Friday, March 27, 2009

The Sonic toy that cannot smell or walk anymore.

The broken Sonic toy theme continues! You can use that as a metaphor for the demise of the Sonic franchise if you want to jump on the already over flowing band wagon of Internet hatred. Me? I couldn't give a toss, to be honest.

So far this year the boot sales have been pretty shite, rummaging through piles of the same old rubbish just to find anything remotely interesting, even a Mega Drive game that isn't football or something, but last week I did find this tragic looking Sonic toy sitting in a box full of other beaten up old toy for 40p.


It's one of those bendy limb type things, only this one has clearly seen better days. For starters as you can plainly see he has lost his nose. Maybe he took a whiff of [insert recent Sonic game here] and it fell off! Oh ho! Witty!


He also has a broken leg (those wires they stick in these things are pretty fragile). Maybe that's why [insert game mechanic from recent Sonic game you don't like here] was in [insert recent Sonic game here]! Will people read this blog more if I slag off Sonic some more?

It's a good thing I already have one of these then isn't it? Here's the one that's been sitting in the loft for years, and while this one also has a broken leg, it hasn't been occasionally fed to a dog.

Looking at it from the front you would think this Sonic is lacking a head of spikes too, but here they are at the back, rather small and blunt to please the health and safety goons. You gotta love his huge happy eyes though, which are actually aligned for once rather than having one eye a lot bigger than the other making him look a bit deformed.

The cutest Sonic clothes you'll ever see.

Awwww! Look at this widdle suit! You probably can't tell from the photo but this is tiny. It's sitting in the loft within my collection, and apparently there was matching tie that went with it which I cannot find. When I was a lil' kid I wore this once or twice at family parties. No, you're not seeing any photos.

It's by Marks & Spencers, like a lot of the old British Sonic clothes were. It's that same texture as that nice tie I've got that sort of glistens in the light, which is generally quite difficult to take good photos of. It's smothered in images of Sonic and little illustrated renditions of the green hill zone, which feature chunky white rings for some reason.

I'd imagine these rarely come up anymore so I thought I'd give it a show off. To be honest I think the only reason we kept it is because it was one of the more expensive pieces of Sonic clothing from back then. Obviosuly I didn't keep all the Sonic clothes I wore! I do remember having a jacket covered in sweet Sonic patches (different to those adult size ones I have), that when it didn't fir anymore, my nan stitched them onto a new bigger jacket. Bless!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

A photo of the Sonic chess set

Speaking of Gaya Entertainment's line of classic Sonic stuff, they have more than just concept art for the chess set now, with this photo above (click to enlarge). They seem respectable enough molds and bonus points for using the old design of Amy Rose, but I still think it would have been 10 times better if the other side of pieces consisted of Robotnik, Metal Sonic and a bunch of badniks. The rings kind of look like those cheap ring shaped crisps you'd get from Happy Shopper at School lunch time.

So the First4Figures toys are still on the way..?

Here's evidence that those fantastic First4Figures toys may still be on the way from the Sega Europe flickr, of erm...a broken one. Under the photo they've put:

"Models are to look pretty on a shelf - not to played with - especially early models! Rescued from the sheepish SOE office vandals, they've been given some lego instead."

So there you go. I think play.com canceled my pre-orders months ago, but oh well.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Gaya promises more classic Sonic stuff

Now don't get me wrong, all these announcements for classic style Sonic merchandise in the last year or so is great, but it would be nice if some of it would actually get released. Still, German company Gaya Entertainment, who not too long ago announced a Sonic chess set, have released some more concept art this time of squeeze toys and some key chains, which are the squeeze toys with chains stabbed into them, though they are said to cost less so maybe they're a bit smaller. Unlike the chess set that had Amy Rose as the forth character featured, these include a nice Robotnik design, much like that Robotnik plush toy we were promised but never got! Bah!
Source: Sega Portal

Saturday, March 21, 2009

The best free online games websites

Before you try any other free online games sites, try these ones first, because there are no pop-ups, no click-thru pages, no dummy pages, no tricks and no gimmicks - just quick, easy and direct access to hundreds and hundreds of quality free games:

Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog online games
(also with Donkey Kong, Zelda, Pokemon, Kirby and Megaman)


Disney and Pixar online games
(including Mickey Mouse, Bolt, Lilo & Stitch, WALL-E, Toy Story, etc.)


Dreamworks and other CG movie online games
(including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Ice Age, TMNT, etc.)


