Sega admits to "quality issues" with Sonic 4

Sega of America and Europe president Mike Hayes has commented that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 has its flaws, but that the next entry will be better for it.

"I know there were some quality issues that we had there that we've taken on board and there will be further episodes following up on that," Hayes told GiantBomb.

"I think the next one's excellent. I think that's going to overcome some of the issues that we had on the first one."

Despite ranging critical response - from lacklustre right through to burning rage - Hayes said the game had been "hugely successful across all platforms", commercially.

"It's [Sonic the Hedgehog 4] for those of us who played Battlefield but also play Sonic," he explained.

"We get a blast from that for historical reasons. That's where Sonic 4 was aimed. We were very pleased with the first one."

Last year's debut episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 was the first traditional entry in the series since twin releases Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles in 1994. It's available for on iOS, the PSN, WiiWare, the Windows Phone 7 market, and Xbox Live.