Sega Reveals Tokyo Game Show Lineup, Sonic 4 Not Included

By
Tristan Oliver
– August 31, 2010

Will this Cement Sonic Colors as Sega’s Preferred Game?

Today, Sega of Japan revealed its lineup for the 2010 Tokyo Game Show, beginning September 16th in Chiba’s Makuhari Messe.

Among a list of anticipated fare that includes Vanquish, Black Panther Yakuza, Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity and Virtual On: Force are both versions of Sonic Colors, reports Andriasang.  The Wii and DS editions will be on display.  The company opened a special TGS website as well, and that will be a place to watch for new video and images once Japan’s largest gaming expo is underway.

But strangely missing from the list is Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I.  It’s even more puzzling when you consider the game did make an appearance at many recent events large and small, including E3 in Los Angeles, Gamescom in Germany, the Summer of Sonic fan convention in London, and Paris’s Japan Expo.

Given how Sega has chosen to bandwagon instead of hold its own booth in a few recent major expos, it doesn’t necessarily mean Sonic 4 won’t show up at TGS.  Should that pan out, however, it may add on to the debate over whether Sega is deliberately giving more time, resources, and exposure to Colors–an idea explored in an article published on GayGamer.net this month.

“It’s almost as if Sega is scrambling to purposefully sabotage excitement for Sonic Colors, which as far as PR moves go seems completely counterproductive,” writes author NaviFairy in the article.  “The only explanation I can think of is that Sega truly wants Sonic 4 to be the game that long-time fans clamor over because that would neatly fit the two demographics of Sonic fans it believes to exist.”

This new development looks to affirm that argument, and it will leave fans wondering how much effort really is being put into Sonic 4.  Do you think the argument presented pared with this news has become increasingly valid?  Tell us in the comments section.

There’s another place to watch for new information and developments from the 2010 Tokyo Game Show–right here.  TSSZ News reporter Danny Russell is making the trip to the big show, and he’ll be filing reports as the expo rolls on.  Be sure to turn to TSSZ News in September as we bring you direct, exclusive coverage of the 2010 TGS.

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