History VideoGame / SonicTheHedgehog4

''Sonic the Hedgehog 4'' (not to be confused with [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4SNES the SNES unlicensed bootleg game]]) is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Creator/{{Dimps}} that is [[GenreThrowback a modern-day throwback]] to [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]]'s roots on the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis. It's an EpisodicGame, with only two episodes released, though having both episodes downloaded unlocks a short {{interquel}}. Each episode has four Zones with four Acts each (three standard levels and one boss fight per Zone), plus a final BossOnlyLevel in each, making for a decently-sized downloadable game that Creator/{{Sega}} initially designed to test the waters for classic Sonic's return.

''Episode I'' was released on iOS, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, PC, and Android. It was hyped as a form of RevisitingTheRoots for the series, with the classic gameplay of [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 the original game]] and no characters beyond Sonic and Eggman; this is reflected in its codename, "''Project Needlemouse''".[[note]]The name comes from "Mr. Needlemouse", a common mistranslation of Sonic's [[WorkingTitle working name]], with the Japanese word for "hedgehog" (ハリネズミ) being literally translated as "needle-mouse".[[/note]] It is worth noting that this marketing push was done at the behest of Sega of America; it was originally planned as a mobile-exclusive title called ''Sonic the Portable'', unrelated to the Genesis series. As a result, the game uses a modified version of the ''VideoGame/SonicRush'' engine, which means the game plays quite differently from its classic counterparts, being twitchier and more fast-paced instead of momentum-driven.

''Episode II'' officially launched on May 15, 2012 for PC, [=PS3=], Xbox 360, Android, and iOS platforms.[[note]]The near-final "[=Beta8=]" was accidentally released to pre-orderers through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on April 21, 2012 at midnight EST.[[/note]] It featured an improved graphics engine (which kept it from releasing on the Wii, since it wasn't powerful enough) and tweaked the physics engine from ''Episode I''. Metal Sonic returns as a recurring boss, and Tails follows Sonic everywhere just like in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2''. He also allows for three new team-up moves: flying, swimming, and a barreling cannonball spin attack. Having an ''Episode I'' save file on the same platform will unlock ''[[OldSaveBonus Episode Metal]]'', a four-act mini-episode starring Metal Sonic.

*** E.G.G. Station Zone runs through all 4 bosses' 2nd forms in a row. Make it to the end and you fight the final boss of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'' - Death Egg Robot. After taking enough damage, [[spoiler: sirens start going off and it starts going berserk, running around the room in a jerky fashion and firing its rocket punches at an angle. It also has electricity coursing around it due to the malfunction and you can get damaged by it unless you knock his rocket arms back at him. His final attack makes him fly everywhere and try to crush you under his immense weight, and if you don't hit him in time the floor will open and you will fall to your death. On top of all of that, if you're standing on the floor when the mech hits it, you will lose your footing and not be able to control Sonic until the floor crumbles. Have fun with that.]]

* DamnYouMuscleMemory: ''Episode I''[='=]s engine is based on ''VideoGame/{{Sonic Rush|Series}}'' (and by extension, the DS version of ''VideoGame/SonicColors''), which threw off quite a number of fans used to the more momentum-based physics of the Genesis games.

Due to lower-than-expected performance of the series, ''Episode III'' was [[http://www.sonicstadium.org/2015/01/sonic-4-episode-3-was-planned-then-cancelled/ cancelled]], with its development team having little faith that the project will be revived.''VideoGame/SonicMania'', released five years after ''Episode II'', eventually took the position of being a direct sequel to ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles''. The release of ''VideoGame/SonicSuperstars'' has likely further cemented that the ''Sonic 4'' saga will never be revisited.

Due to lower-than-expected performance of the series, ''Episode III'' was [[http://www.sonicstadium.org/2015/01/sonic-4-episode-3-was-planned-then-cancelled/ cancelled]], with its development team having little faith that the project will be revived. The later ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' eventually took the position of being a direct sequel to ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles''.

''Episode I'' was released on iOS, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, PC, and Android. It was hyped as a form of RevisitingTheRoots for the series, with the classic gameplay of [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 the original game]] and no characters beyond Sonic and Eggman; this is reflected in its codename, "''Project Needlemouse''".[[note]]The name comes from "Mr. Needlemouse", a common mistranslation of Sonic's [[WorkingTitle working name]], with the Japanese word for "hedgehog" (ハリネズミ) being literally translated as "needle-mouse".[[/note]] It is worth noting that this marketing push was done at the behest of Sega of America; it was originally planned as a mobile-exclusive title called ''Sonic the Portable'', unrelated to the Genesis series. As a result, the game uses a modified version of the ''[[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries Sonic Rush]]'' engine, which means the game plays quite differently from its classic counterparts, being twitchier and more fast-paced instead of momentum-driven.

