‘Sonic Boom’ Headed to Wii U and 3DS

“Sonic Boom,” the third and final title to release as part of an exclusive deal with Nintendo, will release later this year on Wii U and 3DS, the two companies announced at a press event in New York today.

The game will serve as a prequel to the recently revealed “Sonic Boom” television series, also slated to launch this year and feature redesigned characters (included a bigger and more muscular Knuckles), a combat system, exploration and be centered around collaborative gameplay.

The Wii U version is being developed by Big Red Button Entertainment and 3DS by Sanzaru Games.

Also introduced was the Energy Beam — or Enerbeam, as SEGA calls it — A “tether mechanic that will allow the Sonic Boom world to be discovered in totally Unique ways.”

Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy are all playable characters in “Sonic Boom,” each equipped with different abilities which players must utilize to advance through the game. At times, the group will split up, though you will always at least have one other available character, according to SEGA of America producer Stephen Frost.

Additionally, SEGA, in collaboration with TOMY, announced a new line of “Sonic Boom” toys, modeled after the redesigned characters. According to SEGA, the toys will range from plush, action figures, and RC, to role play, vehicles and novelty, featuring speed, lights, sounds, motion-activation and action performance.

SEGA also plans to launch a licensing program across other categories such as apparel, accessories, food, health and more.

“We want to ensure that the Sonic brand continues to evolve and appeal to new generations of Sonic fans and this different look introduces a fresh approach that will be at once both familiar and new to consumers,” president and COO of SEGA of America, John Cheng said in a press release. “We are committed to supporting this initiative to provide great entertainment to fans for all aspects of their lives.”

SEGA has yet to announce a release date for the Sonic Boom game, but promised to reveal more information in the coming months.