Sega’s Biggest Hero Makes His Official Comeback Next Month

22 Oct at 19:46 Comment Views: 5

Sega hasn’t put out a new mainline Sonic the Hedgehog game since 2022’s polarizing “open-zone” adventure, Sonic Frontiers. Since then, fans have mostly had remakes and remasters, plus a surprisingly excellent spin-off in last year’s Sonic Racing Crossworlds. 2026 marks the franchise’s 35th anniversary, yet it has been a fairly quiet year for the blue blur. That changes with Sonic Pico Park, which arrives on consoles and Windows PC on November 12.

This new take on the beloved co-op puzzle series is built for two or more players. Everyone has to cooperate to guide the whole group to the goal at the right edge of each stage. Sega has partnered with developer Tecopark on the crossover, which offers a run of increasingly demanding platforming challenges in a distinctive lo-fi art style. The look is different, but the Sonic spirit is intact. Every character can perform the signature spin dash, and the stages are packed with rings, loops, and springs. It’s easy to pick up and play, which makes it a natural fit for an evening with a partner, friends, or family during the coming holiday season.

Sonic returns in November 2026

Sonic characters launching off a spring in Sonic Pico Park — Image: Tecopark/Pico Park

Sonic Pico Park characters rolling in a ball and standing on each other — Image: Tecopark/Pico Park

Sonic characters dodging an electric wire — Image: Tecopark/Pico Park

Sonic Pico Park characters jumping onto a platform — Image: Tecopark/Pico Park

Sonic Pico Park characters doing a loop de loop — Image: Tecopark/Pico Park

Polygon’s Giovanni Colantonio tried a demo of Sonic Pico Park at Summer Game Fest in June. He found it to be the sort of cheerful chaos that suits a relaxed night at home:

His session quickly became a comedy of errors as he and his teammates struggled to coordinate. At times a lone player would charge ahead across a row of collapsing platforms and doom everyone else. At others, the group fumbled through attempts to stack on top of each other and build a makeshift staircase. Those eight levels alone produced plenty of exasperated laughter, which bodes well for families who want a co-op game that still lets players tease and sabotage one another.

Like the other Pico Park titles, Sonic Pico Park supports two to eight players, either locally or online. Online crossplay is included too, so a PlayStation 5 owner can team up with a friend on Nintendo Switch who lives miles away. Every stage is also playable with any number of participants, so no challenge is closed off because your group is too big or too small.

Sonic Pico Park launches on November 12 for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

Source: Polygon