The Hill Is Always Greener

The Ghost of Spagonia University (ft. Marin M. Miller)

With CyberLink's voice temporarily out of commission, we're joined by voice actor, writer, and fanfiction connoisseur Marin M. Miller as we flex our creative muscles and improvise yet another fanfic! In this world unique & beyond what you know from the Sega games, Vector and Jewel are two hopeless college students just looking to graduate, but when a chance encounter brings them together, they find themselves pegged by a hidden figure to join him on a quest beneath the university in search of untold riches. But can this mysterious benefactor be trusted? Is someone else secretly pulling all the strings? And as this spooky yarn reaches its climax, our heroes had better hope that they ain't afraid of no ghost...
(0:00:00) Intro/Marin's history with Sonic(0:06:51) Main topic: Let's write another fanfic!(0:10:34) Character select(0:13:54) Chris - Dramatic speech that is in some way cut off for comedic effect(0:22:13) Jake - Everything gets spooky(0:27:58) Jeremy - Tragic backstory out of nowhere(0:35:00) Marin - Truth or dare(0:42:47) Chris - Characters denigrate other video game franchises(0:47:59) Jake - Inexplicable crossover that doesn't compliment either universe(0:53:28) Jeremy - Another character blocks the way, looking for a fight(1:01:07) Marin - Finale(1:12:10) Final thoughts(1:14:30) Outro
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Marin's website

Antoine Makes a Callout Post

It's time to go back. Back before Mega Man crossovers, before echidnas turning green, before even cheap character deaths. No, we're going back to where it all began as we revisit Sonic Firsts, a graphic novel compiling some of the earliest Archie adventures! From the first comic ever printed to Bunnie's big break, from a Super Sonic spotlight to a red rival's reveal, this mega collection of early comics is not to be missed, no matter what the CCA might tell you!
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Sonic Firsts(0:12:54) A brief divergence about the Comics Code(0:21:48) "Don't Cry for Me, Mobius!" (Issue #0)(0:40:40) "Rabbot Deployment" (Issue #3)(0:56:02) "The Lizard of Odd" (Issue #4)(1:13:24) "This Island Hedgehog" (Issue #13)(1:33:30) Final thoughts(1:43:41) Outro
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Pitching a Tent and Shacking Up

The sun is out, the water is cool, and it's time to get away from it all and enjoy the summer! The only question is...where? That's what The Hill Is Always Greener plans to settle today, as we try to create a list of the top 10 summer vacation destinations in Sonic's world. Is it better to be near civilization or out roughing it? What kind of activities does each spot offer? And is a beach still a beach if it only touches water during a crisis? So pop your shades, grab one of those those little umbrella drinks, and kick back as you join us for some fast-footed fun in the sun.
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Top 10 Sonic summer vacation destinations(0:05:38) Emerald Hill(0:07:19) Green Hills(0:08:27) Angel Island(0:11:38) Carnival Island(0:15:06) Resort Island(0:17:22) Station Square/Emerald Coast(0:20:10) Neo Green Hill(0:21:20) Emerald Town/Emerald Beach(0:23:49) Seaside Hill/Ocean Palace(0:26:44) Sunset Hill(0:29:48) Water Palace(0:31:03) Splash Canyon/Red Canyon(0:33:50) Soleanna/Wave Ocean(0:36:05) Southern Island/Plant Kingdom(0:38:56) Blue Coast(0:40:42) Apotos/Windmill Isle(0:43:06) Adabat/Jungle Joyride(0:46:09) Tropical Coast(0:47:26) Dolphin Resort(0:50:22) Seaside Island(0:53:21) Northstar Islands/Bridge Island(0:55:32) Scrambled Shores(0:57:39) Trimming the list(1:01:39) Re-ordering the list(1:33:33) The final list/Our personal picks(1:40:40) Final thoughts(1:42:00) Outro
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He Had Always Been a Hungry Child

Knock knock! It's time for the gang to take a long, hard look at Knuckles, the TV spin-off of the Sonic Cinematic Universe! Since its release, the show has proved INCREDIBLY controversial with Sonic fans, largely eschewing a traditional Sonic adventure in favor of a lighthearted sendup to classic sports comedies. Are the escapades of Wade Whipple and his furry red sidekick truly the harbinger of doom for all things Sonic, or does this miniseries carry just enough heart, humor, and unnecessary product placement to stand proud with the rest of the SCU?
(0:00:00) Intro(0:04:40) Sonic Symphony report(0:10:23) Main topic: The Knuckles show(0:27:27) The Warrior(1:09:35) Don’t Ever Say I Wasn't There for You(1:15:14) The Shabbat Dinner(1:33:30) The Flames of Disaster(1:47:51) Reno, Baby!(2:05:31) What Happens in Reno Stays in Reno(2:19:46) Final thoughts(2:33:40) Outro
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Jimmy Hedgeman (ft. KaiserNeko)

Sonic Movie: It's Cool! Special guest KaiserNeko joins us to take a look back at Sonic's live action theatrical debut. We reminisce about the long road to its 2020 release, talk about everything we thought did and didn't work, and discuss whether live action as a medium can ever truly hope to capture the essence of Sonic the Hedgehog. Plus, a brief look back at some of the bizarre movie treatments that (thankfully) DIDN'T get off the ground!
(0:00:00) Intro(0:02:59) Kaiser's history with Sonic(0:11:49) Hollywood's other attempts at a Sonic movie(0:23:32) History of the 2020 movie(0:35:05) Kinda plot summary(1:23:16) Final thoughts(1:25:55) Outro
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TeamFourStar
FourStarBento

