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Sonic Origins Plus is the best way to celebrate the hedgehog's past with 16 fun titles. The upgrades to the main four make them pretty flashy even by today's standards, but the Game Gear installments could have gotten more love than this collection did. It's still highly recommended for old and new fans alike.
Although the Sonic Origins Collection is aimed at those who are nostalgic for early days of Blue Blur, we believe that new players will also enjoy these improved versions of the beloved 2D games that graced a beautiful period of the 90s. Game Gear games are just cherry on the top!
Sonic and friends will always have a special place in our hearts for all those great memories, and that’s probably why SEGA is sacrificing quality and using Sonic’s name to generate money.
8
SonicSweeps79
Sonic Origins Plus is widely considered a strong, definitive way to experience the foundational titles of the series, especially for those who did not purchase the original release. The collection shines by bringing together Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD, all running on the polished Retro Engine which allows for a smooth widescreen experience and modern features like the Drop Dash. One of the standout additions in the Plus expansion is making Amy Rose playable across all four main titles, providing a fresh way to navigate classic levels using her unique Piko Piko Hammer. The inclusion of 12 Game Gear titles also serves as a comprehensive digital museum for fans interested in the handheld history of the franchise, even if the audio emulation on those specific titles is noted as being a bit inconsistent. While some critics feel the expansion content is a light addition for existing owners, the overall package remains a vibrant celebration of the 16-bit era, complete with a charming 3D diorama menu and a wealth of unlockable museum content that highlights the artistry of the early 90s. The iconic slogan "Sega Does What Nintendon’t" originated as a centerpiece of Sega's aggressive North American marketing campaign for the Genesis in the early 1990s. At its core, the phrase was designed to position Sega as the edgier, more "grown-up" alternative to the family-friendly image of the Nintendo Entertainment System. The campaign emphasized technical superiorities like "Blast Processing" and a library of games that featured more arcade-accurate graphics and sports titles with celebrity tie-ins. By directly naming their competitor with a clever play on words, Sega successfully shifted the industry's perception, helping them capture a significant portion of the market share and establishing a legendary rivalry that defined the 16-bit console wars. Today, the phrase is often used by the community to contrast the two companies' different approaches to modern gaming, particularly regarding Sega's more open relationship with fan-made content and modifications compared to Nintendo's stricter legal protections.
8
HollowWarrior
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
8
mefisto_777
The video game industry constantly faces the dilemma of digital preservation versus commercial profitability. Sonic Origins is a compilation of retro titles that seeks to recreate the pure retro experience, adding the gameplay of the 16-bit era to contemporary hardware. Through the Retro Engine, this collection transcends conventional emulation to offer a native interpretation of the **** of the most significant achievements of this release is the implementation of Anniversary Mode. Unlike previous re-releases that forced the image or used side borders to maintain the 4:3 aspect ratio, Origins reconstructs the levels to allow for an expanded peripheral view. Another achievement is the impact on gameplay, modifying not only the aesthetics but also altering the game's mechanics, allowing you to anticipate obstacles at high speeds, thus mitigating the "leap of faith" that characterized the original **** replacement of the "Lives" system with a token-based economy represents a necessary evolution towards casual gaming without sacrificing challenge. The ability to use medals to replay Chaos Emerald levels eliminates the punitive frustration of the 90s. This transforms the experience into a continuous learning flow, where mistakes are a stepping stone to mastery, not a reason for a complete **** inclusion of previously unseen animation sequences produced by Powerhouse Animation acts as a connective tissue, lending narrative coherence to a chronology that was originally fragmented. Furthermore, the Digital Museum serves as a historical archive, preserving digitized manuals from all regions where the blue hedgehog was released, scores and concept art from the creative process, and sound material that allows for a comparative study of the evolution of audio ****'s worth mentioning that there are some changes to the soundtrack; these changes seem to indicate copyright issues, however, the sacrifice is accepted in order to ensure the work's permanence. Furthermore, the integration of the Game Gear versions into the Plus edition broadens the scope of the catalog, offering a holistic view of Sonic's presence on portable **** conclusion, Sonic Origins positions itself as the definitive edition for an in-depth introduction to and enjoyment of the 2D platformer. Despite the initial friction I experienced regarding its monetization model, I eventually understood that its purpose is to provide a complete experience for anyone embarking on the hedgehog's initial journey without frustration. Moreover, the robustness of the technical engine and the quality-of-life improvements definitely justify its status as an essential collector's item. It's a game that not only appeals to nostalgia but also elevates the classic gameplay experience for new generations. RATING 8.5/10

Sonic Origins Plus

Released On: 
Jun 23, 2023
Metascore
Generally Favorable
78
User score
7.4
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
78
75% Positive
21 Reviews
25% Mixed
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Jun 21, 2023
90
PlayStation Universe
The addition of 12 underplayed Game Gear Sonic titles and a playable Amy Rose are more than welcome in this beefed up version of Sonic Origins.
