Update [Wed 20th Apr, 2022 16:50 BST]:
Famitsu has shared some details that help to clarify modes and (importantly) how they're accessed. We've summarised a few key points below:
- Boss Rush mode will let you take on bosses in order
- Mirror Mode will unlock after clearing the games, allowing you to tackled mirrored stages
- A 'story mode' will allow you to play the games 'together' with new animations played at key moments
- Online leaderboards are included for the quickest stage clearance times
Original Article (Wed 20th Apr, 2022 14:15 BST]:
It's been no secret that Sonic Origins is close to release, with a PlayStation Store listing revealing all sorts of interesting details within the last 24-hours. Now it's official, and it's arriving on Sonic's 31st birthday — 23rd June; as we already knew it'll include Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD.
That's on Switch eShop and pretty much every platform, and the trailer above highlights some of the previously revealed details - like 'Classic' and 'Anniversary' modes. The official website is also live, and there's quite a range of digital editions and 'packs' on offer that provide different goodies, including in-game currency and DLC extras.
It's hard to know what to make of all those options, though we understand that key modes (like Hard Missions and Mirror) will be unlockable in game, with different packs and editions giving quicker access. The Switch version doesn't currently have pre-order links on the website, likely as a result of the eShop page not being ready.
So, there it is! Let us know what you think; we can't wait to see what SEGA's done with Sonic 3 and CD in this collection, that's for sure!
- Further reading: Best Sonic Games Of All Time
Comments 125
Just waitin on that physical special edition announcement
Also I’m not liking the sound of that “in game currency” on the website
On Sonic's Birthday no less! Makes sense
Oh, I'm buying this collection. I usually avoid them but having these games in one place is too tempting.
I was expecting just simple ports of the games, with a couple new quality-of-life features, but all the new bells and whistles far exceed any of my expectations.
Put it on a physical edition, and I will absolutely be suckered into buying it.
EDIT: So these 30 year old games that are easily emulated, with free fan mods available, are selling for $40... WITH additional paid DLC? LOL NEVERMIND.
I need a physical collectors edition of this on the double, with Sega a Genesis Drive cover art, character cards, posters, figures, etc.
Why must SEGA insist on this "digital deluxe" nonsense like with Super Monkey Ball or Sonic Colors Ultimate?
Seeing the trailer though, my concerns about the lives system being removed from the widescreen anniversary mode are gone, they use a coins system to unlock bonus content, cool!
Awesome now just give me a physical education and your mine.
This seems like a nice tidy package. At some point I will pick this up for sure. But 40 bucks and digital only?
This would be awesome to own physical.
But all these these tiers? Come one, just give the full game at a fair price. How hard is it really?
I waited for the physical with Sonic Mania, I will wait for this one too.
I would love a physical version, it seems like those coins are replacing lives in the modern variations, so still reasons for collecting rings etc. It's looking like a great collection with those animations as well
I'll be getting this, but that dlc is completely bull.
Looks fun, but it's a few games shy of being worth $40 for me... will probably wait for a sale.
Can’t wait. Looks like they’re finally putting the content from the Mobile ports on console.
That trailer was a a nostalgic joy.
I need a physical copy to go beside Sonic Mania!
@Mauzuri
Hopefully, otherwise Sonic the Hedgehog 2 chaos emerald hunting will be as hard as ever.
I seriously hope that this is compatible with the NSO Mega Drive controller...
I guess we got no physical release 😔
Fantastic, I like how they no longer bs around and just jump straight to Sonic 3 & Knuckles after Sonic 1, 2, and CD. All main Sonic games, all perfected, no spinoffs and no fillers this time.
That price… ouch. And no bonus games like the “Mega” and “Gems” collection…
Worth it for Sonic CD alone.
@Fighting_Game_Loser There will be a physical release. Sega would be too stupid not to make one but it may likely happen after the digital version got its run similar to Sonic Mania.
@90sRetroGaming
Excuse me, but what is the price?
I can't find that anywhere, all the pre-order links on the site I've tried don't lead anywhere.
Why are character animations in the main menu and camera controls over the main menu islands exclusive to the digital deluxe edition?
