Q: How does this game appeal to both 3D and 2D Sonic fans?

Iizuka: Sonic Generations for 3DS gives players the opportunity to experience the handheld history of Sonic with the old side-scrolling action which has been loved for many years.

Q: Will the 3DS version be more like Sonic Rush or Sonic Colours on Wii?

Iizuka: Sonic Generations itself is not a 3D action game and, as such, the gameplay will be like the Sonic Rush series and Sonic Colours DS. However, the graphics are made in 3D, so while the gameplay may be 2D, the camera movement allows players to enjoy 3D-like dynamic action.

Q: How different are the stages for old Sonic and new Sonic? Will we be playing the same stages with two different characters like in Sonic Rush? Also, will the game have any brand new features that haven't been used in a Sonic game before?

Iizuka: The level design is completely different between Classic and Modern Sonic. For example, Green Hill in Classic mode is true to that of the Mega Drive Sonic The Hedgehog. Even the enemy positions, hidden items, etc are the same so people who know the original will have their memories brought back.

On the other hand, Green Hill in Modern mode is a longer stage to allow for effective use of Boost, a modern Sonic feature.

Also, in the Modern stages, the perspective alternates as the camera brings the action further away and closer to the screen. It has new gimmicks so players will experience a whole new Green Hill.

Q: Will some old favourites (eg Tails, Knuckles) be included as playable characters?

Iizuka: This title's concept is to have the players enjoy the action as the two Sonics so they are the only playable characters. However, Tails is an important character and plays a supporting role within the story - there is a Classic and Modern Tails so don't miss it.

Q: Can we expect new levels or are we just going to see alterations of past locations? Will we see 2D Sonic running around in locations from say, Sonic Adventure, and will we see the new Sonic blasting through the likes of Oil Ocean zone?

Iizuka: Classic Sonic will run through stages of recent games and Modern Sonic will blast through stages from the older titles.

However, because the concept of the game is to experience the history of Sonic, there are not new levels in this game.

Q: How does the game make use of the 3DS's StreetPass function?

Iizuka: StreetPass allows players to exchange profiles and even adds games. Further details will be revealed later on.

Q: What influenced your decision to utilise StreetPass. Also, why did you choose to have a lack of 3D gameplay?

Iizuka: StreetPass is a great feature with which you can feel a connection with other people by taking the handheld outside. It's fun to check out how many players have you have passed every time you go out, and we wanted this to be part of the game.

We did not include 3D gameplay because we wanted the players to enjoy the history of the handheld Sonic games rather than just playing a port of the console versions of Sonic Generations.

Q: How do you intend to make the best use of the console's 3D capabilities?

Iizuka: The great thing about 3DS is that every player will be in an environment where they can experience stereoscopic 3D. So we have tried to bring in as much stereoscopic functionality and gimmicks in the level design as possible. Paths that go further away and closer to screen, and objects that fall towards the screen are few of the examples. The game also features a Special Stage in which players will be running on a tube-shaped landscape, giving an even more dynamic stereoscopic experience.

Q: Would you like to make a version for Wii U? If not, are you excited about Wii U, and what possibilities does it offer Sonic?

Iizuka: We've developed many Sonic titles for Nintendo platforms and Wii U will be a console with a very unique feature. We are obviously interested in creating titles for Wii U.

Q: Will the game support Augmented Reality?

Iizuka: No, the game does not support AR.

Q: Is it difficult to please all Sonic fans or do you just have to accept that there are some older fans who will never be pleased?

Iizuka: Our team are always trying to present new gameplay innovations so it's hard to please fans who like the gameplay from the older games.

However, we have included the older gameplay as part of Sonic's 20th Anniversary so we think the fans of the older games will enjoy it as well.

We are also looking into continuing the Sonic 4 series which was released on WiiWare and we'll keep developing titles so more fans will enjoy the games.

Q: Does it frustrate you that many critics seem to ignore the fact that there have been many good Sonic games in recent years? Sonic Colours and Sonic Rush, for example...

Iizuka: The Rush series and Sonic Colours were well received by both consumers and press. There were negative comments to those titles as well, but they drive us when creating the new titles so we think they are valuable comments as well.