Sonic Origins Collection: The Perfect Nostalgia Fuel?

As our loyal readers may have already realized, we're on a bit of a retro bender as of late. In that being the case, we reflect on the current state of the gaming industry as a whole, where the long-awaited Sonic Origins collection is just the latest in a long line of museum-tier offerings.

Indeed, whether you're in the market for a good ol' beat 'em up or for a modern revision of, say, a classic third-person shooter, it feels like game publishers and developers have finally taken to heart that their old projects are every bit as valuable as their new endeavors potentially could be. In fact, in the specific case of Sonic, remembering the franchise's past is absolutely crucial.

So, what we've got on our hands today is the ultimate love letter to the classic Sonic video games. A comprehensive, true-to-form bundle of all the best old Sonic titles. Now, if you'd like to read about the game's technical side of things, we've got a stellar article with system requirements, content overviews, and heaps more. For today's piece, however, we're more interested in what makes Sonic Origins such an important look back in the grand scheme of things.

Play Sonic Origins on PC - today!

What Makes Sonic Origins Collection a Must-Have?

First things first, it's immediately worth pointing out just how nice it is to be able to play all the old Sonic classics on a modern PC. No fuss, no fiddling, and no interoperability issues. It just works. What we've got at hand with Origins is a collection of four Sonic titles that many will have played back in the day. Specifically, what you get are the following titles: Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD.

The crux of these games' respective upgrades is a vastly improved and modernized game engine, of course. Native for modern systems is immensely valuable on its own, but there's way more to it than just that. Any and all aspect ratios will work out-of-box, for example. The games are rendered at a stellar 16:9 aspect ratio, for example, with true-to-form color calibration. Basically, it's Sonic just how you remember him - but better.

New Features & Content

While we are a bit sad to see that there are no proper museum features and/or content offerings, the games themselves certainly stand up to the test of time. These platformers are every bit as fast and hectic as you remember them being. On top of that, the novel Anniversary Mode opens the games up with support for modern features. Expect a high framerate and the aforementioned aspect ratio support.

The graphics themselves are deliberately kept as-is. Make no mistake - this is not a remaster of any kind, but a memento of what Sonic is all about. For a modernized experience, we eagerly await more information about Sonic Frontiers. This, however, is its polar opposite.

The biggest new feature included is the inclusion of all-new cutscenes between disparate games. These are masterfully rendered and lovingly drawn. What's most important, however, is that they don't take away anything from the core Sonic gameplay experience. Just a small addon for players who appreciate the previously implied connections between the titles.

Who is Sonic Origins Collection For?

We don't know about you, but sometimes, we just want to play old classics without having to delve into system-level emulation. The simple truth of the matter is that the original releases of Sonic didn't keep up with the times, and getting them to run on a modern system was more trouble than it was probably worth. For most players, at least.

With the Sonic Origins collection, however, this is no longer the case!

This entire collection is a fire-and-forget sort of deal. Expect full support for all the modern amenities and customization tweaks. At the same time, you're not compromising on the classic arcade platforming experience you know and love. And, of course, this sort of approach won't be for everyone. Many players would've preferred a total recreation of classic Sonic, but this isn't Origins' goal. Instead, it's the ultimate Sonic gaming package for those who want to re-experience SEGA's beloved original as it was originally envisioned.

Sometimes, it's really not just rose-tinted glasses

And, sure enough, there's merit in this approach. We're huge proponents of game preservation here at 2Game, and Sonic is a key part of the industry's legacy. While we could argue about the specific reasons as to why a quick blue hedgehog would matter quite as much as it does, the simple truth is that it was a huge part of many people's childhoods. To say nothing of just how cool the whole notion is, in broader terms.

So, what SEGA's doing here isn't necessarily about revitalization. Instead, it's about remembrance. Sonic Origins affords modern gamers a look at one of the medium's early stepping stones towards greatness. To say nothing of Sonic's importance for SEGA as a publishing company.

Not investing in an Origins-tier re-release would've been a huge mistake. Now, however, anyone who wants a quick and easy look at the franchise's crucial beginnings can do so. It's easy and fast, and it paves the way for veteran gamers to remember their old favorites, as well as allowing younger generations to see what all the fuss was about. And, as it turns out, these games are still heaps of fun, even today!

Gotta Go Fast!

Of course, the Sonic Origins collection won't be for everyone. Those who have had enough of Sonic will, for example, not find much to love here. Neither will those who never really cared about the curious creature in the first place. Those who have a genuine interest in the IP, however, should take note of the game and give it a shot. Veterans looking for an excuse to do just one more playthrough, too, will feel right at home.

SEGA knows its audience for Origins, we believe. While the game would profit immensely from a more comprehensive virtual museum feature, we don't believe it's outright necessary in this case. Quite simply, the titles featured as part of Origins are effectively 1:1 renditions of their initial versions. Simply playing them is a museum-tier experience in and of itself.

To that end, if you're in the mood to go fast, there's no better option on the market. In fact, we recommend you combine Origins with the sheer awesomeness of Sonic Mania and have a go at the franchise in that order. As far as the industry may have progressed over the years, there's still nothing quite like classic Sonic in our book.

Play Sonic Origins on PC - today!