More details on Sonic 4, 'classic Sonic gameplay' promised

Only minutes ago more news was released about Sonic 4 on the official Sonic website.

According to the press release, the game originally known as Project Needlemouse is for download only and, "will bring back the addictive side scrolling action that Sonic fans love in an all-new 2D adventure."

Sonic returns with the old Spin Dash and Rolling Attack, plus a new Homing Attack for good measure. Also, the levels will apparently be 'beautifully rendered in CG', and the whole adventure packed with special stages and zones inspired by the Genesis-era styling.

Oh, and Dr Eggman is back for more of the much loved end-of-level boss battling.

Sonic 4 is set after Sonic and Knuckles, with Dr Eggman angry at the loss of the Master Emerald, his humiliating defeat causing him to improve on previous creations designed to kill the blue hedgehog.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I features the classic Sonic gameplay style that the community has been asking for since Sonic and Knuckles,' says Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America,Inc.

"Thanks to emerging technologies, we are able to create all-new stunning Sonic worlds combined with Genesis-era Sonic gameplay and make it downloadable across multiple platforms."

Sonic is set to spin dash his way onto download this summer. Still unconfirmed, though, is what the mystery platform is.