:Sonic the Fighters

File:Sonicthefightersshot.jpg

Sonic the Fighters is a 3D fighting game in which players compete in one-on-one battles with characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/19/sonic-gems-collection?page=1|title=Sonic Gems Collection|date=August 19, 2005|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=February 22, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214224940/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/19/sonic-gems-collection?page=1|archive-date=February 14, 2016}} In the game's scenario, Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends each own one of the Chaos Emeralds. They are holding a fighting tournament to determine who will take the emeralds in order to power a spaceship and stop series antagonists Doctor Robotnik and Metal Sonic from building an evil fortress in space.{{Cite book|title=The History of Sonic the Hedgehog|last1=Pétronille|first1=Marc|last2=Audureau|first2=William|publisher=Pix'n Love|year=2014|isbn=978-1-926778-96-9|pages=194–195}} The original arcade and 2005 release included eight playable characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Espio the Chameleon, Fang the Sniper, and new characters Bean the Dynamite and Bark the Polar Bear.{{Cite book|url=http://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_GameCube/Manual/formated/Sonic_Gems_Collection_-_Sega.pdf#page=6|title=Sonic Gems Collection instruction manual|publisher=Sega|year=2004|pages=8–15|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035346/http://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_GameCube/Manual/formated/Sonic_Gems_Collection_-_Sega.pdf#page=6|url-status=live}} The 2012 re-release added Metal Sonic, Doctor Robotnik, and Honey the Cat as playable characters, all previously only accessible through hacking into the original arcade version.{{cite magazine|last1=Kemps|first1=Heidi|title=Sonic the Fighters review|url=http://oxmonline.com/sonic-fighters-review|magazine=Official Xbox Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026050006/http://oxmonline.com/sonic-fighters-review|archive-date=October 26, 2013|date=January 4, 2013|url-status=dead}} Honey is based on a character with the same name from Fighting Vipers (1996).

The game employs simple fighting game mechanics. Each character can punch, kick, and use a defensive barrier.{{Cite book|url=http://info.sonicretro.org/images/2/21/Sonic_ch_a02.png|title=Sonic Championship "How to Play" move sheet|publisher=Sega|year=1996|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405000524/http://info.sonicretro.org/images/2/21/Sonic_ch_a02.png|archive-date=April 5, 2017}} Combining these buttons also allows for a variety of special moves unique to each character.{{Cite book|url=http://info.sonicretro.org/images/f/f6/Sonic_ch_a03.png|title=Sonic Championship Combo move sheet|publisher=Sega|year=1996|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/http://info.sonicretro.org/images/f/f6/Sonic_ch_a03.png|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} The barrier can block attacks, but it can be damaged and eventually be destroyed by an opponent; players have access to limited number of barriers per match. The barrier does not protect from being grabbed or thrown, or from attacks from behind. Players can spend a barrier to temporarily enter "Hyper Mode" which allows them to perform several attacks in quick succession. Some attacks can be avoided by squatting or dodging. Players can also perform a "safe landing" which allows them to recover quickly when thrown or launched into the air.

File:Yu Suzuki - Game Developers Conference 2011 - Day 3.jpg.]]