Due to lower-than-expected performance of the series, ''Episode III'' was [[http://www.sonicstadium.org/2015/01/sonic-4-episode-3-was-planned-then-cancelled/ cancelled]], with its development team having little faith that the project will be revived. The later ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' eventually took the position of being a direct sequel to ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', albeit in the AlternateContinuity for Classic Sonic established by ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''.

* ObviousBeta:
** ''Episode I'' seems to be a justified example. It feels experimental; the programmers probably wanted to see what the average player would and wouldn't like in future installments.
** This is the case for the ''Episode II'' [=Beta8=]; although it is virtually finished, it has an instant ring debug command and minor graphical errors, as well as tiny leftovers for an additional ending.

* ArtEvolution: ''Episode II'' receives a very noticeable jump in the graphics department compared to ''Episode I'', as the zones have a more detailed and three-dimensional appearance to them and the models lack the cel-shaded look they had in ''Episode I''.This is because it targeted the Xbox 360 and the [=PlayStation=] 3 as the main platforms, rather than mobile phones as the first episode did.

''Episode I'' was released on iOS, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, PC, and Android. It was hyped as a form of RevisitingTheRoots for the series, with the classic gameplay of [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 the original game]] and no characters beyond Sonic and Eggman; this is reflected in its codename, "''Project Needlemouse''".[[note]]The name comes from "Mr. Needlemouse", a common mistranslation of Sonic's [[WorkingTitle working name]], with the Japanese word for "hedgehog" (ハリネズミ) being literally translated as "needle-mouse".[[/note]] However, the game uses a modified version of the ''[[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries Sonic Rush]]'' engine, which means the game plays quite differently from its classic counterparts, being twitchier and more fast-paced instead of momentum-driven.

* ArtEvolution: ''Episode II'' receives a very noticeable jump in the graphics department compared to ''Episode I'', as the zones have a more detailed and three-dimensional appearance to them and the models lack the cel-shaded look they had in ''Episode I''.

''Episode II'' officially launched on May 15, 2012 for PC, [=PS3=], Xbox 360, Android, and iOS platforms.[[note]]The near-final "[=Beta8=]" was accidentally released to pre-orderers through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on April 21, 2012 at midnight EST.[[/note]] It featured an improved graphics engine (which kept it from releasing on the Wii since it wasn't powerful enough) and tweaked the physics engine from ''Episode I''. Metal Sonic returns as a recurring boss, and Tails follows Sonic everywhere just like in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2''. He also allows for three new team-up moves: flying, swimming, and a barreling cannonball spin attack. Having a ''Episode I'' save file on the same platform will unlock ''[[OldSaveBonus Episode Metal]]'', a four-act mini-episode starring Metal Sonic.

** ''Sonic 4'' canonically takes place after ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'', but before ''Sonic Adventure'', placing it between the "classic" and "modern" eras.

** Part of White Park Zone Act 2's music is based off of [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure Twinkle Park]] theme, "Pleasure Castle", a song that composer Jun Senoue previously worked on. Twinkle Park also had a roller coaster gameplay element as the Pleasure Castle section opens. Not only that, but "Pleasure Castle" was a reworked version of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW25LsLmOTs&t=24s an unused song]] from ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3DFlickiesIsland Sonic 3D Blast]]''.

* HailfirePeaks: Most of the levels in ''Episode II'' combine different tropes: Sylvania Castle is BigFancyCastle + BubblegloopSwamp, White Park is AmusementPark + SlippySlideyIceWorld , Oil Desert is ShiftingSandLand + EternalEngine, Sky Fortress is LevelsTakeFlight + RemilitarizedZone.

''Episode I'' was released on iOS, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, PC, and Android. It was hyped as a form of RevisitingTheRoots for the series, with the classic gameplay of the original game and no characters beyond Sonic and Eggman; this is reflected in its codename of "''Project Needlemouse''".[[note]]The name comes from "Mr. Needlemouse", a common mistranslation of Sonic's [[WorkingTitle working name]], with the Japanese word for "hedgehog" (ハリネズミ) being literally translated as "needle-mouse".[[/note]] However, the game uses a modified version of the ''[[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries Sonic Rush]]'' engine, which means the game plays quite differently from its classic counterparts, being twitchier and more fast-paced instead of momentum-driven.

