TSR: Who Got The Coolest Car?

Team Sonic Racing comes out this year, but most of the cars have already been seen through promotional and released art. Although we don't know all the names (like Tailgator, Vector's) we're ranking these cars based purely on looks because if Sonic is known for anything, it's his "way past cool" vibe.

1 Shadow

Shadow's car is looks awesome. It's better than his past vehicles, and--wow--better than Sonic's. Plus it really matches the "edgehog". 

2 Rouge

I really heart how much this matches Rouge. 

3 Silver

Futuristic, sleek. Roads? Where we're going we don't need--now wait a minute...

4 Sonic

Sonic's problem is his car looks too similar to previous titles. Honestly, I thought the one in Drift looked cooler. However, it's still pretty cool--just not "way past."

5 Blaze

I guess this is supposed to be a car fit for a princess & elegant, but its front just sorta' strikes me as ugly. Love the cat ears, though, and the colors.

6 Vector

Cool and snappy enough for even the Chaotix's head honcho.

7 Tails

It's seems a bit ugly but points for the retro look I guess? What a nerd.

8 Big

FROGGGYYYY would like this, now wouldn't he? I wouldn't exactly call it cool, but...interesting? Sure. 

9 Omega

I've got the power! It's sort of lame, but has a rough look to match it's driver. 
 
10 Chao

Wasn't too thrilled about the Chao in general, here. Why not Cream or Tikal or something? Anyway, this is a throwback to SA2, but no one really cares. 

11 Amy

Lame and not as cute as it's predecessors. Makes Amy look like an awkward mom or something.

12 Knuckles

Bland. A stereotypical power-type. Doesn't have much of a connection to Knux; Eggman could drive that thing and no one even would realize.

Sonic 06 is Better Than Colors (Part 1)

I started a list of reasons Sonic 06 is better than Colors. Surprisingly, this ended up being rather lengthy. So, I decided to make this a mini-series of sorts.

In my past posts I've made it obvious that I like Sonic 06 but hate Sonic Colors. I thought I'd prove it this time. Please note this is mostly referencing the Wii version of Colors. The DS ones a bit better. Though I still firmly believe 06 is supreme between the two.

Part 1
The Main Screen/menu/Level Navigation/GAME OVER

Okay, so this one's a bit nit-picky. Colors is space-y, then has planets. 06 is like it's level, Kingdom Valley, and has a menu blue.

Colors is a little hard to navigate, and annoying because instead of having labels it has Eggman narrating every single choice. It's fine the first time playing the game, but soon it sounds like this: "Next Stop--Next Stop-Next--Next Stop, the--Next Stop..." 06 is straight forward, simple. Primitive, but it's not possible to get the location of the cutscenes/theater confused with the two-player mode. 

What's more, each planet has a little "map" for Sonic to go through to each level. But it's not a hub world/adventure stage like, for example, Sonic Unleashed, it's a restricted line to follow, much like in a Mario game. Let me write that again. Like a Mario game. The idea of Sonic copying off of that 8-bit plumber (anymore than he already had to back in the 90s) makes me sick.

Sonic 06 only has hub worlds in Story Mode (which admittedly becomes fairly worthless after completing the episode). However, as bad as the loading times are, I'd much rather be able to run around a town, interact with random (limited) people/AI, and pick up sliver coins (or whatever), over being stuck in an atrocious path that looks like it belongs on a handheld.

Can I be your apprentice? 

One of the most infuriating things about Colors is that if you die, some dude says "Gayme. Ovfer." Sonic 06, you die, that's that. I'm okay with a game over screen, after all, it's been plaguing Sonic since 1991. But I'd rather have it with depressed music or silent or Shadow saying "Damn, not here." Not some random, annoying, "Game Over." I'd like to strangle the "Game Over" announcer. Why couldn't Eggman do it or something? Ugh.

Still not convinced? The story will continue in Part 2...

Quote of the Month

"My enemies always fall before me!"
--Blaze the Cat, Sonic Rush

This Year...

10 Super-Sonic Moments to Remember From 2018

Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces

Although released in 2017, these games were still "new" to gamers. Sonic Mania Plus was released later, and Forces kept players busy with Avatar skins/accessories.  

1 Mania's insane amount of Easter eggs and classic goodies: Super-Peel Out; CD-like opening sequence; small Amy appearance; Mean Bean; Bark, Bean, and Nack; the Metal Sonic projector and the machine in the past...the list goes on and on. 

2 It's retro style was what Sonic 4 should have been, and it pleased many.   

3 Plus re-introduced Mighty and Ray, who haven't been around since the 90s, (SegaSonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles' Chaotix). Other Note: Ray's shoes redesigned blue, in honor of his appearance in the Archie comics. 

4 Forces saw a new concept come to light: designing a character. Inspired by the amount of fan creations out there, Forces lets players customize the "Avatar," who would have their own ability and a unique look. 

