List of unofficial Sonic media

Unlicensed developers and fans have created unofficial Sonic media, especially video games, relating to the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. These products include video games, video game mods, ROM hacks, and animations. Due to the popularity of the franchise, some of these unlicensed products have received critical attention.

Video games

The following are all original games based on the Sonic series.

  • Green Hill Paradise Act 2 is a 3D Sonic game built by Daniel "SuperSonic68" Coyle and other collaborators with the 3D Sonic Games Development Kit. This game gained notability for receiving a positive response from Sega.[1][2]
  • Sonic Utopia is an open-world, 3D Sonic game early in development with a four-person team as of late 2016.[3]
  • Sonic: Before the Sequel is a 2D Sonic game set in between the events of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Originally, the game had a soundtrack with reused music coming from different video game franchises like Kirby, but a second release came with original music specifically for the game. The game received wide critical praise for its faithfulness to earlier titles, and two sequels, Sonic: After the Sequel and Sonic Chrono Adventure, were later developed and released.[4]
  • Sonic Dreams Collection is a parody game presented as a Dreamcast development kit containing cancelled Sonic games. The game caught media attention for its bizarre nature and its intent to lampoon the Sonic fandom.[5]
  • Sonic Fan Remix is a 2.5D Sonic game created in Unity that features reimagined levels from past Sonic games.[6]
  • Sanicball is a racing game in which players race against each other or bots. Playable characters take the form of balls with faces parodying the "Sanic" internet meme.[7] The game is not currently in active development,[8] but is still playable online thanks to player made servers. Sanicball was created in Unity, and is open source allowing anyone to make their own version.[9]
  • Retro Sonic is a 2D Sonic game created by Christian Whitehead. It is the first game to use the Retro Engine (the engine used for the 2011 remaster of Sonic CD), and later merged with two other Sonic fangames, Sonic Nexus and Sonic XG, to form Retro Sonic Nexus.[10]
  • Sonic Robo Blast 2 is a 3D Sonic game that uses a modified version of the Doom Legacy engine and has been in development since 1998,This game gained notability for being the first 3D sonic Fangame ever made and still being updated by its developers and supported by its community.[11] A kart racing variant, Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart, was released in November 2018 using the same engine.[12]
  • Chao Resort Island is a fangame for Microsoft Windows and macOS, based upon the Chao-raising minigames in Sonic Adventure.[13]
  • Sonic World is a game heavily based upon the Sonic Adventure titles and Sonic Heroes. It features over 30 playable characters and the ability to make Heroes-style teams, as well as remastered levels from various Sonic games,on 2020 a Upgraded version called "Sonic World DX" was released for The Sonic Amateur Games Expo 2020.[14][15]
  • Sonic Z-treme is a homebrew Sega Saturn game that aims to recreate concepts from the canceled game Sonic X-treme using original code. It can be run on real Saturn hardware if burned to a disc.[16]
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 HD is a high-definition fan remaster of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in development. The final version is planned to feature additional stages and the ability to play levels as Knuckles the Echidna.[17]

Unofficial ports

The following are unofficial ports of Sonic games for various systems.

  • Somari is a pirated version of Sonic the Hedgehog for the Nintendo Entertainment System. However, rather than starring Sonic, the game features a character named "Somari", who is essentially Nintendo's mascot Mario wearing Miles "Tails" Prower's shoes. There is an inspired rom hack Genesis version as well.
  • Sonic CD DS is a proof-of-concept demo of Sonic CD for the Nintendo DS created by Simon "Stealth" Thomley. The port was created during the development of Christian Whitehead's remaster of Sonic CD; it is a native port written specifically for the DS hardware, and allows the player to play as Sonic, Tails or Knuckles.[18]
  • Sonic the Hedgehog GBA is a port of Sonic the Hedgehog created by Simon Thomley for the Game Boy Advance. Created as a response to the poor reception of Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis (the official port of the game released by Sega), this version was developed by reverse-engineering the game to run on the Game Boy Advance; it additionally features the options to play as Tails or Knuckles.[19]
  • Sonic Chaos is a remake of the 8-bit 1993 game of the same name. It features Sonic Mania-style gameplay elements, sprites and graphics, as well as new game mechanics and boss fights.[16]
  • Sonic P-06 is a remake of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) for Windows powered by Unity. It is being updated as of today.[20]
  • Sonic 3: Angel Island Revisited (also called Sonic 3 A.I.R.) is a port of Sonic 3 & Knuckles to Windows, based on the ROM file for the original Genesis release. Although the game received an official Windows release in 1997, this version includes several enhancements including a widescreen mode, additional graphical effects, and new game modes such as being able to play as Knuckles and Tails simultaneously,Using Abilities from other Sonic games (Such as Super Peel-out),and several other enhancements.[21]

Mods and ROM hacks

The following are all modified versions of existing Sonic games, created using special programs and utilities.

