Sonic Superstars Team Doesn't Think Pixel Art Will Be a "Viable" Art Style in 10 Years

Sonic Superstars is an exciting return to the Blue Blur's 2D origins, but its new art style exists because its developers don't think the classic pixel art approach will be "viable" in future.

Speaking to GamesRadar+ at Gamescom 2023, Sonic Team head and Sonic Superstars producer Takashi Iizuka discussed (via a translator) the importance of having both 2D Sonic games, like Superstars, and 3D titles like last year's Sonic Frontiers.

[ZycoFox]

This might be a good game but I certainly like the pixel style Shantae games, like the newest one that's being worked on again. I don't agree that it won't be viable in future. There are also AI pixel art generators to convert your images to pixel art style which I'm guessing will get even better soon.

[-Foxtrot]

These kind of comments and not doing Mania 2...it just feels like they are kind of hurt a team who did fan made games managed to make a better Sonic game than them.

[maniacmayhem]

Well yeah , pixel art/games is already an artistic choice and not the norm. I'm sure in 10 more years it will be considered a gimmick or some nostalgic throwback which it usually always is

[gold_drake]

if team sonic would get their Sonic 3D games right for a change, we wouldnt be asking for the 2D styled games.

[NotoriousWhiz]

They need to get their 3d Sonic games right. And Sonic Frontiers was an excellent step in that direction. However, they shouldn't abandon 2d games either. We can have both. Same as Mario.

[Chocoburger]

Takashi Iizuka being wrong about something? Surprise, surprise.

Whether its the classic Sonic pentalogy of games on the Genesis / MegaDrive.
Retro-modern like Sonic Mania, fan games, or future official 2D Sonic games, there will always be a place in this industry for 2D pixel art (or HD sprite art) gaming.

[senorfartcushion]

?

What? They made their name from a pixel art game during th PS4/Xbox One era.

[Psychonaut85]

It will be viable until all of we gamers in our 30s and 40s are dead. After that people will be like, “why does it look like this?” 😂

[Rancegamerx]

Pixel art games still going strong 30+ years later when they have no reason to still exists and they think in a measly 10 years that's going to stop. Not a very smart comment.

[Yi-Long]

Personally, I’m a huge fan of pixel Sonic (the original 16-bit games, and more recently the excellent Mania), so string disagree from me on this opinion.

I think Mania looks much nicer than this new Superstars game.

[OtaconGamer]

Hard disagree. Pixel art is here to stay forever.

[Knightofelemia]

I like the pixel style it reminds me of the 8 bit and 16 bit days I have grown up with. And with the pixel style now looking better on modern consoles it looks a whole lot better. Not limited to what a SNES or a Genesis can do pixel style will always be a thing.