“Project Needlemouse” revealed to be Sonic 4
Ryan Bloom | February 4, 2010
Screenshot, Trailer
For weeks now, speculation has been building with regards towards Sega’s codenamed “Project Needlemouse”. Rumors were abound. Fishy URLs were registered. All signs pointed to one thing: “Project Needlemouse” was very likely going to end up titled Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
Speaking with Gamespot, Sega associate brand manager Ken Balough has revealed that, indeed, Project Needlemouse is a brand new side-scrolling Sonic game, officially known as “Sonic the Hedgehog 4″ – with a subtitle: “Episode 1″.
GameSpot: The subtitle is Episode 1. Does this mean it’s episodic content?
Ken Balough: As mentioned, I think the best way to view it is as a first part in a much larger adventure. When Sega released Sonic 3, ultimately it was the part 1 of a story that saw its conclusion in Sonic & Knuckles. In that same spirit, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a bigger story, and this is that first chapter. I think it’s also safe to say that by the end of the episode one, fans will be very excited to see what’s in store for episode two!
With this news comes the first screenshot of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and more importantly, a brand new trailer for the game.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, and Wiiware this summer. Oddly, despite no mention of it in the interview, Gamespot also has it listed for PC, as well. This matches up with a peculiarity at the end of the new trailer:
Between the Wiiware and Sonic Team logos is a blacked out box featuring a padlock icon with a question mark. It is entirely possible that plans are in the works for a PC version of Sonic 4, but details have not yet been worked out regarding a distribution platform (be it Steam, or otherwise). This is, however, only speculation on our part.
For those of you worrying that the WiiWare version will be “dumbed down” or a different version of the game, Balough has this to say:
KB: For all intents and purposes, the games are designed to be identical. There are a few differences per what each console can output visually: Wii will be at 480p, while the XBLA and PSN versions will run at 1080p. However, for certain areas of the game, the Wii will be able to use motion control, and the PS3 will be able to use the Sixaxis.
Should you visit Sonicthehedgehog4.com, you’ll notice that they also list the mysterious 4th platform for the game with a padlock icon, identifying it as “????”. A considerable amount of other content on the website is also padlocked, all with various countdown timers – one of which unlocks at 10am Friday Morning. A section called “Characters” will have its next unlock on Tuesday the 9th, followed by a new piece of concept art next Thursday (the 11th). Keeping the trend of Thursdays being a focal point for the website, another “Multimedia” section will open on Thursday the 18th, as well.
Rest assured, we’ll be here to keep you up to date on it all.
Filed Under Gaming News, Hot Topics, Microsoft, Nintendo, On the Desktop, Sega, Sonic Scene, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Sony
Heh, Death Egg Saga.
I’m pretty satasfied, because I play games for enjoyment not as some …obsession with trvial junk.
I’m hoping for Tails and Knuckles as DLC.
I KNEW IT ! I was right about 2 things : Needlemouse would be Sonic 4 & it would use the current Sonic but too bad I can`t get Xbox Live… maybe when all the episodes are made they all will be put together as a retail game
I have a feeling we’ll get another trailer.
Heh, the poll is invalid now.
I’m willing to bet that ‘characters’ just lists Sonic, Robotnick, and Badnicks. I think it’s safe to assume that we’re not getting other characters until at least Episode 2. That or other Sonic characters will play the ‘damsel in distress’ roll.
I’m really disappointed in a certain board right now, really I thought it was better than that.
I’m also really disappointed to see that the marketing gimmicks are still in full effect, we know the game is Sonic 4 that tone of marketing doesn’t jive with it at all.
The game is out of the bag they can’t control info on it like they were able to before, I fully expect SEGA of Japan to undermine SOA’s controlled hype machine.
Maybe the ASR PC release is serving as a test case to test the waters? That is, if ASR sells well for PC, Sega will port Sonic 4 to PC.
I sure hope Sega releases Sonic 4 to PC! I was angry when they canceled Sonic ’06 for the computer!
I had my doubts, but that looked fucking INCREDIBLE!!!
Well this sucks new Sonic, the homing attack, and another GHZ remake give me a break.
Hey, just thought I’d point this out;
I don’t know who found it, but someone linked me to this picture right before Sega killed the link to it; http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/loneshadowComic/promo1.png
http://www.sega.com/sonic4/assets/promo1.png It used to be seen here.
Reveals July as the date, as well as the fourth console option being the iPhone.
Interesting.
@JQP
I say there’s always room for a functioning homing attack. Key word: FUNCTIONING. But yeah, ANOTHER GHZ is kinda lame, hope that’s just one section of Splash Hill.
iPhone port? please please please? =]
“iPhone port? please please please? =]”
Wish granted. The padlocked platform is the iPhone, according to one of the images on the site (which isn’t visible yet).
[...] Barely even 45 minutes ago we brought you the story of Sonic the Hedgehog 4’s initial unveiling. Listed for Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and Wiiware, there was a mysterious and as-of-yet unannounced 4th platform. Given that Gamespot.com lists “Project Needlemouse” for Wiiware, XBLA, PSN and PC, we assumed that meant the 4th platform would be a PC Digital Distribution service like Steam. [...]
