Press release: 2001-05-17: Sega Celebrates a Decade of Sonic Mania With the Launch of Sonic Adventure 2 for Dreamcast

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library

Sega Celebrates a Decade of Sonic Mania With the Launch of Sonic Adventure 2 for Dreamcast; The True Blue Hero Commemorates His 10th Anniversary as Pop-Culture and Video Game Icon

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2001

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)--Break out the cake! This June, Sega(R) of America will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of one of the most beloved and recognized video game characters of all time, Sonic The Hedgehog(R). In honor of the occasion, Sega will bring Sonic back to the Sega Dreamcast(TM) video game console with the worldwide launch of "Sonic Adventure(TM) 2," sequel to the top-selling "Sonic Adventure(TM)." More than an icon, Sonic The Hedgehog has starred in Sega's hugely popular ongoing video game series with upwards of 20 million copies in cumulative units sold worldwide over the last ten years. Additionally, Sonic has helped to shape an industry, a culture and to become a mainstream part of family life.

"Over the past 10 years, Sonic has become a household name," said Peter Moore, president and COO, Sega of America. "Sonic titles have consistently been top-sellers for Sega making this a critical property as we move forward to becoming a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment. We expect `Sonic mania' to continue, especially as he gets additional exposure on new game platforms this year."

In 1991, gamers first met Sonic The Hedgehog when he was introduced on the Sega Genesis(TM) video game console. "Sonic The Hedgehog(TM)" was universally applauded as the first significant contender to Nintendo(R)'s "Mario(R)." The game went on to sell more than 2 million units worldwide that year alone. The next year, its sequel, "Sonic 2(TM)," hit shelves and quickly became a hit, selling 400,000 units in its first five days of availability and earned the status of the top-selling 16-bit video game of all time.

Over the years, Sonic has been featured in more than 11 titles for different Sega gaming platforms, including the massive 60 level "Sonic 3(TM)" for Genesis, "Sonic 3D Blast(TM)" for Sega Saturn(R), "Sonic's Schoolhouse(TM)" for the PC and the smash hit "Sonic Adventure(TM)" for Dreamcast.

Sega has seen Sonic escalate to celebrity status, with the blue wonder starring in two simultaneous TV animated series, his own comic book (still published today) and as a float in the Macy(R)'s Thanksgiving Day Parade -- making Sonic the first video game character to have that honor. In addition, Sonic's image has appeared on everything from lunch boxes, wristwatches and sneakers to Franco-American(R) Pasta.

This year Sonic returns with all-new friends and foes with the release of "Sonic Adventure 2" for Dreamcast. Created by the highly acclaimed video game developer Yuji Naka, "Sonic Adventure 2" delivers an all-new "Hero vs. Villain" theme. The game features visually fresh gameplay environments, including over 30 fast-action gamplay stages, and has a new 2-player mode to compete head-to-head.

This winter, "Sonic mania" will continue when Sonic The Hedgehog makes his debut on Game Boy(R) Advance with the release of "Sonic The Hedgehog(R) Advance" (working title).

For more information on Sonic games, go to www.sega.com.

About Sega

Sega(R) of America is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Corporation, responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega video game systems and video games in the Americas. Sega Corporation is a nearly $2.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, offering interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com.
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