There was a bunch of nostalgia going on in 2023, and that’s not always a bad thing. But one of the biggest things that was announced was a truly new 2D platforming Sonic The Hedgehog title via Sonic Superstars. This was the first title of its kind in quite some time, and many were eager to see how it played. Yes, it wouldn’t have 2D graphics, but it would be in the 2D style that gamers enjoyed with the original SEGA Genesis titles. There was plenty of hype going into the game’s release, and then…we didn’t hear anything.
The reviews for Sonic Superstars weren’t the best, but they weren’t bad! But today, gaming insider Stealth revealed that SEGA themselves noted the title didn’t do well sales-wise:
In their financial report, Sega said Sonic Superstars sales were sluggish and weak.
Big mistake launching Superstars three days before Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Nintendo President Furukawa confirmed Wonder is the fastest selling Mario game ever. pic.twitter.com/LnU1YsfOQh
— Stealth (@Stealth40k) February 10, 2024
He wasn’t lying about SEGA releasing Sonic’s new game just DAYS before the smash hit Super Mario Bros Wonder, and many called that out as a mistake when it happened. SEGA tried to play it off, stating that they were “always in competition” with Mario and wanted to make Sonic bigger than Mario. But as you can see, when push came to shove, they preferred the plumber to the hedgehog.
