Sonic Origins Reviews
Sonic Origins is a fantastic celebration of 30 years of SEGA's spiky blue mascot, offering four of the best platformers money can buy and chucking in a bunch of great extras that long-time fans can appreciate. Regardless of where the Blue Blur head next, Sonic Origins is a reminder of just how damn good these timeless classics are.
Sonic Origins is an essential collection not only for any franchise fan with current or last-gen gaming hardware but also for anybody who appreciates tight gameplay with a banger soundtrack. Sonic is the ultimate "Animal With an Attitude" mascot still having major games released to this day, and while the franchise has had a tarnished reputation due to sub-par releases lately, it remains plucky and pushes forward, never losing sight of its roots.
These games look great and play better than they ever have in HD. But what else do you get? As far as extras, not a ton. You do get a small museum mode, a boss rush, and some bonus missions. But compared to, say, the 3D explorable world with its multiple media museums from Sonic Jam, it’s a bit bare. But, hey, I’m not really here for bonuses. I’m here for those four games. And a few oddities aside, these are fantastic remasters. Even if you’re a Sonic fan who already owns these games in other compilations, Origins is worth it.
Anyone who has somehow never played any of the 2D Sonic games, or who needs a good shot of nostalgia, can't go wrong with Sonic Origins. Even considering my quibbles with the game, it’s hard for me not to give it a strong recommendation. This is what classic 2D platforming is all about.
Sonic Origins is the Sonic anthology that Sonic the Hedgehog fans, including myself, have been waiting for years to play. Being able to play the classic Sonic titles in their original glory AND in an updated fashion thanks to Anniversary Mode should make newer players' journeys less perilous than the journeys we had on our Sega Genesis in the 90s. Sonic is more forgiving than ever. You'll be hit with all the nostalgia from Sonic 1, 2, 3, and CD, although some of the content has been changed. I only wish that this content was taken one step further: More playable content and animations, please!
Each Sonic game presented here in Sonic Origins has something that makes it stand out from the rest. But they all share a certain magic that means we return to them, time and time again, year after year; that’s why this collection exists, after all. And it’s thanks to this collection that yet more players, young and old, are going to be able to enjoy these classics. Hardcore Sonic fans will rue the music changes in Sonic 3, for sure, but everything else new or tweaked here is for the better. Sonic’s 3D offerings over the years have been sketchy at best, but as long as we can still enjoy his origins, we’ll love him regardless.
Sonic Origins is a reimagination of the classic Sonic series which applies some modernized ideas. For a series franchise that had lived just over 30 years, it’s another opportunity for the dev team to look back and reminisce of the basics. Just like most compilation packaged games, there is plenty of content to find and check out. With the addition of record keeping leaderboards for each stages and corners, the dev team’s vision has finally acknowledged the voices of the Sonic community. Sonic Origins would by far be the best addition to the library of Sonic games collection, for all Sonic fans since the classic days.
Review in Korean | Read full review
As someone who has adored the Sonic the Hedgehog games since I can remember, Sonic Origins’ Anniversary Modes of these classic games is the absolute best way to experience these titles.
Sonic Origins is an overall strong collection of some of Sonic’s best titles. The PS5 version seems pretty bug-free, and the included games all play very smoothly. I wish there was a bit more content in the gallery, and the replaced Sonic 3 songs are disappointing, but otherwise, I’m quite satisfied with Sonic Origins.
While the music changes and audio mishaps are disappointing, the Sonic Origins package is terrific overall. Having the best versions of the classic Sonic saga in one bundle is supremely satisfying, and Anniversary Mode’s enhancements make the experience of playing through them more enjoyable than ever before. Even in a gaming landscape where most of these games are already available to download on every platform, Sonic Origins is a worthwhile package.
Sonic Origins, despite its turbulent release and Sega's commercial manoeuvring, is a remarkable compilation exercise that serves as an example in terms of celebrating a legacy. Its updated versions, the preservation of classic titles, the incorporation of new approaches and the inclusion of its museum are what should be the standard for compilations.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
For those who were there and for those who were not there and are there today: Sonic Origins is the best collection of the classic chapters of the series and the best way to play them (beyond the 16-bit versions, of course!).
Review in Italian | Read full review
While it's not quite what I had hoped for, Sonic Origins is one of the best ways to play Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic CD, Sonic 2, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The sprite art looks fantastic in widescreen and extras like animated cutscenes bookending each game are a delight.
Sonic Origins is a must-have collection for fans old and new of the fast-paced SEGA icon.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overpriced DLC and the odd omission aside, the fact is that the five games in this collection are stone-cold classics, and they've never played better. Those without nostalgia may understandably wait for a sale and a further bit of polish. But Sonic Origins will be a great trip down memory lane if you were a Genesis supporter back in the day of the 16-bit schoolyard debates. They are infinitely replayable.
Sonic Origins is that collection of classic games that seemed like you didn't need, but that manages to be necessary for fans of the blue hedgehog. It is the best version of these games that are classic and that it is very good that they continue to be played. It's not a perfect game: it has problems, and it lacks games. Perhaps one of the most striking flaws is that Sonic 3 does not include its original soundtrack.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Although as a compilation it is not too complete as we would like, the modernization of these games looks great and includes several extras that will rekindle your flame for the classics.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Sonic Collection is not only a (guess what?) collection of the first games featuring the blue hedgehog and friends cleverly remastered and with an improved gameplay, but it's also a long platformer – if we consider the Story mode which will take us by hand through all four chapters – which I would recommend also to those who are unfamiliar with the franchise and are simply looking for a fun and fast paced game with colorful graphics and an awesome level design where there's always something new to discover. Highly recommended both for Sonic lovers and newcomers.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overall, Sonic Origins is an excellent collection of games to introduce newer players to what made Sonic the Hedgehog so interesting and unique. However, after Sonic Mania it does feel a bit of a step down with the reduced difficulty.
Sonic Origins is not only an excellent trip down memory lane for fans of the series, it’s also the perfect entry point for those looking to play them for the very first time. The games are all as beautiful as ever and control like a dream. There are also a plethora of bonus goodies that celebrate the iconic artwork and music of the platforming series. While it’s easy to get caught up in arguments about the current direction of the Sonic IP, Sonic Origins is a refreshing reminder that the original games are among the best 2D platformers ever made.