5 Forces saw the return of the most characters since Sonic Generations. The only major characters absent (that had been in Generations) were Blaze (who, remember, is from another dimension) and Cream.   

6 Forces may have centered around Sonic, Classic, and the Avatar, but it also was the first time Shadow had been playable in a Sonic game since 2010 (Free Riders) and playable in a "main-game" since 2006 (Sonic 06). In addition to being playable in certain Sonic levels, he has his own "episode" (although it's very short) which serves as a prequel.   

IDW's New Sonic Comic

IDW released their new Sonic comic this year, which was released every week for 4 issues, then monthly. 

7 Sonic and friends deal with the "Fallout" from Sonic Forces. The comic slowly introduces the characters to new readers (Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Blaze, the Chaotix, Eggman, Team Dark, etc).  

8 New characters are introduced, including Tangle the Lemur, Whisper the Wolf, and (LAAAAME) trouble makers Rough & Tumble. It should be noted that Tangle will become a major reoccurring character. 

9 In addition to starting a new story arc involving a familiar mechanical villain, IDW released it's first one-shot, which is a prequel to Team Sonic Racing, the up-coming 2019 game. Curiously, it's set "in the world of Team Sonic Racing," not the "main" IDW story (why am I getting "in another time, another place" vibe?*). 

Sonic Mania Adventures

To support the release of Mania plus, a short animated series was made in the style of Mania's opening. On Youtube, it picked up directly where Forces left off (from Classic's point of view).    

10 Mania Adventures brought the entire "classic cast" of Mania together. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Ray, Mighty, Metal Sonic, and Eggman.**  

*"In Another Time, Another Place" was Archie's way of adapting the videogames. Luckily, IDW isn't just copying the game's opening cutscene and slightly shortening it. 

**Update: Mania recently added an extra addition to the series that features (previously sidelined) Classic Amy Rose.

2019

Next year we have more comics to look forward to, as well as Team Sonic Racing. What else will happen? 

• What other games will Sega be making? 
• Is Classic strictly an anniversary character or will he have his own spin-off series now that he's "from another dimension" and not just time-travelling? 
• Are they ever going to replace the current voice actors? 
• How long will Sonic Boom last? 
• Will the Archie comics be revived or left in the shadow of IDW? 
• Are we going to get more on the Sonic Movie (please, no!)? 
• Sega, can you please, please, please make a game were Sonic, Shadow, and Blaze have playable stories?

Ah, well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! 2019, here we come. 

Merry Christmas

& A Happy New Year

I've never been a "happy holidays" person. If you're Jewish, than Happy Hanukkah. Otherwise, Merry Christmas.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be watching Sonic's Christmas Blast or playing Ice Cap Zone or something... 

Quote of the Month

"This is who I am."
--Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog

Sega Characters: The Return

Although Team Sonic Racing is not apart of the "Allstars," Sonic isn't the only Sega character with a new game coming up. Surprisingly, some of his old friends have resurfaced...though no Ristar :(

Team Sonic Racing

Why is he driving a car? WHY NOT?

As mentioned, Sonic is staring in another cart-racing game. It will have team based-themes, a plot, and other unique features.

Toejam & Earl: Back into the Groove

ALIEN RAPPERS, just what this generation needs.

This game has been in the making for a long time, and it's finally coming together in 2019. Known for it's funky themes and comical plot, this new addition to the series promises to be just as "jammin'" as the original. 

Streets of Rage 4

It's back!...and wtf happened to Blaze's boobs...and what's with Axel's beard?  

Streets of Rage is back! This is one of my favorite Sega series, which follows Blaze and Axel (and other characters, like Adam, Max, Skate, and Zan) as they fight their way threw the stages to take on the corruption in their city. They're willing to risk everything...even their lives...on the...the Streets of Rage! Anyway, considering the last game was released back in 1994, this was an awesome, fresh surprise.

Space Channel 5--VR "Kinda Funky News Flash"

Up, Down, Chu, Chu! ...is she really saying "shoot, shoot?" I always heard "Chu, chu!" 

Although I've never played Space Channel 5 (--mostly because it's on the Dreamcast), I've always found it interesting. The main character, Ulala (pronounced like a quick oo-la-la), is a dancing reporter who uses her smooth moves to bring a halt to the alien invasion. It's also known for "Space Michael," a role by Michael Jackson. I've always thought that Space Channel 5 (/Sega) should pair with Just Dance (/Ubisoft). This would have combined SC5's unique plot and funky characters with JD's dance-along gameplay (and likely would have added something new to both series). Oh well. However, if done right, this new version of the game could really bring the series back. Set for a US release in 2019, it's made for the Playstation VR (virtual Reality).

Although none of the release dates are final, these are all supposedly coming out in 2019. Even though Sega can't exactly take credit for all of these (with other parties encouraging/developing), it will certainly draw some attention to the company. It's been along time since these games (minus Sonic), have gotten a chance to shine, and it's great that they have an opportunity to bring the series back. Welcome to the next level.