General online games
(the best generic web games)


All the sites also include collections of desktop wallpapers, multimedia and other fun things related to all the games, so I feel sure you will not be disappointed if you visit them. Enjoy! :-)

The best free online games websites

Before you try any other free online games sites, try these ones first, because there are no pop-ups, no click-thru pages, no dummy pages, no tricks and no gimmicks - just quick, easy and direct access to hundreds and hundreds of quality free games:

Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog online games
(also with Donkey Kong, Zelda, Pokemon, Kirby and Megaman)


Disney and Pixar online games
(including Mickey Mouse, Bolt, Lilo & Stitch, WALL-E, Toy Story, etc.)


Dreamworks and other CG movie online games
(including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Ice Age, TMNT, etc.)


General online games
(the best generic web games)


All the sites also include collections of desktop wallpapers, multimedia and other fun things related to all the games, so I feel sure you will not be disappointed if you visit them. Enjoy! :-)

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Play Nintendo and Sega Flash games online

Following on from my recent posts about new Super Mario Bros. online games and new Sonic the Hedgehog online games, here are some fun online games for you to play based on some other Nintendo and Sega classics:

  Donkey Kong: Banana Barrage Online Game

  Zelda: The Seeds of Darkness Online Game

  Kirby's Dreamland Online Game

  Pokemon: Breakdown Blast Online Game

  Megaman vs. Metroid Online Game

  Duck Hunt Online Game

  Puyo Pop Fever: Flash Mini-Games

  Super Monkey Ball 2: Flash Mini-Games

  Billy Hatcher Online Game

And finally, here is a famous rival to Nintendo's Mario and Sega's Sonic:
  Crash Bandicoot Flash Online Game

Don't forget to check out page 1 and page 2 of the main site for loads more free online Mario, Sonic, Nintendo and Sega games!

Play Nintendo and Sega Flash games online

Following on from my recent posts about new Super Mario Bros. online games and new Sonic the Hedgehog online games, here are some fun online games for you to play based on some other Nintendo and Sega classics:

  Donkey Kong: Banana Barrage Online Game

  Zelda: The Seeds of Darkness Online Game

  Kirby's Dreamland Online Game

  Pokemon: Breakdown Blast Online Game

  Megaman vs. Metroid Online Game

  Duck Hunt Online Game

  Puyo Pop Fever: Flash Mini-Games

  Super Monkey Ball 2: Flash Mini-Games

  Billy Hatcher Online Game

And finally, here is a famous rival to Nintendo's Mario and Sega's Sonic:
  Crash Bandicoot Flash Online Game

Don't forget to check out page 1 and page 2 of the main site for loads more free online Mario, Sonic, Nintendo and Sega games!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Sonic and the Black Knight is out now on the Nintendo Wii

Sonic and the Black Knight

Today sees the launch of Sega's new "Sonic and the Black Knight" game on the Nintendo Wii in Europe, following on from its release in Australasia and Japan yesterday and North America on March 3rd.

I haven't seen it or played it yet, so I can't really comment much on it. I've only read the Wikipedia entry for it, and it sounds pretty good going by that. But it doesn't sound like a classic Sonic game, and therein lies the problem..... it's been a very very very long time since there was a truly excellent new Sonic game.

I just wish for once that Sega would release a new "proper" Sonic game, in the original 2D super-fast platforming style of the early 1990s. They got so close with last year's Sonic Unleashed, but ultimately ruined it with all the silly night-time "Werehog" stuff included in the game. I, and I suspect all other true Sonic fans, live in hope that one day soon Sega will finally get it right and give us the game we all crave.

Meanwhile, at least Mario is still starring in world-class games every time, so it's not all bad.....

Sonic and the Black Knight is out now on the Nintendo Wii

Sonic and the Black Knight

Today sees the launch of Sega's new "Sonic and the Black Knight" game on the Nintendo Wii in Europe, following on from its release in Australasia and Japan yesterday and North America on March 3rd.

I haven't seen it or played it yet, so I can't really comment much on it. I've only read the Wikipedia entry for it, and it sounds pretty good going by that. But it doesn't sound like a classic Sonic game, and therein lies the problem..... it's been a very very very long time since there was a truly excellent new Sonic game.

I just wish for once that Sega would release a new "proper" Sonic game, in the original 2D super-fast platforming style of the early 1990s. They got so close with last year's Sonic Unleashed, but ultimately ruined it with all the silly night-time "Werehog" stuff included in the game. I, and I suspect all other true Sonic fans, live in hope that one day soon Sega will finally get it right and give us the game we all crave.

Meanwhile, at least Mario is still starring in world-class games every time, so it's not all bad.....

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Super Mario Galaxy is named Best Game by BAFTA

That's the top award of the 2009 British video games "Oscars" - what an outstanding achievement for one of the best games ever (second only to Super Smash Bros. Brawl in my opinion)!

