This morning on the show floor Touchgen had an eyes on of the iPhone version of Sonic 4 at the Sega booth. Sega tells us that Sonic 4 on the iPhone will feature the full game that will launch on WiiWare, 360 and iPhone this fall. Currently, Sega has no plans for an iPad version of the game, and no pricing plans have been announced.
The iPhone version makes only a few noticeable changes from the console version. Graphically, the game looks as if Sega has managed to shrink the WiiWare version to the smaller screen. The game ran at a respectable framerate, and Sega has time to optimize and refine. Players will have the option to use tilt controls on the iPhone, but Sega has also adapted its virtual Genesis controls to appear as overlays on the screen. The virtual controls appeared to work quite well, and we will be able to elaborate once we get an actual hands on. Sega noted that two of the levels will be exclusive to the iPhone, these levels will take advantage of the accelerometer. One key difference we noticed is that as Sonic dashes through a loop, the entire screen rotates to follow Sonic.
Sonic 4 seeks to revive the familiar Genesis experience, and from what we have seen so far it succeeds. New to the Sonic formula is the lock on button. Sonic is able to lock on to bumper pads, enemies and some other environmental elements. Using lock on allows the player to adapt to rapid changes in the level layout and unexpected foes. Sonic can also use a mid-air dash, making it easier to make a jump that the player would have otherwise missed. All of these elements are included across all versions of the game.
Sonic 4 is headed to iPhone this fall, check back here for more coverage soon.