Sonic the Fighters was developed by Sega AM2, Sega's arcade game development team behind the Virtua Fighter series.{{Cite journal|date=February 1996|title=Coin Operated: Sonic Boom!|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/SSM_UK_04.pdf#page=16|journal=Sega Saturn Magazine (UK)|issue=4|pages=16|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/SSM_UK_04.pdf#page=16|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} The idea for a Sonic the Hedgehog fighting game was conceived by AM2 lead developer Yu Suzuki who saw one of his programmers dabbling with a Sonic the Hedgehog model in AM2's Fighting Vipers.{{Cite journal|date=February 1996|title=Red Hot Scoop! Sonic Returns in AM2 Fighting Game!|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/53/CVG_UK_171.pdf#page=98|journal=Computer and Video Games|issue=171|pages=98|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/5/53/CVG_UK_171.pdf#page=98|archive-date=February 24, 2018}}{{Cite journal|date=May 1996|title=Sonic the Fighters|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/2/28/CVG_UK_174.pdf#page=29|journal=Computer and Video Games|issue=174|pages=29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/2/28/CVG_UK_174.pdf#page=29|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} Suzuki pitched the idea for a Sonic fighting game to Hiroshi Kataoka, another one of the heads of AM2.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3149135|title=The Last Arcade Crusaders Sega-AM2 Interview|last1=Hasan Almaci|first1=Ali|last2=Kemps|first2=Heidi|date=March 31, 2006|website=1UP.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604202319/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3149135|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead}} Since Sonic Team was in charge of licensing the Sonic characters, Kataoka had to present the idea to the head of Sonic Team, Yuji Naka.{{cite web|last=Kemps|first=Heidi|date=September 30, 2005|url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/654/654750p2.html|title=Sega's Yuji Naka Talks!|website=GameSpy|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223003348/http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/654/654750p2.html|archive-date=February 23, 2017}} Kataoka was worried Naka would not like the concept of Sonic characters fighting each other, but Naka was receptive. At first Naka was concerned that Sonic would be unable to fight considering his large head and short arms, but he was delighted after seeing the smooth animation accomplished by Suzuki's team.{{Cite journal|title=Maximum News: Sonic and AM2 team-up for new coin-op!|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3e/MAXIMUM_UK_03.pdf#page=115|journal=Maximum|issue=3|pages=115|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3e/MAXIMUM_UK_03.pdf#page=115|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} Original Sonic character designer Naoto Ohshima was also pleased with Sonic's animations.{{Cite journal|date=February 1996|title=Sega Saturn News: Sonic Revival|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/SSM_UK_04.pdf#page=6|journal=Sega Saturn Magazine (UK)|issue=4|pages=6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/SSM_UK_04.pdf#page=6|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} Sega AM2 began development with Sonic Team supervising over the implementation of the characters and setting. They developed for the Sega Model 2 arcade board using the Fighting Vipers engine as a foundation to build from.

Since this was the first time Sonic was being rendered with 3D graphics, Naka gave Kataoka a Sonic figurine to help his team model the character. Suzuki focused his team on modeling the characters' faces correctly so they were instantly recognizable on arcade floors. The development team added in the barrier mechanism because the characters' arms were too small for traditional blocking to look distinct. They also added rings that drop when a player is hit to make it easier for beginners to judge how much damage they were taking instead of referring to the health bar. AM2 explored whether dropped rings could be picked up to restore health or the barrier's power,{{Cite magazine|title=Beaten Blue! |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3c/SSM_UK_09.pdf#page=94|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=9|pages=94–95|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3c/SSM_UK_09.pdf#page=94|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} but ultimately did not include this feature. They made the controls simple to help beginners to the genre.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/arcade/video/table/ar_sonic.html|title=ソニック・ザ・ファイターズ|date=1996|website=Sega|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010322044529/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/arcade/video/table/ar_sonic.html|archive-date=March 22, 2001|url-status=dead|access-date=February 20, 2018}}

In early prototypes demonstrated for the press, only Sonic and Tails were shown fighting on an early stage based on Green Hill Zone. Other characters were added later, and Naka personally asked AM2 to create new characters for the Sonic universe. Suzuki jokingly said that anyone who attempted a Sonic game had the duty to create new characters. They conceived two new characters, Bean the Dynamite and Bark the Polar Bear. Bean's design was inspired by the lead character in the Sega arcade game Dynamite Düx (1989). In later years, hackers found Honey from Fighting Vipers was hidden in Sonic the Fighters as a playable character, and modeled as an anthropomorphic cat. Kataoka believes Honey's character designer slipped her in there purposely.

