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I like both designs but I voted for "old". There are just a few things about the new design that irk me a bit. What I'd really like to see is a more modern version of the original Sonic or make the modern version less "xtreme". Perhaps the best Sonic would be something between the two. :)
From what I can tell with the old design is that Sega wanted him to look like that so it would make more sense when he tucked into a ball. But I guess now they scrapped that and wanted him to look as fast as possiable. Who knows, the old Sonic looks like a Geek, while new Sonic looks like he uses Speed and works out a lot.
All the criticisms that the new look is too self-consciously "extreme" are slightly baffling; from the very start he's been "The Hedgehog with Attitude". Sure - once upon a time nudity, a sideways look, slow wagging of the finger and red sneakers were enough to be a gnarly woodland mammal, but now they've gone for decent artwork. I'll take the latter!
Yeah, Sonics waving of the finger all ways made me think. He must mean something like, "Uh-nuh, no way buddy!" But what is he trying to prevent me from doing? Playing the game? Sonic is a puzzling character, and really makes little to no sense what-so-ever. He does not look like a hedgehog, does not act like a hedgehog, and does not do Hedgehog things other then curling into a ball. Whats the deal sonic? What are you warning us about!?! Damn him, at least Mario gave us straight answers.
Me: "Who are you?"
Mario: "Its a me, Mario!"
I have no problem with Sega updating Sonic to look less cute and have a harsher look. I think they could have made a really cool-looking modern Sonic but I just don't like the way they drew him.
Now Phantasy Star Online, on the other hand... there's how to update the look of a series with superior artwork yet maintain the series' trademark look.
Sonic was always supposed to have 'attitude' so anyone who thinks the new one smacks of 'extreme' misses the point. That was what Sonic was supposed to be about in the 90s, and his design just finally caught up.
From a design sense, the old one is too hokey. He DOES look like something from old 50s American cartoons. He's rounded off everywhere, from his spikes (those - lethal?) to his pot-belly. He's very cuddly, friendly, and fitting with every other 'mascot' character of his time. Sega tried to market him as something different from the norm, but he never was. The gameplay was, but Sonic's design wasn't.
Now the new design has that 'edge.' His spikes ARE longer and do look like 'hair' in a sense that they look like a part of him. The way they slick down, combined with his very slim, sleek, figure makes Sonic look as fast as he moves. Not to forget the oversized shoes - maybe its me, but I love those. So if you want to look at it objectively, where out of the two designs which would 'fit' Sonic's personality and character, the second does it better. You just have to remember, he was ALWAYS about the 'Gen X' attitude.
The updated Tales looks kinda awkward. He always gave me the feeling of, "Loser Pansy Friend" and they now tried to make him all extreme to fit with the new Sonic look.
When I see the new Sonic I picture him running in frantic circles at light speed and then starts to slow, falls to the ground and vomits from so much running, and then after a while gets back up and runs for several more hours all the while going insane.
Old sonic I see doing a few laps and then sitting down while whistling and drinking a soda and then dancing to some "Old Timey Music".
How 'bout this?
**edit**Ah, fuck it. I can't seem to post the damn thing.
http://www.sonichq.org/comics/images...e/sonic107.jpg
Tails was bastardized worse than Sonic.
http://www.grospixels.com/site/image...-skypatrol.gif
http://www.oikourgos.com/sonic/Tails_big_2.gif
But again, he looks fine in polygon form. I'm wondering if a different person draws the new characters for the covers than in the actual games. The polygon versions of the characters look pretty good. They look a lot more Japanese than the box art versions.
[thumbnail]http://www.segaweb.com/news/0898/images/1B.gif[/thumbnail]
Old Sonic; the whole "attitude" bit just doesn't appeal to me. Then again I'm not a fan of Sonic games so it doesn't affect me.