Sonic the Hedgehog 2-inspired Xbox Series S Console and Controllers Are Fur Real

Hm, it’s been a while here, longer than I’d like. Let’s just say I’m dealing with some personal stuff, and leave it at that.

But what, oh what, could drag me out of the rock I’ve been under to get me to post again?

Xbox revealed this week a special custom Xbox Series S inspired by the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures, which will roll into theatres on April 8th.

Included in this set is a gorgeous custom Xbox Series S console which features one of Sonic’s iconic golden rings surrounding the side vent, with an image of the film’s versions of Sonic and Knuckles clashing beneath it, and an embossed movie logo on the front.

As beautiful as this masterwork is, however, it’s not what has everyone talking. No, that would be these:

That would be the “Sonic Blue” and “Knuckles Red” Xbox Wireless Controllers, as seen above. Unlike other versions of this exquisite modern video game interaction device, which vary by colors of plastic, these have differently colored… quills?

The visuals say “furry,” but from Xbox Wire, these controllers are said to have “textured coatings reminiscent of the “bristly” texture of hedgehogs in the wild.”

Either way, that’s wild, alright. While there’s been some people expressing a lack of desire to actually play using these controllers, they’d at least make one heck of a cool display/conversation piece, and be a great addition to any Sonic fan’s collection.

There are only two ways to get your hands on one of these two sets, however (because Sonic 2, you see). One is to go on Twitter and retweet the official sweepstakes tweet with the hashtag “#XboxSonic2Sweepstakes” (which I hate when they say stuff like that, because you don’t say/include anything in a retweet; technically, that would be a quote tweet. There’s a whole separate counter for those and everything, and I’m never sure if I’m doing what they want correctly).

The other way is only any good if you live in those United States, which is to redeem Microsoft Rewards Points. Why this isn’t available for Canadians, I have no idea. I’m building a nice little stockpile of them for just such an occasion as this, and I can’t even use them. Go figure.

Oh well. See official terms and conditions for more info.

While they’re on the subject of Sonic, Xbox has also taken the opportunity to talk about the Sonic downloadable content for Minecraft, which has an update coming soon:

Sonic fans can explore some of the iconic zones of the franchise, like the Green Hills Zone, with the Sonic the Hedgehog Minecraft DLC available for download in the Minecraft Marketplace. With 24 themed Minecraft skins to try out, achievements to unlock, and characters to meet, players can collect rings and speed toward a high score as their favorite hedgehog. On April 5, be sure to check out the Minecraft Marketplace for an exciting update to the DLC, with six new skins and a new challenge in the Labyrinth Zone, to celebrate the release of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.”

Side note: I still really need to check that out.

Also, they mention that there’s no shortage of Sonic titles and stuff in the Microsoft Store on Xbox. My personal recommendations to get you started, if you’re new to the whole Sonic shebang? Sonic Generations, Sonic Mania, and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (even if they never fixed the Avatar problem in the latter). There’s plenty more, of course, but I think that gives the best and most varied look at some of Sonic’s most iconic play styles.

So good luck to those who enter the contest, and wish me the same! From here, it’s just a matter of counting down the days and rewatching this trailer until Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hits theatres.

Thanks for reading!

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David Oxford is a freelance writer of many varied interests. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.

David Oxford

David Oxford, or “LBD ‘Nytetrayn’,” as he is sometimes also known, is a freelance writer of many varied interests who resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.

For a full list of places to find him online, click here.