SEGA Europe and SEGA of America have announced Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and PC Digital Download in late 2012. We’re promised a thrilling new racing experience featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and a fantastic cast of SEGA All-Stars competing across land, air and water in vehicles that fully transform from cars, to planes to boats.
Following on from the huge success of Sonic & SEGA All-Star’s Racing — not sure why the sequel isn’t on Wii, but maybe it’ll be announced for Wii U? — the characters now have their own unique transforming vehicles designed to take advantage of the varying terrain.
The line up on the Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed grid sees SEGA favourites, including:
Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr Eggman and AiAi.
They return to battle against newcomers that include Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe and Vyse of Skies of Arcadia.
Other fan-favorites shown in the trailer below include: Tails, Knuckles & Amy from the Sonic games, as well as Akira Yuki (Virtua Fighter), Amigo (Samba de Amigo), Beat (Jet Set Radio), and Joe (Crazy Taxi).
The brand new dynamic environments and tracks in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed are once again inspired by SEGA’s illustrious gaming history. When the road falls away beneath you in Super Monkey Ball’s Temple Trouble track your car transforms into a boat and speeds down the rivers and rapids, whilst the Panzer Dragoon inspired track, Dragon Canyon, takes you into the sky in complete control of your plane, barrel rolling to out-manoeuvre rivals and obstacles before transforming back in to a car and racing to the finish line.
Watch the Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed announcement trailer.
“Given the fantastic feedback we received from critics and consumers alike for the first game we really wanted to push the boundaries on our follow up game, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed” commented David Corless, Global Sonic Brand Director. “Transforming vehicles allow us to do this – as well as drifting your car around the corners of a track, you get to fly your plane and pilot your boat against others all within one race. Add to this a grid full of star characters, retro IP, fun, fast race modes and cool tracks and racing fans of all ages are sure to love this one!”
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed also sees the popular All-Star moves return with a brand new mechanic allowing your All-Star bar to power up faster if you race daringly and stylishly. An all new fair weapon system ensures that weapons fired at your vehicle can either be blocked or evaded once you have gained the skills to do so, making each race a unique and exhilarating experience whether it’s on water, in the air or on land. Old rivalries can be settled and new track records set in the enhanced online multiplayer mode, whilst the Grand Prix mode and competitive Battle Arenas will prove that Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is certainly set to change the rules of the race.
With the Sonic & All-Stars Racing games Sega is seriously contending with the Mario Kart series for the kart racer crown.