In the annals of gaming history, Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog hold iconic status as two of the most recognizable faces in the industry.
Over the years, they’ve starred in numerous games, spawned countless spin-offs, and even made their way into recent feature films.
While the rivalry between these beloved mascots began to fade as they transitioned into 3D gaming, a recent event has rekindled their competitive spirit.
Mario and Sonic have released games in the same week for the first time in over three decades.
The last time such a showdown occurred was in 1992 when “Super Mario Land 2” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” both debuted in the UK during the last week of November.
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Sonic Superstars and Super Mario Bros Wonder Return to Their Roots
This nostalgic duel features “Sonic Superstars,” released on a Tuesday, and “Super Mario Bros Wonder,” which arrived on a Friday, with both games returning to their series’ roots.
The timing of this dual release has sparked a wave of nostalgia for gamers, taking them back to the ’90s when these characters were at the forefront of the gaming world.
For many, this is akin to reliving childhood memories and the thrill of experiencing these iconic titles once more.
Scottish Twitch streamer Argick, who has around 20,000 followers, expressed his excitement, saying, “These were the games I grew up with as a kid, to have both ‘Sonic Superstars’ and ‘Mario Wonder’ releasing at the same time, there’s just a lot of nostalgia for it.”
Despite the striking visual similarities between the two games, with both side-scrolling platformers and allowing up to four players to participate simultaneously, gaming journalist Helen Ashcroft pointed out that they have distinct gameplay differences.
“They are both platformers but take very different approaches to things,” she explained. “While the characters have similar roots, they’ve evolved in different ways and these days feel like unique experiences.”
In the case of “Sonic Superstars,” the game not only emulates the visuals of the original Sonic games but also stays true to its sound and design.
The sound is composed by Jun Senoue, who worked on “Sonic 3” in 1993, and the game itself is developed by the original designer, Naoto Ohshima, who returned to bring the franchise back to its roots.
Ohshima emphasized the importance of Sonic’s signature speed and classic pinball action. He stated, “Creating maps that capitalize on that classic sense of speed and allow for iconic pinball action was extremely important for us.”
On the other hand, “Super Mario Bros Wonder” maintains the essence of a 2D game but incorporates new elements to offer a fresh experience.
Takashi Tezuka, who has worked on Mario games for nearly four decades, aimed to make this Mario game an evolution of the series, characterized by hidden surprises and player-friendly design.
“We’ve designed it so that players can conquer the game with their ideas and use their heads, not just their skills, to progress,” said Tezuka, underscoring the emphasis on creativity and problem-solving in the game.
As both games compete for players’ attention, it remains to be seen which will come out on top.
However, for gamers like Argick, the focus isn’t necessarily on competition but rather on enjoying the best of both worlds.
“Nobody tries to make a bad game,” he said. “Honestly, I want both games to be good, and both communities get to enjoy it — because it means I get two great games to play.”
The revival of this classic rivalry is a testament to the enduring appeal of Mario and Sonic, which continues to capture the hearts of gamers, old and new.
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Source: BBC
