Sonic X-treme

Sonic X-treme was a 3D Sonic the Hedgehog platform game for the Sega Saturn. The concept was truly unique; to further the traditional Sonic "go-anywhere-or-run-through" formula, every level would be designed in a rather tube-like fashion; Sonic would be able to walk onto walls, thus changing the direction of gravity and the rotation of the level itself. In addition, an unusual, fish-eye lens-styled camera was put into place so players could see more of their surroundings at any one given time.

Related Topics:
3D - Sonic the Hedgehog - Platform game - Sega Saturn - Level

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However, it was cancelled because of many, many internal problems. The game was being developed by Sega Technical Institute, a US-based developer that had worked on such games as Sonic 2, Sonic Spinball and Comix Zone. Originally it was based on the engine of Sonic Team's at-the-time most current work - NiGHTS Into Dreams - but Yuji Naka discovered this and had their usage of the engine pulled. As of such two separate engines started work; one was for the main levels, while the other was for the bosses. Later on a Sega of Japan representative came over to check on the game's progress, and was so impressed by the boss engine he requested the entire game be made on that. By now the team was running short on men, and it all had fallen on one man (designer Chris Senn) to finish it up before the Christmas deadline so as to go up against Super Mario 64 alongside NiGHTS. Senn worked so hard on the project that he became sick and had to stop before it became any worse. That was the nail in the coffin; Sega of America pulled the plug then and switched to an alternative project: a Saturn port of Sonic 3D Blast. X-Treme was never revitalized afterward, despite some members of the original team attempting a PC version.

Related Topics:
Sega Technical Institute - US - Developer - Sonic 2 - Sonic Spinball - Comix Zone - Sonic Team - NiGHTS Into Dreams - Yuji Naka - Bosses - Sega - Japan - Chris Senn - Christmas - Super Mario 64 - Sonic 3D Blast - PC

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The game is a popular topic among Sonic fans on message boards, allowing for much speculation and curiosity to surround it. Some fans have tried to make fangames recreating it, but as of now nothing has ever seen completion.

Related Topics:
Message board - Fangame

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At least one development copy of X-treme exists. It was sold at auction to an anonymous collector in Septemer of 2005, and a high-quality gameplay video is expected to be released by the end of the year.

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