When Sega announced it would be celebrating the 25th anniversary for Sonic the Hedgehog with a new game, our stomachs curled into a blue, spinning ball of panic.
"Please not another Shadow the Hedgehog," we begged the gamer gods. "Sonic deserves better than that."
Mercifully, someone heard our prayers: Sega's old mascot is getting not one, but two new titles - and there's not a hint of messed up gun play in either of them.
Sonic Mania
One major factor has divided Sonic's good games from the ones that made you want to stab your thumbs into your eyes to make the pain go away: they're all two-dimensional.
So rejoice at the prospect of Sonic Mania, a mix of re-imagined classic and new levels, with three playable characters: Sonic (obviously), Tails and Knuckles.
Set to arrive on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in Spring 2017, it looks like retro fans are going to head-over-heels - really, really quickly - for this one.
'Project Sonic'
"But we've already got loads of good 2D Sonic games," we hear you cry. "We want something new! A good 3D Sonic game!"
Sega's got your back, kids. In addition to Sonic Mania, you'll get a yet-to-be-titled Sonic adventure, featuring apocalyptic giant robots, running, a smaller Sonic (did Sonic have a kid? We've not been paying attention), running and a 'resistance'.
So long as Shadow doesn't pop up, we'll be happy.
Project Sonic 2017 will arrive on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and the Nintendo NX in Spring 2017