Go play Sonic 2006 for etertainy if you think more GHZ is a bad thing, sad sad times we live in when people get mad about checkerboards and blue skies.
Shunning GreenHill Zone is like splashing salt in your eyes while beating your head with a shovel, it’s important HISTORY to Sonic.
I definitely welcome it’s look alike with open arms.
It’s for Wii!! YES!!!! Sega FINALLY remembered us!!!!
….thank you Sega
Don´t forget Sonic 1 MegaMix. It showed us all how a proper Homing Attack could work in a classic Sonic game.
It just needs now some clever badniks and good level design (no still flying enemies over a pit, for example).
So, SEGA are doing what Nintendid and sticking to a working formula? Cool
Personally, I’m not totally spiffed about it being downloadable, I’d much prefer a hard copy, but hey, SEGA can save heaps of money this way – albeit the fact they may be neglecting Sonic-fans that aren’t online-friendly.
Apart from that, FANTASTIC! ^.^ The episode 1 subtitle makes me think that there may even be a storyline as brilliant as those we saw during SA1 and SA2, if it’s meant to continue onto further installments.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I knew it was download AND I`m gonna get it soon as its out!
sorry ppl who don`t have download features! And I like the logo, and the whole episode 1!
Sega finally has made an awsome looking game! 
OMFG! That screen shot…….
I`m so excited about this that i`m pretty mostly speechless, now all I want to know atleast is a possible month to be out and a price!
my brothers gonna like this! 
YES!!!! The Game I Have Ben Waiting For Since 1994
The video was put on youtube, anyone who wants to see better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Zv1bYoSyk&feature=player_embedded#
If anyone has anything bad to say about the game after watching that trailer, please die.
It’s going to be a masterpiece, and I simply cannot wait for it. I think I need to go back and play Sonic 1, 2 and 3 and beat them before Sonic 4 comes out.
OMG thank goodness its also for wiiware cause i couldn’t play it if it wasn’t
Also this is really getting pumped up with ASR’s soon release, Sonic 4, and the new wi- I mean sega zone coming this summer. maybe they’re right 2010 will be sega’s year =D
YHEEEEE AWSOME SO BEAUTIFULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWESOME! REALLY AWESOME!
The only thing is that….I don’t really like the Sonic model, but that’s not the important thing! XD I really like it! And I can’t wait! THIS SUMMER!? Well, I can wait to that.XD
But I don’t like to download them….but I have Xbox Live, so no problem for me! But I still don’t like it!
I’m sorry people who didn’t like it…but this was BADASS. It’s kinda like…a fusion of actual sonic with retro Sonic….It looks so awesome, I think this might please both the retro and the young fanbase…
Also, my hopes is that they will release some kind of…”special Genesis-like controllers” for the consoles, that’d be really awesome. (Sorry for double-posting).
School….. Unable to watch!
wahhhhh!
by the way.. what a GHZ?
GHZ is Green Hill Zone
Sega. I love you. <333333333
You've made me sooo happy. Guys, he's back. Sonic is back. Now, let's just forget 2001-2008 and well call it a day.
Its so awesome.. and now I love the episode idea
Rest in Peace New Super Mario Brothers Wii as for the rightful king of 2-D gamming has finally returned. All hail to the king
BTW guess the 360 version is the only one to be gimmick-free (no motion control BS)
I don’t think it even looks like GHZ…it’s more like EHZ to be honest.
…Oh come on…actually, tropical island zone is a cliche for Sonic games. This looks suffiecently different from the pictures.
Hehe, everyone thought it would be a big game and now it’s just downloadable.. I feel a bit… deceived, if that is the right word.
@blusblur: You and your school! Ah, I remember last year when it was the same thing but with Sonic Unleashed!
You’re not missing much in the trailer, it’s only 5 seconds.
My guesses for the game:
Sonic 1 style special stages
Downloadable alternate characters (no story, but different routes)
Words cannot describe my excitement for this game. Well, except for repeating the title in capitals several times with a grinning smiley at the end.
You know, I’m sure the game plays nice, but those animations for Sonic just look god awful. I hope the movements are smooth in the final game and not so sudden.
I (and the others, I’m sure) know full well what GHZ symbolizes, but a Marble, Springyard, Labyrinth, Starlight, or a Scrap Brain Zone could bring the same feelings. It just comes off as slightly (and I stress slightly) lazy to keep reusing the same area template.
fucccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccker sonic the hedgehog 4 yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh asome vote for the blue blur super asome hedgehog yeah
Like what sonic once said “This is going to be awesome!!!!” A new chapter (episode) has just opened up. Let’s see what the light at the end the tunnel has for us.
Can we maybe not scroll letters off the comment box, please? Be civil.
Yesss! I am glad it is coming to wiiware.
heck yeah wiiware 4 teh win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
is it me or does Sonic look a bit. . . sprite-y?
Haw, I think it’s hilarious that the official trailer uses the S2 proto running sprites when it gets to 1992. Good shit. =P