SEGA and PC brand Astromeda have teamed up to create a pair of pre-built Sonic the Hedgehog gaming PCs, and they're a sight to behold. Instead of just using some run-of-the-mill old artwork of the blue blur and calling it a day, the brands have come together to release two stunning builds, one inspired by Sonic Frontiers and the other Sonic x Shadow Generations.
As reported by Sonic Channel, these official Sonic PCs are part of the Sonic Pict range and are available in five different configurations, starting from 178,800 yen as Astromeda (roughly $1,141.86). Just like the best gaming PC builds at other retailers, you can also select between your own preferred RAM, storage, and power supply, and if you'd rather the Sonic Model or Shadow Model case. And if you have enough rings, you can import the lot for a hefty free, and that Shadow the Hedgehog PC case has definitely got me considering the pricey investment.
The 'Shadow Model' PC is one of the best accessories or Sonic merchandise I've seen. As a big fan of the original Dreamcast Sonic Adventure 2 game, where Shadow made his first appearance, there's an argument to be made that I'd be just as swayed by seeing older official art pasted on the side glass of the case. But this is the first pre-built PC whose marketing images alone have made me teary. (In a good way.)
SEGA and Astromeda have showcased the art of Maria and Shadow looking up at the night's sky, in a lovely, seldom moment before the events of the game. It's so charming that it's now one of my favorite pieces of Sonic artwork. The art doesn't just wrap around the glass, but Sonic Channel images reveal that silhouettes of the two are also found throughout the entire back panel. The art is so charming that even the vents don't get in the way of its splendour.
If you don't feel comfortable importing, you can grab this official Higround Basecamp 96+ 96% Wired Mechanical Classic Sonic gaming keyboard for $122.99 at Best Buy right now.
If you aren't a Shadow the Hedgehog fan, then there's also the Sonic Model. It also features art on the glass and the entire back panel, but it showcases Sonic chilling out with one of his Koco friends instead. Both of these cases, no matter the parts you pick, come equipped with a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler and a total of 10 case fans. And as a neat extra, Astromeda has also included a limited-time bonus wallpaper featuring the art of your Sonic PC of choice, and an exclusive Sonic Pict-inspired start-up screen will appear once you boot your PC up.
While you can import these Sonic Pict gaming PCs, I do worry about how much the shipping and part fees are going to cost in the long run. Not to mention, some of the cheapest options, like the RADEON RX 5600XT 6G graphics card, are already sold out since I last checked the Astromeda store, so that's going to complicate things. That's before you take the inflated prices of RAM into consideration.
With that in mind, it might be a safer investment on my part to check out the range of official mousemats, or the Sonic the Hedgehog x Astromeda 8K Gaming Keyboard, also part of the Sonic Pict lineup. The theming is a bit more subtle on the board, and it appears like there's some garish Comic Sans-like typeface used for the caps for whatever reason. But I'd much sooner deal with the 34,980 yen at Astromeda ($163.81) cost than the bank-breaking funds it takes to grab a gaming PC in this day and age, no matter how much it awakens my Sonic fandom ways.
- View all Sonic Pict PCs at Astromeda
If you want to go fast and give your PC a fresh new look, check out our guides to the best gaming keyboards, the best PC controllers for gaming, and the best gaming chairs to see our top accessory picks.