What's with the tiers? This looks like something EA or Activision would pull.
seeing the Hidden Palace zone boss put my mind at ease. This IS the Whitehead version of the game.
40$ is way to much in my opinion. Have them already and they look fine.
I hope there will be physical.
@Outerdragon What a fantastic typo.
Sounds like a great collection, but things like menu animations locked behind different versions is lame.
Sonic 3 isn't by itself like I was lead to believe so I won't be buying this now. I have the collection on Steam so I'm gaining nothing with this.
Gotta love locking basic improvements that should be in this pricey collection of ancient Sega game ROMs by default behind preorders and paywalls.
@RupeeClock £35 for standard and £40 for the deluxe, yes there's just 2 versions despite this table
@ShadowofTwilight22
"It's hard to know what to make of all those options, though we suspect some of the modes and extras will be unlockable in game, with different packs and editions just giving early access."
Referring to that bit in the article?
Because that just seems like baseless speculation on the part of the article writer. Or, more appropriately, wishful thinking. Unless you have some access to information I don't?
Once again, Tyson Hesse is carrying Sonic's modern animation. You love to see it.
@Ralizah Modern gaming in a nutshell.
SEGA seem to love their incremental payment schemes. What a load of pants.
I’d pick up a physical copy. Seems like a nice package. If there doesn’t end up being a physical then I’ll get the digital once it goes to like $16 or something lol.
Smells like SEA import is imminent in my future.
I would have preferred they used Sonic's smooth sprite from Mania for the Anniversary mode. But it's still a good collection
@ShadowofTwilight22 I don't have Sonic 3 by itself. I wanted to experience it mainly because I actually prefer the last boss of it to what was done in Sonic 3 and Knuckles. Admittedly I also prefer the unique Invincibility music and Super Sonic music too. I was going to buy this collection just for that, Nostalgia but there's no point now as I already have what's on offer here on Steam. Make sense now?
Only four titles for that price? I thought it would have most of the content of the 2 Gamecube/PS2 Collections with Gamegear version, spin offs etc. I might get it on a big sale in the future...
I am so excited for this collection!!! love genesis sonic. I do hope they have unlockable games tho like the master system and game gear games
DLC? Like there's going to be paid DLC, and most of it doesn't even affect the games themselves?! Did someone at SEGA say, "Hmm, this looks like a really nice package, so how do we ruin this?" I'm going to buy it, but if they were going to add DLC to this game, I would have preferred if they had toggles for the Spin Dash from Sonic 2, the Super Peel-Out from Sonic CD, the Insta-Shield from Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and the Drop Dash from Sonic Mania, and you could activate all of them at once, or just pick your favorites to use in any game. I'm hoping fans will mod this game on PC to make it the truly definitive way to play all five of these games, because dang it, SEGA seems hell bent on never giving us any one ultimate definitive way to do so.
"I love having to pay extra for the classic music!"
- nobody ever
@ShadowofTwilight22 I understand. I grew up with Sonic 3 coming out first then Sonic and Knuckles which had add on capabilities in its cartridge. My Nostalgia is weird.
@ShadowofTwilight22 I do.
I prefer standalone Sonic 3 over S&K just for the music. Knuckles Theme, Act 1 Boss and Invincibility Theme and I believe the Credits are all different in standalone Sonic 3.
S3&K replaces them with the S&K versions, which to be honest I don't like that much. Though I understand why they had to change them.
If they let you choose which songs you want to hear I wouldn't mind them being together.
I would say it's the same with Street Fighter 2. I prefer base SF2 over the Super versions due to the music (which Smash Bros. labels as "Type-A")
I wished they would have used the Sonic Mania engine for the art style.
As soon as I saw Hidden Palace Zone from Sonic 2, that made my day. It's pretty much the console/PC version of the mobile ports, and I'm happy!
@HammerGalladeBro
This is also an unanswered question about S3&K; what version of the music will we be getting?
Are we getting the music tracks best known from the Genesis version, or the alternative tracks for Carnival Night, Ice Cap, and Launch Base zone best known from the 2000s PC version?
