Summary

  • Sega's president acknowledged that Sonic Superstars was a disappointment.
  • Sonic Superstars failed to meet Sega's expectations, with criticism over mechanics, boss fights, multiplayer, music, and bugs.
  • Utsumi also mentioned the successful transmedia connection of Sonic X Shadow Generations and teases Sega's plans for 2025 with legacy revivals.

Sega COO and recently appointed president Shuji Utsumi has admitted that 2023's Sonic Superstars was a "disappointment" in terms of the franchise's recent launches. Sonic Superstars was first released in October 2023 as an intentional call-back and a return to the Classic Genesis style of the Sonic franchise, being 2D platformers focused on speed. It also added a few new features that it would focus on, such as four-player co-operative play, new powers and obstacles associated with the Chaos Emeralds, and even a new playable version of Amy Rose. Superstars also saw the return of Fang the Hunter, a character who had been absent from the games for a long time.

Sonic Superstars had a mixed reception upon release. While 2023 was a weak year for Sega in terms of sales, Sonic Superstars in particular fell short of Sega's own expectations, despite managing to be the publisher's best-selling title of the year. On top of that, the critical reception to Sonic Superstars was middling, with fans and reviewers criticizing the game's mechanics, citing tedious boss fights, wonky multiplayer, inconsistent music quality, and various bugs. Recently, Sega President Shuji Utsumi commented on Superstars' performance.

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In an interview with Eurogamer, Shuji Utsumi was asked about how Sonic the Hedgehog is trying to increase the quality of its output, comparing its annual releases in the 2000s to Nintendo's more conservative release schedule with Mario. Utsumi notes that while Sega was trying to do something creative with Sonic Frontiers, Sonic Superstars turned out to be a disappointment. Utsumi also brought up Frontiers' development, where it had a "confused" direction, so he asked Takashi Iizuka to join the project and help "fix it" so it would be ready in time for the second Sonic film.

Sonic Superstars Disappointment Compared to Sonic X Shadow Generations' Success

Utsumi then brings up Sonic X Shadow Generations' recent success, which allows Sega to push things in a transmedia direction to connect and promote the game and third film together. He notes that the core experience is still in the game, however, saying that the game has to be very good, otherwise there will be no transmedia effect. Utsumi then praises Sonic X Shadow Generations while also teasing the publisher's plans for 2025.

Utsumi also spoke about Sega's recent legacy revival strategy, where on top of focusing on three IPs that would act like pillars (Sonic, Yakuza, and Persona), Sega is reviving some of its long-dormant properties like Jet Set Radio and Golden Axe, as seen with the announcement of reboots at The Game Awards 2023. Sega also came swinging with two new game reveals from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio at TGA 2024, announcing a new entry in the Virtua Fighter series and a title known as Project Century. Sonic will also be driving into 2025 with the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds spin-off as well.

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Sonic Superstars Tag Page Cover Art

Sonic Superstars
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2D
Platformer
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Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 73 /100 Critics Rec: 60%
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Released
October 17, 2023
ESRB
e
Developer(s)
Sonic Team
Publisher(s)
Sega
Engine
Unity
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Franchise
Sonic the Hedgehog
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Adventure through the mystical Northstar Islands in this all-new take on classic 2D Sonic high-speed action platforming. Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy and harness all-new Emerald powers to move and attack in dynamic new ways. Navigate gorgeous, never-before-seen environments solo or with up to 3 other players and stop Dr. Eggman, Fang, and a mysterious new adversary from converting the islands’ giant animals into Badniks before it’s too late!

Split Screen Orientation
N/A (Shared Screen)
Genre(s)
2D, Platformer
Local Co-Op Support
1-4 Players
OpenCritic Rating
Fair