SEGA can't seem to keep a lid on Sonic Origins. The upcoming game snuck onto the South Korean ratings board, then had its boxart pop up on the PlayStation Network, and now Australian PlayStation players can access what appears to be an accidental posting of the game's store listing.

In the listing, we've learned that Sonic Origins will offer two different ways to play the classic 16-bit era Sonic games: Classic Mode, which is exactly how the games looked in 4:3 aspect ratio and played, utilizing a lives system, on the Sega Genesis, and Anniversary Mode, an updated take on the games, with a 16:9 widescreen mode and removal of any risk of game overs.

There are also coins to be earned by completing missions, which will apparently unlock Special Stages, new animation intros for each of the games, and most interestingly, "new content". Sonic Origins will have a PlayStation 5 release, and currently has no exact launch date.

[UPDATE]

SEGA has finally given Sonic Origins a release date. A PR email from the company revealed that the game will be heading to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on June 23rd--Sonic's birthday--for £32.99. Multiple editions of the game will be available: if you pre-order Sonic Origins, you'll get mirror mode, 100 medalions, and a letter box with a Sega Genesis pattern. The digital deluxe version will get you difficult missions, characters in the main menu, island camera on the main menu, and exclusive tracks from the classic games, with most of those features left unexplained.

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Burbank, California — April 20, 2022 — Sonic fans, get ready to experience the classic Sonic the Hedgehog™ games like never before! Sonic Origins is an all-new multi-game collection reintroducing the fan-favourite 2D Sonic titles that were originally released on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive platform - Sonic The Hedgehog 1, 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD, digitally remastered for current generation platforms. Developed by SEGA®, Sonic Origins delivers the legendary, non-stop Sonic action found in the original games, while providing a fresh twist with remastered visuals, added features, new content and modes and more. The compilation of titles included in Sonic Origins is set to release digitally on Sonic’s birthday, June 23, 2022, starting at £32.99 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch™ family of systems and PC. Today, Sonic fans can pre-order Sonic Origins and get access to exclusive pre-order incentives.


Sonic Origins - Digital Pre-Order Bonus
100 Medallion Bonus
Mirror Mode Unlocked
Letter Box (Mega Drive Pattern)

Sonic Origins- Digital Standard - £32.99
Main Game

Sonic Origins - Digital Deluxe - £36.99
Main Game
Difficult Missions Added
Letter Box
Characters in Main Menu
Island Camera on Main Menu
Character Animation in Music Playback
Exclusive Tracks from Mega Drive Titles

Sonic Origins - Premium & Classic Sound Packs - £2.99
Exclusive Tracks from Mega Drive Titles

To accompany the news, SEGA has debuted a new trailer providing fans with a look into what’s to come this summer. Take a trip down memory lane and experience the beginnings of Sonic in the all-new trailer for Sonic Origins here.

Source

 

[xdarkx]

I love how terrible certain content are locked behind different version of the game. I'm sure NO one has problem with this...

But seriously, this might seem minor to some people at first, but if Sega sees a lot of people just buy into this, they will start doing the same thing in other future games (ie. more cut content). As the saying goes, you give them an inch, they will take a mile.

 

[CeeDee]

But seriously, this might seem minor to some people at first, but if Sega sees a lot of people just buy into this, they will start doing the same thing in other future games (ie. more cut content). As the saying goes, you give them an inch, they will take a mile.

This is basically the same type of monetization that the Monkey Ball remasters had. They've already taken the mile.

 

[xdarkx]

This is basically the same type of monetization that the Monkey Ball remasters had. They've already taken the mile.

How so? Does Monkey Ball have content locked under different versions similar to this Sonic Origins game?

 

[Missing Number]

can we please has more characters? cool we can knux in s1 but i wanna play amy. maybe even chaotix, and creamy and shadow.........HELL Even big the cat!

gimme gimme gimme

 

[Kioku]

Honestly I'd rather have dumb pointless DLC like this than locking actually interesting things beyond a paywall. Seems like we're getting all the fresh new content in the base game.

I guess. For me, the real test is how well it all performs.

 

[CeeDee]

How so? Does Monkey Ball have content locked under different versions similar to this Sonic Origins game?

Yup, it had a digital deluxe version, DLC bonuses, pre-order stuff... basically identical to this.

I guess. For me, the real test is how well it all performs.

I'd be shocked if it didn't perform well, the underlying remasters are the excellent ones by Taxman/Stealth... which ran smoothly on devices from 10 years ago.

 

[xdarkx]

Yup, it had a digital deluxe version, DLC bonuses, pre-order stuff... basically identical to this.

Had a look. They are not really identical. For one, most of the Monkey Ball DLC are just cosmetic (ie. characters) and one DLC for classic soundtrack. Whereas, in this case, they have game mode and hard missions lock behind different versions of the game. These content should come with the base game, and should not be behind any paywall.

