How a blockbuster film sparked a mission to modernize Sonic's classic era
In short: When the 2020 Sonic film ignited a wave of new fans, Sega faced a dilemma: how to introduce these newcomers to the series' 1990s roots. The answer was Sonic Origins, a high-speed collection designed to bridge the gap between retro charm and modern hardware.
Conceived by Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Origins was a strategic response to the influx of new fans following the 2020 Sonic film. Iizuka aimed to modernize the classic 4:3 aspect ratio games for modern displays, providing widescreen support and new features to appeal to both veterans and newcomers.
The compilation is a complex patchwork of development. The remasters for Sonic 1, 2, and Sonic CD utilize the Retro Engine, building upon remakes released between 2011 and 2013. However, the Sonic 3 & Knuckles remaster was a separate effort by Simon Thomley and his studio, Headcannon. This specific segment faced significant friction; Thomley reported that his team worked under strict deadlines and 'crunch' conditions, only to see their work 'wrangled' into a different product by Sega, resulting in bugs not present in the original games.
The project also navigated complex licensing waters. Due to speculation regarding Michael Jackson's involvement in the Sonic 3 soundtrack, Sega was unable to use the original music for this release. Consequently, composer Jun Senoue had to rearrange several tracks to replace them. While some critics found the new music inconsistent with the original nostalgic feel, others noted that replacement was preferable to omitting the game entirely.
Released on June 23, 2022—the series' 31st anniversary—the collection offers two distinct experiences: a 'classic mode' preserving the original 4:3 ratio, and an 'anniversary mode' featuring widescreen support and the 'drop dash' from Sonic Mania. An expanded 'Plus' version arrived a year later, adding playable characters like Amy Rose and the full library of 12 Game Gear titles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sonic Origins
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