RUMOR: Needlemouse’s Internal Name Sonic 4?
Tristan Oliver | January 21, 2010
Fact, or Hype Rhetoric?
What’s in a name? Maybe a whole lot, if you’re classically inclined.
The good news is that the next Sonic, dubbed Project Needlemouse, is among 1UP’s top anticipated games of 2010. The better news is that Sega may be, at least in this respect, treating this exactly the way long-starved 2D Sonic fans have wanted…right down to the name.
1UP’s description is about as vague as anyone’s reporting on it in recent months, right down to hammering the point that it’s expected to hit XBOX Live and PSN, an aspect we revisited earlier today. That’s not what’s in focus here–the part in bold is:
Here’s what people already know about the game: it centers on only Sonic, it’s going to be 2D, it’s in HD, and it’ll be coming to Xbox Live and PSN. Here’s what they don’t know: it’s Sonic the Hedgehog 4. At least, that’s how it’s considered internally at Sega – whether it’ll have some other name when it ships, we’re not sure. But from its 2D gameplay to its focus on just the character we actually give a shit about, this is the Sonic game we’ve been waiting for since we moved on from the Sega Genesis.
What’s this about Sonic the Hedgehog 4?
To even suggest such direct lineage now almost 16 years after Sonic 3 came out for the Genesis, and after so many deviations on number with such tags as Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic Adventure (and the sequel), Sonic Heroes, and Sonic Unleashed is certainly interesting and stimulating. It also flies in the face of some history; when Sonic and Knuckles was released later in 1994, some gaming magazines at the time in previews labeled the project as Sonic 4. It’s not of the question–Capcom pulled it off in 2008 with Mega Man 9, 11 years after Mega Man 8. But is that, or will that be the official stance Sega takes?
The way 1UP writes it, it sounds convincing, though they do clarify that the Sonic 4 name may not show up upon release, even if their information about an internal name is correct. But there is a fine line between something that sounds good, and something that exists and actually is good, and 1UP has nothing to back up the claim yet. With so little known about Needlemouse still, it’s really anyone’s guess. But a name like Sonic 4 would be a clear tip to the hat toward fans who grew up with Sonic in the early 1990s.
So, we label this rumor for now, but we also ask if you think Sonic 4 would be a good official name for Project Needlemouse. Tell us in our comments area. And thanks go out to Dr. Eggfang who pointed this out in a comment from one of today’s earlier stories.
Filed Under Hot Topics, Rumor Alert, Sonic Scene, The Next Sonic
If it’s a sequel to Sonic 3 … I’ll write SEGA a love letter.
Good lord, I hope not. I don’t think SEGA have the guts nor competence to do such a thing as make a Sonic 4, at least not right now.
…and I wouldn’t want a sequel to the original Genesis titles, anyway. I want Project Needlemouse to be something different.
hmm…I dunno…
I rather not jump into conclusions.
Sonic 4! This could be great!
So not for Wii? If not I gonna be really sad. SEGA please!
Does this mean Eggman is gonna build another Death Star?
Sonic 4 the win lol.
They should not call it Sonic 4. If they happen to fuck this up (………), ESPECIALLY with that name attatched to it, then they will regret it.
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And I agree with Professor Pickle, this is should be a fresh new start.
1) If it truely is to be Sonic 4, Tails and Knuckles HAVE to be in it!
2) They better make sure they get this right. If it’s going to be Sonic 4, it’ll have to be as good as, or better than Sonic 3 & K! I dunno SEGA, you better watch your step!
Until Sega approves it or responds, then what 1UP wrote was a Big the Cat-bashing rumor and shouldn’t be bothered with.
Personally, I don’t see WHY Sega would leak PN info. That game is so top-secret that only the developers (at Sega?) and Sega themselves know about this game.
if it is download only I’ve lost all interest.
Yeah, what Pickle said, even when Megaman went “back to its roots” they still made it number 9. I think the game is catering to the classics enough, it doesn’t need the title to prove that.
I thought Sonic & Knuckles was Sonic the Hedgehog 4? It is a direct continuation of Sonic 3 after all. I don’t even get why this would be named Sonic 4… except maybe to keep it in spirit or something, but I really don’t think it will be named Sonic 4 upon release.
@jcfreak16 No, Sonic and Knuckles is Sonic 3 part two. it isn’t just a continuation, sonic 3 was split in two and S&K was the second part.
I doubt it. I really do. Untill Sega says something of course
I know it would be great but people will say that Sega is following Capcom (Megaman 9 & 10)
So, they don’t give a **** about Ivo, Miles, and Knuckles?
I`ve always been saying Needlemouse could be Sonic 4
Expecting a medal for mastery over the obvious?
uhmmm i don’t know….the concept art is part of Sonic2/ Metropolis & now part of needlemouse….Sonic 4 with the same enemies….
please don’t be a download game!
It’s a good thought but still project needlemouse is a remake of a classic sonic game not a continuation of the genesis series. Either way as long as they don’t mess it up with new ideas.
is so weird
concep art of Sonic2 with ShellCracker of Metropolis. >>> Remake?
and 2D NEW ADVENTURE…built from the ground up… >>> Sonic 4?
If Needlemouse is truly pulling a Megaman 9, it’ll be one of the best moves Sega has ever made.
HEY! They said “when it SHIPS”. Waddya know, this might not be a downloadable game after-all.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this game is called “Sonic the Hedgehog 4.” I figured right from the start that it would act in such a way.
Oh yeah, and if Sega were “pulling a capcom”, then they’d be making the game 16 bit, and have sonic’s moveset the same as in sonic 1. Keep that in mind, guys.
Awsome, I wonder I the story will be? Sonic 1 (only Sonic), Sonic 2 (Sonic and Tails), Sonic 3 (Sonic, Tails and new character Knuckles), Sonic & Knuckles (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles), and now Sonic 4 (only Sonic)?
I hope they could add Tails following Sonic just like the old times
hehe
Athanks SEGA
Please don’t be download only.
No, please be. Digital distribution is the future!
I Think It Should Be Called “Sonic The Hedgehog 4″
Yeah I sound of agree a fresh new start would be nice but Sonic 4 Wouldn’t be a bad name for the game. I guess
they should be called sonic legend stupid sonic4 urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr why
Sonic 4 eh, everyone know sequels never go past 3, any sequels that are 4 – and above nnever amount to anything other than cult classics. Its just a rule.
WAIT! PSN AND XBOX LIVE!
I’ve been in Berlin without internet the last few days, have SEGA announced that it’s coming to XBOX Live and PSN!? If that’s true…then SEGA is kinda stupid IMO.
Sonic 4!XD
well if it is sonic 4 then tails and knuckles better be playable. but so far it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen ._.
Regardless of whether it’s DLC or retail I’m gonna buy it either way. Not gonna hold me back. I didn’t realize ’til I began seeing “Needlemouse” info how long ago ’94 was.