Sonic Superstars Goes Head-to-Head with Super Mario Bros Wonder in Epic Showdown!

Highlights

The release of Sonic Superstars and Super Mario Bros. Wonder in the same week may seem peculiar to fans who recall the '90s console rivalry between Sega and Nintendo.

Both games are going back to their origins with captivating artwork and traditional 2D gameplay. They showcase a variety of playable characters, innovative power-up mechanics, and support four-player co-op.

Takashi Iizuka and Takashi Tezuka, the producers of both games, sincerely value the backing from fans. They are optimistic that gamers will relish the chance to play both titles in close proximity.

In anticipation of the release of Sonic Superstars, Takashi Iizuka from Sonic Team discusses the unique situation of launching a new 2D platformer alongside Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. Wonder. For decades, Mario and Sonic have been considered iconic rivals, particularly among fans of Sega and Nintendo who remember the fierce competition between the two companies during the era of the Sega Genesis and SNES systems. The simultaneous release of Sonic Superstars and Super Mario Bros. Wonder in the same week may be surprising for those who witnessed the intense console wars of the 16-bit era.

Interestingly, both Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Sonic Superstars share similarities in their premises. Both games aim to return to their roots with expressive artwork and classic 2D gameplay. They also feature a variety of playable characters, including the introduction of beloved additions to the roster (Amy Rose for Sonic Superstars and Princess Daisy for Super Mario Bros. Wonder), as well as new power-up mechanics and the option for four-player cooperative play.

In an interview with Automaton, Sonic Superstars producer Takashi Iizuka expresses his surprise at the simultaneous competition between Mario and Sonic. He finds it amusing that both games were released in the same week. According to Iizuka, these two games offer unique and enjoyable experiences, despite sharing the common genre of side-scrolling platformers. He emphasizes that Mario and Sonic possess distinctive qualities that set them apart from each other. Furthermore, he highlights the fact that fans appreciate and continue to relish both franchises' diverse gameplay styles.

Iizuka expresses his gratitude to the fans who have been supporting the Sonic series for the past few decades. He especially appreciates those who have played and given feedback on the games. He mentions that players who purchase both Superstars and Wonder will be able to notice the differences between the two. Iizuka also expresses his confidence in the high-speed 2D gameplay of Sonic Superstars.

Takashi Tezuka, the producer of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, also commented on the games being released simultaneously. Tezuka sees it as an interesting coincidence and hopes that gamers will enjoy the opportunity to play both games. Despite the friendly rivalry between the Mario and Sonic fandoms, there are fans who show equal support for both games. They share crossover art and openly express their plans to buy both games upon release.

Sonic Superstars releases October 17 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Source: Automaton (via Nintendo Everything)