Thankfully, Sonic Origins is here, a full remaster of the titular hedgehog’s most classic releases: Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic CD, Sonic 2, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles. It’s not the full reinvention that the series is in need of (the upcoming Sonic Frontiers is more likely to fill that role) but a return to Sonic’s roots is nonetheless a welcome addition to this year’s releases. Much of what made these games classics is still present and is still as effective as ever.
9 Classic Mode Is Pure Nostalgia
First and foremost, players can enjoy these classic games with none of the bells and whistles of the remasters with Classic Mode. This setting brings the most nostalgia but also shows how dated these games have become.
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In Classic Mode, players will get the game in a 4:3 aspect ratio, with bars on the left and right of their screen to keep the image crisp. This comes along with retro visuals rather than the remastered look, and a limited number of lives per run, just like how it was back in the 90s.
8 Sonic CD Cutscenes
Of all the games in this collection, Sonic CD is probably the one fans are the least familiar with. It required an expensive add-on to the Sega Genesis in order to be played back in 1993, which cause many fans to miss out on it.
It’s a shame because one thing that made Sonic CD stand out was its anime-style cutscenes, something other Sonic games did away with. These cutscenes are still gorgeous, even more so on modern HD televisions. Coupled with the banger “Sonic Boom” intro theme, these animations are still as awesome as ever.
7 Smooth, Satisfying Controls
It’s truly remarkable how well Sonic the Hedgehog’s arcade controls still hold up today. One move flows seamlessly into the next, from jumps to spins to attacks.
Once again, while this remaster has smoothed out the animations on these abilities, the core foundation of what made the original games so fun remains. Combined with the excellent level design, players are able to easily control Sonic as he runs through each area, moving at some of the fastest speeds of any game in the franchise. It can get a bit chaotic at times, but it’s always manageable. In fact, these games control so well it’s sometimes astounding that they’re over 30 years old.
6 The Music And Theme Songs
No surprise here, but one of the best elements of the original Sonic the Hedgehog games returns to Sonic Origins in all its former glory. The music in Sonic’s older releases has always deserved praise, but this remaster goes the extra mile in how it allows fans to appreciate its excellent soundtrack.
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Sonic Origins’ museum feature allows players to unlock music from across the Sonic canon; not just songs from the games contained within this collection, but everything, including remixes for Super Smash Bros. and music from recent games like Sonic Forces.
5 Fantastic Art And Sprites
The main reason for this remaster collection was to allow the development team who made Sonic Mania to update the original games with their signature modern art style, and that’s exactly what they did. These games look better than ever, with the vast array of colors from each level popping off the screen in true HD.
However, even in Classic Mode, these games still look fantastic. There’s something about the color combinations and art design that just works. It always has. Combine that with smoother animations on sprites for the three playable characters – Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles – and Sonic Origins is a treat for the eyes.
4 Secret Levels Have Improved
Sonic fans will know that these levels aren’t exactly “secret,” they’re relatively easy to find, and most players know of their existence. They’re the Sonic franchise’s early foray into 3D gameplay.
While the original Secret Levels were a bit of a mixed bag, with the graphical capabilities and control schemes not really up to snuff for what the levels were trying to accomplish, the updated graphics and animations in Sonic Origins make them a lot more enjoyable. They actually look very good in 16:9 resolution, with the art and colors of their design coming through much clearer than they did on old consoles.
3 Level-Design Is Still Top Tier
This has always been a strength of 2D Sonic games, but nothing about that has changed in Sonic Origins. The level design – particularly in Sonic 3 & Knuckles – is world-class.
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The flatter platforming levels allow for exceptional speed, with Sonic looping and jumping across large areas with ease. The labyrinthine levels are a joy to explore, with branching paths leading to hidden rings and Secret Levels. These Sonic games are still surprisingly hard, and much of that has to do with level design, but there are few feelings more gratifying than clearing a level in one run that once required multiple resets to reach the ending.
2 Sound Effects
Other than the image of Sonic himself, there is nothing more iconic in these games than the sound effects that accompany his every move. From jumping to spinning to picking up rings, everything sounds exactly how players will remember it from 30 years ago.
Old-school sound effects don’t always translate well to modern audiences, but there should be no doubt that the sounds of Sonic exploring the world are still relevant. Just look at what has been shown so far of Sonic Frontiers. It may possess modern graphics and an open world that former consoles couldn’t hope to achieve, but the sound of Sonic powering up a spin is still identical to how it sounds in these remastered games.
1 Boss Fights
It would be a sin not to mention the fantastic boss battles contained within Sonic Origins. The design of these encounters is fantastic and synergizes perfectly with Sonic’s abilities, making for battles that are both challenging and fun.
The updated art and animations only enhance the experience. Whether it’s bouncing off of Dr. Robotnik’s giant robo-suit or chasing him down in his flying saucer, the fights look fantastic throughout. Sonic 3 & Knuckles also has a new boss fight in the long-lost Hidden Palace Zonethat is a welcome addition to the franchise, remaining faithful to the classic game while adding something wholly unique.
Sonic Origins was released on June 23rd, 2022, and is available on PS4, PS%, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
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