So it's rather well known by now that Sonic Boom: The Rise of Lyric is largely busted (although we think its 3DS counterpart, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal, fares better). Even so, there may still be a silver lining when the word "Boom" is associated with "Sonic": the cartoon series that ties with the games seems to be picking up an audience.
According to the show's PR firm, Sonic Boom has seen double- and triple-digit gains with key demographics since it began airing 8th November on Cartoon Network. It also claims the #1 spot in its time slot for the demo groups of boys 6-11, boys 9-14, and kids 9-14. It should be noted that this time slot is Saturday at 7 a.m. Eastern Time, when two 11-minute episodes are aired back to back. That's not exactly prime time, but it's nice to know the Saturday morning cartoon vibe is still being kept alive.
The final episode of the season [Correction: final episode before a mid-season break], titled "Eggheads" will air this Saturday, 6th December and new episodes are scheduled to return early next year. If you don't get Cartoon Network, or stopped waking up early on Saturdays long, long ago, you might be able to catch some Sonic Boom episodes on the network's website (you may have to sign up with the site to see full episodes).
Have you seen Sonic Boom? Let us know what you think of the show below.
Comments 79
Well, I am gonna try the Wii U demo now, but well, I didn't like the 3DS one, but hey, the show is great!
I actually haven't seen the show yet. I really need to check it out so I'll probably set my DVR and give it a look.
Guh, Makes me annoyed that both of the games didn't receive delays just that the show can gain ground....aw well.
Glad to see Sonic Boom TV show doing well. Saturday morning cartoons is becoming a rarity these days.
I seen the show is not that bad,i like it.Sad the game doesn't have the love the show is getting from writers and fans.
@Captain_Toad Actually, Saturday Morning Cartoons don't exist anymore. September 27, 2014 was the last time cartoons aired on Saturday mornings on network TV.
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Death-Saturday-Morning-Cartoon-Complete-67543.html
@Dipper723 You know, it reminds me when I was a kid... well actually, I guess I'm still kind of considered a kid, being 14 and all. Oh well, goodbye Saturday mornings cartoons!
I certainly like the show. As silly and somewhat cringe-worthy it may seem to me at times, it definitely bring a smile to my face.
The show isn't half-bad. I could smile at some of the snark Sonic was giving off, and the general direction was enjoyable.
But I don't like how disconnected everything is. Each episode seems to change parts of the personalities to accomodate for the plot, and that makes it hard to follow some events at times.
I don't know what happen to you sega but you really been stinkin it up lately! How bout some wii u vc love?????
@joey302 YES! Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast VCs would be amazing.
@Dipper723 as a kid Saturday morning cartoons were always a joy as my brothers and I gathered round to watch bugs bunny religiously! Good ol days!
@Dipper723 I don't understand what the hell they're waiting for!! They're sitting on a mega pile of retro classics!!! I don't get it at all!!
Also besides their systems they published quite a few GBA games as well. If I was running sega I'd be all over the wii u man! Jeez!
@Dipper723 I'm a bit over twice your age. I had fond memories of waking up early Saturday mornings in the 80s/90s to watch the cartoons. We never had cable, but between all the local channels, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, and UPN (which later on merged with WB to form CW), I had six channels full of cartoon shows to choose from. Among my favorites were the Bugs Bunny show on ABC, Garfield and Friends, and Bill Nigh the Science Guy. Also there were cartoons on FOX weekday mornings and afternoons. When I was younger it was Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, Ghostbusters, and later on in the 90s, Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, Batman & Superman, good stuff. Now it's just court TV and other filler junk.
I too like the show. One of the reasons for me to tune in to CN, with others being Regular Show, Clarence, and Ninjago.
I wake up every Saturday morning to watch Sonic Boom and Pokèmon XY.
Yeah, it' pretty decent. I really enjoyed some of it, particularly Episode 3. It's heavily plot-of-the-week-ish, but for the most part it isn't badly written, enjoyable and short enough to check out, and it has some solid concepts. I'd like to see it develop more.
If this kind of blatant overtly annoying 'in your face' g4 techTV style 'LAWL OUR OPINION IS CUTE, WE'LL PUT IT INTO ALL OUR TITLES AND ARTICLES' continues-- I'll stop following this news site.
report the news, tell me what games are coming out and review them intelligently. No one is impressed you can make snarky jokes.
The cartoon is REALLY good. We watch it every Saturday morning. I have not played the WiiU game. Played the 3DS demo and it was really fun - enjoyed it and considering buying it. The comic... I don't know. They focus A LOT on how dumb Knuckles is and that really bothers me. They make him a bumbling idiot... so if that does not change in issue 2 and 3... I doubt I'll follow it. I still get Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe comics though, which are top notch.
The show is clever. I find Sticks adorable. The games are not that bad either. Also, the first issue of the comic book series was very entertaining.
I'm having a good time with the whole thing.
