Sonic Superstars’ Naoto Ohshima & Takashi Iizuka Reveal Development Inspirations, Design Philosophies & More in Video Interview

Sega and Sonic Team have shared a new promotional video for their upcoming platformer, Sonic Superstars, featuring producers Naoto Ohshima and Takashi Iizuka. The duo answer various questions pertaining to the new game’s development.

Regarding why Sonic Superstars was initially conceptualized, it’s because the team wanted to evolve the classic series, setting a new foundation for decades, similar to their intentions with Sonic Frontiers. The upgrade to 3D models represents this evolution.

For those unfamiliar with classic games, the title will have tutorials for all playable characters and the Chaos Emerald powers. Moreover, when designing the stages, emphasizing and embracing the franchise’s iconic sense of speed was at the forefront of development, enabling pinball-like action.

Amy was included as a playable character because of her popularity with fans, and Fang was brought back due to the success of Mighty and Ray’s collective revival in Sonic Mania.

Sonic Superstars is a brand-new 2D adventure featuring Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, taking place on the North Star Islands. New gameplay features include the Emerald Powers when Chaos Emeralds are acquired, such as enabling the ability to create clones or climb waterfalls.

Further, the visuals have received a notable upgrade, and Fang the Sniper from older Sonic the Hedgehog comics and video games, such as Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, will appear as an antagonist in Sonic Superstars.

Classic Sonic the Hedgehog designer Naoto Oshima has returned with a brand new villain. Fans can also anticipate “movements, physics, and controls feel familiar and appeal to recent and legacy fans alike.” Local four-player co-op will be available throughout the entire story, too.

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You can view the new Sonic Superstars video interview featuring Naoto Ohshima and Takashi Iizuka below:

Sonic Superstars will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on October 17, 2023.