We can admit it – ever since they announced Sonic X Shadow Generations back in January, we’ve been wanting to know more. Over the past few months, Sega has been pretty quiet. That is, of course, until today. Summer Game Fest started Friday, June 7th, where it was already teased we’d learn something more about the Generations two-fer. Not only did we get a new trailer, not only did we got a release date, we also got a slew of info dropped on us. In just a bit over four months – October 25, 2024 – the story of Shadow the Hedgehog continues.

More after the jump.

The trailer confirms two new levels for Shadow’s campaign – Rail Canyon from Sonic Heroes, and Kingdom Valley from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). We also get to see a bit more of the Space Colony ARK, including a sequence where Shadow suddenly gets wings! Presumably this is part of his new “Doom Powers,” which the official site helpfully tells us will let us “battle hordes of enemies and tackle platforming challenges like never before. Surf on water, fly over obstacles, and stop time with the return of Chaos Control!” Story wise, the trailer doesn’t give us much aside from the Time Eater blinding Shadow for a minute. But hey, no worries, the official website gives us a new synopsis:

In this new standalone campaign, Shadow’s nemesis, Black Doom, has reemerged and threatens to take over the world once again. Shadow must journey into his past, confront his painful memories, and unlock new dark powers to save the world.

The trailer might show us Shadow suddenly growing wings, but one thing it completely skips out on is the hub world. In Sonic Generations, the levels lived in White Space, a bright void on a 2D plane where Classic or Modern Sonic could run along before choosing a stage (or mission) to blaze through. Instead of recreating that simple hub world, Shadow is getting a full 3D playground. Luckily, the website lets us know that the hub world lives, completely different from how it is in Sonic’s campaign. Done in the style of Sonic Frontiers, certain areas will unlock as Shadow gains new abilities, giving Shadow more to explore and do. A single screenshot was released where you can see some Soleanna-inspired architecture in this world outside of normal time and space.

But what about the original game? Is the Sonic half of Sonic X Shadow Generations just a one-to-one of the 2011 release? Generations‘ opening cutscene has been updated, a gaggle of Chao now attending Sonic’s birthday party. More than a visual flourish, each stage is getting at least one addition – a hidden Chao that needs to be rescued. Promotional materials also mention the museum’s unlockables, but its not clear just yet if anything new will be added there. But if you loved the Casino Night pinball table? No worries, it comes standard. Hit those bumpers to your heart’s content.

The game is coming in three flavors: Standard Digital, Deluxe Digital, and a physical release.

Physical copies of the game will come out October 25, 2024. Costing $49.99 USD at If you preorder the game, you’ll get the “Sonic Adventure Legacy Skin,” so you can run through Speed Highway the way it was always intended. Also included with the “Physical Day One Edition” is Gerald Robotnik’s Journal. A 28 (!) page booklet “recording Gerald’s innermost thoughts and drawings while creating Shadow and the Ark Space Station.” The preview pages at the end of the trailer can just be made out, which not only show drawings of Angel Island and the Master Emerald shrine, but reveal that Gerald actually visited the island! For those who are deep in Sonic lore, you might just want the physical version.

The Digital Standard Edition will also cost $49.99, and comes with the “Sonic Adventure Legacy Skin” for preorders. But as Sega has been doing with previous Sonic titles, they’re also offering a Digital Deluxe version, priced at $59.99 USD.

For those who followed the Sonic Adventure 2 rumors during the turn of the century, you can finally be Terios, the Sonic doppelganger that definitely looks more like Sonic. There’s also a digital art book, digital soundtrack, extra BGM, and the ability to play the game starting October 22nd. While not available at release, Digital Deluxe owners will also get an additional level and character skin for Shadow.

But that’s not all! Because Japan is getting a completely different physical edition of the game.

Gone is Gerald’s journal. Instead, there’s a physical art book (will it be the same as the digital art book? Time will tell), a bust of Shadow the Hedgehog holding the Black Arms logo, and a neat little keychain with Sonic and Shadow’s footwear. You’ll also get a sticker of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 logo from the upcoming film.

There’s also one additional extra, but only if you have a PS4 or PS5. Last month, it was announced that Sonic X Shadow would have a prologue animation, similar to Sonic Frontiers and Sonic Superstars. Entitled Dark Beginnings, if you buy the game on Sony hardware, you’ll receive “bonus extended prologue animations with never-before-seen deleted scenes.” Already promising deleted scenes before we’ve seen the full version! How about that.

If you want the complete Sonic X Shadow experience, it’s unfortunate that you might need to double, or even triple, dip. Chances are the Digital Deluxe extras will be available for people who purchase the physical edition, but then you lose out on an extra 72 hours of Shadow. And if you want all the physical goodies? Well, can’t do anything except import a second copy. All that aside, the game itself is looking good. Is this the Sonic equivalent of Super Mario 3D World & Bowser’s Fury? I mean. Sure. But is that such a bad thing?

Sonic X Shadow Generations comes out this October on all the usual platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Epic Games Store.

Source: Sonic X Shadow Generations official site
PlayStation Blog