SEGA President Calls Sonic Superstars a Disappointment Amidst Franchise Evolution

SEGA president Shuji Utsumi has candidly addressed the commercial and critical standing of Sonic Superstars, acknowledging the game as a "disappointment" compared to the company's expectations.

This revelation, shared in a recent interview with Eurogamer, marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort to redefine the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise for both longtime fans and new audiences. Launched in October 2023 for multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch via the eShop, Sonic Superstars aimed to recapture the classic 2D platforming essence that first made Sonic a household name.

Developed by a collaborative team at SEGA and Arzest, the title featured 4-player local co-op and fresh visual stylings, yet it entered a crowded market, debuting just days apart from Nintendo's own Super Mario Bros.

Wonder—a factor SEGA later cited as impacting its performance. When asked about SEGA’s strategy for maintaining the Sonic series’ reputation for quality, Utsumi explained that the company took a creative approach with Sonic Frontiers and was hopeful for Superstars.

"With Sonic Superstars, the outcome was ultimately not what we had hoped for when compared to what we delivered,” Utsumi explained.

He further emphasized SEGA's renewed focus on building a cohesive Sonic universe by leveraging both video game and film media.

Utsumi pointed to the upcoming Sonic X Shadow Generations and the next Sonic movie as crucial pillars of this transmedia strategy, stating that such efforts are effective only when the core game experience meets high standards of excellence. Despite SEGA's efforts to highlight Sonic Superstars' positive feedback from players, the company confirmed in its February 2024 financial results that live sales underperformed relative to forecasts.

The game's closely timed release against other major platformers, including Super Mario Bros.

Wonder, further complicated its reception and sales trajectory. Looking ahead, SEGA continues to invest in the franchise’s momentum.

Utsumi described Sonic X Shadow Generations as an "awesome" action title, signaling a return to form for the series.

He also alluded to significant developments for Sonic in the next year, teasing more information to be revealed at The Game Awards (TGA). Meanwhile, SEGA announced Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for the Nintendo Switch, further expanding Sonic's presence on the platform.

As the company balances innovation with fan expectations, the Sonic franchise remains at the forefront of SEGA’s portfolio, adapting to the evolving landscape of game development and transmedia storytelling. As the Sonic brand enters its next phase, industry watchers and fans alike will be closely monitoring the results of these new strategies and releases, particularly on core platforms like Nintendo Switch.

SEGA Sonic Shuji Utsumi Sonic franchise Sonic Superstars Sonic X Shadow Generations Nintendo Switch Eurogamer Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Super Mario Bros. Wonder