'Sonic the Hedgehog 2016' news: Release date tipped to be announced next month

Sonic the Hedgehog teaser from Team SonicTwitter via Sonic the Hedgehog

It was previously reported that Team Sonic and Sega have teased a brand new "Sonic the Hedgehog" game as part of the franchise's 25th anniversary. A new Twitter post reveals that fans can expect an official reveal and release date announcement this coming July.

As reported by Game Zone, a fan asked the developers when they will announce the release date of the new game. In response, the developers gave the number 722 which has since been rumored to mean July 22. This would coincide with the original game's anniversary, which was released on June 23 in the U.S. and July 26 in Japan.

It is also notable that Vincent Lovallo of Archie Comics stated in an interview with IGN that they are open to making a new comic book series if Sega indeed pushes through with a new video game this year. Archie Comics has just released the new "Sonic: Mega Drive" comic books as part of the twenty-fifth year anniversary.

Sonic will also be included in the new "LEGO Dimensions" DLC, as shown in the latest trailer, that also includes characters from other popular franchises such as "Ghostbusters," "Harry Potter," "Mission Impossible" and "The A-Team." Sonic's inclusion may be yet another teaser of the new game from the developers.

GameRanx notes that the July 22 date is still based on pure speculation given that the developers did not make an official statement other than the vague clue. However, it is noted that the numbers are conspicuously close to the main anniversary dates, indicating that this indeed will be when Team Sonic announces the game's launch date.

The last game in the series, "Sonic Boom," was not offiically made by Team Sonic and was developed more as a tie-in to the "Sonic Boom" cartoon series instead of a main "Sonic the Hedgehog" entry. This new title, whether a reboot or another reimagining, will be the newest official entry since 2013's "Sonic: Lost World."