In 2011, fans of the Sonic series created a tech demo for an unofficial enhanced version of one its core titles, Sonic CD. SEGA, rather than hit them with cease-and desist notices, instead invited them to use their engine to create a full port on iOS and consoles with extra features, which successfully launched later that year. The game was a success, as the new widescreen format and the fan-made engine delivered slick 60fps gameplay even on mobile devices.
Earlier this year, the same group of people – headed by Sonic fan-turned SEGA dev Christian Whitehead – released a similarly remastered port of the original Sonic the Hedgehog on Android and iOS, adding widescreen, extra characters, and new sections in the levels for them to explore. Today SEGA announced that Christian Whitehead and his team are getting ready to release their remaster of Sonic 2 next month.
Featuring the same widescreen presentation and 60fps rate, and featuring high quality sound, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 for iOS and Android will continue the healthy relationship between SEGA and this team of fans who are breathing new life into the game, which turns 21 years old on November 24th of this year. The game is likely to include the multiplayer mode seen in the original, but with some modern updates. Here’s hoping they can have the game out in time for that date, which was famously branded “Sonic 2’sday” way back in 1992.
What do you think? Will you be giving the game a download? Do you like the idea of a big publisher working with its fans like this? Let us know in the comments below.