Future Sonic Games Will Still Come Out On Last Gen Consoles

Summary

• While the allure of the PS5 Pro and next-gen hardware is enticing, Team Sonic is dedicated to reaching as many fans as possible.
• That means that future Sonic games will still target older hardware, according to producer Takashi Iizuka.
• Still, that doesn't mean that upgraded hardware like the Pro can't receive better features that take advantage of the components.

Even as gaming hardware continues to accelerate forward, with the recently announced PlayStation 5 Pro, along with rumors of an Xbox Series successor, as well as Nintendo's upcoming Switch successor, don't expect Sonic Team to forget about last gen.

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In an interview with IGN, producer Takashi Iizuka shared that he wants "as many people as possible to play" Sonic games, which means supporting the PS4, as well as the base Nintendo Switch. For reference, the upcoming Sonic x Shadow Generations title will be playable on PS5, PS4 (digitally only), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series and Xbox One at launch.

The More Sonic, The Merrier

That doesn't mean the allure of current or next-generation hardware isn't there. "As a market, we have the high-end machines, high-end consoles," Iizuka said. "Coming out with those consoles, we feel that we can make newer Sonic games that can express the speed of Sonic and with much better gaming UI as well."

However, as enticing as it is to take advantage of, say the PS5 Pro, to make the most high-end Sonic game possible, the Sega team is opting for a middle ground-like approach, by developing for both. "However, we want to support the lower spec constants as well," Iizuka added. "So even though the PS5 Pro is coming out, or new innovations or technology are coming out, we feel that it is important to support with the lower spec consoles and let many of the users keep playing Sonic."

It's important to remember that Sonic is very much a kid-first, family-friendly franchise. Most of that audience is likely on the Switch, or if they do have a home console, aren't necessarily the target market for an enthusiast machine like the PS5 Pro, meaning it's important for Sega to still reach that audience.

Still, it would be pretty cool to see Sonic take advantage of the hardware that's out there. Imagine a Sonic game with the same fidelity as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart? Now that would be pretty dang cool.

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