Sonic the Hedgehog fans have had a lot to say lately. The game’s scalable revelations and initial reactions to Sonic Frontiers have been one of the most talked about topics throughout this period outside of E3 2022, but we also had to wait for the upcoming release of Sonic Origins. While the previous game seems to literally take the blue to the new 3D frontiers, Origins is a collection of Sonic 2D hits 2D that has fans from the days of Mega Drive eager to revisit the classic bands and characters that made us to fall. love in turn in the first place. Reviews from other platforms are available (and we will work to deliver our own as soon as the Switch code is available) and it seems that the critical reaction to this Sonic collection is quite positive. Reassuring news for fans of these classic 2D platformers. We recently had the opportunity to ask Takashi Iizuka, head of the Sonic Team, a few things about the new collection, the series in general, his thoughts on future collaborations with Sonic Mania’s Christian Whitehead and Headcannon, and various other things related to Sonic – like this burning question that every old Sonic fan desperately wants to ask: Which is better, Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 sprite? Nintendo Life: First of all, can you describe the process by which Sonic Origins got the green light? How long has it been in development? Image: Takashi Iizuka Takashi Iizuka: We have wanted to offer an Origins style collection for a long time, bringing classic Sonic titles to the modern era with updated graphics and new ways of playing games. As we celebrate over 30 years Sonic, it was the perfect time to do it. We are very excited that long-time fans and newcomers will rediscover the classic Sonic and experience all the nostalgic content we have included. How much did the success of Sonic Mania influence your decision to move on with Sonic Origins? Sonic Mania certainly helped us reassure ourselves that 2D Sonic titles could still be successful in the 2020s. But we have often thought about how to bring the classic Sonic to the modern era. The original titles are so popular and still play so well today, we certainly do not want to leave them confined to the old system. While Sonic 3 (& Knuckles) and Sonic CD are less widely available, Sonic 1 and 2 are some of the most transferred titles in gaming history (we’re sure we both own them on twelve different platforms!) – in the stadium of design, how did you approach these classics to make sure they were the “ultimate” versions? As you say, Sonic Origins offers the ultimate way to play these games, not just Sonic 1 & 2, but later games as well. We were eager to explore new ways to play these classic titles, but it was vital that the games were also kept in their original state. That’s why we included the new Anniversary mode as an optional, alternative way to play, with infinite lives and full screen projection. How was the review of the work you did almost 30 years ago on Sonic 3? Have you come across any elements or design options that you would have approached differently, given your experience now? It was definitely a journey full of wonderful memories. With the technology available then and the time frame we needed to deliver the game, I’m very proud of everything we have achieved with Sonic 3. One thing you quickly learn in game development is that you can spend so much time modifying systems. and repeat I plan and I’m never completely satisfied, but I’m very happy with how Sonic 3 came out. One thing you quickly learn in game development is that you could spend so much time modifying systems and redesigning and never be completely satisfied, but I’m very happy with how Sonic 3 came out. Music from other Mega Drive Sonic games will be available in the Classic Music Pack DLC, and we’d love to see Knuckles Chaotix included in the playable Origins package. Was this or any of the other games considered for inclusion? No, since the original Sonic series goes from Sonic 1 to Sonic 3 & Knuckles, from the beginning we did not think of including other titles. The content of the game would also be quite different. We added them to the music package as DLC, so that people can relive their memories of other classic titles, even if it is only through music. With several versions of these games being deleted on other platforms, is there anything from previous versions that will NOT exist in Sonic Origins? Many fans have been concerned about a specific sound from Sonic 3, for example, and the ability to play Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles in their “separate” formats. As you know, only when Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are combined are they converted to their full form as Sonic 3 & Knuckles. At Sonic Origins we decided not to split them, so that players can enjoy them in their combined, complete form. In previous ports that used emulators they were presented in their original form for better or worse, but in Sonic Origins we have made various improvements and upgrades. I hope everyone can enjoy these improvements as well. Was there a discussion about including Sonic Advance games or 8-bit games in the Origins collection? Are there any plans to review these games on a modern platform in the future? Sonic Origins focused on the main series of classic games, so there were no plans to include other titles. At this point there are no plans to transfer other titles, but I would like to take this into account when we see the reaction after the release of Sonic Origins. The Sonic Team collaboration with Christian Whitehead and Headcannon seems to have been very fruitful and we understand that their work was used in the development of Origins. Do you think there will be further collaborations with these developers in future Sega projects? I would like to believe it! They are incredibly talented and their passion for the series means that we are very grateful to have worked with them. We know that if they are happy with their job, they will be Sonic fans too. Looking to the future, are we sure that many fans would love to see Sonic Adventure games return in a similar way – perhaps a “Sonic 3D Origins”? Sonic Adventure will always be very dear to me. Sonic Adventure will always be very dear to me. In the field of 3D Sonic, we are currently focusing on offering an epic new Sonic experience with Sonic Frontiers. There seems to be a healthy appetite for 2D Sonic projects alongside 3D games like the upcoming Sonic Frontiers. Can we expect to see new 2D titles, perhaps in 16 bit style, in the future? It’s too early to share plans for other Sonic titles, we’re currently focusing on Origins and then Frontiers. What lies beyond that, we must tell you when the time is right. After the huge success of the two Sonic films (the second of which is still expected to be released in Japan!), Could you talk a little bit about the Sonic Team’s reaction to the films? Could the movie version of the character ever appear in a game? We really enjoyed watching Sonic come to life on the big screen. It ‘s something we’ve always dreamed of and seeing the movies get so well received by both long – time fans and newcomers to the franchise is a dream come true. Finally, in terms of development, which Sonic game was the most creative for you? As the first full 3D titles Sonic, I think I have to say that Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 were my favorite titles to work on, although I really enjoyed working on them all. I was always excited to see where Sonic could go next. Picture: SEGA And a quick “bonus” question: There’s a lot of talk around our office, but which Sonic sprite do you prefer – Sonic 2 or Sonic 3? My journey with Sonic really started with Sonic 3, so I could not say anything other than that, could I …? Many thanks to Mr Iizuka for taking the time to speak with us. Sonic Origins will be released for Switch and other platforms on Thursday, June 23rd. Follow our review soon.
