Still Proud of Sonic, He Says–Scans Inside
With some thanks to Sonic Retro forumer K2J, who posted the interview pages yesterday, we can bring to you some details regarding an interview with Yuji Naka in the latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine.
The interview was primarily conducted to promote his new development studio Prope and Let’s Tap, which will be out for the Wii in June. But Mr. Naka also spoke about his time working directly within Sega, building the franchise that would make the company famous–Sonic the Hedgehog.
Mr. Naka told the publication that he remains most proud of Sonic, the standout amid a wide resume of other classic video games. Among some of the more relevant questions asked by NP:
When you were working on the original Sonic, did you and your fellow team members have any idea that the character would go on to become such a huge phenomenon?
Actually, I did have a good feeling about it. But at the time, Sega of Japan wasn’t so confident. There was one important person at Sega of America who was really interested in the game, though, so SoA worked pretty hard on the marketing campaign. That helped the game a lot. After that, I moved to Sega of America for a while.
Why do you think Sonic has struck a chord with so many gamers for so long?
I don’t really know. That’s why I was able to keep making Sonic games for such a long time, though, so I really appreciate it. And even though I’m at Prope now, I still get letters from kids about Sonic. That really motivates me to create better and better games.
How do you feel about long time rivals Mario and Sonic finally teaming up in a couple of recent titles? And have you taken the opportunity to lay the smackdown on Mario with Sonic in Super Smash Bros. Brawl?
Actually, I was the person who asked Sakurai-san to include Sonic [in Super Smash Bros. Brawl]. I wanted to have Sonic in the previous Smash Bros., but there wasn’t enough time. But yeah, I’m really happy about having both of gaming’s leading characters together in one game. It’s kind of like a movie in which the villian and the hero finally team up at the end. In Japan, there’s a saying: “Yesterday’s enemy, today’s friend.”
Mr. Naka also told Nintendo Power that he feels he has a lot more freedom to create now that he is independent from Sega–though the company is funding Prope in part. You can read more about that part of the story for yourself in the high quality scans of the interview, which are available below.
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sonic…in smash bros…FORREEEVVVEEERRR????!?!?!
EEEEEEEEEEE
Well there goes the half of the fanbase that think Naka left because he hates sonic.
that article proves he really likes sonic.
as much as I dont like you nintendo power… good job
Awesome.
Im surprised hes not alittle embarssed about how sonic is being so versitle lately.
Awesome.
Hey? Want an interesting tip? I went to my Yahoo the other day, and a retailer is selling mint condition Dreamcasts. Just to let you know.
Man, good to know that Yuji Naka still likes Sonic!
So he was the one who asked Sakurai to put Sonic in Brawl? Interesting…
It’s good to know that Naka still likes Sonic. Still, as the guy that gave Sonic his start, I’d think he’d want sonic to stay with his roots a little bit.
This is really interesting stuff! I can relate to how he feels about some things, there. Also, I hope Sonic returns in the next Smash Bros as well.
@crysore:
As long as Sonic is raking in cash, Yuji Naka won’t complain. Also, he’s not gonna dis Sega’s mascot.
Being versatile isn’t always a bad thing, though. Heck, Mario has always been that way and people still like his games.
DoctorEggman: Nintendo says it won’t be another Smash Bro. But I think they lying. They always says stuff like that. but there’s a big risk it won’t be another smash bro.
But yeah, I know that with Mario. It feels like you play the same game over and over again. That’s why I didn’t enjoy galaxy. It was more like a bad copy of 64 in my opinion.
But who said Naka hated Sonic. I don’t care, if he woulden’t like Sonic, there woulden’t be any problem. No ones forcing him to love him. But I don’t think he’ll begin to hate Sonic anyway.
@Osnic
Thanks like finally someone understands galaxy is a good game but it feels like the same gameplay in someway to Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine and i hear theres a rumor about a Mario Galaxy 2 because they didnt show all the transformations for Galaxy so i wonder if there adding the Raccon transformation item thing but still its getting somewhat boring with same gameplay….
Its the same gameplay with mario yea, but with a completley new engine, backdrop,style and feel. Not to mention new gameplay additions were added, which is why all the critics love him.
Sonic on the other hand never has a set control scheme for any of his games, its always something diffrent and your always forced to adjust. Mario blends his style of play with a new concept and it works well. Sonic gives us nothing that would go well with the sonic formula, what im saying is, give us the speed were all accoustemed to, but give a twist to it. Mario Sunshine had F.L.U.U.D, and Mario Galaxy had the outer space feel.
Naka created and destroyed Sonic. He’s both a hero and an evil thing.
@Werehog:
What the hell are you talking about Naka left right before sonic started to suck. But then again when has anything you said made much sense.
I´m sorry for saying this guys….but could you AT THE VERY LEAST spell check what you´re writing?
mr.naka i have a questions i like your games that you make but i think you and i team up if that could happend because i loved sonic so much evey where i go it looks like sonic is like a brother to me and i hierd that sonic unleashed 2 wiil be make because dark gaia is try to be back to fight sonic again.
@Crysore
Technically he did contribute to his downfall but indirectly. Because he prevented Sonic X-Treme from hitting the market, Sonic never had a smooth transition to 3D.
what? No, no, Yuji Naka, the creator realizes how bad the new games are, he just needed to keep his publuc image as supporting, but if we know how bad they are, then he definetely knows. What became of sonic, is like the new spongebob series. A disgrace to the old.
Eh, I like both the old and new spongebob, flame… But yeah, the new Sonic games (err… Most of ‘em) are a disgrace to the old, the only new ones I like (meaning after Heroes) are the Rush series and Unleashed (‘cept the damn’d night time levels…)
probes next title is a charicter like action game? cool! Sonic maybe? awsome!
So both Snake and Sonic were supposed to be in Melee? I wonder if that’s the real reason why they were the only 3rd party characters in Brawl.
@ Osnic: No, Nintendo won’t CONFIRM a 4th Smash. They don’t comment on rumors or far off projects, it’s a policy.
@ Sonicophage: Didn’t Naka stop working on Sonic right before 3D Blast? He wasn’t on the X-treme project as far as I know.
Skai Cyan:Nah, thats not the only reason, acorrding to Sakurai, he didn’t get any interest from other third parties with characters who could have been included.
Capcom was the only known exception but they, or should I say Keiji Inafune, wanted to wait and get a call from Nintendo but thanks to the latter who was apparently doing vice versa nothing happen.