* ArcWelding: A Sega rep confirmed that ''Episode I'' was meant to do this for ''Sonic CD'', as it [[https://web.archive.org/web/20191220110406/http://www.tssznews.com/2011/08/27/ken-balough-on-sonic-cd-as-sonic-4s-prequel/ wasn't considered to be significantly tied in any way to]] the numerical Genesis trilogy.

* BashBrothers: ''Episode II'' sees the return of "Sonic & Tails" mode with 2-player co-op (offline and online), complete with at least one new combination attack and Tails being able to carry Sonic.

* DuelingGames: This game duels with both ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosWii'' and ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'', both of which come from [[Creator/{{Nintendo}} Sega's old rival from the 16-bit days]] (the former from its primary development team, the latter from its overseas Creator/RetroStudios division).

* ExpressiveEars: Both Sonic and Tails have these in their [[IdleAnimation Idle Animations.]] Sonic's ears flick with irritation at being kept waiting whilst Tails' move about when he's sleeping. Their ears also droop in disappointment if they fail to get a Chaos Emerald in Special Stages.

** The console version of Lost Labyrinth Zone Act 2 seems to have sent many running to Website/YouTube with its torch puzzle. Once you figure out what each torch does, it's much easier but until then, it can be very frustrating. Act 3 has the spiked water chamber, which some fans consider to be this game's Barrel of Doom.

* HailfirePeaks: Much of the levels in ''Episode II'' seem to be this.

''Episode II'' officially launched on May 15, 2012 for PC, [=PS3=], Xbox 360, Android, and iOS platforms.[[note]]The near-final "[=Beta8=]" was accidentally released to pre-orderers through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on April 21, 2012 at midnight EST.[[/note]] It featured an improved graphics engine (which kept it from releasing on the Wii since it wasn't powerful enough) and tweaked the physics engine ''Episode I''. Metal Sonic returns as a recurring boss, and Tails follows Sonic everywhere just like in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2''. He also allows for three new team-up moves: flying, swimming, and a barreling cannonball spin attack. Having a ''Episode I'' save file on the same platform will unlock ''[[OldSaveBonus Episode Metal]]'', a four-act mini-episode starring Metal Sonic.

* BadFuture: [[spoiler:As seen in ''Episode Metal'', Metal Sonic apparently hails from Stardust Speedway's Bad Future, which looks extremely [[VideoGame/SonicGenerations familiar to a previous version.]]]]

** The [[http://youtu.be/fvLaIkJV8WE?t=1m56s intro scene]] to ''Episode Metal'' begins in [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Stardust Speedway]]'s bad future, complete with the music and ''CD''-style Zone title card.

* TheDragon: [[spoiler:Metal Sonic]] is this to Eggman in ''Episode II''.

** [[spoiler:Metal Sonic does this twice in ''Episode II'']].

%%* GravityScrew: ''Episode II'' has an ''interesting'' take on this. See it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=akKP9Izt1pY#t=7s here]], but beware of spoilers for ''Episode II'''s last level.
* GreenHillZone: Splash Hill Zone. %%(Administrivia/WeblinksAreNotExamples. Entries should stand on their own with enough context)%%

* HistoryRepeats: [[spoiler:Metal Sonic tries to kill Sonic by goading him into a race, beat him to the finish line and trick him into running into an electrified door. Apparently, he didn't learn from Stardust Speedway.]]

** Part of White Park Zone Act 2's music is based off of [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure Twinkle Park]] theme, "Pleasure Castle", a song that composer Jun Senoue previously worked on. Twinkle Park also had a roller coaster game play element as the Pleasure Castle section opens.
** You can catch a bit of [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 Metropolis Zone's]] opening snare in the theme of Oil Desert Zone Act 1.
** The intro to ''Episode Metal'' has traces of the US and Japanese/European versions of ''Sonic CD'''s main theme.
** ''Episode I'''s default boss music is a remade version of and [[DummiedOut unused]] theme found in a ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3DFlickiesIsland Sonic 3D Blast]]'' prototype.
** [[spoiler:The race against Metal Sonic in Death Egg Mk.II Zone Act 1 is, of course, overlaid by the bad future Stardust Speedway Zone theme from ''Sonic CD'' but with a ''Sonic 4''-style instrumentation.]]

** The ''Episode I'' Special Stage and ''Episode II'' FinalBoss music are based around [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 their]] [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 original]] incarnations music.