Sonic the Fighters was first released in Japanese arcades in June 1996 followed by a limited release in North America in July.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2005-sonic-gems-collection-hands-on/1100-6125826/|title=E3 2005: Sonic Gems Collection Hands-On|last1=Torres|first1=Ricardo|date=May 19, 2005|website=GameSpot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219114237/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2005-sonic-gems-collection-hands-on/1100-6125826/|archive-date=February 19, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=February 24, 2018}} With its simplified controls, the game was marketed towards beginners, including women and children. In August 2005, it received its first home console release through Sonic Gems Collection, a Sonic games compilation for the GameCube and PlayStation 2. The collection also included Sonic CD, Sonic R, and several Sonic Game Gear titles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/15/now-playing-in-japan-50|title=Now Playing in Japan|last=IGN Staff|date=August 15, 2005|website=IGN|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/15/now-playing-in-japan-50|archive-date=February 24, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/games/sonic-gems-collection|title=Sonic Gems Collection|website=Eurogamer|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315231702/http://www.eurogamer.net/games/sonic-gems-collection|archive-date=March 15, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2018}} In November 2012, Sonic the Fighters was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 via each consoles' respective online marketplace.{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.sega.com/2012/11/27/round-one-fight-am2-classics-available-now/|title=Round One, Fight: AM2 Classics Available Now|date=November 27, 2012|website=Sega Blog|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717001803/http://blogs.sega.com/2012/11/27/round-one-fight-am2-classics-available-now/|archive-date=July 17, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=February 24, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://amcvt.sega.jp/model2/stf.html|title=Sonic the Fighters {{!}} Model2 Collection|date=February 22, 2014|website=Sega|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831094515/http://amcvt.sega.jp/model2/stf.html|archive-date=August 31, 2013|url-status=dead}} This version added Metal Sonic, Doctor Robotnik, and Honey the Cat as playable characters and featured new online versus modes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sega.co.uk/sonic_the_fighters.aspx?r=true|title=Sonic the Fighters|date=2012|website=Sega|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231070455/http://www.sega.co.uk/sonic_the_fighters.aspx?r=true|archive-date=December 31, 2014|url-status=dead}} Sonic the Fighters is playable at the in-game arcades in Lost Judgment (2021), added as part of the Sonic series' 30th anniversary, and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man who Erased His Name (2023).{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2021-05-27|title=Sonic the Hedgehog's fighting game will be playable in Lost Judgment|url=https://www.polygon.com/22456863/sonic-the-fighters-arcade-game-lost-judgment-sega|access-date=2021-05-27|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=May 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527170019/https://www.polygon.com/22456863/sonic-the-fighters-arcade-game-lost-judgment-sega|url-status=live}} This version of the game retains the hidden characters from the digital re-releases.{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/rggstudio/status/1439695917632958466 |title=RGG Studio Twitterren: "ICYMI - Sonic the Fighters is the newest fully playable arcade game in Lost Judgment! You can even play as Honey the Cat, simply highlight Amy Rose and press the Menu (Xbox) or Options (PlayStation) button! #LostJudgment" |access-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024083308/https://twitter.com/rggstudio/status/1439695917632958466 |url-status=live }}

Kataoka stated in 2006 that Sonic the Fighters was the game he was most proud of. Naka also approved of the final product.

In early stages of development, Sega was planning to port Sonic the Fighters to the Sega Saturn. Initial release windows were theorized for late 1996, a few months after the planned arcade release. At the E3 1996 video game convention, a SquareSoft representative was given a private demonstration of new Sega Saturn development software, and reported to the press later that a Saturn version of Sonic the Fighters was shown.{{Cite journal|date=August 1996|title=Sega Saturn Untold Potential|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f0/CVG_UK_177.pdf#page=9|journal=Computer and Video Games|issue=177|pages=9|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f0/CVG_UK_177.pdf#page=9|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} In 1997, Computer and Video Games reported a rumor that Sonic the Fighters would release for the Saturn in Japan mid-year and North America a couple months later.{{Cite journal|date=July 1997|title=The Red-Hot Rumours Division|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3b/CVG_UK_Freeplay_15.pdf|journal=Freeplay|issue=15|pages=1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132519/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3b/CVG_UK_Freeplay_15.pdf|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} In 1998, the Saturn port was still scheduled for release in Japan, though the North American release had since been dropped.{{cite magazine |author=Undercover Lover|title=The Saturn: Going, Going... Gone! |magazine=GamePro|issue=116 |publisher=IDG|date=May 1998|page=97}} Ultimately, a Saturn port was never released. Yojiro Ogawa of Sonic Team said in retrospect that Sonic the Fighters was not ported to the Saturn because it was difficult to reproduce a similar experience to the arcade version. He felt they were able to accomplish this when it was re-released in 2005.{{cite web|last=GameSpy Staff|date=July 22, 2005|url=http://cube.gamespy.com/articles/635/635878p1.html|title=Yojiro Ogawa Interview|website=GameSpy|access-date=February 14, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318010628/http://cube.gamespy.com/articles/635/635878p1.html|archive-date=March 18, 2012}}

