It might seem insignificant, and tenuous at best, but a promotional sign from a toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany has indicated that Sonic and co. are set to storm the Playstation 4, Xbox One and the Wii U by 2015. The sign was seen alongside Sonic merchandise from toy-maker Jazwares, but was first posted on a German website.

Perhaps the most interesting announcement on show was a new series of shorts and the first CG film in the franchise’s history. While TV is nothing new to Sonic, it will be interesting to see how the show is consumed, whether this will be via the traditional means, online-streaming only or simply as game perk.

Nintendo formed a partnership with Sega last year to make three Sonic games, the first of which is SONIC: LOST WORLD and the second, MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES: SOCHI 2014; offering an alternative to the snow-sport mania gripping the world. The third game has yet to be announced.

Whenever new consoles hit the market there’s always a worry whether beloved franchises will cross over and, more importantly, whether they’ll still work. Sonic is ubiquitous, and while not every incarnation is met with the same acclaim, the franchise is still going strong and still important to a lot of people.

It may not be the most reassuring indicator, but there’s hope that Sonic will be coming to a next-gen console near you. Provided the sign proves fruitful, it’s going to be an exciting few years ahead for that speedy blue hedgehog and his fans.

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