@Strictlystyles There is a Coin collecting game added to the Anniversary mode. It's then used as in-game currency.
@RupeeClock It looks like "original Genesis" music" is optional DLC. This might explain why Sega finally released Sonic 3. Since copyright issues surrounding the music were an issue.
Out of curiosity, has Sega clarified yet if this collection is using the Taxman versions of 1, 2, and/or CD or entirely new builds?
So what’s the score with the MJ sound track SEGA?
@ShadowofTwilight22 Cheers, mate.
I'll only buy the physical edition otherwise no point in buying it again since I have it all on Steam...
Hard copy please SEGA
@Specter_of-the_OLED You mean Sonic Mania Plus? That happened like a whole year later.
Are you gonna wait a whole year for a physical box that contains a digital download code?
Let's face it. SEGA is moving away from physical releases.
Knuckles in Sonic 1? Oh maybe I will, ah wait only digital shown above
So also guessing you can buy coins? Great micro-transactions.
Thought Sega weren't going to do that
Are we sure this contains Sonic CD? Why am I not seeing it in the trailer?
Yes pre order time
So, what exactly is the "Anniversary Mode"? How is it different?
Epic, just saw the first movie yesterday and decided i need to play the games lol
Seriously this jumped to my number 1 game spot this year, no joke. I was getting it either way but playing as Knuckles or Tails (or even Knuckles and Tails!) in Sonic 1 is so freaking cool. I get the vibe these are definitive versions and this Sega gets the definitive version on my wallet: Hyper Wallet.
Soooooo excited for all this!!
@ShadowofTwilight22
Oh yes I missed that.
But then again, it says "Four games". So we will have Sonic 3, but no Sonic & Knuckles? This is kind of confusing, why wouldn't they say five games?
OK I'm so confused by this.
Are we getting Sonic & Knuckles? Or just Sonic 3?
I see Mushroom Hill at 0:42, but it stills says Four games.
@luxoricious Sonic 3 and Knuckles were meant to be one game, but sold on two different cartridges because of size restraints and... Because then they could sell two games. I think that's what they mean.
Are you gonna wait a whole year for a physical box that contains a digital download code?
@GC-161 Not sure about you, but my standard retail copy of Sonic Mania Plus came with the game card.
Let's face it. SEGA is moving away from physical releases.
I just hopped over to my shelf... you know, for confirmation, so that I don't make a hasty, emotional, and unsubstantiated comment... and I see Yakuza, Valkyria Chronicles, and Atlus titles. Oh, and Monkey Ball. Between my Switch and PS4, I have more physical copies of Sega games than Nintendo EPD games.
So yeah... although I acknowledge the sad absence of AGES titles from my shelf... I wish other companies were "moving away from physical releases" like Sega.
For how many times I've purchased many of these Sonic games, I shouldn't be excited about this. But I am very stupid excited about this. Widescreen options? Sonic CD? I'm in. God damn it.
@RupeeClock Someone else already beat me to it, but as stated, $39.99 standard, $44.99 Digital Deluxe. No words…
This collection is lame and so bungled in a way only Sega can do. Half of these games are already on the cheaper Sega collection (+48 other games). This is way too expensive for what it is; but then they also made a bunch of different money grab versions. Something as simple as these ports should have been available almost immediately in the announcement and hype of the 30th anniversary or the movie release.
@Specter_of-the_OLED Yeah I hope so. It definitely would make sense for a later release, if they somehow add extra content later
@hashkey Me too!
KatieChrz, the social media manager for Sonic the Hedgehog's Twitter account, has confirmed a few more details:
https://twitter.com/KatieChrz/status/1516791500381646849
There was a recent decompilation of the Android versions of Sonic 1, 2, and CD, which leads to a pretty interesting situation.
That said, Sonic Origins looks like it will be the definitive edition of all of these games, except maybe having to compete with the spectacular Sonic 3 A.I.R. mod for the Steam version of Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
No physical release, no buy.
@90sRetroGaming
I'll be real, I don't think $40-$45 is an unreasonable price.
