Summary
Sonic Superstarshas fallen short of Sega’s sales goals, thanks in no small part to it launching just a few days before the highly-anticipatedSuper Mario Bros. Wonder. Sega announced a 2D platformer in the style of Sonic’s classic Genesis-era adventures earlier this year, with players able to take control of the titular Blue Blur and ahandful ofSonic’smost popular playable charactersin either blistering single-player, co-op, or competitive multiplayer minigames.Sonic Superstarsseemed like a promising prospect for Sega, and critics gave it reasonably positive reviews for invoking the feel of the originalSonicgames while adding a few new tricks like unlockable Chaos Emerald powers.
However, by choosing to releaseSonic Superstarsduring the busy month of October, Sega set up its prized platforming mascot for a particularly difficult race. No less than three days after the launch ofSonic Superstars, NintendoreleasedSuper Mario Bros. Wonderto record-breaking sales, reigniting the classic rivalry between the Big N’s famous plumbing hero and Sega’s hyper-fast hedgehog. Additionally, Sony and Insomniac releasedMarvel’s Spider-Man 2on the very same day asWonder, and it would quickly become one of the prolific PlayStation developer’s most financially successful titles within days of its launch.
Unfortunately forSonic Superstars, it appears that this fierce competition led to it selling less than publisher Sega originally hoped for. As reported byIGN, Sega CEO Haruki Satomi admitted thatSonic Superstarshad a “slightly weaker start than we had anticipated” during a recent Q and A meeting with investors. When asked about the cause for this, Satomi suggested that other major releases might have played a significant factor, though he didn’t nameSuper Mario Bros. WonderorMarvel’s Spider-Man 2specifically.
DespiteSonic Superstars’ less-than-hoped-for sales figures, Haruki Satomi and Sega aren’t giving up on the new platformer anytime soon. Satomi stated that his company is aiming tobolsterSuperstarsduring the busy holiday shopping season, as theSonicfranchise tends to sell well in November and December. Amazon recently offeredSonic Superstarsat a reduced price across all platforms for Black Friday, so Satomi could have a point about the game’s sales picking up during the holidays.
Haruki Satomi also pointed out that the third live-actionSonic the Hedgehogmovie is set to hit theaters next year, and he predicts that it will help boost sales for bothSonic Superstarsand last year’sSonic Frontiers- just like the recentSuper Mario Bros. Moviedrew attention to the plumber’s console adventures. In any case,Sonic Superstarshas a lot of catching up to do, especially after it fell shy of Sega’s goals during its crowded launch back in October.
Sonic Superstars
WHERE TO PLAY
Adventure through the mystical Northstar Islands in this all-new take on classic 2D Sonic high-speed action platforming. Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy and harness all-new Emerald powers to move and attack in dynamic new ways. Navigate gorgeous, never-before-seen environments solo or with up to 3 other players and stop Dr. Eggman, Fang, and a mysterious new adversary from converting the islands’ giant animals into Badniks before it’s too late!
