Sega has released never-before-seen early concept art for Sonic Adventure that shows a much different look from the final game, including a more squat Sonic and soot balls with a Ghibli-like feel. The official Sonic social accounts said, “Get a load of this early concept art for Sonic Adventure we found in our archives.” [1]
The images suggest the designs may predate art director Kazuyuki Hoshino’s involvement and may have been aimed at Sega Saturn hardware before the project shifted. Sega later turned Sonic Adventure into one of its biggest productions, with about 100 developers working on the Dreamcast title. [1]
The final game gave Sonic a more modern design, with longer limbs, voice lines and a sharper attitude. It also introduced new characters such as Shadow. [1]
Sonic Adventure reached the Dreamcast in the late 1990s after Sega canceled earlier 3D Sonic projects and focused its effort on that version. The newly released concept art offers a look at how far the game’s style changed before launch. [1]
