This'll have to do for now.

Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has revealed that the follow-up to 2010 platformer Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 won't launch until 2012 at the earliest.

Iizuka cited the anniversary celebrations surrounding Sonic Generations as one of the reasons we won't see the 2D game until next year:

This year, 2011, is the anniversary, so we're focusing on the celebration title. But moving forward to 2012, Sonic will still be going, so I'd hope to provide Episode 2 then. It was always the plan. We knew about the anniversary year, and Generations was planned way in advance. It was always our plan to release Episode 2 after Generations.

Wii-owning Sonic fans can still get their fix of the hedgehog this year of course, as he once again goes up against the porky plumber in Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but with Wii U due to launch next year, will we even see Sonic 4: Episode 2 on WiiWare or will it spin across to the new HD console?

[source eurogamer.net]