These games have been rebuilt from the ground up, no emulation is used like with past releases.
There's brand new animations built for your enjoyment between levels of gameplay, there's missions, new features for previous games, gallery unlockables, etc.
It's like what Sonic Jam offered before with bonus content, this package is much more than just "Sonic 1 & 2 & CD & 3 & Knuckles".
I'd just rather have more animated shorts. I'm terrible at old Sonic games. The animated segments are super cute though.
At first I wondered what was the point of this, since we already have multiple iterations of the SAME GAMES on multiple consoles. But realizing this is a birthday celebration kind of release, the remasters make more sense. To be honest, they should have included Sonic the Hedgehog 4 in this collection! I wasn’t leaning toward purchasing at first but now depending on its price, I may dip.
I wonder if the Sonic Mania team was involved? Makes perfect sense if they were!
@AndyC_MK111
The difference is actually pretty substantial.
The "Taxman" (Christian Whitehead) versions of Sonic 1, 2, and CD have languished as limited to Android only, but were considered the best versions because:
Fans have wanted these versions of their favourite games made available on other platforms for years, as well as Sonic 3 & Knuckles getting the full remake treatment, and it's finally happening.
@Toshiro_Baloney
Ok I get what you are saying.
So we technically are getting 5 games: Sonic, Sonic CD, Sonic 2, and both Sonic 3 AND Sonic & Knuckles. Right?
@luxoricious 4 or 5, I think this depends on how you interpret Sonic 3 and Knuckles.
On the one hand, it was possible back in the Genesis/MD days to play Sonic and Knuckles on its own without Sonic 3 plugged in. On the other hand, it seemed to be Sega's original intention to treat Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles as one game. Nothing has been official revealed as to how that's going to be presented in this version.
You can play the original sonic games on a pregnancy test at this point, rereleasing them again is really dumb when they can, idk, make a new game.
Also I find it kinda funny how everyone here won't buy the game unless it has a physical copy, makes me think there are a lot of old heads on this site.
Cant wait, day 1 for me.
@luxoricious The Four games refers to Sonic 1, 2, CD and then what they are calling "Sonic 3 and Knuckles". This was the name of the game given to when you put the Sonic 3 cartridge into Sonic and Knuckles. It is essentially all of Sonic 3 and all of Sonic & Knuckles plus a couple of extra bits (additional level and Hyper Sonic mode). So yes it is essentially five games instead of four but this suggests you cannot play through Sonic 3 or Sonic & Knuckles individually which is a bit of a strange decision. Both were fully formed games in their own right so I would have expected the option to play through them separately and only combine them if you wanted to.
Hoping that Sonic 2 & Knuckles is an option. This might be one of those I wait to go on sale because I already own the games five times over. Cool to see though!
Oh wow, they finally remembered Sonic 3 exists. Think they'll also include the original music tracks that are usually cut?
@AndyC_MK111 I feel like your post explains why SEGA would avoid physical release until most people have bought the game digitally. Instead of having someone buy a used copy from you and them only making one sale they'd like to make two sales.
@AndyC_MK111
It's actually fan game makers and modders who have made wonderful things like Sonic Mania and Sonic Origins, as well as the remasters of Sonic 1 / 2 / CD possible!
Stealth from Headcannon has been at the centre of all of this too.
http://info.sonicretro.org/Stealth
Also, with regards to input delay.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics (aka SEGA Genesis Classics is a compilation release of multiple games including Sonic 1 and 2, and is notorious for having really bad input delay on all of them.
Whereas the individual SEGA AGES releases of Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 not only have minimal input latency, but added features like mission modes or the "drop dash" technique.
Both of those releases are emulated, but the difference is how well engineered they are.
@AndyC_MK111 oh yeah, I forgot that getting physicals on switch takes up far less storage, that is a pretty big plus
This is nice, I’m excited but mostly because of the animated content and the other extras then anything else.
The locked away DLC is obviously a shame.
I find when launching a game it is best to have an included chart detailing all the tiny ways you can BS your customers and create false value. Nailed it.
Boom. Easy day 1.