  • Unleashed Project is a mod of Sonic Generations developed by Team Unleashed that consists of modders Dario FF, S0LV0, ChimeraReiax, and MilesGBOY that ports most of the daytime stages from Sonic Unleashed. The mod additionally features new textures and shading techniques designed to mimic those featured in Sonic Unleashed, and a revamped hub world.[22]
  • Sonic the Hedgehog Megamix is a total conversion mod of Sonic the Hedgehog developed by Team Megamix. The modified game features redesigned levels and multiple playable characters, each with unique abilities. Originally created on Sega Genesis hardware, Sonic the Hedgehog Megamix was eventually moved to the Sega CD in order to take advantage of the system's improved storage and CD audio capabilities.[23][24]
  • Super Mario Generations is a mod of Sonic Generations developed by Daku Neko that replaces characters with those from the Mario series, and alters some of the sound and graphical effects of the game to make it more close to that of Mario. It is notable for making an appearance in the modding section of Guinness World Records 2017: Gamer's Edition.[25][26]
  • Sonic Boom is a mod of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 which features new graphics, gameplay components, and music. Despite its title, the mod has nothing to do with the TV series of the same name. Sonic Boom is known for its intense speed, difficulty and large amount of bosses.[27]
  • Metal Sonic Hyperdrive is a heavy modification of Sonic the Hedgehog featuring Metal Sonic as the main character, as well as completely redesigned zones, bosses and new music.[28]
  • Motobug the Badnik in Sonic the Hedgehog is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog that replaces Sonic with a Motobug, as well as altered stage design in a few levels. The programmer Polygon Jim (who is now deceased) was the inspiration to the name of the Motobug Heavy Rider rides in Sonic Mania as a tribute.[29]
  • Knuckles in Sonic 1 is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog created by Simon "Stealth" Thomley which replaces Sonic with Knuckles the Echidna, complete with his moveset and sprites from Sonic & Knuckles.[30][31]
  • Sonic 1 Boomed is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog that implements Sonic's redesign from the Sonic Boom animated series, and additionally gives Sonic voice clips that play when the player simply jumps or collects rings.[32]
  • Sonic 3 Complete is a hack of Sonic 3 & Knuckles which provides a more improved version of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with intent to make it closer to the original vision of the game. Several major changes are present, with the "Flying Battery" stage moved to its originally intended spot, and instead of the Sonic & Knuckles title screen, there is a cutscene to bridge the transition from Sonic 3 stages to Sonic & Knuckles.[33]
  • Sonic 2 Retro Remix is a large-scale hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. This hack features completely redesigned zones and requires the player to collect Chaos Emeralds in order to proceed through the game. Players must fulfill certain missions and objectives in order to collect emeralds, in a vein akin to Super Mario 64.[27]
  • Sonic 2 XL is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that replaces the game's golden rings with onion rings that cause Sonic to become morbidly obese over time. The primary challenge of the hack is to collect as few rings as possible.[34]
  • The S Factor: Sonia and Silver is a work-in-progress multi-level hack of Sonic the Hedgehog which centers around Sonia the Hedgehog, Sonic's sister who appeared in the TV series Sonic Underground, and Silver the Hedgehog, a time-traveling, psychokinetic hedgehog who first appeared in 2006's Sonic the Hedgehog, who each have unique abilities. Scourge the Hedgehog can also be unlocked.[35]
  • Yoshi in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that replaces Sonic with Yoshi, complete with his abilities from Yoshi's Island.[36]
  • Sonic 2 Long Version is a hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that restores 3 to be added levels and 1 idea.[37]
  • There was a Hebrew translation of Sonic the Hedgehog released in 2017 by Barashka.[38]
  • Sonic 3D Blast: Director's Cut is a hack of Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis) released by the game's lead programmer, Jon Burton, in 2017. It features improved controls and gameplay additions not seen in the original version, such as a level editor, a password save system, time attack challenges, and the ability to transform into Super Sonic.[39]

Film and animation

  • Super Mario Bros. Z (2006-2012; 2016–present) is an online crossover sprite animated series created by Mark Haynes for Newgrounds, which starred Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog characters in a plot based on Dragon Ball Z.[40][41] The series was later remade between 2015 and 2016, before Nintendo took down the series' Patreon account.[42] Four years later, however, the first episode of the rebooted series was re-uploaded to YouTube, as work on the series resumed.[43]
  • Sonic in JAWS is a 2009 computer-animated, comedic short film produced by BalenaProductions. The film itself is a short remake of the 1975 film, Jaws, with Sonic and Tails in the roles of Martin Brody and Matt Hooper respectively, and Conker the Squirrel in the role of Quint. In 2011, it subsequently got remade and remastered in HD.[44] As of September 2019, the video has garnered over 65 million views on YouTube.[45]
  • Sonic is a live-action/computer-animated 2013 short film written and directed by filmmaker Eddie Lebron and produced by Blue Core Studios, intended to be a prequel to the original video game.[46] Jaleel White, who provided Sonic's voice for DIC Entertainment's cartoons, reprised his role,[47] and numerous internet personalities make appearances.[48] Lebron hoped the film would lead to a deal with Sega for an official feature-length Sonic film.[49] Yuji Naka, co-creator of the series, called the film "awesome".[50] In the same post, he put in Japanese, "This is too great. It feels very good. I wonder if anyone can add subtitles. It would look like this if I made Sonic in Hollywood".

