Sonic Superstars Will Have Some Sort of Online Battle Mode

Sonic the Hedgehog fans will be able to play online in Sonic Superstars after all — in Battle Mode.

After Sonic Superstars was introduced at Summer Game Fest last Thursday, Sega said up to four players can play through the game’s story mode in local co-op, leading fans to think there won’t be an online mode at all. Now, the company sent an email to fans saying that they’ll be able to play Battle Mode both locally and online. The validity of the email was confirmed by Twitter user @SSF1991, who said it was sent to those who previously subscribed to the Sonic Frontiers newsletter (including this reporter).

“So, I wanted to verify this as being true before I’d say anything about this. But I checked. It’s true. It’s from an official email from SEGA, and it was in my inbox,” they said. “Apparently, Sonic Superstars will have some kind of Battle Mode. And unlike co-op, this is local *and* online!”

As the screenshot of the newsletter suggests, online play is currently only announced for Battle Mode, which also has the option to be played locally. Sega did not respond to IGN’s request for clarification.

Sonic Superstars was introduced just two weeks before the upcoming release of Sonic Origins Plus, which is the first time we’ve seen Classic Sonic rendered in 3D since Sonic Forces. It has the aesthetics of a 2D Sonic game, but Sonic Team’s creative director Takashi Iizuka said in an interview with IGN that it was made with 3D graphics to open up new gameplay opportunities.

Sonic Superstars will release on PS5, PS4 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store this Fall.

Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.