Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode III (lost build of cancelled sequel to episodic platformer; mid-2010s)
A fan-made logo for the game.
Status: Lost
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is an episodic Sonic the Hedgehog game acting as a sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles. It's also very controversial, with many pointing negatively at the low-quality graphics, wonky physics and unoriginal themes of Episode I in particular. Although the series only ever made it to Episode II, an episode III was actually planned before being decided against.[1][2]
Background
After Episode II released, discussion and development on a potential Episode III began. With Episode I starring Sonic and Episode II adding Tails, it is widely believed Episode III would have starred Knuckles the Echidna. Unlike the first two episodes, which were developed by Dimps, this one was seemingly underway at Sega's Australian branch, Sega Studios Australia. Christian Whitehead, famous at the time for developing a mobile remake of Sonic CD, was contacted to potentially help with development.[3]
Unfortunately, for mostly unknown reasons, Sega Studios Australia eventually became defunct, and development on Episode III fizzed out.[4] Shortly thereafter, Christian Whitehead and Stealth worked on the mobile Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 remakes.
Availability
It's unknown how far Sonic 4: Episode III went in development. Currently, no concept art or screenshots have leaked online, and chances are very unlikely as time goes on.
See Also
- Shadow the Hedgehog (lost Teen rated version of platformer; 2005)
- Sister Sonic (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" localization of "Popful Mail" Sega CD side-scrolling platformer; 1993)
- Sonic 3D Blast (found cassette demo tape of unused game soundtrack; 1996)
- Sonic Adventure New Year's DLC (found "Sonic the Hedgehog" holiday-themed DLC; 1998)
- Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (found iOS game; 2010)
- Sonic DS (lost Nintendo DS tech demo; 2004)
- Sonic Generations (lost game demo; 2010)
- Sonic Jr. (lost build of unreleased Sega Pico game; existence unconfirmed; 1994)
- Sonic Saturn (lost build of cancelled Sega Saturn prototype of platformer; mid-1990s)
- Sonic Sports (lost build of cancelled Sega 32X sports game; 1995)
- Sonic Synergy (lost original build of "Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric" Wii U action-adventure game; 2007-2013)
- Sonic the Hedgehog "2006" (lost complete build of Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 platformer; 2006)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (lost build of cancelled Amiga port of Sega Genesis platformer; 1992)
- Sonic The Hedgehog (lost build of cancelled Sega CD port of Sega Genesis platformer; 1992)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (lost Tokyo Toy Show prototype build of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive platformer; 1990)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (lost Winter Consumer Electronics Show 1991 demo build of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive platformer; 1991)
- Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (lost build of cancelled iOS port of Sega Genesis platformers; 2014)
- Sonic The Hedgehog: Awakening (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" game; existence unconfirmed; late 2000s)
- Sonic X-Treme (found build of unreleased Sega Saturn video game; 1996)
- Sonic-16 (lost build of unreleased Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game based on "Sonic the Hedgehog" animated TV series; 1993)
References
- ↑ An article on the game's cancellation. Retrieved 25 Sep '21
- ↑ https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/future-sonic-4-episodes-canned/92748/
- ↑ https://gameranx.com/updates/id/25983/article/sonic-4-episode-3-was-planned-has-seemingly-been-scrapped-for-good/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20150108053050/http://www.tssznews.com/2015/01/04/ken-balough-sonic-4-episode-iii-is-never-happening