Sega will release new sidescrolling game Sonic Superstars with co-op in the fall

During the Summer Game Fest 2023, Sega announces the game Sonic Superstars for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and S. The game uses the classic sidescrolling perspective with modern 3D graphics.

In Sonic Superstars, players will of course have the opportunity to play with Sonic the Hedgehog, but also with the characters Tails, Knuckles and Amy Rose. Players can play the entire game in co-op with these four characters and face off against the classic villain Doctor Eggman. Sega also teases the return of Fang the Sniper in the trailer. The game takes place in North Star Islands, a new environment within the Sonic franchise.

In terms of gameplay, Sega is keeping it traditional based on the announcement trailer, although the seven Chaos Emeralds in Superstars do play a slightly different role than before. IGN reasons that the gems in the upcoming game each enable a unique ability, such as creating copies of the main character or being able to ‘climb’ a waterfall.

For Sonic Superstars, Sega maintains the franchise’s signature platforming style, but uses environments and characters with 3D design. A similar design style was used for 2011’s Sonic Generations. So far, most 3D Sonic games were played entirely from that perspective and Sega left out the classic sidescrolling perspective. For recent retro homages, Sega used the sidescrolling elements, but with a 2D graphic style.