Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed racing to Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita, 3DS, PC in 2012

Sega this morning announced that they are not at all done with mascot kart racing games yet. Instead they’ve announced Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for the Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS and PC. The game seems to be a direct follow up to Sonic & All-Stars Racing and will feature most of the same characters plus a few new ones such as Gilius Thunderhead from Golden Axe and Vyse from Skies of Arcadia. There will be new environments and power-ups and all of that also.

Check out a nice colorful selection of new screens.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is scheduled for a late 2012 release.

Read on for the press release.

SEGA Europe and SEGA of America Inc. are excited to announce Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, a thrilling new racing experience featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and a fantastic cast of SEGA All-Stars competing across land, air and water in vehicles that fully transform from cars, to planes to boats. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will speed on to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS hand-held system and PC Digital Download late in 2012.

Following on from the huge success of Sonic & SEGA All-Star?s Racing, the characters now have their own unique transforming vehicles designed to take advantage of the varying terrain. The line up on the Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed grid sees SEGA favourites ? including Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr Eggman and AiAi ? return to battle against newcomers that include Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe and Vyse of Skies of Arcadia. The brand new dynamic environments and tracks in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed are once again inspired by SEGA?s illustrious gaming history. When the road falls away beneath you on Super Monkey Ball?s Temple Trouble track your car transforms into a boat and speeds down the rivers and rapids, whilst the Panzer Dragoon inspired track, Dragon Canyon, takes you into the sky in complete control of your plane, barrel rolling to out-manoeuvre rivals and obstacles before transforming back in to a car and racing to the finish line.

?Given the fantastic feedback we received from critics and consumers alike for the first game we really wanted to push the boundaries on our follow up game, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed? commented David Corless, Global Sonic Brand Director. ?The transforming vehicles allow us to do this ? as well as drifting your car around the corners of a track, you get to fly your plane and pilot your boat against others all within one race. Add to this a grid full of star characters, retro IP, fun, fast race modes and cool tracks and racing fans of all ages are sure to love this one!?

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed also sees the popular All-Star moves return with a brand new mechanic allowing your All-Star bar to power up faster if you race daringly and stylishly. An all new fair weapon system ensures that weapons fired at your vehicle can either be blocked or evaded once you have gained the skills to do so, making each race a unique and exhilarating experience whether it?s on water, in the air or on land. Old rivalries can be settled and new track records set in the enhanced online multiplayer mode, whilst the Grand Prix mode and competitive Battle Arenas will prove that Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is certainly set to change the rules of the race.