Lost Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode III Teaser Scene Resurfaces

A long-lost piece of Sonic history has just resurfaced. Fans have discovered what appears to be a deleted teaser scene for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode III, a game that was never officially released. The teaser was uncovered from an old Macintosh previously owned by SEGA and shared online by preservation group Obscure Gamers. While only a short video, the scene offers the first real glimpse at what could’ve been the conclusion to the Sonic 4 trilogy.

The footage appears to pick up immediately after the events of Episode II, in which Sonic and Tails shut down Dr. Robotnik’s newly constructed Death Egg. In this lost scene, the Death Egg is shown reactivating—this time powered by the Master Emerald. Knuckles makes a brief appearance, possibly manipulated into aiding Robotnik, hinting that he may have been a central figure in the next chapter, potentially clashing with Sonic before uncovering the truth.

This teaser was never included in the final version of Episode II, and with Episode III ultimately cancelled, it’s a small but significant piece of what could’ve been a major chapter in Sonic’s modern 2D legacy. The existence of this scene confirms that some narrative groundwork had been laid before the project was shelved. For longtime fans, especially those who enjoyed the retro-inspired approach of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, this teaser is both thrilling and bittersweet.

While Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode III never came to fruition, its spirit arguably lives on. The first two episodes were co-developed by Dimps and Sonic Team, but Episode III was reportedly being developed by Christian Whitehead and SEGA Studios Australia. That studio later shut down, but Whitehead would go on to create Sonic Mania, now considered one of the best 2D Sonic games ever made.

With the release of Sonic Superstars in 2023—a modernized 2D Sonic developed by Sonic Team and Arzest—the direction of future 2D Sonic titles remains uncertain. While Superstars introduced co-op gameplay and fresh visuals, it didn’t make a major commercial splash. Whether SEGA revisits the pixel art style of Mania or continues experimenting with new formats is still up in the air.

Stay tuned to Sonic City for more Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II News and Updates!

Source: Twitter