Sonic, online play confirmed for Super Smash Bros Brawl

Redmond (WA) - Fulfilling the wishes of countless fans of the Nintendo fighting series, Sonic the Hedgehog will be a playable character in an online-capable Super Smash Bros Brawl.

Nintendo confirmed the news this week at a press conference in Japan, according to local gaming blog Ge-maga. The site also said that Sonic will be able to turn into Super Sonic as part of his list of moves in the game.

It will bring to life one of the most hoped for additions to the new game. Many thought Sega’s blue mascot would appear in the Gamecube game Super Smash Bros Melee, and that idea has stuck around with fans of the series ever since.

Revealed at E3 last year, Konami icon Solid Snake will also make an appearance in Brawl. Nintendo has said the character line-up is still not officially complete.

At the press conference, Nintendo also mentioned an online co-op mode, saying things are coming together for a Wi-Fi play option. Previously, the video game giant refused to comment on whether or not the title would have any form of online component.

There is a downside to the news, though. The game has been pushed back to 2008, which will no doubt also postpone the December 3 launch in the US.