Jun 29, 2023
84
The Games Machine
Sonic Origins Plus is the best way to play 16-bit Sonic video games. Skill challenges, modes specifically designed for speedrunners, and the ability to play each level with all the series' main characters make this collection a must-have for Sonic fans, despite the quite high price. The museum, once all the entries have been unlocked, is a great source of information, and the platformer action is still able to entertain after thirty years. The Game Gear section is unlikely to spark interest, but the more the content, the higher the value.
User score
7.4
66% Positive
80 Ratings
22% Mixed
27 Ratings
12% Negative
15 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Oct 26, 2025
10
Alex2050
Me trajo la nostalgia, y Además que tiene 16 juegos y es increíble muy recomendable
Jan 12, 2025
10
SonicGamer112
A fun remaster trilogy and fun to play, I love it, still a good Sonic game 10/10
Aug 23, 2023
80
IGN Adria
Although the Sonic Origins Collection is aimed at those who are nostalgic for early days of Blue Blur, we believe that new players will also enjoy these improved versions of the beloved 2D games that graced a beautiful period of the 90s. Game Gear games are just cherry on the top!
Jun 21, 2023
80
GamingBolt
This Sonic package is a complete and veritable explosion of ‘90s Sonic nostalgia.
Jun 21, 2023
80
Press Start Australia
Sonic Origins keeps the focus on the hedgehog's early core entries, polishing them up to a fine sheen and creating an addictive ecosystem around them that breathes new life into each title. The new and improved Plus version is a bit of a mixed bag of additions, but more is still better, especially for anyone picking it up for the first time as a complete package.
Jun 28, 2023
70
Push Square
While the Game Gear games in Sonic Origins Plus don’t look, sound, or play great, the problem comes down to these games not being that good originally — not that they're bad ports. Buy Sonic Origins Plus for the Genesis games and to play as Amy, but don't expect the Game Gear games to run away with your heart.
Jun 29, 2023
50
COGconnected
If you’ve already got the base game, I can’t imagine you’ll get much out of Origins Plus. If you grew up playing the Game Gear, great news! These are twelve colorful trips down memory lane. Otherwise, I don’t recommend it. Turns out Sega’s first portable gaming experiment aged rather poorly. Sonic Origins is a fun and accessible way to play Sonic’s greatest hits. But Origins Plus spends too much time on bland, awful games.
See All 28 Critic Reviews
Dec 28, 2024
10
Noovjair
Very nice collection for the Sonic fans and there are 16 titles in total to keep myself busy. Good Deal.
Jul 11, 2023
7
Xedmed
This game is absolutely amazing. Literally the best way to play Sonic 1, 2 and 3. It's upscaled for modern TVs, the extras are great, it puts a proper spin dash in Sonic 1, all characters are playable across all titles, there's a pretty good mission mode, YOU CAN RETRY CHAOS EMERALD CHALLENGES! So much good stuff. Why a 7 then you ask? It made me play through Sonic CD. It's the only downside. Truly abysmal, but necessary to see all the connecting cutscenes across the game (which are also awesome as its the same team that did Sonic Mania adventures animated them). Games unbelievable aside from that.
Sep 6, 2024
6
Davidmustogo
it’s a great collection if you bought it on sale I wish it contains more content
Sep 8, 2023
1
PS-KING
Sonic reste un classique et SEGA sait comment faire des excellents jeux, malheureusement ne convainc pas...
Aug 12, 2023
1
ulisesdoblaje
Amo Sonic pero lo que le han hecho al 1 es insalvable, que tenga que actualizarse el juego una vergüenza y el contenido plus debería de venir en el disco, un desastre que en ps2 no daba fallos
See All 122 User Reviews
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SummarySonic Origins Plus includes the 4 remastered Sega titles from last year's release -- Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic CD and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles -- plus a dozen Game Gear titles available in a special in-game "museum."
Rated Efor Everyone
  • PlayStation 5
  • PlayStation 4
  • PC
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Xbox Series X
  • Xbox One
Jun 23, 2023
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