Sega's Bold Plans: Revamping Sonic the Hedgehog with Epic Reboots and Remakes

Sega's current president, Yukio Sugino, is interested in revitalizing some of the company's classic IPs, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, through "reboots and remakes" in the future. While the Sonic franchise remains an iconic name in the gaming industry, 2023 holds promise for the beloved blue hedgehog. However, the same cannot be said for most of Sega's other IPs, though some have received attention in recent years. For instance, re-releases like the Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown remake in 2021 and Samba de Amigo: Party Central indicate a renewed focus on these dormant franchises. Samba de Amigo, in particular, has not seen a new release since 2007 and has been limited to crossover appearances and remasters. With the upcoming comeback of Samba De Amigo on Nintendo Switch in 2023, Sega president Yukio Sugino acknowledges the potential for more games in a similar vein.

This topic was discussed in an interview between Sugino and Japanese magazine Famitsu. The interviewer referred to Samba De Amigo: Party Central as a reboot, but Sugino clarified that he considers it a new game within the series. Sugino further explained that Sega takes "reboots and remakes" into consideration when planning the future of their current intellectual properties. He specifically mentioned Sonic the Hedgehog as a franchise that is being considered for reboots and remakes. Considering the franchise's significance to the company, Sega aims to develop new games while also exploring opportunities for reboots and remakes.

Sugino then discussed the upcoming Sonic Superstars co-op platformer, expressing his desire to incorporate "reboot-like measures" due to it being a new game. The president also expressed his excitement for the game's release, expressing hope for its return to classic 2D gameplay and the inclusion of co-op multiplayer.

When asked about Sega's previous fiscal year, Sugino highlighted Sonic's success in 2022. He mentioned the impressive performance of the second theatrical movie, as well as the positive reception and sales of Sonic Frontiers, stating that it surpassed sales expectations. He also expressed joy in receiving positive feedback from gamers in the West, believing that Sonic the Hedgehog is progressing in the right direction.

Source: Famitsu (via DualShockers)