 

[PacBunnyXV07]

I so wish they finally ported Knuckle's Chaotix. Come on guys, it's about time to free it from the 32x jail.

I hope they at least provide the Sonic & Knuckles passthrough mixes with the previous games.

Said no one ever, Knuckles Chaotix isn't really tht good.

 

[PacBunnyXV07]

Watch that Sonic Origins does better than Sonic Frothiers. They should of made Amy playable.

 

[CeeDee]

Had a look. They are not really identical. For one, most of the Monkey Ball DLC are just cosmetic (ie. characters) and one DLC for classic soundtrack. Whereas, in this case, they have game mode and hard missions lock behind different versions of the game. These content should come with the base game, and should not be behind any paywall.

Those modes are unlockable in the base game, they're just unlocked early if you get the digital deluxe. Monkey Ball had this too with "Golden Banana Mode"

 

[xdarkx]

Those modes are unlockable in the base game, they're just unlocked early if you get the digital deluxe. Monkey Ball had this too with "Golden Banana Mode"

Are you sure about that (ie. mirror mode and 11 hard missions)? Cause I can't find any information about these being unlockable by just playing the game. Not to mentioned, I can't find any proof that Monkey Ball's Golden Banana Mode can be payed with real money to unlock.

 

[Kwyjor]

Christian Whitehead (Taxman) also announced his Retro Engine powers Sonic 3 here, and the Taxman/Stealth remakes of the other three games are the ones used. Some of the footage showed off Hidden Palace from Sonic 2 mobile.
That said, he wasn't directly involved with the Sonic 3 remaster's development.

I remember back when he remastered Sonic CD that he was interested in introducing new content like a new final boss, but that Sega didn't like the idea. Perhaps his old ideas will see the light of day this time?

 

[CeeDee]

Are you sure about that (ie. mirror mode and 11 hard missions)? Cause I can't find any information about these being unlockable by just playing the game. Not to mentioned, I can't find any proof that Monkey Ball's Golden Banana Mode can be payed with real money to unlock.

Here's your source for Monkey Ball, and source (in Japanese) for mirror mode being unlockable. Not 100% sure on the hard missions.

I remember back when he remastered Sonic CD that he was interested in introducing new content like a new final boss, but that Sega didn't like the idea. Perhaps his old ideas will see the light of day this time?

Hard to say! They've advertised new content, but the original CD final boss has been shown for Origins, so I'm guessing probably not.

 

[xdarkx]

Here's your source for Monkey Ball, and source (in Japanese) for mirror mode being unlockable. Not 100% sure on the hard missions.

Okay. At least you have some source to back up what you said about Monkey Ball, so I stand corrected. But for the Sonic Origins, I am not holding my breath on this since there isn't any mentioning about this on any English websites. It's still possible they are locking them behind paywall or will wait sometime before they actually mentioned those can be unlocked through game progression (ie. until Sega can maximize profit from people that buys into this crap).

 

[Jayro]

Meh... I already got the best of all these games from Sonic Mania, so I'm good. Seems like a shitty cash-grab instead of a serious attempt at celebrating the anniversary.

 

[pustal]

Said no one ever, Knuckles Chaotix isn't really tht good.

Said actually half of the people who played it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knuckles'_Chaotix#Reception

It's a divise game but many people actually liked it.

Also you rather have yet another release of something that is already in every platform or be given something that isn't?

 

[ClownPrinceOfCrime]

Does anyone know if these are the Christian Whitehead versions that were on Android previously (except for Sonic 3 / S&K which he did complete work on)?

 

[SkittleDash]

Gonna pass on this. Firstly, the price. You can buy these games on Steam separately or even on your phone for much less. Secondly, not a fan of them locking simple features behind a pre-order. What the hell are they thinking?

 

[Kwyjor]

Does anyone know if these are the Christian Whitehead versions that were on Android previously (except for Sonic 3 / S&K which he did complete work on)?

That is what everything indicates, yes.

For those unfamiliar, this video covers why the Retro Engine versions are in some ways definitive. (The title is a bit misleading.)

 

[Glyptofane]

I preordered this for the ps5. it seemed kinda high in price though for what you're getting.

I want it, but the collection is definitely lackluster and expensive. Effectively $10 each for these? I got ~50 Genesis roms + Sonic CD on Steam for much less. Sonic CD is already widescreen and Sonic 3 & Knuckles is with Sonic 3 A.I.R. installed, so it's really $40 for widescreen versions of 1 & 2 and having it all available on console.

It would at least seem like a better value if it included Spinball, 3D, Knuckles' Chaotix, as well as the Game Gear and Master System Sonic titles.