The Hill Is Always Greener

Telltale’s Team Chaotix

What goes up must come down, and nowhere is that more true than with our latest topic as the gang looks back at the series' first major multiplatform release, Sonic Heroes! This follow-up to the Adventure duology had a lot of interesting ideas that stumbled in execution thanks to an infamously troubled development cycle, and is seen by many as the start of the series' downfall. Can our hosts sort through their mixed feelings and find this game's redeeming qualities, or is even the real super power of teamwork not enough to salvage this one?
(00:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(00:14:15) Main topic: Sonic Heroes (skip past the eating noises)(00:16:43) Development history for perspective(00:21:52) Initial thoughts(00:39:14) The story(00:50:27) Seaside Hill/Ocean Palace(00:56:23) Grand Metropolis/Power Plant(01:11:03) Casino Park/Bingo Highway(01:16:51) Rail Canyon/Bullet Station(01:22:47) Frog Forest/Lost Jungle(01:27:04) Hang Castle/Mystic Mansion(01:29:25) Egg Fleet/Final Fortress(01:40:10) Other teams(01:58:27) Last Story(02:00:37) The music(02:05:58) Final thoughts(02:10:35) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Jake's drum cover of "Open Your Heart"
The Fall of Sonic Team: Sega's Collapse, Crunch, and Chaos in the Early 2000s
Lani Manella’s comments on directing the English versions of the Sonic games
Where to start with the Sonic Heroes PC version on modern systems
Unfinished Sonic Heroes cutscenes

Robotnik Doxxes Amy Rose (ft. Dave Bulmer)

Jake is out this week, but in his place, Dave Bulmer from Sonic The Comic The Podcast joins us for the finale of our Sonic CD episode trilogy to look back at three different comic adaptations of Sonic’s adventures on the Little Planet. From early STC to the end of Archie, it’s a wild journey through time and space as Sonic and Metal Sonic square off thrice over. Whether you’re an Archist or a Boomer, you won’t want to miss it!
(00:00:00) Foreword(00:00:40) Intro(00:12:13) The Sonic Terminator (STC)(01:01:44) Prank #1: Archie's Metallix story(01:06:29) Jake's take: The Sonic Terminator(01:11:06) Go Ahead, Mecha My Day (Archie)(01:40:18) Prank #2: SatAM Mecha Sonic concept art(01:43:30) Jake's take: Go Ahead, Mecha My Day(01:51:38) Genesis of a Hero, Part 3 (Archie)(02:17:02) Jake's take: Genesis of a Hero(02:19:07) Prank #3: The American Sonic CD manual(02:26:06) Final thoughts(02:30:41) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Dave Bulmer on Twitter
Dave Bulmer on YouTube
All the images we used to prank Dave
Sonic The Comic The Podcast
Jon Gray explaining the recolored digital Archie issues
Retronauts on Sonic Comics (with Dave Bulmer and Bobby Schroeder)
Thanks, Ken Penders

Terry the Tired Traumatized Tidal Tempest Temp

It's the battle of the Sonic CD soundtracks as the Japanese and American music go head-to-head, track-by-track. Have we got the power to save the land, and can we reach the other side of the rainbow? Is there a deeper level of symbolism behind some of the tracks? And when the dust settles, which of the two soundtracks will reign supreme?
(00:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Battle of the Sonic CD soundtracks(00:05:58) Opening themes(00:14:07) Jingles(00:22:08) Special Stage/Boss theme/Game Over(00:33:26) Palmtree Panic(00:49:28) Collision Chaos(01:02:33) Tidal Tempest(01:17:44) Quartz Quadrant(01:31:20) Wacky Workbench(01:43:38) Stardust Speedway(02:03:54) Metallic Madness(02:17:01) JP-exclusive bonus tracks(02:22:27) Ending themes(02:29:46) Final thoughts(02:36:43) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
VGMpire 116 – Sega CD with Spencer Nilsen
VGMpire 117 – Sonic CD with Spencer Nilsen

I Ran Past Her Before She was Born

This episode, the gang takes a trip back in time to revisit Sonic CD! Once one of the series' more obscure entries, the game has since established itself as a core piece of Sonic's past, and a major influence on his future. But is Sonic's adventure on the Little Planet worthy of the praise it's received, or would it be best left as the game time forgot?
(00:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(00:08:09) Main topic: Sonic CD(01:20:30) Secrets and cut content(01:39:40) Final thoughts/Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
PMEX Remix v.0.95
Sonic CD USA manual
Beta Bonus Stage
Time Travel concepts for Sonic 2
Cut level R2
Sonic CD Hidden Content
Desert Dazzle
Final Fever

A Holster with a Breadstick in It

This is it, folks! After a long wait, it’s time for the gang to discuss Sonic’s latest cinematic adventure, Sonic the Hedgehog 2! Did the sequel live up to everyone’s expectations? What are our predictions for the future of the franchise? And will it ever stop feeling weird to say the words “Sonic Cinematic Universe” out loud? Almost certainly not!
(00:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 the Movie!(00:02:53) Our few gripes(00:18:45) Gushing about the rest of the movie(01:45:33) The post-credits stinger/predicting what comes next(01:59:57) Final thoughts(02:04:50) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter

Gotta Get My Moon Tan On

You might have seen the new Sonic movie, but that's not going to help you since we're talking about an old Sonic movie! Strange, isn't it? The gang takes a look at the much-beloved anomaly that is the Sonic OVA from the mid-90s to discuss curious accents, memorable fashion choices, and why Metal Sonic is still so gosh darn cool all these years later.
(00:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(00:06:35) Main topic: The Sonic OVA(00:07:55) Behind the scenes details(00:23:13) Part 1 recap(01:08:46) Part 2 recap(01:46:27) Final thoughts(01:50:10) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
SM64 Generations mod
Sonic OVA (OST Reconstruction) playlist by Mr Kingalocious (SoundCloud)d
Ben Schwartz reads iconic Sonic lines (YouTube)
 