Good I guess. Nice switcheroo with the game and the show, too. You had me there.
I didnt want the games to fail, but I just cant support a bad game, so it nice to know they are making ok off the show.
Theres almost nothing I watch on live tv but Ill check it out if its on free on demand.
Anybody know when Dreameorks Dragons is coming back?
...Or they could have just revived Sonic X, that show was just getting good :/.
That's a little bit early, they're trying to kill it. It's surprisingly decent, if not amazing. Go watch Gravity Falls if you're looking for an amazing cartoon!
Sonic Boom on Wii U has an average 1 star rating in the Australian eShop. =P
The general consensus I've heard is that the TV show is better than the games, period. I dunno if that'll be enough to get me to watch it, but that's the word I've heard from my numerous Sonic fan friends.
Its a little annoying that each week the plot(s) are unbelievable different from one another- but the show is pretty funny (when Sticks high pitched voice isn't talking) as Eggman and Sonic have some witty banner
@Sonicman
Didn't it end? Chris was sent back to Earth and Everyone else stayed on Mobious?
Played the Rise of Lyric demo today and actually enjoyed it.I'll give it a shot sometime around Christmas.The cartoon is doing pretty good,though.But if SEGA or CN ever want it to survive,they NEED to move the program up to at least an 8 am timeslot.It's just too early.
7am on Saturdays used to be the time slot for old re-runs...
i just put it on record on my DVR for Saturday Dec. 6
@Drobotic that what a dvr is for
Really hope this game does well ..... it really deserves to ... with Gateway owners!!!
@Spectra_Twilight - Dont watch Teen Titans Go, youre head will explode. Marvel Super Hero Squad isnt much better.
This wasnt as horrible as I feard, but it was kind of bland. Graphically impressive but weak everything else. Sticks is cool though, reminds me of Vanellope from Wreck it Ralph. Oh well it killed time while th dmo downloaded, time to go glitch.
Anybody interested in seeing a good CG cartoon Reboot was first nd is still the best.
sent from my Gamepad
@andrew20 Not everyone has DVR.
I've got mixed feelings about the cartoon. On one hand it's visually solid (though not spectacular). I love how casual the heroes vs villain aspect is and the fact that they have all the current game voice actors for the show.
On the other hand, I feel pacing could be improved and more care could be given to 2nd and 3rd tier characters. Unlike The Amazing World of Gumball and Adventure Time where every character has a unique thing to them and live on even when focus isnt on them, everyone who's not Sonic, his friends, or Dr. Eggman are practically forgettable in design and personality, and only exist when it's convenient for the plot/joke.
@Link506 To be 14 again...
It seems that the cartoon might be the one to increase the games' sales over time thanks to kids
@KodyDawg
By season, they mean calendar year. Season 1 of Sonic Boom will have 52 11-minute segments.
So how do you think they came up w/ 8 uses for the demo?
Not 5 if they wanted to keep it very limited or 10 b/c it's an even number, 8. Well OK I guess 8 is an even number also but it's an odd choice, even if it's not an odd number. Was Bayonetta 8 also, I only played it 3 or 4 times and can't recall?
Eight. I'm guessing that had to be Nintendos call b/c I've had my PS3 about 7 years now and don't recall any demo ever having a set limit, and most of the Sonic games on there have had demos. My kid played the Sonic Unleashed demo probably 100 times. Maybe it's all his fault?
@Spectra_Twilight - "Needless to say, I hated it."
Anybody who has hit puberty has to hate that show. I have heard good things about the original Teen Titans cartoon and have considered getting the DVD set.
I like this show! It's obvious that this is what all the effort is going to, the games are just your usual sub-par tie-ins.
@rjejr
Totally agree, I was a huge Reboot fan. Aside from Beast Wars, I really haven't been a fan of any CG toons that came.
Sonic Boom, like you said, its pretty bland but not terrible. I was expecting a far worse, but its watchable without being vomit inducing. They put effort into the show and the short run time keeps it from being overly boring. Now the Wii U game was a complete mess and another rushed product.
Lol @ the headline
@MrWalkieTalkie Couldn't sum it up better!
@rjejr Reboot was an amazing show. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And the original Teen Titans cartoon was really good. I was estatic when I heard that they were making another one, only to have Teen Titans Go happen.
It's a shame that there are hardly any actiony cartoons these days. It's what I grew up with.
I love the cartoon and watch it every week, sometimes with my two little brothers.
@AugustusOxy Well, I at least laughed. And anyway, that's hardly the sole opinion of Nintendo Life - the game's been absolutely ripped to shreds everywhere.
@joey302 Yes, most importantly F-Zero GX! (SEGA worked with Nintendo on that game)
I would have been happier with SA1&2 HD remeke for the U...
Reads the title: "What?!"
Reads the subtitle: "Oh."