@thinkhector @sketchturner that dlc is just for other genesis games like spinball/chaotix as far as i can tell
Wait no sonic 3 solo? Ugh. May pass on this.
It's a skip for me. 40 bux? Naa..
Online leaderboards in games are a waste of time. The top person always has a suspiciously impossible score/time.
I miss the good old days that companies didn't know the value of their old retro games and sold them cheap, Gems and Mega Collection had around 10-12 games each for 29.99 (Japanese version had Streets Of Rage trilogy as unlockable!) and even Nintendo had around 10 NES games on Animal Crossing for free (and you could send them to GBA!) and a few years later it was 4.99 each on Wii/Wii U. Now you have for options, sure, but more expensive.
...well, looks like everyone else has already beaten all the other thoughts to death, so I'll just comment on my own personal preference and say that I am annoyed on the insistence of setting Sonic CD before Sonic 2 just because Tails isn't in it. Being between 2 and 3 just makes more sense to me.
I hope the in game currency is like sonic colors were they added them to get tiny extras.
@AlphaElite Green hill 5 sec: Yep seems legit to me!
WTF is going on with Sega? Why don’t they just have 1 release, include everything? Feking share holders
Not for me. Hopefully things go well for certain groups
@thinkhector I see a really good example of remake vs remaster: Resident Evil 2 remake vs Resident Evil 4 Remaster. One is a new game completely remade for a new system vs clearer Wii graphics and HD textures from 2006.. love a remake, not a huge fan of a remastered old game.
The new animated content is a fantastic addition. With the additional announcement of Headcannon's involvement, it's clear that SEGA didn't spare any expense remastering these games.
If the customization and options are on the same level as Sonic 3 A.I.R., then Origins will automatically become the definitive versions of these games.
@CharlieGirl
Yeah, I love these games but I'll just stick with my Genesis copies of Sonic 1 and 2, and the Xbox Live Arcade versions of 1-3, Knuckles and CD that I bought years ago.
I'm gonna be hyped for this collection regardless, but the different DLC packs are kind of a step down. Still, having Sonic 3 & Knuckles and CD in the same collection is wild.
Knowing that I finally have a modern way to play those two without the use of my PC is music to my ears.
That Ubisoft-styled graph where no version of the game even gets you everything is the source of my nightmares.
I have these games four times over, so I think I'll pass.
@CANOEberry Sorry to break your dreams of owning a PHYSICAL COPY of Sonic Origins but SEGA just confirmed onbTwitter that there are absolutely no plans whatsoever for a physical version of that game.
So enjoy the DIGITAL CODE of Sonic Origins when you buy it.
I'll also be waiting for a physical version, but man, I LOVE that animation, the music for the trailer was great, and I love features like having knuckles in sonic 1, or choosing partners like a knuckles and tails pair-up!
I am very confused by the DLC, but this seems like a complete cash grab, and even if I had unlimited money I wouldn't feel the need to buy this, considering I already own these games one way or another, even if not in the ideal form
SEGA just confirmed onbTwitter that there are absolutely no plans whatsoever for a physical version of that game.
@GC-161 Please post the link to the tweet in question.
EDIT: Are you referring to this tweet? Because a statement like "No plans for physical at the moment" does not equate to "Sega has decided never to release a physical copy of a Sonic collection"... LOL. Nice try, though.
I’m honestly super excited for this! Based on the initial announcement I was kind of expecting a half-hearted simple port of these games (that I was still going to get), but there is a surprising amount of polish and effort for this collection! The animations, widescreen, missions, mirror mode, optional lack of lives (I always hated lives in these games because they can be a bit cheap at times), character selection, and the potential for other extras is all fantastic! The different packs are kind of weird, but I’m just going to get the Digital Deluxe and call it a day. Can’t wait!
@CharlieGirl aren't Super Mario 3D allstars games also easily emulated? That was even more expensive.
@Pandy-the-Panda huh? Sonic 2 emerald hunting is extremely easy.
I've commented on the pricing, tiers, dlc and likelihood of a physical release (despite what they say) in another thread.
