Sonic Origins has many different versions with very convoluted content distribution. Here's everything you need to know about Sonic Origins.

Sonic Origins Versions Guide

Sonic Origins' confusing versions came out two months ago, but even after two months later, it remains befuddling. So, to help you out when the game comes out in a few days, here's a guide on the different Sonic Origins versions out there.

Sonic Origins have five different versions: Standard, Start Dash Pack, Premium Fun Pack, Classic Music Pack, and the Digital Deluxe Edition. Here are the inclusions that come with each of the versions:

  • Standard Edition – Main Game
  • Start Dash Pack – Free DLC (also included in Standard and Digital Deluxe if pre-ordered), 100 Bonus Coins, Mirror Mode, Letterbox Background
  • Premium Fun Pack – Hard Missions, Letterbox Background, Character Animation in The Main Menu, Camera Controls Over The Main Menu Islands, Character Animation During Music Islands
  • Classic Music Pack – Additional Music Tracks from MegaDrive/Genesis Titles
  • Digital Deluxe Edition – Main Game, Hard Missions, Character Animation in The Main Menu, Camera Controls Over The Main Menu Islands, Character Animation During Music Islands

It's confusing at first glance, because it seems like that three out of the five different versions didn't have the Main Game included. That's because the different packs appear to be add-ons that you have to buy on top of the main game versions. The Start Dash Pack is actually a purchasable DLC post-launch that is inclusive of all pre-order purchases. Meanwhile, some of the other inclusions in the purchasable packs can also be unlocked through gameplay in both Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions, the DLC packs only unlock these content right from the get go.

What is Sonic Origins?

Sonic Origins was first revealed on May 27, 2021, during the Sonic Central presentation. Sonic Origins remasters multiple Sonic the Hedgehog games with an all-new visual presentation. Drop Dash is included as a feature as an additional move in the newer Sonic games. The games included in Sonic Origins are:

  • Sonic the Hedgehog (2013) – Having learned of Eggman's actions, Sonic the Hedgehog rushes to South Island to thwart his plans. In the end, Sonic manages to collect the Chaos Emeralds and defeat the doctor, freeing the island from his rule.
  • Sonic the Hedgehog CD (2011) – Not too long after Little Planet makes its annual appearance over Never Lake, Sonic travels to Never Lake, hoping to see this cosmic event. Along the way, he is followed by Amy Rose. However, upon arriving in Never Lake, he finds Little Planet chained to a mountain and covered in a mechanic shell. As it turns out, Dr. Eggman has captured the planet to find the Time Stones, with which he will be able to conquer the world.
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2013) – After the South Island incident, Sonic sets out for new adventures in his biplane, the Tornado. Eventually, he finds West Side Island, and decides to land there. There, he meets Miles “Tails” Prower, a two-tailed fox, who is inspired by Sonic's cool demeanor. One day, Tails marvels at the Tornado. However, it is in this moment that Dr. Eggman makes his entrance. Having learned of the legend, which he believes to be related to the Chaos Emeralds, he tears West Side Island up with his army of Badniks to find the Emeralds.
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (2011) – Following the West Side Island incident, Dr. Robotnik's Death Egg falls from orbit and impacts the Floating Island along the way, thus pushing the island into the ocean and creating a giant tsunami. Fortunately, the island does not sink into the sea; instead, it stays slightly above the sea as if nothing has happened. Having survived the crash, Dr. Robotnik is aware that the Chaos Emeralds are somewhere on the Floating Island. He also detects the energy of a giant Chaos Emerald on the island, which he can use to re-launch the Death Egg. With this new plan in mind, the doctor starts to build a base on the Floating Island while catching the local Animals to turn them into Badniks.
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New Features

Sonic Origins features a couple of different modes that offer a brand-new experience for players revisiting these older titles:

  • Anniversary Mode – allows players to experience the gameplay of the titles in Sonic Origins in a new format for beginners by providing a full 16:9 display and offering players an infinite number of lives to keep the fun going without having to worry about Continues or Game Overs. The player can also use Coins to retry the Special Stages as many times as they need until they have collected all the Chaos Emeralds and Time Stones.
  • Classic Mode – allows players to experience the gameplay of the titles in Sonic Origins in their retro form with classic challenges. This mode features the original game presentations in the form of their original screen resolutions of 4:3, and will play in the classic finite life and Game Over gameplay systems.
  • Boss Rush Mode – is a mode where they player can go up against the games' different bosses in succession. and earn Coins.
  • Story Mode – is a new feature in Sonic Origins where the player takes control of Sonic and runs through all the classic Sonic titles in chronological order with new animated cinematic cutscenes.
  • Mirror Mode –  is a new feature in the games that flips the entire Zones from left to right, effectively allowing the player to complete the levels from the opposite direction. It can be unlocked after clearing either Classic Mode, Anniversary Mode, or Story Mode.
  • Mission Mode – is an extra feature in which the player has to complete Missions from Acts of all four games. It makes use of the rank system, with “S” being the highest rank, followed by “A”, “B”, and “C”. This feature lets players put their skills to the test and earn Coins by competing said missions.
  • Museum – is a feature where the player can unlock a variety of content and add it to their collection. As the player progresses through the game, they will automatically unlock items in the “Normal Collection.” They can also use Coins acquired from Boss Rush and Mission Mode to unlock items in the “Premium Collection.” Some content is from the original games' development stages and has never seen released to the public.

Sonic Origins will be coming out on June 23, 2022, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and the Nintendo Switch, developed by Headcannon and published by SEGA.