** This is the case for the ''Episode II'' [=Beta8=]; although it is virtually finished, it has an instant ring debug command and minor graphical errors, as well as [[DummiedOut tiny leftovers]] for an additional ending.

* {{Prequel}}: ''Episode Metal'' is the prequel to ''Episode II'', explaining how Metal Sonic reappears in [[SlippySlideyIceWorld White]] [[AmusementParkofDoom Park Zone]], [[AirborneAircraftCarrier Sky Fortress Zone]], and [[spoiler: [[TheBattlestar Death Egg Mk.II]]]]. ''Sonic CD'' itself can be seen as a prequel to ''Episode II'', and the ''Sonic 4'' saga itself is marketed as a prequel to the ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''-onwards era.

** When Sonic and Tails do their tag team animations in ''Episode II'', the entire game world, and the clock, stops and kindly lets them finish, making those moves much more useful in [[{{Speedrun}} speedruns]].

** Each boss in ''Episode I'' starts out relatively simple, using a silly, cornball boss theme (which just happens to be recycled DummiedOut ''Sonic 3D Blast'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL5qnQzvPlY music]]). But once you've gotten far enough in the fight, the music changes to the faster-paced, aggressive second boss theme, and whatever machine Eggman is using starts fighting for ''real'':

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:Sonic and Tails defeat the Egg Heart! Yay! The Death Egg Mk.II is exploding! Double yay! But Little Planet is now drifting in space, and still encased in metal. Um... Not yay?]]

''Sonic the Hedgehog 4'' (not to be confused with [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4SNES the SNES unlicensed bootleg game]]) is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Creator/{{Dimps}} that is a throwback to [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]]'s roots on the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, as well as being a response to the series' PolygonCeiling-related criticism. It's an EpisodicGame, with only two episodes released, though having both episodes downloaded unlocks a short {{interquel}}. Each episode has four Zones with four Acts each (three standard levels and one boss fight, plus a final BossOnlyLevel in each), making for a decently-sized downloadable game that Creator/{{Sega}} initially designed to test the waters for classic Sonic's return.

Due to lower-than-expected performance of the series, ''Episode III'' was [[http://www.sonicstadium.org/2015/01/sonic-4-episode-3-was-planned-then-cancelled/ cancelled]], with its development team having little faith that the project will be revived. The later ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' eventually took the position of being a direct sequel to ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', albeit in the AlternateTimeline for Classic Sonic established by ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''.

''Sonic the Hedgehog 4'' (not to be confused with [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4SNES the SNES unlicensed bootleg game]]) is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Creator/{{Dimps}} that is a throwback to [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]]'s roots on the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, as well as being a response to the series' PolygonCeiling-related criticism. It's an EpisodicGame, with only two episodes released. Each episode has four Zones with four Acts each (not including the final Zones), making for a decently-sized downloadable game that Creator/{{Sega}} initially designed to test the waters for classic Sonic's return.

The story is simple: MadScientist and aspiring [[TakeOverTheWorld world conqueror]] [[BigBad Dr. Eggman]] seeks revenge on his perpetual arch-nemesis by rebuilding his best Badniks to go on a hedgehog hunt. Now, Sonic must counter Eggman's offense and save the world from the doctor once again.

''Episode I'' was released on iOS, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, PC, and Android. It was hyped as essentially ''VideoGame/MegaMan9'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' from the outset, thanks to its codename of "''Project Needlemouse''".[[note]]"Mr. Needlemouse" was Sonic's name back when his very first game was still in the planning stages.[[/note]] The game featured almost no momentum thanks to the physics being copied and pasted from ''[[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries Sonic Rush]]''. The developers even admitted to doing so intentionally to place more emphasis on using the Homing Attack.

''Episode II'' officially launched on May 15, 2012 for PC, [=PS3=], Xbox 360, Android, and iOS platforms.[[note]]Although the near-final "[=Beta8=]" was accidentally released to pre-orderers through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on April 21, 2012 at midnight EST.[[/note]] It featured an improved graphics engine (which kept it from releasing on the Wii since it wasn't powerful enough) and somewhat improved the physics of ''Episode I''. The plot involves Dr. Eggman creating a new Death Egg by [[UnwillingRoboticisation roboticizing]] the Little Planet from ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]''. [[RobotMe Metal Sonic]] returns as a recurring boss, and Tails follows Sonic everywhere just like in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2''. He also allows for three new team-up moves: flying, swimming, and a barreling cannonball spin attack. Having a ''Episode I'' save file on the same platform will unlock ''[[OldSaveBonus Episode Metal]]'', a four-act mini-episode starring Metal Sonic.

