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[Combichristoffersen]

I find new eggman way better than old robotnik. Lanky modern Eggman is incredibly expressive with his arms and legs, while classic was kind of stuck just bobbing up and down or making smirks.

I don't think classic eggman could have brought character to this scene, for example. His body shape would have prevented it.

I actually like the modern design of Robotnik. Hell, I don't even mind the 06 redesign, bottle caps and all. The only thing I don't like is the name change, Dr. Robotnik made him sound vaguely threatening, like this robot emperor warlord planning to crush all biological life with his machinery, while Eggman makes him sound like some super hero parody.

What the? That wasnt really in that movie was it?

It's in the movie alright. For some inexplicable reason Sherlock Holmes also seems to appear in the movie as a passenger on the Titanic.

 

[LTWheels]

Sonic 3 sonic is the best sonic.

 

[AuthenticM]

While he's going a little far, I agree with OP that modern Sonic is better designed than classic Sonic.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

ahaha

Sonic CD/Sonic Adventure 2/SADX

Sonic Heroes

Sonic games after Heroes

"Uh, guys... I think we made a horrible mistake"


This was a tragedy in character design. Metal Sonic needed no redesign, he already fit the modern Sonic world as-is (he was always tall). It seemed to be a redesign for the sake of redesign. On top of that Heroes was visually the least serious 3D Sonic game until colors came around, making a "super srs bsns" main villain even more pointless.

Generations actually went back and made a "classic" Metal Sonic that looks more like classic sonic, but I'm not a fan (especially since that's not really how he looked in CD).

Such a criminally underused character

 

[APZonerunner]

The definitive Sonic to me is and always will be the Sonic the main artist drew in the heyday of the UK comic. It's just a great version of the character.

 

[Azure J]

So I see this thread went nuts after I left last night/this morning. Sonic 1 being bad with unmemorable music? Wat.son

I love Sega1991's nendroid photo. It feels like Sega is slowly migrating towards that kind of look for Sonic though from Unleashed to Colors to Generations.

Sonic 3's sprites are cool. Never knew anyone who thought of them as bad before I came to GAF though. In art or animation though, it's extremely hard to top Sonic CD Sonic. (Exhibit A | Exhibit B)

 

[WillyFive]

Sonic 3 sonic is the best sonic.

Certainly the best of the 2D Sonics.

Sonic 3's sprites are cool. Never knew anyone who thought of them as bad before I came to GAF though.

Same here.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

"Uh, guys... I think we made a horrible mistake"


This was a tragedy in character design. Metal Sonic needed no redesign, he already fit the modern Sonic world as-is (he was always tall). It seemed to be a redesign for the sake of redesign. On top of that Heroes was visually the least serious 3D Sonic game until colors came around, making a "super srs bsns" main villain even more pointless.

Generations actually went back and made a "classic" Metal Sonic that looks more like classic sonic, but I'm not a fan (especially since that's not really how he looked in CD).

Such a criminally underused character

You realise that in the ending of sonic heroes Metal Sonic ended up back in that "classic" form right? He looked different because plot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2lv7PRf9B0

 

[balladofwindfishes]

You realise that in the ending of sonic heroes Metal Sonic ended up back in that "classic" form right? He looked different because plot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2lv7PRf9B0

that's not an excuse. He looked terrible and the "plot" didn't really require him to turn into emo anime metal sonic.

Normal metal sonic would have fit the role just fine, they could have added the cape part (we'll ignore that it'd get stuck in his back fans) and been done. Besides that, it's way out of style for Heroes, which returned to classic themes for levels with bright colors and fun little themes, and then to have "super badass metal sonic giga xtreme" as the main villain was ridiculous and out of style for that game.

 

[Itchy//Tasty]

Although I don't agree with OP, I sort of see where he's coming from and at least respect his ability to present his opinion in a thoughtful way. For me it probably comes down to the nostalgia factor, and having fallen in love with the classic design at the tender age of 8, it always soured me to see the 'new' way with the teeth, long limbs and coloured eyes. That wasn't the thing I grew up with. Seeing him back in Generations was like seeing an old friend again after a very, very long time. If you didn't grow up as a Sonic fan, this might be quite hard to explain.

 

[TwEE-N-Toast]

Are sonic fans some sort of subset of furries?

 

[Meccanical]

Are sonic fans some sort of subset of furries?

Do you really wanna know?

 

[partyphone]

Are sonic fans some sort of subset of furries?

