SEGA Fans May See Revival of Classic Franchises, Says Sonic Creative Officer
In an interview with VGC at the Summer Game Fest, Takashi Iizuka, the Creative Officer of Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, hinted at the possibility of reviving dormant SEGA series like Nights Into Dreams and Burning Rangers.
While Iizuka couldn’t provide a definite answer, he acknowledged that the return of 2D Sonic and the recent announcement of Samba de Amigo‘s revival could pave the way for other classic franchises to make a comeback.
“I can’t say yes to anything right now,” Iizuka responded when asked about the potential revival of Nights and Burning Rangers.
These days, I’m the creative officer for Sonic the Hedgehog, so I’m totally focused on that side of the business.”
Although Iizuka couldn’t speak on behalf of the entire company, he did mention that Sonic Team in Japan has been expanding and recruiting new talent. With more people than ever working on Sonic-related projects, there is a chance that fans might hear news about the resurrection of beloved titles like Nights Into Dreams and Burning Rangers in the future.
Nights into Dreams is a 1996 video game developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA. The gameplay consists of exploration phases where players control Elliot or Claris in a 3D environment, completing tasks and collecting orbs within a time limit. Successful completion leads to the Nightopian Nights phase, where players control Nights to fly through rings, defeat enemies, and collect orbs.
Praised for its innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and memorable soundtrack, Nights into Dreams is considered a cult classic and has been re-released on various platforms.
Burning Rangers, an action-adventure game developed by Sonic Team for the SEGA Saturn console in 1998. The game received positive reviews for its innovative gameplay, impressive visuals, and heroic atmosphere. Despite being released near the end of the SEGA Saturn’s lifespan, Burning Rangers has gained a devoted following, becoming a cult classic among gaming enthusiasts.
It’s important to note that while Iizuka’s comments offer a glimmer of hope for SEGA enthusiasts, they should be taken with cautious optimism. The gaming industry is known for its uncertainties, and numerous factors come into play when deciding which franchises to revive.
However, the fact that SEGA is expanding its Sonic Team and actively considering the return of the classic series suggests a potential shift in their strategy to cater to nostalgic fans.
Only time will tell if Nights Into Dreams and Burning Rangers will once again grace our screens. We will update you if any new information becomes available regarding this news. Until then, please share your thoughts about Takashi Iizuka’s statement in the comments section below.
