Pixelized Sonic the Hedgehog is back, but not in the way many may have expected him. In a surprise announcement during the BitSummet Gaiden event on June 27, Jupiter revealed its next Picross game is going to be something special. It's titled Picross S: Mega Drive & Mark III Edition.
The announcement was made with no fanfare. A short ad from Jupiter ran showcasing the recently released Picross S4 and Jupiter's other recent title, Working Zombies. In the final seconds of the advertisement, however, a panel featuring a 2D pixelated Sonic the Hedgehog flashed on-screen. It was followed by the words "Coming Soon."
The Sega Mega Drive, also known as the Sega Genesis, was the follow-up to Sega's Mark III console, also known as the Master System. The two together are seen as Sega's defining console era, in which Sega grew into a western mainstay and proper competitor to Nintendo. They brought gamers Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Land of and Castle of Illusion, Phantasy Star, Wonder Boy, and so many more Sega games.
Exactly the extent of Jupiter's partnership with Sega is for Picross S: Mega Drive & Mark III Edition isn't clear. Nevertheless, given the popularity and quality of Jupiter's Picross games for the Nintendo Switch, both Picross and Sega fans alike should look forward to something special.
Picross S: Mega Drive & Mark III Edition is currently in development.