Most Iconic Recurring Levels of the Sonic Franchise
Monday, 11th June 2018, 9:50am (UTC), 0 Comments

In 1991, the world was introduced to Sega’s speedster character Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog. Since then, we have been treated to over 80 Sonic games across all gaming platforms. Now, Sonic is one of the most iconic video game characters of all-time, with the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Rush Adventure, and Sonic 3 ranking among the greatest Sonic games ever created. The Sonic fanbase is huge and continues to crave content for the blue hedgehog. He’s so popular, in fact, that a Sonic the Hedgehog movie is set to be released towards the end of 2019, with James Marsden (Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Westworld) starring in the film, according to Variety.

To showcase the greatness of Sonic so far, before a new era ushers in alongside the movie, we’re going to be breaking down the most iconic recurring levels of the illustrious game franchise. We had a similar opportunity to re-live many of Sonics greatest levels when looking into what would come on the 2011 release of Sonic Generations – the 20th-anniversary game – but, here, we’ll be digging into not only the levels but the themes with which Sonic games often build. One of the greatest elements of playing Sonic is that the level’s theme actually means something to the gameplay: it’s not just background. Each theme integrates itself within its individual levels in different ways, requiring the player to change tactics and get acclimated to the new area. The use of the theme at hand is what makes the greatest and most iconic Sonic levels so good. So, that’s how we’re going to set out: looking at the best recurring themes and then highlighting which recurring level is the best.

Sonic in the industrial theme


IMAGE SOURCE: Jackson, via Twitter

The industrial theme has been in circulation since the game’s inception with Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991. The levels in the industrial theme often take place within factories, sewers, and power plants, with girders, buildings, conveyor belts, and other metal structures being prominent across the level. They may not be the most visually enticing levels, but the use of fires, hydraulic machines, and electric hazards make the levels challenging and enjoyable. The industrial theme often comes across as similar in appearance to the urban theme but is far more difficult. On top of this, the theme is often linked to the villain Dr. Eggman getting closer. As is often the case in games, massive industrialization and factories are often linked with the hero’s nemesis, so these industrial theme levels often fit the approach of Dr. Eggman.

Levels in the industrial theme can be seen as hit and miss with the audience as some gamers will see them as being overly complicated, but it’s the challenge that makes a level that much better when you overcome it. It’s hard to argue with the ranking established by Paste Magazine, which declares Chemical Plant Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to be not only the best industrial level, but also the best ever Sonic level. While that is up for debate, it’s certainly a strong candidate for being the best industrial theme level. The Chemical Plant has appeared in Sonic Forces, Sonic Generations, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Sonic Mania and consistently brings challenging gameplay, a mighty soundtrack, and edgy aesthetics.

Sonic in the casino theme



IMAGE SOURCE: The Sonic Stadium, via Twitter

One of the most iconic themes that run through the ring-collecting Sonic game series is the presence of a casino level. These levels are loaded with rings and include features and elements of gameplay which mimic that of games at the casino or arcade. Laden with neon lights, pinball flippers can be used in the casino theme levels, and there’s often a slot machine mini-game within the level which allows the player to gamble for more rings as well as earn points. The casino theme is an illustrious one in Sonic and across many other forms of media. As Betway Casino explains, casinos are embedded in pop-culture including films, television, books, and music. It comes as no surprise that Sonic features casino theme levels when the game emphasizes ring collecting – making the option to gamble them for even more rings a tantalizing aspect for many players. Sega itself has even branched into the casino resorts business, according to CNBC, so perhaps there’ll be more Sonic casino madness on the way.

The casino theme levels come along as a mark of progression in the game and offer a fun break from the blazing speed of the rest of the game. There is a huge range of casino levels on Sonic games, from Casinopolis to the Cosmic Casino Zone but, the best recurring level has to be the Casino Night. Present in Sonic Drift 2, Sonic Generations, Sonic the Fighters, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Casino Night always delivers exciting and rewarding play.

Sonic in the tropical island theme



IMAGE SOURCE: Sonic the Hedgehog, via Twitter

As a Sonic fan, there’s no way that you didn’t see this one coming. The tropical island theme is home to the Green Hill Zone, which is the most iconic level of the Sonic franchise. The levels feature lots of grass, dirt, blue skies, palm trees, and blooming flowers. The tropical island theme is the first that players encountered in Sonic the Hedgehog, engraining it as the perfect introductory level. A tropical paradise is a perfect place to start off as the hero Sonic as you enjoy the paradise before progressing into the dark, industrialized areas built by the villain.

As stated, this theme is so iconic because it hosts the most iconic Sonic level, Green Hill. The level is so integral to Sonic that, as a fan, a Lego version simply had to be made. Green Hill features in Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Drift, Sonic Generations, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Forces, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, Sonic Blast, Sonic Jump, and Sonic Mania.

