Celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s Birthday with Sonic Origins Plus
Published on 22nd June 2023 by Jimmy Bennett
Sonic the Hedgehog burst onto screens as he made his debut back on June 23rd, 1991, changing gaming forever. Since then, the Sonic franchise has exploded with numerous games, films and shows spanning from the series. Here in 2023, Sonic the Hedgehog celebrates his 32nd birthday, and with it comes the release of Sonic Origins Plus which celebrates the franchise's beginnings.
Taking us back to the very first games in the series, Sonic Origins Plus will let players revisit 16 classic sonic titles from the 1990s, optimised for modern consoles. Along with this collection comes a host of new features, including new playable characters for the original three Sonic the Hedgehog games and Sonic CD.
Let’s take a look at how Sonic fans can celebrate the Hedgehog’s birthday with Sonic Origin’s Plus.
16 Classic Sonic the Hedgehog Games
Sonic Origins Plus will let players go back to the very roots of the franchise, including Sonic’s very first adventure. This first game was a huge hit when it first launched on the SEGA Genesis back in 1991, instantly turning Sonic into an icon in gaming. The game offered fast-paced platformer gameplay with smooth action and vividly designed sprites and was loved by gamers everywhere, selling 10s of millions of copies.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 followed the next year with much anticipation. Introducing Sonic’s companion, Tails, for the first time, much was added to the sequel including updated sprites, faster gameplay and a longer length. It was another huge success for SEGA and helped to solidify Sonic’s reputation.
Building on the great foundations, SEGA quickly released Sonic CD and Sonic 3 in the years following the first two games. These built on the solid foundations of their predecessors, refining and adding gameplay mechanics as well as new characters such as Amy Rose and Metal Sonic.
All of these great games are available in Sonic Origins Plus letting players recapture the magic of the first few Sonic titles. However, players will also get the benefit of full widescreen HD support, upgraded models and ultra-smooth gameplay, bringing a modern touch to the classic games.
On top of these titles, you’ll also get to experience the Sonic the Hedgehog games that were released on the SEGA Game Gear. That’s a whopping 12 extra games that players can dive into.
New Features
As well as letting players dive into the classic games in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, Sonic Origins Plus also comes with a host of new features to enhance the experience.
New Playable Characters
Experience the Sonic the Hedgehog games in a whole new way with new playable characters. You’ll be able to play through Sonic the Hedgehog 1 & 2 and Sonic 3 & Knuckles as Amy Rose for the first time. You can also play through Sonic CD as Knuckles, letting you experience the game from a whole new perspective.
All-In-One Bundle
Sonic Origins Plus will include all previously released add-on content for Sonic Origins. This provides a wealth of additional content for gamers to enjoy. Play through extreme missions that will test your abilities, mirror mode will literally flip the script while new music and animations will enhance the gameplay experience.
Get ready to celebrate Sonic’s 32nd birthday with Sonic Origins Plus this June 23rd and relive the original adventures of everyone’s favourite super speedy Sonic the Hedgehog.
Sonic Origins Plus is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and the Nintendo Switch.
Don't forget to also check out Sonic Superstars, which was announced at Summer Game fest last year!
