The Sega Dreamcast’s dramatic launch campaign left a distinct mark on the late ‘90s. Zipping around its masthead, chased by a killer whale , was Sonic Adventure . It debuted a new look and attitude for the beloved blue mascot, with longer limbs, weirder friends, and a then-modern setting. As we inch closer to Sonic’s 35th birthday, a nostalgic Sega has begun digging up materials. Starting with never-before-seen concept art for Sonic’s big millennium adventure.

“Get a load of this early concept art for Sonic Adventure we found in our archives,” posted official Sonic socials .

This thread of lovely concept pieces shows a variety of characters and environments with a far different vibe than the final product’s. A more squat Sonic overlooking vast green fields with Ghibli’s googly-eyed soot balls tucked beneath rocks. Numerous Eggman-branded flying ships. Amy Rose is snooping around an eerie castle.…