Other themes such as the winter theme and jungle theme offer unique and innovative gameplay in each of their levels, but, when it comes to themes producing top, recurring levels, industrial, casino, and tropical island take the top spots.

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The Case for a Sonic Slot: Why Sega's Icon Could Become a Casino King
Monday, 11th June 2018, 9:24am (UTC), 0 Comments

We all know that Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most recognizable digital creations in the world. First brought to life in 1991, the faster-than-average hedgehog was the something of a savior for Sega. With the Sega Genesis failing to impress the masses and Nintendo’s Entertainment System (NES) winning the console war, Sonic became a talisman for the company. In fact, as the brand grew, gaming fans were either Mario fans or Sonic lovers. Either way, the original was a hit and has since inspired a myriad of sequels. As well as Sonic 2, where we first got to see Miles “Tails” Prower and the duo’s subsequent spin-off, Sonic has made it into almost every corner of the gaming industry.



Why Haven’t We Got a Sonic Slot?

However, while we’ve got plenty of console, mobile, PC and even board games based on Sega’s iconic character, we’re yet to have a real money slot offering. Yes, there are some free-play options in the leading app stores, but no developer has yet taken the character into the realms of real money casino gaming. Now, you may wonder why this is a problem. Well, the answer is simple: almost every other famous video game or movie character has a slot game. If you scroll through the latest online slot machines, you’ll see everyone from Lara Croft and Hitman to the Incredible Hulk and Gladiator. With this being the case, it raises the question of why Sonic hasn’t been added to the mix.

Obviously, we don’t have the answer. However, we do believe there are some great reasons why he could become a slots hero. The first reason is obvious: speed. Online slots are known for offering lightning fast action. This ties in well with Sonic and his super-quick legs. Any slot based on the blue guy could incorporate a super turbo feature where the reels spin faster than the average slot. Beyond this, you could create a special Sonic-themed promotion. All online casinos have their own deals. For example, Jackpot City's bonus list contains a welcome bonus worth up to $1,600 as well as weekly offers based on a relevant theme. A Sonic bonus could be based on speed, where players that place the most bets in a set period of time could win a special prize.



Sonic Slots Would Hit All the Right Notes

Finally, who could forget Sonic’s catchy theme tunes? Those in the know will recognize Masato Nakamura as the original composer. However, such was the appeal of Sonic’s songs that Michael Jackson was drafted in to create the tunes for the series' third installation. With music being a significant part of the online slots experience, this is another natural connection between the two. The classics would obviously be part of the mix, but a new game would open up the possibility for some new tunes. Between this and the scope for creating some clever in-game features and bonuses, there’s no reason Sonic the Hedgehog couldn’t be the next big name in the online slots world.

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Our Favorite Hedgehog Will Once Again Be Spending His Birthday In Japan
Monday, 11th June 2018, 9:15am (UTC), 0 Comments
Sonic The Hedgehog turns 27 later this month and aside from this making us feel old, SEGA's inimitable mascot will get his very own birthday party held at the Tokyo Joypolis. The original Sonic The Hedgehog game launched in North America on the 23rd June on the SEGA Genesis (no we're not kidding) and as a result, series producer Takashi Iizuka will take to the stage to talk all things Sonic including details on the upcoming Sonic Manic as well as the recently announced Team Sonic Racing.

What If You Can't Make It To Tokyo?

If you can't manage to make it to Japan or simply haven't collected enough gold rings then fear not - the event will be livestreamed via Periscope and YouTube, with links for these streams to be released presumably a bit closer to the event itself. For those lucky enough to be able to make it over to Japan, special edition merchandise will also be available as a means of proving to your friends that you watched Sonic blow out some 21 candles but as of writing this article, there's been no indication as to whether there'll be any birthday cake on offer.

Sonic is Officially Back After a Rough Ride Through the 2000's

After being a prominent video game character throughout the 1990's the last couple of decades have been fairly tough for our favorite hedgehog but SEGA recently ignited interest in the brand with the release of the well received Sonic Mania last year. It's fair to say that in his 27 years, Sonic has seen the gaming landscape undergo wholesale changes. From side-scrolling 2-D adventures to 3-D titles with higher quality graphics, online gaming is now a staple for most titles and developers.

With the introduction of online services such as the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, many games are now designed primarily with online gaming in mind. What's more, the types of games have also undergone a number of changes, with online slots from casinos providers such as Vegascasino now featuring prominently in many gamer portfolios owing to the wide variety of themed and often branded slots, bonus features and available promotions. However, with Sonic officially back on the gaming saddle, SEGA will no doubt be looking for a slice of the lucrative online pie for themselves and it's certainly once again an exciting time to be a fan.

