Sega is busy adding an extra layer of polish to Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, so busy that they’ve had to issue a delay. Previously slated for a summer debut, the title is now on for the “latter half of 2010.” We’d assume that means sometime in fall. Unfortunate.

In explaining its reasoning behind the setback, the company noted that “[t]he additional time will allow the Development Team to focus on ensuring overall high-quality throughout the game by continuing to tune, balance, and maintain the kind of polish that an important title like this demands, and ultimately providing fans with an unrivalled classic Sonic feel.”

On an uplifting note, Sega also confirmed that the episodic platformer will hit the iPhone in addition to the digital markets of PSN, Xbox Live, and WiiWare.

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