ground (Yellow Drill) for example, or speeding through the stage as a laser (Cyan Laser). Stringing the Wisp power ups together creates a combo that increases Sonic’s boost gauge even more quickly and exclusive Wisp power ups will be available for both Wii and the Nintendo DS versions, ensuring a unique and super speedy gameplay experience for Sonic fans everywhere.

Sonic Colours will be available on the home video game system Wii™ and the Nintendo DS™ system late in 2010.

From the sound of it, we'll be getting a portable release that plays similarly to the 'Rush' games with the obvious addition of the color power-ups. As for the Wii, it sounds like SEGA liked the execution of the 'Unleashed' day stages and plans to replicate them with obstacles that can be passed via power-ups. There is a trailer too, but it doesn't give much information gameplay-wise. Still, it features Sonic and Tails running together which is always a happy image:



With the late 2010 release of 'Colors', handheld Sonic fans will be getting a double dose of portable goodness thanks to the iPhone version of 'Sonic 4'. It may be a dry Sonic summer, but it looks to be a hot Sonic winter!