@Dipper723 Hell yeah! Dreamcast was amazing, and would be awesome on Wii U VC, especially if the GamePad could emulate the VMU screen. I hope it happens some day; I'd really love to play Space Channel 5 Part 2 again.
Yeah, the games are terribly awful but I really like the show. Right after My Little Pony, Wander Over Yander, Littlest Pet Shop and Adventure Time is the recent cartoon that I like more, it's really really funny....... it's such a shame that the games didn't get the same treatment....
@StarDust4Ever I about 8 years younger than you. I remember the pleasure of saturday morning cartoons. I was when Disney was still making mostly cartoons. <3
The show is surprisingly good, if not great. It has more comedic moments than action, and I think it's suitable for all ages. If you like to have a good laugh, then I suggest watching this.
I find it hard to believe that the first season is comprised of eight 15 minute segments. I think they're just delaying the rest of the episodes.
Anyways the show is okay, save for Amy, who's very annoying and Buffles, who's a total idiot sometimes.
I guess I'm one of the few people that thinks both Sonic Boom games are really good?
Looking foward to watching the show.
I haven't seen the show. However, I downloaded the demo last night. Played through two of the scenes (the first and third, because I don't care for boss matches). Honestly 8 plays is enough. I deleted it after only one.
The show is really funny. And about the game..... I guess it is very fun for small children
I saw the first couple of episodes. They were ok, nothing ground breaking.
Anyway to watch this in the UK,
Is this even on in the UK yet?
Sonic boom is "busted" yes. But isn't the beauty of modern game that busted can become fixed through updates and DLC????? Especially is sega want to see this huge marketing investment present a return?
Come on sega, fix this game.
In particular it would be nice if sonic could RUN!!!!!
How do you leave that out of a sonic game????
@Dipper723 You must not have kids. Saturday Morning Cartoons very much still exists. Just because Vortexx dies and there's not a solid block does not mean there's not Saturday Morning Cartoons... my son and I watch Star Wars Rebels, Pokemon, TMNT, Sonic Boom, and others every Saturday morning when we wake up.........
Haven't tried the Wii U demo yet, but if people are saying the 3DS is better than the Wii U version, then the Wii U version must be really horrible as the 3DS game's demo was seriously one of the worst experiences I have had with any game in years. It was the worst Sonic game that has been made in my opinion based on the demo.
I wake up for the Sanic, and then I fall back asleep with a boom!
@rjejr
The original Teen Titans cartoon is way better than Go... I mostly hold a grudge against Go because it's not a continuation of that, but has the same characters and actors that played them before. I understand that Go is entirely different show and an entirely different genre but it still ticks me off they did that.
Well everyone said the cartoon was better than the game.
I've seen the first three episodes. They're bad. I think they're trying to do the Sonic trope-busting, longtime fan wink wink nudge nudge thing like the comics, but it just feels wrong. It's done more to harm the characters' personalities and motivations than Sonic Underground. Like the game, the voice acting is awful (we miss you, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle) and it's just dumb. The only laughs it elicits are dry, 'why are you doing this' chuckles. Still, it's much better than the game, and probably is a little bit above Underground and Sonic X (which were awful, so take that how you will).
Played the demo, wasn't Sonic but wasn't that bad. Though my favorite genre is 3D platforming and Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank were heavy influences on this - the 1st area of the demo takes place in the undersea city from Precursor Legacy and the boxes of rings are nano-health from R&C. And Sonic Adventure is my favorite Sonic game. Going to try out multiplayer - if we can - this afternoon w/ my kids.
I can see why Sonic fans would hate this, same reason Starfox fans hated Starfox Adventures (1 of my favorite games) and it does look a little too PS2 and Wii more than PS3 and Wii U, but Id say if you watch the show w/ your kids it's probably worth playing the game w/ them. It's not Aquaman.
@Link506 you've still got a ways to go before you aren't a kid anymore buddy xD
I really enjoyed Kirby Channel on Wii. I'd like to watch those cartoons in TV.
Makes sense to me, I played the demo last night and although the game itself is quite lame, the cut scenes were great!
@Xtremetdifan It "ended", but it many characters died, and I think they could have gone another season...
@Yoshi_Prime Don't care what you say, but Sonic X had some great arcs. I've watched the whole series 4 times throughout my life, because of the great arcs. The last season was especially great.
It's the only show I watch on tv to be honest. That episode with Eggman staying in was pretty darn funny! There just like the comics!
@darthllama - I watched Beast Wars by accident, I think it was on right before or after the Silver Surfer cartoon which also used CG for some stuff like Galactus ship but it was mostly a cartoon. I always felt out of it on Beast Wars, like I missed a few seasons and couldn't figure out why Optimus was an ape, but I do remember liking it.
I actually really enjoyed the show. It reminds me of a more coherent version of the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog show that I grew up with. I even like newcomer Styx. She makes me chuckle a lot.
I love the sonamy parts. Keep it going please
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