Two of gaming's most iconic characters are to receive new voices this year...

Sega has announced that two of its most charismatic critters are to be getting new voice actors as of 2010. Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower are to be voiced by industry veterans Roger Craig Smith and Kate Higgins, respectively, for future Sonic games. The characters were previously voiced by Jason Anthony Griffith and Amy Pallant.

Between them, the two have a versatile portfolio working in voice acting. Smith is probably most famous for voicing Chris Redfield in Resident Evil 5 and The Darkside Chronicles, but also had starring roles in Assassin's Creed 2 and Soul Calibur IV.

Meanwhile, Higgins is best known as voicing Sakura Haruno in the Naruto anime, but her video game credits include Valkyria Chronicles and The World Ends With You. The pair also worked together on Sega's 2009 Wii-exclusive Madworld.

The duo's first Sonic game together will be Sonic Colours, due to release late this year on Wii and DS.