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Features writer and talented doodler Ashley Davis wrote an article a few weeks ago about Sonic X-Treme, the Saturn game that never was. An interesting 3D title with a fish-eye lens and spherical level design, the project was scrapped, probably because it looked like it would cause motion sickness and blindness to any kid who played it for too long.

A brand new video for a level known as "New Paths" has been leaked, and as a self-confessed Sonic fanboy, I consider it my duty to share. Quite how this game would have been anything more than a tech demo is beyond me. It seems really difficult to turn this into anything that functions as a playable videogame more than a mere chance to gawk at the graphics. Perhaps that's why it never got released. 

Still, I'd have taken this over 99% of all 3D Sonic games made since then.


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34 comments | showing # 1 to 34

Trowble's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:06
Trowble
So this is the precursor to the horrible adventure aspects in Sonic games, huh? Or was it Sonic 3D Blast on the Gensis?
TheBigFeel's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:09
TheBigFeel
I don't know, Jim. The final level in Battletoads (yes, I cheated) worked like this on one axis. I found that quite playable.

Yes; I'm aware that battletoads is not the pinnacle of playability.
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:10
gamadaya
That actually looks really fun and creative. I don't know what you're talking about Jim. Then again, I'm as far from a Sonic fanboy as you can get. To me, Sonic games are just shitty movies that you have to watch while holding a button down and occasionally releasing it for a second, so any change seems like an improvement.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:11
DaedHead8
I still think this would have saved the Saturn. No really. It was as playable sonic game. They should have just used spherical level design as bonus stages and done everything else in 2d. It would have been a system seller.
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:11
RonBurgandy2010
Thanks, now I have a headache.
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:15
pendelton21
...what the fuck did I just watch?
Zen Albatross's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:16
Zen Albatross
The fisheye lens perspectives seems like it might have been interesting, but the level design looks pretty piss-poor.

I can't say I'm personally shedding tears over this miscarriage.
Timstuff's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:17
Timstuff
This game would have saved the Sega Saturn, and it was made by a group of only about 10 people with very little experience, who were constantly jumping through the flaming hoops that were Sega's corporate politics. It would have been the feel-good gaming success story of the decade, if only the game hadn't been canceled at the last minute.

Sega seriously should just get a group of guys together to finish the game, and release it on XBLA, PSN, and Wii's Virtual Console. This game is legendary in status, and I'm sure people would buy it.
nicojay's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:19
nicojay
The Sonic Extreme levels look like they would have been quite a challenge to learn in order to be super sonic racing through. I feel the perspective would work better with an adventure game with the game mechanics and pacing of castlevania II: Simon's quest.
Don't ask why I thought of that game or music, just did!?
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:22
mistic
damn this game looks a lot more fun then sonic unleashed :-) ( or any other sonic 3d game )
Fat Ryu's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:24
Fat Ryu
I think it looks pretty good in a "good for the time" kind of way. But Jim, "Sony fanboy"? Is that a Freudian slip? Don't take that as a dig, I like your face.
flabzilla's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 12:29
flabzilla
The name Sonic just depresses me now :(

Even though I like the Rush series I'd really like to see him make a come back on consoles but since everyone seems to be loving unleashed and the excuses the developers are making I just can't see that happen.
Unicorn's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 13:01
Unicorn
@timstuff

from my research, it was actually made by the same team that brought you comix zone, sonic 2, sonic 3, sonic and knukckles, and sonic spinball... all are considered the cream of the crop for Genesis. i have little doubt in my mind this would've been an enjoyable game had it seen the light of day of polishing and finishing


all these videos are early development as they had to redo their projects a lot because of crazy bullshit.


either way, it doesn't exist and i'm sad the team no longer exists because of the failure of sonic x-treme. oh how i'd love a new HD Comix Zone.
taterchimp's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 13:17
taterchimp
Gave me XTREME motion sickness
Xbudz's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 13:43
Xbudz
Hey every, just to let you know- this game, Sonic X-treme for the Sega Saturn was leaked onto the Internets and there is a .torrent to be found.

Google it!
GameraTheGreat's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 13:56
GameraTheGreat
Ohhhh Saturn! How they still hate thee!!! If only they knew you produced nearly identical ports of EVERY major arcade 2d fighter of the 90's....i know tho' and i still sing your praise....Cheaper than a Neo-Geo and more titles too! Woo-Hoo!
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 14:05
Syn
It looks awesome as always, but I'm not sure how the player is supposed to know where to go....
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 14:18
DinnertimeNinja
How would this game have "saved" the Saturn? It would have had the crappy control issue that have plagued Sonic Games since the after the 16 bit era magnified TENFOLD.

From that video it is obvious why the game wasn't made. It would have been horrible.
RaiRed's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 14:29
RaiRed
This looks like a scene from my nightmares...
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 14:33
Dan CiTi
Trippy shit man. Why is that hedgehog metallic blue?
Imako's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 15:34
Imako
That would be pretty interesting if they just pulled the camera back more.
Overcow's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 15:36
Overcow
"and as a self-confessed Sony fanboy"

Eum...
ScottyG's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 15:44
ScottyG
Looks like Bug.
Orionsaint's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 15:48
Orionsaint
Yes of course the soundtrack is better than any Sonic soundtrack today.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 15:56
Jim Sterling
I believe I made the greatest typo ever. Fixing though. :-)
Ben PerLee's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 15:58
Ben PerLee
that looks awful. at least the music was good.
Batthink's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 16:08
Batthink
I actually liked the look of that. Not the colours, but the viewpoint and motion of it.
Puppy Licks's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 16:09
Puppy Licks
Did somebody say Xtreeeeeeeme?!
naia-the-gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 16:20
naia-the-gamer
I think that looks really cool actually. I probably would have played a 3D Sonic and actually liked it.
atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 17:11
atastysammich
Still, I'd have taken this over 99% of all 3D Sonic games made since then.

Does that include Sonic R? Because I think you may desperately need to reach out for the sunshine, forget about the rain. Just think about the good times, and they will come back again.
Artemus's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/17/2008 21:32
Artemus
I think it looked pretty cool...
For what the game was trying to accomplish, back in the day.
Too bad this work-in-progress never saw the light of day.
Damn.
Wonder if Sonic will ever be given the title he deserves?
Cube's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/18/2008 11:16
Cube
God the saturn was horrible, it was even worse designed machine than the n64 with a bunch of useless cpu sucktaped on it. Suck worse than the n64 is not easy to do either.

This reminds me of bug and damn bug sucked. along with everything else at saturn launch I am so happy this never happend
AltDelete's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/18/2008 15:21
AltDelete
Big fan of the BG music. So 90's cyberpunk.

God I'm old.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/18/2008 17:30
Holyetheline
This could have been something great. I like the layout of this level a lot.
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