Over 30 years strong, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is still racing to new heights. While the series has been notably held back in the face of real-world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it could be said that the delay was for the best as 2022 served as one of the greatest years yet for the blue blur. Fans don't have time to catch their breath, as 2023 is looking to be another great year for Sonic loyalists.
Last year saw the release of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie, the compilation title Sonic Origins, the ambitious Sonic Frontiers, and the latest TV adaption Sonic Prime. Fans were got the IDW Sonic comics to read, and plenty of merchandise to purchase in-between. After all of that, Sonic Team announced that 2023 will be a "second wave" of Sonic the Hedgehog content after 2022 was such a success.
What Sonic Team's Expectations for 2023 Mean for Fans
In a recent interview with Japanese gaming website Famitsu, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka said that 2023 would serve as a "second wave" of what came in 2022. To put it simply, the Sonic franchise will continue where it left off last year and aim to surprise supporters with even more content.
Fans can easily see where the series plans to expand itself as 2023 marches on. Firstly, there's a wide variety of DLC coming to Sonic Frontiers throughout the year, Sonic Prime is set to be released in a number of upcoming seasons on Netflix, and reportedly, the Knuckles the Echidna TV show is set to hit Paramount Plus this year.
Sonic Frontiers' Upcoming DLC
In lieu of a yearly release, Sega has opted to make three free updates for Sonic Frontiers. While some parts of these DLC packs such as new challenge modes and "open-zone challenge" are rather vague, other important parts of this planned content are sure to excite fans. The third update is set to be the most anticipated as it promises new playable characters beyond Sonic and a story to go with them.
However, fans may be waiting for the DLC longer than they'd think. While it seems like these updates are coming fast, the content roadmap mentions that an update for Sonic's birthday is planned. This means the second batch of content is set to come out in June, so the other two Sonic Frontiers DLC packs may work around this approximate schedule. The first update may be a few months away, but fans should look forward to it.
Sonic Prime, Knuckles on Paramount Plus, and the Road to Sonic 3
In 2022, Sonic fans were spoiled with more than just video games as the series was adapted for both streaming and the silver screen. Netflix's Sonic Prime has 16 episodes left to be released, and the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 film showed fans what's coming next in an after-credits scene.
Sonic Prime was a hit on Netflix, receiving a generally positive reception from fans and critics alike. Due to how well the show performed, it's likely at least one new "season" will come to the streaming platform later this year. However, due to the small number of ordered episodes that are left, it's likely it won't add eight episodes like the first season.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on December 20, 2024, but Knuckles is rumored to get his own Paramount Plus-exclusive show. While it was originally reported that the series will release in 2023, all that's known so far is that it's on the way, meaning it could wind up being delayed. Still, fans should keep their eyes out for more information about the show. As the Sonic films are shifting into creating a cinematic universe, the Knuckles TV series will likely be required viewing before seeing Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Sonic Dash, Sonic Forces Speed Battle, and Other Updates to Expect in 2023
Additionally, 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of Sonic CD, meaning that fans can expect plenty of love for Amy Rose and possibly Metal Sonic throughout the year. If previous anniversaries are anything to go by, Sega will likely release special merchandise alongside a special comic published by IDW to celebrate. With there being a strong chance Amy will become playable in Sonic Frontiers' last DLC update, 2023 may be the best year that Amy Rose has seen in a long time.
Sonic fans already have a lot to look forward to, but there's even more to anticipate. Sega Hardlight is still regularly updating Sonic Dash and Sonic Forces Speed Battle to this day, meaning players can look forward to plenty of new characters and events in those mobile games. The Sonic IDW comics also celebrate their 5th anniversary this year, and readers can pick up special 5th Anniversary Editions of some of the first issues, as well as new comics for the foreseeable future.
It's understandable why Sega considers 2023 a "second wave," as there's more than enough to go around for almost every fan. While a majority of the things currently known to be releasing in 2023 deal with the more Modern side of Sonic the Hedgehog, there could be some announcements coming later this year - or in years to come - for Classic Sonic fans. At the very least, Sonic the Hedgehog fans will be quite busy in 2023.