There might be some crossover. But the more disturbing thing is stuff like this:

 

[snoopeasystreet]

Are sonic fans some sort of subset of furries?

You don't need to be a furry to be a Sonic fan but it sure helps.

 

[Shadow Hog]

What the? That wasnt really in that movie was it?

Titanic the Animated Movie? Well, it was in the shorter cut. IIRC the longer cut didn't include it, but it made up for that by having significantly more redundant dialog.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Are sonic fans some sort of subset of furries?

Only the ones that have debates over what color his eyes should be.

 

[DragonSworne]

Was Sonic suppose to be cool through design?

Usually characters are defined as "cool" largely because of other features or abilities. Case in point, Sonic was "cool" because he was fast.

The problem with sonic now is they try to make him "cool". Being cool doesn't work like that and you end up with poochie or modern day sonic.

 

[bigmac996]

I agree that new Sonic is better from a modern design standpoint, but I think classic sonic has loads of appeal.

Would love to see a newer take on Sonic, even. The modern design's been around for a while and it'd be cool to see someone with an edgier, darker style tackle him, like Robert Valley.

 

[Village]

I agree that new Sonic is better from a modern design standpoint, but I think classic sonic has loads of appeal.

Would love to see a newer take on Sonic, even. The modern design's been around for a while and it'd be cool to see someone with an edgier, darker style tackle him, like Robert Valley.

Tried it, interesting ideas, terrible execution.

Wouldnt mind them tackling it again, with competence. Just separate the fight parts from the run parts. Try a battle system kinda thng

I always wondered what it would be like once the younger generation growing up with shit Sonic and Poochies like Shadow and Silver instead of classic Sonic and Tails becomes articulate enough to make threads like this.


feels bad man

If you poochie means, not 90's then yes.
Give me all your dogs, 90's weren't the best of times for a lot of things, including sonic's personality.

 

[Gonzo The Great]

My point of view (however wrong) that there are a lot of weird sonic fans has nothing to do with this thread or any one poster's opinion, but the (IMO) bizarrely large sonic fan community, weird (IMO) sonic fan art, and the strange (IMO) attachment to sonic that some people have.

Spoiler

Agreed.

 

[qq more]

I agree that new Sonic is better from a modern design standpoint, but I think classic sonic has loads of appeal.

Would love to see a newer take on Sonic, even. The modern design's been around for a while and it'd be cool to see someone with an edgier, darker style tackle him, like Robert Valley.

Uh, why?

 

[Chinner]

Spoiler

Agreed.

that looks like it's from the hands of chris chan

 

[Village]

I like this. This is what I want Sonic to look like from now on.

I respectfully disagree, i like other characters far far to much.

 

[qq more]

I like this. This is what I want Sonic to look like from now on.

It's a really good design. Modern Sonic but shorter and somewhat less edgy like Classic Sonic. Best of both worlds.

I respectfully disagree, i like other characters far far to much.

What's wrong with it?

 

[sibarraz]

Sonic was a cool and hip character for that era he didn't needed to be more hip since that will feel really forced, you had tons of characters that in paper looked more cool, but in the end failed

And SA sonic was a change to fit the times, I think that both versions work well on their respective eras

 

[diffusionx]

I really love the old Sonic design. But then again, I am old.

This is a generational thing, I think. That's why Sega redesigns the character - to appeal to a new set of people with different values and viewpoints.

Either one is fine. I know Sega isn't catering to 31 year old men with their new Sonic games so I don't expect them to keep that old design.

 

[Village]

It's a really good design. Modern Sonic but shorter and somewhat less edgy like Classic Sonic. Best of both worlds.


What's wrong with it?

everything is too scrunched up.

and it, for me at least, barely works for sonic.
god knows everyone else.

The lankeyness gave them more design opportunities, this just seems like a downgrade.

 

[Emitan]

everything is too scrunched up.

and it, for me at least, barely works for sonic.
god knows everyone else.

The lankeyness gave them more design opportunities, this just seems like a downgrade.

Sonic curls into a ball. Being lanky goes against that.

Well I guess he doesn't curl into a ball anymore ;~;

 

[qq more]

everything is too scrunched up.

and it, for me at least, barely works for sonic.
god knows everyone else.

