"Sonic Jam": Something Old, New and Very Blue.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 1997--The legacy of Sonic the Hedgehog continues as Sega of America announces the marriage of four classic Sonic games enhanced for the Sega Saturn.

The video-game company Thursday announced the release of "Sonic Jam," an ultimate Sonic collection which includes: "Sonic The Hedgehog," "Sonic 2," "Sonic 3" and "Sonic and Knuckles" plus Sonic museum on one CD.

"Sonic Jam" also features the first 3-D virtual Sonic museum, which is a game in itself. Players will progress in complete 3-D movement as they explore the vast landscape collecting gold rings and searching for hidden treasures.

The virtual museum is filled with a series of 3-D buildings, each structure housing a different collection of Sonic memorabilia, including Sonic commercials from around the world, music from all the Sonic games, artwork and in-depth character profiles. It is the complete world of Sonic.

The fun and value don't stop in the museum. "Sonic Jam" throws players into the excitement of retro gaming action with all new additions to four classic games. Using "Lock-On" technology, gamers can add Sonic and Knuckles to any of the other Sonic games with extra bonus levels and hours of gameplay.

In addition, the title also includes multiscrolling backgrounds that were previously found only in the Japanese versions. New play modes include time attack, allowing gamers to race against the clock and a special stage mode where gamers may enter directly into the bonus stages.

"`Sonic Jam'" is the ultimate `life and times' of our famous blue hedgehog, combining four of his most popular games plus a 3-D interactive Sonic memorabilia world on one CD," explained Lydia Gable, group director of marketing, Sega of America. "The king of `spin-dash' shows off new moves in `Sonic Jam' as he takes flight with his pals Tails and 360-degree movement around the interactive 3-D Sonic world."

Sonic titles in the "Sonic Jam" collection:

"Sonic the Hedgehog"

Faster than a speeding bullet -- it's "Sonic the Hedgehog" in the original high-speed adventure that introduced the world to Sonic's infamous spin-dash. Plummet down tunnels, defy gravity on the loop-to-loop and dash to safety with Sonic's red, power sneakers -- all at the speed of light. Help Sonic escape from bubbling molten lava, swim through turbulent waterfalls and scale glistening green mountains all in an enhanced 32-bit environment. This is the one that started it all. Date shipped: June 1991.

"Sonic 2"

In the second game, Sonic meets his sidekick Tails and fights against the mad scientist Dr. Robotnik. In order to survive, Sonic must save his friends from Dr. Robotnik's evil plotting while dashing across a corkscrew speedway, bouncing like a pinball through the bumpers and springing off the amazing zones. Sonic must collect rings and find the seven Chaos Emeralds in order to end Dr. Robotnik's quest to conquer the world. Date shipped: November 1992.

"Sonic 3"

The fun continues with more Sonic action faster than ever before. Defy gravity in hair-raising loop to loops. Race like lightning as you progress through the past, present and future with Sonic's power sneakers. "Sonic 3" has six super zones, each composed of two acts with special stages and bonus rounds. Date shipped: February 1994.

"Sonic and Knuckles"

Play with Sega's favorite heroes -- Sonic, Knuckles and Tails -- and stop the original bad egg Dr. Robotnik from destroying the world. Blast through more than 24 mega-size zones, check out cool 3-D stages, discover bonus levels and compete in two-player split-screen competition in this hedgehog adventure. Date shipped: October 1994.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo-based Sega Enterprises Ltd., responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega video-game systems and video games in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a nearly $3.6-billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com .

CONTACT: Sega of America

Angela Edwards, 415/802-3908

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Access Communications 

Susan Carlson/Karen Schachter, 415/904-7070 ext. 231/230

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