Sega previously confirmed that the zippy blue hedgehog himself will be the star and only playable character in Sonic 4, downplaying the vast array of characters added in recent games such as gun-wielding hedgehogs and cats from alternate dimensions.

The Episode 1 subtitle indicates episodic content, though Sega associate brand manager Ken Balough told GameSpot "I think the best way to view it is as a first part in a much larger adventure" much as Sonic 3 was concluded by Sonic & Knuckles.

Boasting 3D graphics from a 2D perspective, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will be out for download on Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 this summer. Pricing is yet unknown.