The lankeyness gave them more design opportunities, this just seems like a downgrade.

wtf no it's not

also what Emitan said

 

[jstripes]

Eh, I remember the first time I saw modern Sonic in a magazine as a kid:

I really didn't like it. It came across as over-designed, like extremely forced "coolness". His pointy teeth smile and lanky body were offputting. Sure Sonic always had a problem of that kind of "edgy" marketing, but that design just took it to a whole new level and was a sign of the marketing filtering into the games themselves.

There is a gameplay problem with Modern Sonic's design in that his taller, thinner form with longer limbs and longer quills takes away from the idea of Sonic rolling into a ball, which Modern Sonic does less and less of with each new game. Rolling into a ball was one of the most important defining characteristics of the gameplay that made Sonic what he was.

Actually, if you looked at the art direction Sega as a whole was using in the Dreamcast era, modern Sonic fit in to the whole scheme of things quite well.

They abandoned "classic" video game art design across the board and started looking for influences from largely underground subcultures and cutting-edge graphic design styles. That illustration of Sonic specifically had a very urban graffiti type look to it.

They continued along that visual design-influenced path with stuff like Jet Set Radio, Space Channel 5, and Chu Chu Rocket.

 

[Azure J]

Sonic curls into a ball. Being lanky goes against that.

Well I guess he doesn't curl into a ball anymore ;~;

This part hit too close to home man. Although, I did like how Generations payed homage to that aspect of Sonic.

Still... ;_;

 

[Meccanical]

Expecting realism and believability from a sound barrier breaking blue hedgehog.

Arright.

 

[Village]

Sonic curls into a ball. Being lanky goes against that.

Well I guess he doesn't curl into a ball anymore ;~;

Yes and he is also blue and runs very fast

And he as a black and red friend who survive falls from space, and manipulate time.

He has an orange friend who can fly with his tails.

And he has a lavender friend that can summon fire.


I am saying, logic isn't really a factor here.

wtf no it's not

also what Emitan said

I believe it to be scrunched up.

 

[Karkador]

I am saying, logic isn't really a factor here.

Or good taste, clearly.

#team90s

 

[WillyFive]

New Sonic curls into a ball just fine.

Which he doesn't even need to do since he can just Boost and the wall of air created in from him is strong enough at that speed to demolish enemies and walls.

 

[Village]

Or good taste, clearly.

#team90s

Sure.

I am messing with ya, but I seriously don't agree.

 

[Emitan]

New Sonic curls into a ball just fine.

That game came out in 2001.

 

[Village]

That game came out in 2001.

That is an attack he still uses.

 

[Xbudz]

Is it true that people actually like Sonic the Hedgehog?

Sonic 3 came out almost 20 years ago.

And 20 years later it's still awesome, why stop liking it?

 

[Karkador]

Sure.

I am messing with ya, but I seriously don't agree.

Eh? That's not the ridiculous hulking brute you're thinking of

 

[Village]

Eh? That's not the ridiculous hulking brute you're thinking of

The joke wasn't... never mind.
They should have went with the original idea for that game.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

Sure.

I am messing with ya, but I seriously don't agree.

Not all 90s comics are super hero garbage.

 

[Daingurse]

Wasn't the late 80's and 90's Peter David run on the Hulk with that professor character pretty good? Questionable art aside.

 

[Village]

Not all 90s comics are super hero garbage.

I was being mean, I actually like the comic that I posted.

But i do believe that the 90's weren't as great as people remember them.

Wasn't the late 80's and 90's Peter David run on the Hulk with that professor character pretty good? Questionable art aside.

yes It was. I was being mean.

 

[CorvoSol]

I actually kinda like the SA 1 Sonic picture, if only because its sorta iconic to me now.

 

[Meccanical]

I actually kinda like the SA 1 Sonic picture, if only because its sorta iconic to me now.

I thought it was cool that they made that pose one of his air tricks in Generations.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

I was being mean, I actually like the comic that I posted.

But i do believe that the 90's weren't as great as people remember them.

Haha, I was actually referring to Sandman, a 90s comic, being considered one of the best comics of all time

 

[Zen_Arcade]

I don't think I could disagree less with the OP. Its not the fact that the newer Sonic portrays what Sonic is about more effectively then old Sonic. Its that new Sonic was remolded from what old Sonic was and released along side the redesign. Playing through Sonic 1-3 I never imagined Sonic to be like Sonic Adventures Sonic.

