Sonic Superstars really is bringing something totally new to the 32-year-old series

when you start a sonic game, whether it’s one of the original GOAT trilogy titles for the Mega Drive, or one of the lesser-regarded 3D titles of recent years, you know it’s a Sonic game. Those sharp lines denoting speed giving way to curves and parabolic drops, the deep green of nature against the strange orange of manufactured bricks… Sonic has an instantly recognizable identity. And he’s had it for over three decades.

The same goes for Sonic Superstars, the new game announced by Sega at this week’s Summer Games Fest.

If you watch the launch trailer (above), you’ll notice a wonderful 2D gameplay inspired by the classics, though the publisher will be quick to make sure you call it 2.5D, per the marketing spiel. The game is clearly inspired by the original trilogy of games (and Knuckles) and also adds some of its own interesting elements to the mix.

While you may think we’ve done all of this before, there’s something completely new to the game, and it comes from someone who really knows Sonic inside out: the original Sonic designer.

naoto ohshima he’s back on the development team for this title, and it certainly sounds like he’s the one responsible for thinking about who, or whatever, will be the big bad. By GameInformer (via tweet), Ohshima has created “a new character for Sonic and friends to face off against” in Sonic Superstars, the first time he’s been directly involved with the series since 1998 and Sonic Adventure. Ohshima also designed Eggman, back in the day, so it’s safe to say that he knows a thing or two about creating iconic villains.

You can play as Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose in Sonic Superstars, and you can even jump in with three other co-op friends at the same time, if that’s your problem. The 2D platformer is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in fall 2023.