First off, Sonic has always been a blast to play, just as much as if I was playing any of the Super Mario Bros. games. However, there are memories I hold dear as a child playing these types of classic games with my twin sister. Especially when it comes to the Sega Genesis system, with all those fun and classic Sonic the Hedgehog games.
What’s great about this game, Sonic Origins is that you are now able to enjoy a few of the best Sonic classic games on your Xbox or Nintendo Switch consoles. Plus, from what I got to try with the Xbox One version, it includes Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD. Also, some additional game content as well! Honestly, they are all great games and I love it even better that you get the first, second, and the third game on the same one download for the console. Many in the past gave you just the first and second, but you get all three and extra with Sonic Origins.
On top of that, there are a few additional key features that you wouldn’t normally find in the traditional game, but don’t worry you can still play the original version of the game anytime you like. However, if you’d like to try out these new remastered additions, then be prepared to play the games with a little bit more exciting features. Some will include the ability to add additional lives to your game, no more short lifespan, and the game-ending so soon. So if you keep falling off that ledge, hit by the same robotic enemy, or maybe drown in the water, well you got plenty of lives to keep going and getting better and better at it!
Also, for the special Anniversary Mode, which allows you the ability to enjoy extra lives you can even watch everything, all the fast-paced action on a full screen. No wide or short window to peer into. Oh, and the fun doesn’t stop there, choosing to do a few fun new missions that the normal game didn’t include, you can now use earned coins to unlock new content. So the more you earn the more you unlock, and if you love those special rounds, well go right ahead and play them as much as you like, no more need to find a large ring, end of the level, or access it in any other way. It’s all available as is new content in the game.
How Was The Game
I actually was proud to have had a chance to take the Xbox One version for a test drive and oh my, it is just like my past is flowing right back to me! Even with the few new features from the beginning, from the startup of each game and with the HD graphic update, I have no complaints. Each of these adds a change, but the one thing I really loved best is the brilliant adjustment of color and the graphics as a whole. It’s just so nice and made the game even more joyful to play.
Especially, just hearing the music, the large word of SEGA, the original and charming characters, and even the devious villains are all still there. No wonder I can’t stop smiling at the joy of playing each game in any order I like. Also, I should mention that Sega Genesis wasn’t the only console that had Sonic, but it was the only one I played growing up, so to still have all these classics and some new content in just one game, Sonic Origins is Awesome!
So with all those added missions, better graphics, better sound, the same great art in each level, and the gameplay that everyone loved from playing Sonic in general, especially me. The game is remarkable being remastered and spectacular! My childhood may still be there, but so is more fun and modern gameplay with this new stuff added. Who doesn’t love something more than what they already loved for years?
The games that you get are all amazing:
- Sonic The Hedgehog
This is normally a single-player game with so many fun adventurous worlds you need to speed across or walk through if you prefer. As you know Sonic, he likes to move fast! However, you can also choose Tails or Knuckles in the Anniversary Mode. That right there is totally awesome! You don’t just need to play the first game ever created as Sonic, but now you have a choice.
Of course, the levels are all the same, and so is the digital design of the game as well as the characters. However, it might be me, but everything just appears clearer and brighter looking. Anywho, now with the chance of playing as any character, you can travel through each different level, like Green Hill, Marble Zone, and many others. There are just a few specials to uncover as well, but mainly these are all the normal levels you’ll get to endure during the game. Everyone is still full of obstacles and bad guys all over, it’s action-packed type levels with the third stage being Robotnik trying to take you down.
In the past, if you lose all your guys; lives, you wouldn’t be able to continue. So it was a hard game to accomplish if you die so soon and easily after getting so far. So it’s not the easiest one to get far in, but the choice of new characters, extra lives, and so on, it may actually not be as bad this time around as it use to be.
- Sonic The Hedgehog 2
If you loved playing Sonic, well now here comes the game where his cute fox partner joins in. This is when I was first introduced to Tails or Miles. He is a cute fox with two tails and can fly. I’ve always loved playing him as my twin sister would play Sonic. I was always the sidekick in many games. However, I just love the cute fox who was tech-savvy, smart, and can fly!
Now with the different modes, Anniversary Mode you can choose Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails, or Knuckles and Tails together. The one with knuckles and Tails is something I’ve never seen as an option, but a nice addition, I love the two with both having their own unique powers and are just super fun. Makes the entire game even better with so many options of characters and classic fun worlds to play through.
- Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Now we have Sonic and Tails or Knuckles as a choice. This I loved cause either version was a different game. It played a bit differently cause they had different powers and honestly, I loved Knuckles cause he was new and could glide or slightly act as close to Sonic, but the gliding is why I enjoyed him. He also was pink, and not just a helper for Robotnik, but a good guy this time!
Then you can play as Sonic and Tails and still work your way through the levels like a normal adventure, action-packed game. Of course, they can be played separately too. There wasn’t so much of a difference with the game mode this time. It would play like in the past, especially with character choices. I don’t mind, the game was brilliant as it was, and to have those fun large rings to enter into special locations, for gems well it’s all fun and entertaining to see how fast you can earn them all.
- Sonic CD
Honestly, I never even played Sonic CD. So this is already a bonus new game for me in this bundle. It’s something I’m getting to enjoy for the first time. It is full of action, yes that is still there, and even more, things to see and do. It sort of has a similar style as the stages and levels like other games. However, it also reminds me of a 3D style design in some ways or as if it’s trying to be.
The Anniversary Mode gives you a chance to play as Tails and not just Sonic like in the classic game. The game itself has so many unique worlds and different obstacles. A bit trickier than to speed across the screen so easily, in my opinion. However, this game and like the others is still very nice and has many worlds to play through.
- Museum
This is something for looking and listening to music. There are photos, videos, and music you can play through the museum and see rankings. It’s not anything but a Museum of everything you’ve seen and done and now have those moments captured. A great place to chill and remember what you’ve accomplished or look back at those moments or characters you want to recall.
- Missions
These are just recaps of what has been done from other games. It’s a great mix of all those you’ve played and adds some new changes that might haven’t been played before. Each one is unlocked after playing the other games. It alerts at each start if a new mission has been unlocked.
Final Thoughts
I love Sonic from the past and love it even more or at least equally. Nothing beats those rings, special abilities, and trying to achieve to become supersonic; all yellow and powerful! This game is a step above the classic with every one of the best games in on. I had nothing but high hopes before playing and my hopes stayed high and just got higher, well met! I’m so proud to just play these games over and over, trying each game as much as I like, alone or with a friend as the fun never ends with Sonic!
There is so much more to see, view, hear and just feel entertained. I did come across a few issues of it shutting down on me, messing up my game. Not starting up, had to unplug my console each time to get it to actually start up correctly. It’s a bit buggy sometimes with the movements and I wanted it to be perfect, but these issues take more time to just get to play the game. However, that is the only issue I faced, the rest is about as great as I could wish it to be!
Lastly, a little about me, I collect everything Sonic the Hedgehog, love everything Sonic, and just adore the movies and TV shows. So to tell you the truth I couldn’t say that this classic redone is better but it’s nothing as brilliant as the classic! That is why I can only say that If you love being the blue hedgehog with that super-fast ability, beating robotic bad guys, and taking down Robotnik, then this is the game you’ll truly enjoy and will enjoy for years to come!