What OP is casting out as "just toe tapping" I saw as Sonic being a little peeved and waiting on the player. Saying something like "C'mon we have to get going. What are we waiting for?" He was impatient, he was a little irritated, he was even serious about his goal. Even though it was evident by the smirk soon after that he loved the adventure he
was on. He had a bizzarre little personality. It may not have been much, but it was original and it was an attitude that set himself apart from the rest of the video game world.

After Sonic Adventure Sega kind of killed all that. The childlike playfulness of him tip-toeing teetering on the edge of platforms seemed past him. He lost a lot of his whimsy.

It was like Sega decided Sonic
should stop being so childlike and whimsical and wanted him to act like a teenage douchebag. He grew up into an awkward
looking lanky mess, with weird noodle arms
and legs that he didn't even look like he should know how to work. Every other piece of dialogue out of his mouth a snide remark
to whoever he was talking to. He became (To me at least) completely generic and unlikable.

Sonic Adventures Sonic honestly just looks to me like a big Hollywood Studio wanted to make a movie about Sonic but decided that his look wasn't as widely marketable as the frumpy squat blue blur we all knew (Despite the fact that Sonics best selling games came when he was tiny and round). But in the process of tweaking him to make him more widely marketable they tweaked out all the charm Sonic had, and then on top of that gave him a brash, annoying, generic personality to boot.

So I can't say that I agree that the new design conveys what Sonic is about better then old Sonic. I think that Sega changed Sonic into what they wanted him to be with the new redesign. For better or worse.

 

[Village]

I don't think I could disagree less with the OP. Its not the fact that the newer Sonic portrays what Sonic is about more effectively then old Sonic. Its that new Sonic was remolded from what old Sonic was and released along side the redesign. Playing through Sonic 1-3 I never imagined Sonic to be like Sonic Adventures Sonic.

What OP is casting out as "just toe tapping" I saw as Sonic being a little peeved and waiting on the player. Saying something like "C'mon we have to get going. What are we waiting for?" He was impatient, he was a little irritated, he was even serious about his goal. Even though it was evident by the smirk soon after that he loved the adventure he
was on. He had a bizzarre little personality. It may not have been much, but it was original and it was an attitude that set himself apart from the rest of the video game world.

After Sonic Adventure Sega kind of killed all that. The childlike playfulness of him tip-toeing teetering on the edge of platforms seemed past him. He lost a lot of his whimsy.

It was like Sega decided Sonic
should stop being so childlike and whimsical and wanted him to act like a teenage douchebag. He grew up into an awkward
looking lanky mess, with weird noodle arms
and legs that he didn't even look like he should know how to work. Every other piece of dialogue out of his mouth a snide remark
to whoever he was talking to. He became (To me at least) completely generic and unlikable.

Sonic Adventures Sonic honestly just looks to me like a big Hollywood Studio wanted to make a movie about Sonic but decided that his look wasn't as widely marketable as the frumpy squat blue blur we all knew (Despite the fact that Sonics best selling games came when he was tiny and round). But in the process of tweaking him to make him more widely marketable they tweaked out all the charm Sonic had, and then on top of that gave him a brash, annoying, generic personality to boot.

So I can't say that I agree that the new design conveys what Sonic is about better then old Sonic. I think that Sega changed Sonic into what they wanted him to be with the new redesign. For better or worse.

I think you might be projecting a but too much. I think this might be more of you having an issue with the concept of getting older rather than an issue with sonic himself. Because I can name several video game characters in even in this day an age, with that personality. I can see why you may not like the aestetic, also please explain all this charm your talking about.

Also the snide remark thing, are we ignoring the old cartoons.

 

[TheOGB]

It was like Sega decided Sonic
should stop being so childlike and whimsical and wanted him to act like a teenage douchebag. He grew up into an awkward
looking lanky mess, with weird noodle arms
and legs that he didn't even look like he should know how to work. Every other piece of dialogue out of his mouth a snide remark
to whoever he was talking to.

This is a good point to be made. Besides the times a-changing, Adventure-era Sonic was designed to be a teenager. I'm laughing hysterically as I type this sentence, but Sonic was canonically 15 or 16 years old during this time. Of course he was an awkwardly lanky, douchey teenager (who made some questionable decisions and friends, coughcoughTHEGAMEScough); he was kinda going though puberty. :V

But see, now they don't really say much about his age anymore, he's mellowed out, his voice keeps getting deeper, but still kinda cheesy. They're making him more "timeless" again. Beyond the implication, I think at one point Sega outright said that he was celebrating his 20th birthday in Generations.

In conclusion, Sonic the Hedgehog is aging.