This is the first game in Sega's historical series to debut on multiple platforms. A game coming out on three competing consoles also happens to star teams of three heroes, working in concert with their different strengths to overcome a shared goal.

This game has a very different feature; tandem three-character gameplay. It's presented more or less like Sonic Adventure, with our speedy heroes blazing down a high-speed track, but instead of just one star, there are now three lined up in single file. Or, depending on the formation you choose, they might run side by side in a neat delta formation. Or they might all hang together from Tails' arms as he flies them across a gap to their next destination.

Even though there are three heroes, one of them has to take the lead. To reflect who's in charge at any given time (either Sonic, Knuckles, or Tails) they have three formations, which in turn affects what type of challenges they can overcome. Speed formation, where Sonic takes the lead, is naturally useful for covering ground at a good clip, or building up the momentum required to get around a loop or clear a long jump. Power formation, with Knuckles in the lead, lets the team smash through barriers and clear other obstacles requiring a little brute strength. And Flight formation, of course, lets Tails grab hold of his partners and helicopter his way over a gap or up a high cliff.

At least in the early demo, the game offers some clues in which formation to use in any given situation. While blazing through the level, you'll cross through gates that pop up a warning and swap the team over to the recommended formation.

It's also handy to learn that there isn't just the one team of characters to play with. It's not clear whether other teams besides the main heroes will be available at the start but the game will contain other trios led by different characters from throughout the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Sonic Adventure 2's Shadow will lead a team of darker opposite numbers, while there's also going to be an all-female team led by Amy from Sonic Adventure. It's good to see Sonic Team taking advantage of the expansive cast it's built up over the past 12 years.

Sonic Heroes has definitely improved since E3 2003 when we first saw the game. Its graphics and gameplay seem to be coming together quite nicely. The game's fast pace recalls the Sonic and Shadow levels that were the highlights of Sonic Adventure 2. Sonic Heroes is currently scheduled to ship this December in Japan and in January of next year in the US.