14 Facts About Sonic X-treme

Sonic X-treme was a platform game developed by Sega Technical Institute from 1994 until its cancellation in 1996.

X-treme featured open levels rotating around a fixed center of gravity and, like previous Sonic games, featured collectible rings and fast-paced gameplay.

Levels would rotate around a fixed center of gravity, meaning Sonic X-treme could run up walls, arriving at what was previously the ceiling.

The plot described in promotional materials involves a Tiara Boobowski, who was set to become a major character, and her father, Professor Gazebo Boobowski, calling on Sonic X-treme to help defend the six magical Rings of Order from Dr Robotnik.

Early ideas for the next Sonic X-treme game included the experimental Sonic X-treme Crackers, which became Knuckles' Chaotix for the 32X.

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STI developer Peter Morawiec designed gameplay from this concept as a side-scroller with more focus on story than previous Sonic X-treme games, calling his pitch Sonic X-treme 16 and intended for release on the Sega Genesis.

Sega initially stated that Sonic X-treme had been delayed, but in early 1997 announced that it had been canceled.

Morawiec requested that X-treme be reworked into bonus stages in 3D Blast, but Traveller's Tales was unable to properly transfer Sonic's model.

In place of Sonic X-treme, Sega released a port of the Genesis game Sonic 3D Blast, and Sonic Jam, a compilation of Genesis Sonic games with an additional 3D level.

Sonic X-treme's cancellation is cited as a key reason for the Saturn's failure.

IGN Travis Fahs described Sonic X-treme as "an empty vessel for Sega's ambitions and the hopes of their fans" and said it was an important change for Sega, its mascot and the Saturn.

Senn believed that a version of Sonic X-treme built by him with Alon's engine could have sold well.

Journalists noted similarities in level themes and mechanics between X-treme and the 2013 game Sonic Lost World, although Sonic Team head Iizuka said the resemblance was coincidental.

In February 2015, the fansite Sonic Retro obtained the X-treme source code and created a playable build, featuring the level shown in the E3 1996 demo.