Project Needlemouse is Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

While much of America was asleep, Sega lifted the curtain on the much ballyhooed Project Needlemouse which had been shrouded in mystery since last year. The game is now officially titled Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, and it will be available as an episodic download later this year on PSN, Xbox Live Arcade, and WiiWare.

In an interview with Gamespot, Sega’s Ken Balough stated that “for all intents and purposes, the game’s are designed to be identical”, so, much like Mega Man 9, the only differences will be in the resolution you’re playing at. (Though, unlike Mega Man 9, this game is using a 3D engine and will likely look gorgeous in 1080p, which he also promises will be supported.)

Also in are all of Sonic’s classic moves, as well as a storyline that fits somewhere after Sonic 3 & Knuckles, so all you old-school Sonic fans should freshen up on your Sonic canon or risk being even more lost than when you were a kid.

Finally, Sonic fans can rejoice that their pleas have been heard (some say the Sonic Rush DS games don’t count because they were on a hand-held), but, let’s remember, it is still a Sonic game being developed by the current Sega, and not the Sega of yesteryear. For me, it’s a wait-and-see, but it’s certainly off to a good start!

See the trailer below, and head to Gamespot for the rest of the interview with Ken Balough.