In July 1996, Game Machine listed Sonic the Fighters as being the thirteenth most popular arcade game in Japan at the time.{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=521|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 July 1996|page=21|lang=ja}} After seeing it demoed at a Japanese arcade expo, GamePro shared their admiration of the game's cartoon-like animation, comparing it to Looney Tunes.{{cite magazine|title=Sonic the Fighter|magazine=GamePro|date=June 1996|issue=93|page=52|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_093_Volume_08_Number_06_1996-06_IDG_Publishing_US#page/n53/mode/2up}} Next Generation gave an average review, praising the visuals but criticizing the gameplay. They believed the backgrounds and character animations were detailed well, but felt that hardcore fighting game fans would be disappointed with the lack of gameplay depth. They concluded by giving the game 3 out of 5 stars, calling it a fun game that "exploits Sonic milieu without feeling too aggressive."{{cite journal|title=Sonic Competition|journal=Next Generation|date=October 1996|issue=22|pages=190–193|url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-022/Next_Generation_Issue_022_October_1996#page/n191/mode/2up}}

Critics shared mixed thoughts for its 2005 re-release on Sonic Gems Collection. Both IGN and GameSpy called it a stripped-down version of the original Virtua Fighter, and GameSpot believed it was a simplified version of Virtua Fighter 2.{{cite web|url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/sonic-gems-collection/641969p1.html|title=Sonic Gems Collection|last1=Theobald|first1=Phil|date=August 15, 2005|website=GameSpy|access-date=February 24, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202214803/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/sonic-gems-collection/641969p1.html|archive-date=February 2, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-gems-collection-review/1900-6131881/|title=Sonic Gems Collection Review|last1=Davis|first1=Ryan|date=August 24, 2005|website=GameSpot|access-date=February 24, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817040455/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-gems-collection-review/1900-6131881/|archive-date=August 17, 2017}} The gameplay was criticized, with most reviewers describing it as rudimentary, simple, and dated.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicgems_gc|title=Sonic Gems Collection|last1=Bramwell|first1=Tom|date=October 6, 2005|website=Eurogamer|language=en-UK|access-date=February 24, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816235344/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicgems_gc|archive-date=August 16, 2017}} The lack of extensive combos and depth to the game's strategy contributed to this. Some critics recommended the game to fans of the Sonic series for the novelty of seeing a sizable roster of Sonic characters fighting with cartoon-like moves, and because this release was the only way to play the game at home at the time.{{cite magazine|date=September 2005|title=Sonic Gems Collection|url=http://info.sonicretro.org/images/f/f9/Sgc_NintendoPower.jpg|url-status=dead|magazine=Nintendo Power|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224132708/http://info.sonicretro.org/images/f/f9/Sgc_NintendoPower.jpg|archive-date=February 24, 2018}}

{{Video game reviews

| title = Xbox 360 reviews

| MC = 47/100 (6 reviews)

| GMaster = 50%{{Cite magazine |date=February 2013 |last=Pellet |first=Matthew |title=Sonic the Fighters |magazine=GamesMaster |page=85 |issue=260}}

| OXM = 5.0/10{{Cite magazine |last=Kemps |first=Heidi |date=March 2013 |title=Sonic the Fighters |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |page=78 |issue=146}}

| rev1 = X360

| rev1Score = 2/10{{Cite magazine |last=Akerman |first=Nick |date=2013 |title=Sonic the Fighters |magazine=X360 |page=85 |issue=93}}

}}

The 2012 release received unfavorable reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-the-fighters/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=Sonic the Fighters|website=Metacritic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416131030/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/sonic-the-fighters|archive-date=April 16, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=February 27, 2018}} Official Xbox Magazine called it an interesting and obscure release, and a fascinating part of Sega's history, but concluded that it loses traction because of its lack of seriousness as a fighting game. They did, however, praise the cartoon quality of the graphics. They thought the way the characters squashed and stretched was rarely seen and still uncommon even in 2012. GamesMaster felt the game lacked depth to its gameplay compared to other fighting games. X360 criticized its repetitive, simplistic gameplay and lamented how the game "repeatedly discourages the use of skill."

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{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20010322044529/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/arcade/video/table/ar_sonic.html Official Sega Arcade webpage] {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://sonic.sega.jp/gems/games_fighters.html Official Sega Sonic Gems Collection webpage] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Sonic the Hedgehog}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sonic The Fighters}}

Category:1996 video games

Category:3D fighting games

Category:Arcade video games

Category:Cancelled Sega Saturn games

Category:Fighting games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:PlayStation Network games

Category:Sega arcade games

Category:Sega-AM2 games

Category:Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff games

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games produced by Yu Suzuki

Category:Video games scored by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi

Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games