Sega has signed an exclusive advertising deal with Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions to run a themed Sonic the Hedgehog viral (oh, Sonic, you poor hedgehog, you...) on Windows Live Messenger. The agreement is part of an integrated campaign to promote two new games, Sonic the Hedgehog on the Xbox 360, and Sonic Rivals on the PSP.

Amusing bit about this deal? We'll see ads for a Sony PSP game on a Microsoft service. Nothing groundbreaking, it's all business anyway. But it does lead one to imagine that some fanboys and their extreme loyalties will have a brain-breaking fit over this odd reality.

This is an example of those rare situations wherein press releases can possibly amuse you.

We've been bombarded by Sonic Rivals screenshots for the past few days. While some have expressed their dislike for the game graphics and gameplay, there are those who have already bought a copy and enjoyed playing for hours. Those who've been disappointed with past Sega">Sonic video game incarnations might still be on the fence and thinking of holding off buying until they find a reason to head to the retail shop.

This writer happens to be a big fan of games that involve racing to the finish line, or in Sonic Rivals' case, scrambling to reach the end of a level. So, it's pretty obvious what this writer has to say about the game. But ultimately, the decision to buy would depend on whether you still think that the Blue Blur can give you hours of fun running around in circles, getting those rings, and showing Knuckles who's the speed demon.

Check out the gameplay video. Might help you decide.

With the release of the game Sonic Rivals for the PSP just around the corner, many are already raving to get their hands on a copy of the latest installment to the Sonic series of games.

Developed by Backbone Entertainment for the company which Sonic represents, Sega, the game will feature Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow and Silver as playable characters, with Metal as an unlockable character which you can play as after finishing the other four's stories. And of course, they're up against the villain who is no other than Dr. Eggman, except that his descendant, Eggman Nega, has decided to tag along this time around.

So, while we wait for December 1 to roll in and for this game to finally hit store shelves, here's some character renders of our hero hedgehogs for now which features them in various suits.

More images after the jump!

We all remember Sega">Sonic - every gamer's at least heard of Sega's little mach-2-cruisin' mascot, and now as we count down to the last few hours before the Sonic Rivals zips into your local retail store, we'll take one more look at another round of screenshots, courtesy or Worthplaying.com. We take special note in Knuckles the Echidna, who makes more air time in the following screenshots

For those a bit unfamiliar with the red dude with dreadlocks, Knuckles the Echidna was first introduced in the Sonic 3 for the Sega Genesis, and has his own fan following in both the game and the comics. End of intro. You can find out more on how he handles when the game lands tomorrow. So once again, here's one for the road!

More screens after the jump!

Pre-Order: [Sonic Rivals]

With only a few more days to go before Sonic Rivals hits the retail stores, we've got some last minute stuff on the game -- screenshots in particular. And they're all looking fine.

So we think we've held up to our end of the sky in terms of giving you the much-needed information on this Sega offering for the PSP. We've given you infos on gameplay, what's new with the characters, the opponents coming your way... Now, once it lands on your handhelds, it's all gonna be you. Just you - and Sonic. So make it good, and do us proud. You know your stuff. Time to get your game on.

Sonic Rivals arrives on November 17th.

More screens after the jump!

Pre-Order: [Sonic Rivals]

These Sonic Rivals videos must be scattered like rings in a loop-de-loop. After yesterday's serving of Blue Streak goodness, we gotta hop back to collect this ring we forgot, also from Gamespot: their interview with Sega's Yosuke Moriya where, like a friendly navigator, he guides us to the 2.5D racetrack.

And Yosuke lays it down: this is all about the competition. "There are no rules." Every powerup, item pickup, spring, and bumper, if it's not designed to boost you up, it's designed to slow the other guy down. And each character has an item-activated special attack; Yosuke identifies Shadow's. And one unlockable character: Metal Sonic. But then you've already seen the screenshots, right?

Remember those "Gotta catch'em all!" Pokemon Sonic cards we featured earlier? Yosuke says there are about one hundred and fifty (150) cards. These cards can be used and combine to customize your character's appearance. It would have been nice to have some gameplay functionality to using these cards, like even more special attacks.