In the Beginning, There was Sonic

Long before Sonic became a household name, he was just getting his (running) start, and Sega wasn't quite sure what to do with him. That's where we come in. The gang takes a look back at Sonic's earliest days via the various revisions of the original American production bible. From the brainchild of a dead fighter pilot's widow, to a Nebraskan boy who loses the closest thing to a father he ever knew, to the cocky hero planet Mobius deserves, this is your chance to learn the REAL Sonic origins!
(00:00:00) Intro/main topic: the original Sonic lore bibles(00:07:37) The original Japanese story concept (the Fighter Pilot origin)(00:10:30) The original American bible draft (Hardly, Nebraska)(00:38:54) Revision 1 (Mobius)(00:53:08) Revision 2 (Mobius, expanded)(01:01:17) Stay Sonic(01:12:17) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Fighter Pilot origin
Sonic the Hedgehog's logo has a secret, weird backstory - GamesBeat
Sonic: Wonders of the World failed movie pitch
Sonic the Hedgehog - GameTap Retrospective (2009)
Sonic the Hedgehog Bible
Sonic the Hedgehog (promotional comic)
Stay Sonic
#8 - THE ORIGIN OF SONIC! - Sonic the Comic the Podcast
Every Sonic game is blasphemous | Unraveled
Sonic: Chaos in the System

Kenny Omega as Buffbotnik

It's a blast from the past as we travel back in time to revisit the one time Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog attempted serialized storytelling, "Quest for the Chaos Emeralds!" As Dr. Robotnik scours history for the fabled gems, your Supreme High Podcasters discuss attempted robot crucifixion, the difference between invincibility and immortality, Robotnik's masochistic side, an abundance of dogs, Sonic's casual disregard for the sanctity of life, and so much more!
(00:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(00:07:51) Main topic: AoStH "Quest for the Chaos Emeralds"(00:17:14) Episode 48: "Black Bot the Pirate"(00:41:41) Episode 49: "Hedgehog of the 'Hound' Table"(00:58:00) Episode 50: "Robotnik's Pyramid Scheme"(01:13:49) Episode 51: "Prehistoric Sonic"(01:30:10) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Black Bot the Pirate on YouTube
Hedgehog of the "Hound" Table on YouTube
Robotnik's Pyramid Scheme on YouTube
Prehistoric Sonic on YouTube

I’m Stunting on These Emotions

Final round! In this second part of our "Champions" arc retrospective, friendships are reforged, schemes are hatched, and punches are thrown left and right as the tournament comes to a head. It all comes down to this, so tune in to see just who will be the last one standing! Featuring even more dramatic reenactments!
Featuring:
KaniDay as Breezie
Kage-Ichihashi as Tails
Scott Frerichs as Nack
YamatoSFX as Bean
RedAsATomato as Honey
Mystic Pyro Freak as Amy
(00:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Archie Sonic "Champions" Part 1/Issue 270(00:01:25) Clip: Breezie meets Neo Metal Sonic(00:06:06) Clip: Sonic comforts Tails(00:14:41) Clip: Nack beats Bean(00:15:55) Clip: Vector calls Espio(00:20:52) Clip: Sonic vs. Honey(00:23:30) Clip: Sonic beats Honey(00:28:48) Clip: BreezeMedia(00:30:03) Clip: Knuckles vs. Nack(00:35:56) Issue 271(00:37:26) Clip: Sonic vs. Knuckles(00:38:57) Clip: Sonic vs. Knuckles part 2(00:44:54) Clip: Sonic and Tails corner Metal Sonic(00:47:40) Clip: Honey confronts Breezie(00:54:32) Clip: Gregorios cliffhanger(00:58:23) Outro(01:02:15) Bonus clip: Off-Panel
Amie Waters on Twitter
Sonic Man show concept art (via Tracy Yardley's Twitter)

Girlboss Capitalist the Hedgehog

Round 1! Fight! The gang takes a look back at the first half of the "Champions" arc, one of their most beloved stories from Archie's later years. Featuring the reinvention of a forgotten femme fatale and the proper debut of a furry fashionista fighter, is this Sonic the Fighters adaptation still a knockout, or is fated to go down in the first round? Plus dramatic reenactments of scenes from the comic by an all-star cast!
Featuring:
KaniDay as Breezie
Mystic Pyro Freak as Amy
RedAsATomato as Honey
Kage-Ichihashi as Tails
Scott Frerichs as Nack
YamatoSFX as Bean
(00:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Archie Sonic "Champions" Part 1(00:15:22) Issue 268(00:20:37) Clip: Sonic meets Breezie(00:30:14) Clip: Eggman calls Breezie(00:40:36) Clip: Sonic and Breezie "negotiate"(00:43:02) Clip: Amy meets Honey(00:43:53) Clip: Honey offers to help(00:44:55) Clip: Team Hooligan arrives(00:48:05) Issue 269(00:49:11) Clip: Breezie betrays Sonic(00:54:12) Clip: Wes Weasley's ad break(00:55:45) Clip: Honey defeats Tails(01:04:55) Clip: Nack calls Eggman(01:07:10) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
The Lawsuit that Reshaped Sonic the Hedgehog Comics by Bobby Schroeder
Thanks, Ken Penders
Super Lesbian Animal RPG - DEMO VERSION (Bobby's game demo, out this year TBD)