I'm still super hyped for this game, just like I and many people were with the original version of this post early this morning when the news was breaking. I myself made 5 detailed comments, responding to others, who responded to me. It was a fun and exciting time for fans sharing the experience in real time.
For some reason, ALL of those (100ish?) comments got deleted when NintendoLife updated the story. If this was done on purpose, seems disrepectful of readers' time to just delete entire threads of discussions and comments just hours after they happened.
I've seen updated stories many times before and NOT had all the comments disappear (like for example when an old game years ago is added to an online service so they bump it to the front page) so perhaps this was a mistake? Either way, I'm sad and kinda annoyed about all that fun and helpful chat being lost. Was it a mistake/glitch @ThomasBW84 ?
@CANOEberry A Sega representative says "no plans for a physical version at this moment" and you go "so you're telling me that there's a chance?"
LMAOOO Whatever, have fun playing the game on Youtube or Twitch while the rest of us actually play it.
@GC-161 The sad thing is, you actually think you're good at trolling. Nighty-night!
@Abes3 You actually picked one of the reasons that make remake/remaster debate died out. What do you call the Resident Evil version on Nintendo 64? What the Dual Shock version released on the same Playstation? What about the Windows version? How about the version on GameCube?
Remake/Remaster at one point tried to mean something different, but it just became a blurry mess. It's easier and more accurate to say that Resident Evil 4 was an enhanced port.
It's more descriptive to say emulated...which means it changed nothing. Ported which means its close to the original, but on new hardware. Enhanced Port, which is a game that is ported but with might run with a better frame rate, widescreen, higher resolution, or higher quality music. And lastly, there is remake/remaster, which is a significant change to not just graphics, but to the layout and content of the game.
You see this confusion playing in real time. SEGA is calling the Sonic Origins collection a Remaster. When really it's an enhanced port. It still plays and looks a lot like the original. A true remaster would be Link's Awakening. Which looks nothing like it's original source.
@somebread Yeah, I think you might be right. The question is still up in the air then if Sonic 3 has original music or new music in it.
@liljmoore
I mean, the stages themselves aren’t too hard, it’s just that making one mistake could mean the end, which makes the emerald hunt in Sonic 2 extremely time consuming without save states, and it’s made even worse with tails following.
Without save states, the later stages would be: collect 50 rings, find a post without getting hit, lose for not knowing layout, collect 50 rings, find a post without getting hit, probably lose because you forgot the layout while trying not to get hit between posts, and then repeat the steps again through harder and harder levels, making the layout harder and harder to remember between posts.
I guess you could use a video to know where upcoming rings and bombs are, but that involves pausing the game and interrupting gameplay and control, and feels a bit like cheating. Save states can be used to restart special stages after losing, but you get more practice, increase you’re skills and remember more each time, plus you don’t forget the layout while avoiding enemy’s between posts.
I know this isn’t just a me issue, but I don’t know what the majority of people think, so good for you if you’re truly that good.
I honestly don't know how many times they have released these games.
What a year for Retro remasters, this and the TMNT collection. I'm beyond excited.
I'm getting this, mainly because it is the first time in over a decade that Sonic 3 and Knuckles will be available on a home console. but would be nice to play the widescreen editions on a telly and notn use my phone.
I don't like the price point structure thought, particulaly when it seems like Sonic 1, CD and 2 are essentially theb Christian Whitehead ports for anniverary mode. I imagine though you have to get the music pack to have the original music for some of the Sopnic 3 levels. Jackson estate no doubt getting a cut of that.
Also in anniversary mode, they seem to have done away with lives and focused on coins for some reason.
@CANOEberry Ah yes, speaking FACTS is trolling.
You keep that shelf space reserved for Sonic Origins dusted, my dude. Its gonna be a long while before you can put something there LOL
It seems the Sonic Origins website has pulled Nintendo Switch from the preorder area.
@Pandy-the-Panda I noticed that. Yet below it still says available on Switch
@ShadowofTwilight22 i never said Nintendo was better or worse. But $40 for 4 16 bit games that are already available cheaper on the same platform is stupid
@ShadowofTwilight22 and 2x more expensive than it should be
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