Sonic Is Branching Out

We're not sure whether it's Sonic's advancing years that have given him more confidence but our favorite hedgehog is also set for his big screen debut sometime in November 2019. Paramount pictures recently revealed that Westworld star James Marsden will be starring in the live action hybrid movie which is loosely based on the original 1991 video game. With Jeff Fowler set to direct the movie, SEGA fans can rest assure that Doctor Robotnik and the magical Chaos Emeralds are in good hands. What's more, this added exposure that both Sonic and the franchise are now receiving will hopefully help boost the character firmly back into the mainstream where we all know he belongs. Let's hope so anyway.
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With Numerous Classic Characters Making Comebacks, it's Time for a Return for Sonic
Thursday, 31st May 2018, 9:20pm (UTC), 0 Comments
In recent years there has been a huge upsurge in the amount of retro gaming experiences offered, with a vast number of classic characters and games being rebooted and making successful comebacks. For this reason, the time is ripe for Sega’s most recognizable and iconic character to make a return. It has recently been announced that a Sonic the Hedgehog movie will be released at the end of 2019, and this in turn could spark a massive reboot of the franchise.



One of the most notable success stories of rebooted games in recent history was when Niantic released Pokémon Go in 2016. The augmented reality offering was a modern day reimagining of the much-loved Nintendo game of old, and it was met with immense commercial success. The game, which required players to actually go on the hunt for Pokémon in the real world has been downloaded over 750 million times and is continuing to undergo updates and attract new players. It drew upon the nostalgia of players who enjoyed the Nintendo Game Boy offerings from 1996, but also attracted new players by providing a totally unique experience.

The original Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis was released in 1991, and quickly became one of the best-loved titles on the Sega consoles. In Lottoland’s blog, the author points to this era being the rise of console gaming, with characters like Sonic helping to push it along. Because the blue speedster was popular at around the same time as the Game Boy Pokémon games, Sega will surely be thinking that they can tap into audiences of a similar age who miss this golden era. Of course, to bring in the new crowd they will have to introduce a new innovation for the modern player as Niantic did with Pokémon Go and the use of AR.

The Sonic film was announced in 2014 and is being produced as a joint venture between Paramount Pictures, Original Film, Sega, Marza Animation Planet, and Blur Studio. It has been reported to be a live action and CGI hybrid which is being written by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux, with James Marsden in the lead role. This all sounds promising, and if the creators of the film manage to get it right it could spark a comeback for the franchise.

Games franchises nowadays tend to spill over onto various different platforms in an effort to attract as many players as possible. Hitman and Tomb Raider are prime examples of games which have also become commercially successful as films. But it can work the other way as well. Jurassic World has led to a number of games coming about such as Jurassic World Alive, and the Sonic the Hedgehog movie may pave the way for more Sonic games.

Sonic lovers will be beside themselves with excitement about the prospect of the legendary character returning in many different forms. A live action film will surely be awesome, but the thought of Sonic games rebooted using modern technology is perhaps an even more tantalising thought.
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Tracing the origins of Sonic the Hedgehog
Friday, 30th March 2018, 4:42pm (UTC), 0 Comments
Sonic the Hedgehog is a favourite for many and most players who decided to give this exciting game a try end up playing for hours on end. Sonic brings the game to life, making it one of the most immersive games you can ever play. However, despite many having fallen in love with Sonic and the Hedgehog, there are a few that are familiar with the character. Here we show you how 'Sonic' came about and in brief, you will learn the history of Sonic the Hedgehog. If you wish, you can check out the game at le meilleur casino en ligne de l'année.

Developers

Sonic is a character that was conceived by Sega in 1990 as a way of trying to counter the hegemony that was being enjoyed by Mario of Nintendo. Sega entrusted two developers, Hirokazu Yasuhara and Naoto Oshima to develop a character and a game that would challenge and compete with Nintendo's Mario. The result was the birth of Sonic. Sonic's success was instant such that it managed to eclipse two other trademark characters from Sega i.e. Flicky and Alex Kidd. It took some time for the two developers to eventually decide that the character for the new game had to be a hedgehog. Other options that were considered include a dog, an armadillo, a porcupine and an old man with a moustache (however the last character became part of the game but not as the main character). All these, however, were frowned upon by the duo settling on a hedgehog. Their reasoning was that a hedgehog was perfect in a video game as it could do damage with its spiky covering, roll around and curl up into a ball.