As it is, there is one use for these cards aside from the dress-up: ad-hoc wireless gambling "friendly wagers" in the game's multiplayer mode. Ad-hoc wireless 2-player, bet three cards, he bets three cards, then run that loser into the dust to collect them all. You could also trade cards with the other guy, and just simply earn them in single-player, but where's the superiority complex fun in that?

If you want to catch Yosuke in the Gamespot interview, as well as even more Sonic Rivals gameplay we haven't seen yet, then hit the Download link like you're spin-jumping on a Badnik. And if you want to catch the game itself, November's your Blue month.

Download: [Sonic Rivals Yosuke Moria interview]
Pre-order: [Sonic Rivals]

It's action past the sound barrier for these three downloadable Gamespot gameplay videos of Sega's Sonic Rivals. Okay, two out of three videos, since the third's a boss battle with a snapping turtle, and everyone knows haste makes waste in a Sonic boss battle.

A boss battle? Geez, if your Rivals and a track full of ring-busting speed traps weren't enough competition for 'ya...

It's definitely a game to challenge your reflexes. Dodging traps or attacking enemies, hitting bumpers, springs, and (PSP) buttons to leap ahead of your opponent - break out the eyedrops, looks like you'll be staring so hard at your PSP screen. So much of what we've seen of the gameplay are blink-and-you'll-miss-it affairs, We'd hit the rewind button over and over again just to see what we missed. Like, exactly what was that flaming thing that gave Sonic a speed-braking dizzy spell?

Except for that giant snapping turtle. Like c'mon, who can miss that thing?

Download: [Sonic Rivals Knuckles gameplay]
Download: [Sonic Rivals Sonic gameplay]
Download: [Sonic Rivals boss battle]

Pre-order: [Sonic Rivals]

We're back today with screenshots from the world's (or at least the gaming world's) favourite hedgehog, Sega">Sonic. Our friends over at Sega Europe have decided to release a new batch of Sonic Rivals screens today to entice you into buying the game due for release on the PSP this Autumn. According to Amazon the release date is November 21, but we haven't had a confirmed date from Sega yet. If you're expecting a platformer like you got on the Sega Genesis console with Sonic The Hedgehog, then you may be a bit disappointed to find out that this is a racing title, but you may be familiar with some of the terrain.

All the hallmarks of Sonic and Sega working together are present in this game, from the obstacles you will face in the game to the way the "tracks" if you wish, are laid out. We're sure you're all too familiar with the kind of loops, jumps and swinging action you got in some of the original Sonic titles, and there's no lack of speedy fun here. Just watch out for the Venom, Drill Worm, Metal Hound, Vultur, and Egg Flapper who'll all be trying to stop you in your quest for a spiky victory.

   

With all the new screenshots Sega have provided us, we couldn't fit them all on the front page. Catch 'em all after the jump!

Preorder: [Sonic Rivals]

Sonic Rivals mainly is a racing game. Thus, you should not expect the courses to be hassle-free. Inevitably, there will be distractions and many challenging obstacles along the way that will impede you from maintaining the lead. Add to that your mission of recovering some invaluable rings.

Villains are treacherous and will definitely slow you down. With the Venoom, Drill Worm, Metal Hound, Vultur, and Egg Flapper, you have to be wily enough to get past them and continue on with the race. There are two separate modes of gameplay for you to choose from: Time Trial and Story Mode. So, it's just a couple more weeks to go before Sega">Sonic and friends breeze through your PSPs. But for now, enjoy these screenshots, and take the time to familiarize yourself with what's in store for you in the game.

   

   

As Sonic Rivalsapproach its release date on November, we think it's apt for us to provide you with more screens so as you know what you're gonna get by the time you decide to buy this game. Although screens aren't the best and only parameters to consider when buying a game, it still somehow manages to give you a picture of what the actual game looks like, so look on.

In this batch, we have more screens of the Carnival Course which were already featured the last time around. Also included in this batch is a few captures of the Waterfall Forest and the Ice Course. It looks like the friendly competition between Sonic, Shadow, Silver and Knuckles may not turn out to be too friendly. Hmm, we'd have to find out once the game races to store shelves.

Yup, you guessed it! There's more screens after the jump!