* BossOnlyLevel: E.G.G. Station.

* {{Cliffhanger}}: Beat E.G.G. Station Zone after collecting all 7 Chaos Emeralds in ''Episode I''. [[spoiler:A silhouette of Metal Sonic appears as soon as Eggman comes out of nowhere in his Egg mobile, which will make his boss appearances in ''Episode II''.]]

** The [[http://youtu.be/fvLaIkJV8WE?t=1m56s intro scene]] to ''Episode Metal'' begins with a zone title screen lifted directly from ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]''.
* ContinuitySnarl: ''Episode Metal'' may have retroactively added one to the series. The game explicitly points out that [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Metal Sonic was left abandoned for a long time on Little Planet after he was defeated on Stardust Speedway]], and wasn't revived by Eggman until the modern era. Problem is, Metal Sonic makes several other appearances in the classic era spinoff games (i.e. ''VideoGame/SonicTheFighters'', ''VideoGame/SonicTripleTrouble'', ''VideoGame/SonicDrift'') and as per word of Sega staffer Aaron Webber, "Everything is canon." Though it could be possible that those games take place ''after'' the events of ''Sonic 4'', and that the use of the modern art style is simply because [[GrandfatherClause ''Episode I'' used it]]. [[note]]Of note, Metal Sonic uses his design introduced in ''VideoGame/SonicRivals2'' rather then ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2''.[[/note]] Sonic Team re-using the Classic designs wouldn't happen until ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', one year later.
* CreditsMedley: In both episodes, in a similar vein from the [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Gene]][[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 sis]] [[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles titles]].

* CutShort: A third episode was planned as a way to round out ''Sonic 4'' as a trilogy much like the original 16-bit games.[[note]]Provided one considers ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' to be one full game instead of two separate ones.[[/note]] Lower than expected sales and critical reception of the first two episodes caused Sega to cancel ''Episode III''.
* CuttingOffTheBranches: [[spoiler:The beginning of ''Episode Metal'' heavily implies that the Metal Sonic race in ''Sonic CD'' took place in the Bad Future.]]
* DamnYouMuscleMemory: ''Episode I''[='=]s engine is based on ''VideoGame/{{Sonic Rush|Series}}'' (and by extension, the DS version of ''VideoGame/SonicColors''), which threw off quite a number of fans used to the tighter physics of the Genesis games.

* {{Interquel}}: According to press for ''Episode I'', it directly follows the destruction of the Death Egg in ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''. This isn't evident in the game itself, but this is also suggested to be the case in ''Episode II'', when (barring a time travel explanation) Metal Sonic reawakens after the events of ''Sonic CD''.

* ArcWelding: A Sega rep confirmed that ''Episode I'' was meant to do this for ''Sonic CD'', as it [[http://www.tssznews.com/2011/08/27/ken-balough-on-sonic-cd-as-sonic-4s-prequel/ wasn't considered to be significantly tied in any way to]] the numerical Genesis trilogy.

* ArcWelding: A Sega rep confirmed that ''Episode I'' does this to ''Sonic CD'', as it [[http://www.tssznews.com/2011/08/27/ken-balough-on-sonic-cd-as-sonic-4s-prequel/ wasn't considered to be significantly tied in any way to]] the numerical Genesis trilogy.

* InternalHomage: There are a lot; some reviews actually criticized the game for this.

* InNameOnly: Despite the title branding the game as a direct sequel to the Genesis games, the gameplay here is fundamentally different due to the differing physics and does not mesh with the original trilogy. It started out as a mobile game before SEGA decided to name it "Sonic the Hedgehog 4".

''Sonic the Hedgehog 4'' is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Creator/{{Dimps}} that is a throwback to [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]]'s roots on the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, as well as being a response to the series' PolygonCeiling-related criticism. It's an EpisodicGame, with only two episodes released. Each episode has four Zones with four Acts each (not including the final Zones), making for a decently-sized downloadable game that Creator/{{Sega}} initially designed to test the waters for classic Sonic's return.

* SequelDifficultySpike: What ''[[OldSaveBonus Episode Metal]]'' amounts to, as it takes different acts from ''Episode I'', and amps up the difficulty with more hazards and different Badnik placements. The physics are taken directly from ''Episode II'', however.

[[JustForFun/TheOneWith The ones where]] the franchise went back to 2D, [[TwoAndAHalfD but was still 3D!]]

The ones where the franchise went back to 2D, [[TwoAndAHalfD but was still 3D!]]