The signature Sega franchise has once again shown itself on next-gen consoles this year, making gamers wonder if they'd be better off with a refined 2D version (a-la Castlevania) or if we might actually enjoy a huge world that Sonic can explore while in a frenzied speeding blur. While details are still unclear (the game is slated for a Spring 2007 debut) it appears that the primary selling points are (1) Wiimote control schema -- no surprise there and (2) the jungle environment's reaction to Sonic's speed. Think about that: half the reason to buy this game is in the graphics. That said, how do you choose ... Wii or the other PS3 Sonic game (completely different plot - due mid Dec). We've posted a side by side comparison to show that even cartoony games are going to look dramatically different.

Think you can even handle Sonic speed on a Wiimote without punching holes in walls?

There's not much to deduce from the screenshots -- all you see are floral outdoor environments, dinosaurs, and not a Robotnic creation in sight -- unlike the PS3 images where cities are ablaze and robots are all over the jungles. Could this be a sort of racing adventure hybrid? Zzzzzzz ... who knows. But here's how you play it:

Wii remote control be able to tilt basic operation method or, jump with 2 buttons, with 1 button the brake. While moving sonic it starts running to left and right with inclination of Wii remote control, avoiding the obstacle with respect to field while taking item such as rings...

Sounds interesting, but will this be more fun that traditional controls? We'll have to see. It's challenging enough to precisely control Excite Truck (arcade-style fun) and Tony Hawk (I want to kill myself) on the Wii. Having played Sonic on the PS3 at E3 and it was tricky enough on SIXAXIS ... so who knows how this will be. Cool controls aside, there is a greater issue.  I found it especially strange that press paid so much much lip service into the visuals of the game, which are  lackluster. Check this machine translated EngRish:

Inside the jungle, vivid contrast is portrayed in the green where the sunlight which occasionally it can peep is dim. The scale and the speed impression until recently of exceeding the series catching also the person of the series first experience not only the fan, are the expectation....

Even if you're not a graphics queen, this is very important and goes back to the debates about immersion we had on a recent Podtoid podcast. If one of the main selling points of this game is indeed the rush of the jungle to Sonic's speed, owners of more than 1 console may want to pass on the Wii version to really experience what developers truly had in mind for this game. Them's fighting words, but I'm a Wii owner who knows what it can and can't do. For example, I bought Call of Duty 3, which even EGM thought it looked like a different game than the PS3 version. Fanboys may pelt me with rocks, but it's true.

The jury isn't out on this game, obviously, but I'm not giving it high marks for a first impression. If all this title can offer the opportunity to run into water and trees while looking half as ugly as it's other version, I may have to pass for a 1080 rendition. We'll see.  Here's one of two machine translated articles from GPara and Watch Impress:

As for corporation Sega, the Nintendo Co. corporation on December 2nd "game machine" Wii "business high speed bodily sensation action sells the ring of sonic and secret" of sale schedule 2007 spring. Price is undecided.

"Wii as for ring of sonic and secret", the popularity action series up-to-date work of Sega. Speedy game characteristic of sonic and the unique operation with Wii remote control by the fact that are combined, it is finished in the work of the type which the series differs until recently. Wii remote control be able to tilt basic operation method or, jump with 2 buttons, with 1 button the brake. While moving sonic it starts running to left and right with inclination of Wii remote control, avoiding the obstacle with respect to field while taking item such as ring and pearl, you aim toward goal.

In order the latest sonic goes out and keeps and to rescue "the world of ?", the ring by the fact that it borrows giving temporary and the power, the world in the book it means with to venture from spirit of the ring. The episode which is in the book of genuine ?, is number has become each stage, that each stage while running about, the power which is concealed in the ring is opened, sonic keeps awaking in new ability.

As for this time introducing, one "Dinosaur jungle" of opening stage. At the immense jungle, you avoid mountain stream obstacle such as cactus, run and coming out between the and the trees which are the keep. Inside the jungle, vivid contrast is portrayed in the green where the sunlight which occasionally it can peep is dim. The scale and the speed impression until recently of exceeding the series catching also the person of the series first experience not only the fan, are the expectation which you do not separate.