Sonic Origins and More

It's a little old, but it does coincide with Sega announcements regarding its mascot. Sonic the Hedgehog turns 30 in a couple weeks. Not too long ago came talks of re-releases of certain games in the franchise and a new one. I believe they are slated for next year or late this year. They are not the grandest of releases, but still hold interest if anyone has never gotten into them.

The first is Sonic Origins. These are re-releases of the mainline games on the Genesis and Sonic CD. Supposedly, these are not the original versions and they are getting widescreen support and extra features. With CD and the first two games, they were given modern polish on phones and CD saw release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The inclusion of Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles is welcoming given its legal issues with the music involving the estate of Michael Jackson and others like Brad Buxer. Slim on the choices, but if the extra stuff is for real and the price is manageable, it will get some love.

Second is Sonic Colors. This was a Nintendo exclusive on the Wii and DS in 2010. One of the more respected titles in the franchise. It is slated for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch in September. I can't comment on it much since I haven't played much of it other than some time of the DS version. There aren't many choices to pick to remaster, but better controls could help it out. Last is a new title in the series. It was very brief, but whatever it is, it will be the first actual new title in about five years.

Sega isn't going overboard, but it is showing a little respect in continuing the franchise and getting people to play their titles. Consider it a reason to still stick to PS4, Xbox One, and Switch. 

Prototype the Hedgehog 3

The story of prototypes is always interesting to hear about. This Sonic the Hedgehog 3 one that was found this past weekend is the talk of the town and it tells a lot regarding its troubled development.

Sega was keen on keeping the game very private. Competing against the SNES was not an easy task in 1993. Neither was seeing the new 3DO and Atari Jaguar that fall. Courtesy of The Cutting Room Floor and community Hidden Palace, there was a prototype from November 3, 1993. More than likely, stuff that was made around October or even September. It's very incomplete. Tons of graphical stuff that hadn't been implemented. A number of Sonic and Knuckles levels still in the code. Bonus stages in the alpha parts of development. A drop dash that was dropped until Sonic Mania did it two years ago. Sprites that still came out of the second game. Ton of stuff.

Of course, the main focus is the music. When Sonic 3 and Knuckles appeared in a compilation for Windows 95 in 1997, music in some zones and areas were replaced with different tunes. What is now confirmed in this prototype is that those different tunes were originally thought of back in 93. Was Sega through with Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer? I'd like to hear Buxer's take on it. But also, were Jackson and Buxer not pleased with doing Genesis hardware? If so, was this before the molestation scandal that June?

If Sega wants to re-release for modern systems this game, I don't see the problem with taking those different tunes and putting them in the stock game. I know some are comfortable with the Jackson tracks, but I doubt the estate of his would bend down and neither would Buxer. Would it hurt to get some answers from either side? Give us something that doesn't become an unsolved mystery.

I think we'll get a conclusion soon.