September 2002

Apparantly, Sonic Team felt we didn't have enough characters already. So they decided to throw two new ones into Sonic's latest GBA title. A few screenshots were released on Sonic Team's Sonic Advance 2 page.

However, Buzz Bomber from the Sonic HQ Message Board went into Sonic Team's image directory and managed to pull out some more pics as well as an official pic!

Apparantly the new characters are Cream the Rabit(sic) and Cheese the Chao. In a bowtie. Uhh, cute...




Kudos to adamis01 for compiling that picture together. Here are the pics Sonic Team didn't want you to see. Judging from her species and ability to throw Cheese as a weapon, it's almost all too obvious that she is based on the original concept for the first Sonic game, in which a rabbit would pick up objects and hurl them at enemies.

Now she knows how to treat a Chao.

Apparantly she isn't used to the concept of picking up rings just yet.

All of the characters together? Could it be that this game actually have a PLOT?

I already like her better than any new characters from Sonic Adventure 2.

Source: Sonic Team

Edit by Green Gibbon!: Enough SA2 bashing. Rouge owns your ass. As for our saccharine bunny friend here, well... we'll see.

Edit by Pepperidge: Well, I was implying Shadow more than anyone (except maybe the President), of course, but now that I think about it I probably shouldn't have said that. Rouge does rule (I would've liked to see them try her out in 2D as well), and Gerald was by far the coolest character in the game, despite the fact that he was already dead.

But I really do wonder why they'd choose to use this new character instead of Amy or Rouge. I mean, if Naka wants to resurrect the original Sonic concept, don't you think he'd want to feature it in an original title?

EBGames.com has released the US boxart for Sonic Mega Collection, due out on November 12, 2002:



Though Sega has stated that there is absolutely zero chance whatsoever that Sonic CD will be included, it seems that Mega Collection will include a few more goodies than previously reported as well. The compilation package will not only sport "State of the Art" emulation of the original games right down to the lock-on technology, but it also seems that this time around it can be used to allow you to play as Knuckles in Sonic 1 (though that may just be a typo on EBGames.com's part). The package will also include the classics Flicky and Ristar the Shooting Star as unlockable bonus games.

From what has been reported, it would only be logical to assume that Mega Collection will include an updated version of the Sonic Museum with timeline, artwork and videos including commercials and animations. (Now, if it were to include a trailer for the new Sonic anime that's apparantly in production, I just might change my mind about this set). Of course, this time around you're going to actually have to play through all of the games to unlock the secrets, seeing as how "Sonic World" will be replaced by streamlined and easily accessable menus.


Edit by Green Gibbon! -- The hell with that EB nonsense, here's a much more reliable source that states the same info: where REAL men shop!

Edit by Pepperidge -- According to your reliable source, Sonic & Knuckles is nowhere to be found in the compilation.

Edit by Segaholic2 (again) -- That lamer GG! edited over my original edit, getting rid of my say. I WILL BE HEARD! Ahem. As I said before my edit was overwritten, take a look at Sonic's shoes in that art. Classic Sonic shoes, and no SOAP grinds. Interesting, eh?

Another Edit by Green Gibbon! -- Nuh-uh, I didn't overwrite your edit on purpose! That's what you get for editing a post at the same time I'm trying to edit it, because I'm a slow writer. Remember kids, only pussies like Pepperidge shop at EB!

Another Edit by Pepperidge -- Hey, finding a good gaming store is no easy task in these here parts. There was once a time when I had to go several cities away just to get to the nearest EB. You know, one hundred miles in the snow in my dad's pajyamas, all that jazz. And they didn't even carry any anime! But hey, anything's better than Wal-Mart...

Yet Another Edit by Segaholic2 -- Even if it was unintentional, you erased VALUABLE knowledge that I was trying to make known to the public! The outright audacity of it all! Uh... Oh yeah, you should move out of your village people towns and get to bigger cities. Like mine. I've got at least 4 different dedicated retail game stores within 15 minutes of where I live. More than 15 locations if you count non-specialty places like department stores. At least 50 if you count most of my city. Envy me. And Gibbs, is that corporation pride I sense in you?

EDIT LIMBO DANCE by Green Gibbon! -- Hey, what can I say... they keep gas in my car and games on my shelf. Shop at GameStop and support Green Gibbon!'s quest for world domination! Shop at EB and be a PUSSY like Segaholic who thinks he's better than us 'cause he's got rich parents!

The Sonic Team is dishing out a variety of nifty PSO Items, including this rather cool line of action figures, all kitted up with mags, weapons, and the usual line in funky outfits...



And of course, I couldn’t go on without mentioning the crazy Rappy plushie , and frankly disturbing Ob Lilly T-Shirt (Guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows!)