Super Mario Galaxy

It beat off competition from Grand Theft Auto IV amongst others, which is interesting given the very different natures and target audiences of the two titles. Here's a quick summary of all the BAFTA Video Games Awards 2009 winners:

Best Game: Super Mario Galaxy

Best Action & Adventure: Fable II

Best Sports: Race Driver: Grid

Best Strategy: Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

Best Casual: Boom Blox

Best Multiplayer: Left 4 Dead

Best Handheld: Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Gameplay: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Story & Character: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Artistic Achievement: LittleBigPlanet

Technical Achievement: Spore

Use of Audio: Dead Space

Original Score: Dead Space

People's Choice: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

The biggest surprise has to be that GTA IV didn't win any awards, despite being nominated for seven! See the official BAFTA site for more details, including all the nominees in each award category.

Super Mario Galaxy is named Best Game by BAFTA

That's the top award of the 2009 British video games "Oscars" - what an outstanding achievement for one of the best games ever (second only to Super Smash Bros. Brawl in my opinion)!

Super Mario Galaxy

It beat off competition from Grand Theft Auto IV amongst others, which is interesting given the very different natures and target audiences of the two titles. Here's a quick summary of all the BAFTA Video Games Awards 2009 winners:

Best Game: Super Mario Galaxy

Best Action & Adventure: Fable II

Best Sports: Race Driver: Grid

Best Strategy: Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

Best Casual: Boom Blox

Best Multiplayer: Left 4 Dead

Best Handheld: Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Gameplay: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Story & Character: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Artistic Achievement: LittleBigPlanet

Technical Achievement: Spore

Use of Audio: Dead Space

Original Score: Dead Space

People's Choice: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

The biggest surprise has to be that GTA IV didn't win any awards, despite being nominated for seven! See the official BAFTA site for more details, including all the nominees in each award category.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - one year on

So, it's been a whole year now since Super Smash Bros. Brawl was released in North America (it wasn't released in Europe and Australasia until June last year, as I'm sure you know), and it's still a worldwide Top 5 selling game as of last week.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

It has broken Nintendo sales records everywhere it can be legally bought, and is now officially the greatest Nintendo game ever. Hoorah! It's certainly my favourite game ever. The fact that you can play as Sonic the Hedgehog characters as well as all the classic Nintendo ones is the best thing about it as far as I'm concerned.

There's only one "drawback" to this superb game - you need to buy a Nintendo Wii first before you can play it, which in these times of financial hardship may not be as easy to come by for many people as in previous years.

However, don't despair if that applies to you, because here is a fantastic Flash online version of it for you to play for free, plus a Sonic-specific version too.....

  Super Smash Flash Online Game

  Sonic Smash Brothers Online Game

Brilliantly, both games include full game save functionality, plus detailed strategy guides, to help you fully enjoy them!

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - one year on

So, it's been a whole year now since Super Smash Bros. Brawl was released in North America (it wasn't released in Europe and Australasia until June last year, as I'm sure you know), and it's still a worldwide Top 5 selling game as of last week.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

It has broken Nintendo sales records everywhere it can be legally bought, and is now officially the greatest Nintendo game ever. Hoorah! It's certainly my favourite game ever. The fact that you can play as Sonic the Hedgehog characters as well as all the classic Nintendo ones is the best thing about it as far as I'm concerned.

There's only one "drawback" to this superb game - you need to buy a Nintendo Wii first before you can play it, which in these times of financial hardship may not be as easy to come by for many people as in previous years.

However, don't despair if that applies to you, because here is a fantastic Flash online version of it for you to play for free, plus a Sonic-specific version too.....

  Super Smash Flash Online Game

  Sonic Smash Brothers Online Game

Brilliantly, both games include full game save functionality, plus detailed strategy guides, to help you fully enjoy them!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Play new Super Mario Bros. Flash games online

Following on from my post about new Sonic the Hedgehog online games yesterday, here are some excellent new Super Mario games for you to play, also from page 2 of MarioSonicGames.com:

  Super Mario World Flash Online Game

  Koopa Avalanche Online Game

  The Rambo Bros. - Reload It Online Game

  Mario Town 2 Online Game

  Shy Guy's Big Bird Chase Online Game

And for good measure, the current No. 1 online Super Mario Bros. game is:
  New Super Mario Flash Online Game

Don't forget to check out the main site, and also this site, for literally hundreds more super free online games!

Play new Super Mario Bros. Flash games online

Following on from my post about new Sonic the Hedgehog online games yesterday, here are some excellent new Super Mario games for you to play, also from page 2 of MarioSonicGames.com:

  Super Mario World Flash Online Game

  Koopa Avalanche Online Game

  The Rambo Bros. - Reload It Online Game

  Mario Town 2 Online Game

  Shy Guy's Big Bird Chase Online Game

And for good measure, the current No. 1 online Super Mario Bros. game is:
  New Super Mario Flash Online Game

Don't forget to check out the main site, and also this site, for literally hundreds more super free online games!