In the wee hours of the morning, the official Sonic the Hedgehog social media account woke up and went “hey, let’s talk about Sonic Origins.” After eleven months of near radio silence, they posted a trailer complete with Hyper Potions music, the English and Japanese websites went live, and everyone suddenly woke up to talk about it.

So, what do we now know about Sonic Origins? Let’s go through it after the jump.

Barring some as-of-yet unmentioned unlockable game, we know (and have known) what’s featured in Origins: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic CD, Sonic 2, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles. What we’ve finally learned is what versions of these games we’ll be getting. Breaking free from the world of mobile phones, the Taxman/Stealth 2013 remasters will finally be making its home console premiere, carrying over the ability to play as Tails or Knuckles in either game. Sonic CD is also the Retro Engine version, though unfortunately it looks as if Knuckles hasn’t been added to the game. While a lot of people assumed those would be the versions carried over into Origins, there was one big question – what about Sonic 3?

Luckily, someone who knows their hedgehogs has returned to finish what he started. Simon Thomley, under his Headcannon branding, has gathered together a group of people to fully realize Sonic 3 & Knuckles in the Retro Engine.

Though Headcannon is currently a Sole Porprietorship owned by @HCStealth, it's also a Brand representing the efforts of other very talented people who work via contract. Sonic 3 & Knuckles is one example, seeing the return of @mrp0e, @thetweetbanana, @AStartShow, and @DashPadSPD!

— Headcannon (@Head_cannon) April 20, 2022

Each game has two main versions. “Classic Mode” takes you back to the 90’s, maintaining the original 4:3 aspect ratio and lives system. “Anniversary Mode” brings the games into widescreen, removing lives entirely, instead replacing them with coins. There’s also a Boss Rush mode (previously only available for the Sonic 2 mobile port) and an unlockable Mirror Mode, which is just what it sounds like. Rounding things out is a Mission Mode, which can earn you some sweet Sonic coinage.

The coins mentioned above are in-game currency used to unlock additional content, of which plenty has been promised. Two separate museums are in Origins – a “Normal Collection” with content that is unlocked as you play, and a “Premium Collection” where you buy things using those Sonic coins. Just what those extras are have yet to be fully announced, but some of it is said to be never before released material from the development of the original games. Maybe we’ll finally see some of that elusive Sonic 3 concept art…

One of the most exciting things that’s coming in this collection is the introduction of a Story Mode, with newly animated cutscenes for each game. Tyson Hesse is once again involved, with the scenes produced by Powerhouse Animation, who you may remember from the intro video to Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania. Ian Flynn, the writer for Sonic Frontiers and the IDW comic, is also involved, having scripted the cinematics.

All in all, it looks to be a promising collection. Luckily, the wait for the game won’t be as long as it was to get the details, coming June 23rd on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC through both Steam and EGS.

But how much will it cost? Well, just like Sonic Colors: Ultimate, Origins will have a standard edition ($39.99) and a digital deluxe edition ($44.99). Unlike Colors: Ultimate, there is currently no physical version planned. Hopefully, like with Sonic Mania, that will change, but for now you’ll have to decide which digital version suits you.

While there is a chart on the English version of the Origins site, this graphic put together by LephemStar91 helps clear it up.

Less complicated version of the Sonic Origins pricing chart, for those who need it pic.twitter.com/4jSQKj0P2z

— LJ (@LephemStar91) April 20, 2022

Come Sonic’s 31st, we’ll be able to play Sonic in style. But one question remains: what are we gonna hear when we get to Ice Cap Zone?

Also here’s a gallery of screens released so far, showing off the slick menus, including a loving recreation of Mt. Mobius for the Mission screen. Who knew?

[Source: Sonic Origins Website (ENG)]
[Source: Sonic Origins Website (JP)]