Ever changing hedgehog

1991 was the year that the world started to play and enjoy Sonic the Hedgehog. However, the hedgehog that put smiles on many faces back then is very different from the one available today that can be seen online at jouer aux machines à sous en ligne. In 1991, the hedgehog was much simpler, it was a simple white and black line drawing of simple shapes. The reason for this was that Sega wanted a character that would be a hit with kids and they wanted something that kids could draw without much difficulty. As time went on and new developments emerged, the hedgehog also 'developed', though still simple for kids to draw, the hedgehog adopted a new brand of colours (blue, brown, white and black). The colours were adopted so as to make the hedgehog appear more appealing to the kids and as such, it has succeeded as its continuing to woe many kids including adults also onto its side.
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The Five Best Sonic Games
Thursday, 22nd March 2018, 12:12pm (UTC), 0 Comments
The melodious hum of the Sega logo theme is a sound that will stay with 90's kids forever. From Tetris to Battle Toads, through to Crazy Taxi and even Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, Sega have had some hits worthy of a replay even now. However, if there's one creation that Sega will always be known for and rightly so, it's our favourite blue hedgehog Sonic. Sonic has now been brought to life in various games including online slots and computer games.

With almost 80 games in total, this speedy critter has entertained children and adults alike for hours on end and is one of the biggest game franchises to ever have existed. Of course, of those 70+ games there are certainly some we'd rather brush under the rug, but what about those we'd happily break out our dusty old consoles to play? Here is our list of the best Sonic games to ever have been produced.

Sonic The Hedgehog

We couldn't start this list with anything other than the very first Sonic game to ever hit the gaming market. Sonic The Hedgehog was an instant hit after creator Yuji Naka finally developed what was to be Sega's new mascot and the accompanying game. Of course, Sonic had quite the competition, with the success of Super Mario Bros and it's multitude of successful sequels dominating the market, but it battled hard and it battled well and now Sonic sits high up in the rankings right beside it's plumbing competition.

The bright colours and the fast style of gameplay were innovative at the time, and even today we find ourselves celebrating with a wealth of merchandise. Unfortunately, if you want to try your hand at this original, you'll have to cough up around $494.99 for a mint condition copy!

Sonic 2

Arguably better than its predecessor, Sonic 2 offers smarter game play and a unique design that rivalled even that of Super Mario. This game gave you the perfect opportunity to just keep going, and to keep going fast. While the original game of course had the speed we know and love, you often found yourself being stopped dead in your tracks. The clever design of well-loved levels such as Casino Night Zone made sure that this wasn't an issue in the sequel.

Instead, gamers got the opportunity to keep running, even when they came to face consequences. You could build up momentum and keep it, which was something that later games certainly learned from. It wasn't quite an origin story, but that was certainly part of the charm. You could finally enjoy the game with a much-loved character without worrying about a backstory you had to learn.

Sonic CD

Poor old Sonic CD certainly has its troubles and much of it can be put down to the console. However, the game itself was one worthy of attention and so attention we are giving it. Despite its hiccups, the concept behind the game certainly made it worthy of its later revamp, but its initial failings unfortunately meant that gems that allowed time travel weren't given the run that they needed to launch the game into the success it needed.

Despite the lack of initial success, it was the facelift it received that truly helped show off the potential behind the game. Fresh graphics brought it into a modern light and with better options for gameplay now available, there's no longer anything stopping it from getting the play it truly deserves.

Sonic Rush Adventure

As different as two games can be, Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure were both flying off the shelves. However, Sonic Rush Adventure seemed to be the more favoured of the two and while it had the same unique approach to the merging of 2D and 3D design as its predecessor, the 'Adventure' version of this game offered some incredible boss battles that fans were certainly grateful for. Oh, and we can't forget Sonic's snowboard that served to round the entire game off.

Sonic Rush Adventure had its storylines, of course, but with the subtle integration compared to other Sega offerings, it was popular among those searching for more action than adventure. With the fun design and even faster gameplay, players could definitely forgive the storylines when they did come to the forefront. Oh, and did we mention that this game is compatible with the 3DS?

Sonic 3

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 was quite possibly the most adventurous of all the Sonic games, attempting to bring a whole new level of life to the already much-loved game. With its predecessors launching Sega to its highest point yet, this game had a lot of expectation surrounding it and it definitely didn't disappoint. Granted, Sonic 3 didn't stay as Sonic 3 for long. The game was huge, expanding too far for the capabilities of the time, and thus Sonic And Knuckles was born as a sequel to the game. It may have been released as two separate games, but fans often regard the two as the same game altogether, and one of the biggest and best that Sega have ever produced. However, Sonic 3 also brought about a sad sort of feeling at the time. While this game was certainly incredible, it was also the last to follow the main storyline until four years later.

Sonic has a special place in our hearts - that much is certain - and while it may be difficult to get our hands on some mint condition classic Sega games without a hefty bank balance, there are plenty of second hand options available at a much more affordable price and sometimes even completely for free. Better yet, the franchise is still going strong, so Sonic fans old and new can easily get their hands on plenty of worthy offerings from the constantly growing collection.
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