Sonic the Hedgehog is on the precipice of releasing a brand-new way to experience the franchise’s classics; Sonic Origins. Ahead of the exciting launch, however, SEGA, the powerhouse behind Sonic the Hedgehog, is removing selected digital versions of the classic games from sale on major platforms.
So far, four games are set to be delisted on major platforms on May 20th this year. The four titles in question are Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD. These classic games that have gone down in gaming history as defining an entire generation of gamers are all going to be on the receiving end of digital remasters with the launch of Sonic Origins.
There are two ways to look at why SEGA has decided to essentially take the original digital versions of these games off the market. Firstly, SEGA could be doing this in an attempt to limit confusion between the original digital versions and the new bundled digital remasters, as the games will likely have the same names as their classic counterparts. The second, much more sinister reason could be that SEGA is actively trying to limit the availability of these classic Sonic experiences and, in so doing, force the monumental fanbase of dedicated players who were essentially raised on Sonic to purchase the new, remastered classic games.
No matter which camp you fall in, remasters are a brilliant way to bring elevated relevance to such pivotal franchises as Sonic the Hedgehog. The new Sonic Origins experience will come with new animated content, unlockable missions and two major game modes. The Classic mode will see players filled with nostalgia as they navigate the bright, vibrant worlds from the classic games, while the Anniversary mode will add new game mechanics, infinite lives, and a full-screen display.
The Sonic Origins game pack is available now for pre-order on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Steam and the Epic Games Store. Players can choose between the Standard Edition or the all-inclusive Digital Deluxe Edition with added extras like additional music tracks from MegaDrive and Genesis titles. The game will officially launch on June 23rd. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy other Sonic games such as Sonic the Hedgehog 3D.
