We've all used LEGO in one way or another: whether you've chosen to order the LEGO NES recently or just have fond childhood memories of playing with Minifigures as a kid, it's a truly global phenomenon. And now Sonic is getting involved!
Ever since Star Wars started the trend for pop-culture LEGO products, there’s always been a wishlist of other brands and characters that could feature in LEGO form; this is where LEGO Ideas came in, where anyone can submit ideas and see if it could be done.
Last year, we reported on an excellent LEGO Ideas submission that was based around Sonic. Back in March 2020, it made a shortlist for LEGO to investigate how possible it could be, and now, some 11 months later, we have good news - it's actually going to get made! Keep reading to learn more...
How Mario paved the way
Ever since Nintendo suddenly announced that they were working with LEGO to bring Mario into the brick-based world, there’s been a hugely positive reception to the idea.
From Bowser’s Castle to a level lifted from a Toad game, alongside the way Mario ‘reacts’ to different blocks he stands on, it’s changed the mindset of how someone can see a game overlapping with LEGO.
But of course, while this brings the best of both worlds to someone who grew up with Mario and LEGO, there are plenty of other gaming icons that arguably deserve the same treatment.
This raises the tantalising idea of bringing back the old days of Mario and Sonic; head to head, just like in the early nineties, but it’s through LEGO instead.
READ MORE: LEGO NES Hack; How someone turned it into an Emulator
Now Sonic is confirmed!
Way back in February 2019, on the official LEGO Ideas website, a UK-based LEGO fan named Viv Grannel posted her suggestion for a LEGO kit based on the Green Hill Zone from Sonic Mania.
The images included and the updates that followed won over a lot of fans around the world, eventually garnering the necessary 10,000 votes of support - a landmark that needs to be crossed on LEGO Ideas if you want the fine folks at LEGO to actually review your product and see if it's feasible.
Jump forward two years to February 2021, and LEGO has confirmed that a version of this kit will actually be produced!
The official press release says, "LEGO Ideas today announced they will be bringing SEGA’s legendary speedster, Sonic the Hedgehog, to brick form, thanks to a concept design submitted by 24 year-old, UK based, LEGO superfan Viv Grannell."
Quoted in the press bumf, Grannell says, "I’ve been invested in the world of Sonic for almost my entire life, and it’s such a perfect fit for the LEGO system that I spent about a year rallying support for it to happen. Having 10,000 people back my design was overwhelming enough, even with friends and family behind me, but having it be selected for further development was the most exciting secret I have ever had to keep!"
Jason Rice, SEGA Europe Ltd's Director of Brand Licensing, added this: "At SEGA, we’ve always encouraged fans to take part in the legacy of the Sonic franchise through their own creations and it’s wonderful to see the tradition continued through the LEGO Ideas program. We’re thrilled to partner with Viv and the LEGO Group, and hope to inspire fans to continue creating their own unique Sonic the Hedgehog experiences for generations to come."
There's no word on a price, release date or final design for the product yet, but we'll be sure to update this page as we hear more!