Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
Developers: Dimps, Sonic Team Publisher: Sega Platforms:Windows, Mobile, Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Bear with us! This article is a work in progress. We're currently gathering more information for this article. Stay tuned!

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I is a platform game developed by Dimps and Sonic Team and published by Sega. It was released for iOS, Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in October 2010, Windows Phone on June 15, 2011, and Microsoft Windows and Android in January 2012. The game was initially planned to be released exclusively on mobile devices as a spin-off title before it became a multiplatform, mainline Sonic game. It was also intended to be the first episode of a trilogy; the second episode was released in 2012, but the third episode was canceled.

File Formats

Common/Shared

• .cpk - Archive file
• .amb - Archive file
• .dds - Image file
• .aax - Audio file
• .adx - Audio file
• .csb - Audio archive
• .msg - Text file

Microsoft Windows

• .zno - Model file
• .znm - Animation file

Mobile

• .dz - Archive file (the .OBB file in the Android version is the same format)
• .png - Image file
• .pvr - Sprite/Texture file
• .ino - Model file
• .inm - Animation file
• .mp3 - Audio file
• .wav - Audio file

Wii

• .gvr - Sprite/Texture file
• .gno - Model file
• .gnm - Animation file
• .brsar - Audio archive

PlayStation 3

• .cno - Model file
• .cnm - Animation file

Xbox 360

• .eno - Model file
• .enm - Animation file

Ripping Tools

Common/Shared

AMBextract

AMBextract can extract the game's .amb files. Since the links tools in the post linked above no longer work, you'll have to download them through Wayback Machine:

• Windows
• Linux

(Note: If this tool doesn't work, see Sonic4ModLoader)

Sonic 4 Mod Loader

Sonic 4 Mod Loader contains a few tools for managing Sonic 4 mods. One of the included tools is AMB Patcher, which can extract contents from an .amb file.

(Note: If it doesn't work, see AMBextract)

Switch Toolbox

Switch Toolbox can convert .dds files to .png. It can be found here.

Sega NN Tools

Sega NN Tools can import models that use the aforementioned model formats into Blender. It can be found here.

3ds Max

Random Talking Bush's Sega *NO MaxScript can import models from the Windows, Wii, and Xbox 360 versions of Sonic 4: Episode I into 3ds Max. However, it doesn't support the model formats used in the PlayStation 3 and Mobile ports.

Sonic Audio Tools

Sonic Audio Tools can extract .csb files by drag-and-dropping them onto Csb Editor (CsbEditor.exe). The tool can be found here. However, the tool does not support the .csb file from the Wii version of the game.

Mobile

QuickBMS

This script can extract the .obb and .dz files. (Backup link)

PVRTexTool

PVRTexTool can edit and extract the mobile port's .pvr files. For info about fixing the sprites and textures, see the tutorial below.

Wii

Puyo Tools

Puyo Tools can convert .gvr files to .png files and vice versa. It can be found here.

Tutorials

Fixing Sprites and Textures from the Mobile Port

Ripping sprites and textures from the mobile version of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I is quite easy. However, you'll need to fix them before extracting them:

1. Fixing the colors

First, import your sprite or texture into PVRTexTool by drag-and-dropping it onto the program. Next, right-click the box circled in the image below:

Then select "sRGB".

2. Fixing the alpha channel (transparency)

Not every sprite and texture has an alpha channel, but some do. To fix them, you'll need to click on the "A" button near the bottom-right corner of the window:

The end result should look something like this:

3. Exporting a sprite or texture

To export a sprite or texture, go to "File > Save Image..." and save it wherever you want.

Ripping Models with 3ds Max

1. Running the MaxScript

Before you begin, you will need to run this MaxScript. To do so, select "Scripting > Run Script...", then select the MaxScript.

2. Importing a model

When you run the script, this window should appear:

Select one of the options, then select the file you want to import.

(Note: As mentioned above, the MaxScript does not support the model formats used in the PlayStation 3 and Mobile ports)

3. Exporting a model

To export a model, select "File > Export > Export..." and save the model wherever you want (you can also change the file type before saving).

VG Resource Pages

PC

• The Spriters Resource
• The Models Resource
• The Textures Resource
• The Sounds Resource

Mobile

• The Spriters Resource
• The Models Resource
• The Textures Resource

Wii

• The Spriters Resource
• The Models Resource
• The Textures Resource

PlayStation 3

• The Spriters Resource

Xbox 360

• The Spriters Resource