You'we Compwetewy Cwazy, UwU~ (ft. Jolene)

Giga gigloo! Special guest Jolene joins us as we do a deep dive on Sonic Adventures: Dans Les Griffes de Robotnik, a one-off French comic from the early 90s! It's a very different take on Sonic and Tails' escapades on Angel Island, full of charming art, nonsensical phrases, incredibly dated stereotypes, and so much more. By the name of a sailed egg, you won't want to miss this!
(0:00:00) Intro(0:02:18) Jolene's history with Sonic(0:04:09) Main topic: Sonic Adventures: Dans les Griffes de Robotnik(0:09:23) The fan translation(0:13:48) The art(0:17:06) Comic recap(1:02:31) The "sequel"(1:05:27) Final thoughts(1:09:12) Outro
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Sonic Adventures In The Claws Of Robotnik [English Fanslation]

Sonic Advance 0

They say big things come in small packages, and nowhere is that more true than today's subject, as the gang takes a look back at Sonic Pocket Adventure! Developed by SNK, this pseudo-remix of Sonic 2 has been left to the wayside, with Sega not even acknowledging it exists, but does it really deserve to be forgotten? Join us as we rediscover this hidden NeoGeo gem and the surprising influence it had on the early years of modern Sonic games. The future is now!
(0:00:00) Intro(0:04:29) What's a NeoGeo Pocket Color?(0:16:59) Main topic: Sonic Pocket Adventure(0:28:50) Neo South Island Zone(0:34:28) Special Stages(0:40:48) Secret Plant Zone(0:45:18) Cosmic Casino Zone(0:49:44) Aquatic Relix Zone(0:56:42) Sky Chase Zone/Aerobase Zone(1:04:17) Gigantic Angel Zone(1:13:05) Last Utopia Zone(1:17:22) Chaotic Space Zone(1:21:44) Final thoughts(1:28:59) Outro
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King of Fighters Retrospective - Fighting Game Retrospectives

The Hedgedel Test (ft. Prismaeya)

Have no fear! Amy Rose is here! Prismaeya returns to the podcast for a discussion about the female face of our favorite franchise. Amy's a character that's changed a lot over the years, running the gamut from starry-eyed fangirl to confident girlboss, and people are VERY vocal about their own preferences. Follow me and listen as we look back at this pink hedgehog's storied career, and try to hammer home whether there's a true balance to be found for a character that is so many people's sweet passion.
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Who is Amy Rose?(0:08:03) Classic Amy(0:14:40) Modern Amy(0:39:00) "Postmodern" Amy and Boom Amy(0:53:46) Archie Amy and STC Amy(0:59:45) Amy's theme songs(1:09:23) Amy's weapon(s) and abilities(1:19:56) Mika's Amy origins(1:31:01) Prime Amy(s)(1:36:15) Amy voices(1:52:45) FangGuu chimes in!(1:54:59) Ship talk(1:57:46) Final thoughts(2:13:35) Outro
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White Legs

Welcome to a world unique and beyond what you know from the Sega games! A world where black is white, up is down, and everyone's favorite blue hedgehog is...EVIL?! That's right, the gang is getting creative again today as they craft their own take on a mirror Sonic universe that we're calling "Scattered Rings"! What catastrophe could have left the world in such a state? What threat do our former heroes pose now that they've turned to the dark side? And just who is going to be left to stop them? You'll have to listen to find out as we take a peek through the looking glass at what could be...
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Let's create a mirror universe!(0:03:26) previous mirror universe fiction(0:19:37) "Scattered Rings"(0:22:40) Sonic/the status quo(0:42:53) Eggman(0:49:30) Knuckles(0:58:32) Tails(1:08:16) Amy(1:16:50) Metal Sonic(1:23:18) Shadow(1:45:26) Rouge(1:50:49) Team Chaotix(1:54:19) Cream(2:00:34) Team Hooligan(2:03:35) Blaze(2:06:50) Silver(2:09:50) Babylon Rogues(2:10:43) Deadly Six(2:11:20) Infinite(2:12:53) Big(2:14:20) Omochao, Orbot and Cubot(2:17:20) Final thoughts(2:19:16) Outro
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Transformers: The Basics on Shattered Glass

Mortality is Cool, Actually

It's our second anniversary, and we're ready for another year of talking about everyone's favorite hedgehog! So why don't we kick off year three by talking about...well, Sonic himself? That's right, all of...er, MOST of the gang are diving deep today into what really drives Sonic as a character. What are his the core aspects of his personality? How about his greatest flaws? Why do so many people believe Black Knight is "peak" as the kids call it? And at the heart of it all, they try to answer the big question: is there really one TRUE Sonic characterization...or does there even need to be?
(0:00:00) Intro(0:03:00) Main topic: Who is Sonic the Hedgehog?(0:10:49) Real quick recent Sonic-y stuff(0:13:30) Who is Sonic "objectively"?(0:27:36) Sonic's pre-Adventure "essence"(0:39:50) Older Sonic media that "gets it wrong"(0:44:30) Perfect examples of what makes Sonic "Sonic"(1:07:06) Black Knight and Unleashed(1:44:15) Sonic's flaws(2:10:17) What should Sonic NEVER do?(2:21:34) Our Sonic headcanons(2:37:46) Who is Sonic to us specifically?(2:51:40) Outro
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The Animation of Sonic Frontiers
Hot Coffee by Adam Bryce Thomas