Fansites

  • TSSZ News was a Sonic-focused news website founded in 1999. The website was shut down in 2020 after its owner posted a controversial tweet that compared the events of certain Sonic games' plots to Black Lives Matter protests.[51][52]
  • Sonic Amateur Games Expo, known as SAGE for short, is an annual online event which began in 2000. Hosted by the Sonic Fan Games HQ website, the event spotlights Sonic fangames and original game projects in development.[20][53]

References

  1. http://kotaku.com/fans-make-the-3d-sonic-game-we-deserve-1786047762
  2. Alexandra, Heather. "Sega Takes Shot At Nintendo, Encourages Fans To Keep Making Sonic Stuff". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  3. http://kotaku.com/open-world-sonic-the-hedgehog-game-being-made-by-one-fa-1788128422
  4. Red Bull UK (August 30, 2013). "Extra life: The amazing fan-made game revivals". Red Bull. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  5. Fingas, Jon. "'Sonic the Hedgehog' tribute games reflect a mascot's fall from grace". Engadget. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  6. McWhertor, Michael. "Did Sonic Fans Just Release A Better Sonic the Hedgehog HD?". Kotaku. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  7. "Game Jolt - Indie games for the love of it". Game Jolt. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  8. "Sanicball v0.8.2 released". Sanicball Devblog. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  9. Badger, Vicious (March 10, 2020), BK-TN/Sanicball, retrieved March 19, 2020
  10. Ponce, Tony. "The joy of fan games, pt. 2: Fan game heroes!". Destructoid. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  11. Menegus, Bryan (July 22, 2016). "The Fan-Made Sonic Game That Won't Die". Gizmodo. Gawker Media. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  12. Tarason, Dominic (November 19, 2018). "Free fan-racer Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart is brilliant knockabout fun". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  13. Fahey, Mike. "New Sonic Fan Game Is All About Raising Chao". Kotaku. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  14. Parlock, Joe. "Fangame Sonic Worlds is looking really impressive with its latest release". Destructoid. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  15. "Downloads". Sonic World. August 9, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  16. Donaldson, Alex (August 28, 2018). "The Sonic community just released a slew of amazing fangame demos". VG247. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  17. Corriea, Alexa. "The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 HD fan project is back from the dead". Polygon. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  18. Thomley, Simon. "Sonic CD DS". Headcannon. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  19. Thomley, Simon. "Sonic 1 GBA/DS". Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  20. Summers, Nick (December 11, 2019). "One fan's struggle to fix the worst game in Sonic history". Engadget. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  21. Donaldson, Alex (April 10, 2019). "Sonic 3 A.I.R. is the quality remaster that Sega probably won't release itself". VG247. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  22. Petitte, Omri. "Sonic Generations mod adds most levels from console-exclusive Sonic Unleashed". PC Gamer. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  23. Thomley, Simon. "Steam Workshop :: Sonic 1 Megamix". Steam Workshop. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  24. Cavalli, Earnest. "Sonic Megamix: Welcome Back to 1991". Destructoid. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  25. Cowan, Danny. "Fan Modders Turn Sonic Generations into a 3D Mario Game". Digital Trends. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
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  27. "Top 5 Sonic the Hedgehog Hacks/Remixes". Retro Collect. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
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  29. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-09-04-sonic-mania-has-a-lovely-tribute-to-a-sonic-hacker-who-died-tragically
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  31. Thomley, Simon. "Steam Workshop :: Knuckles in Sonic 1". Steam. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  32. Hester, Blake. "Hacker combines one of the best Sonic games with arguably one of the worst ones". Kill Screen. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  33. "Sonic 3 Complete: The Definitive Way To Play Sega's 16-bit Masterpiece". Retro Collect. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  34. McWhertor, Michael. "Brilliant 'Sonic 2 XL' Hack Adds Onion Rings, Morbid Obesity". Kotaku. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  35. "The Best Sonic the Hedgehog Games You've Never Played". Video Game DJ. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  36. Kohler, Chris. "A Hacker Dropped Yoshi Into Sonic 2, And It's Amazing". Kotaku Australia. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  37. Oxford, Nadia. "Early Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Map Sketches Contain the Fabled "Genocide City"". USgamer. Retrieved June 23, 2017. There's even a fan-made "long version" of Sonic 2 that "restores" Genocide City Zone.
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  49. Lebron, Eddie (March 1, 2012). Eddie Lebron Q&A. Blue Core Studios. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  50. McFerran, Damien (January 11, 2013). "New Sonic Fan Film Receives Mixed Reception, But At Least Yuji Naka Likes It". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  51. Adams, Robert N. (June 1, 2020). "News site shuts down after comparing Sonic the Hedgehog to Black Lives Matter protestors". Game Revolution. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
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