Classic Sonic the Hedgehog titles to be delisted ahead of Sonic Origins release

As if Sonic Origins‘ confusing and penny-pinching DLC scheme wasn’t bad enough, Sega have now also confirmed that it will be taking the original versions of the games off the market. This means that you only have a limited time to download the OG digital versions of Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD before they’re gone for good.

According to Sega’s press release, the company “will delist the digital versions of the stand-alone titles that will be featured in the upcoming game, Sonic Origins on May 20, 2022“. There are some exceptions to this: Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2 will remain available via SEGA AGES on the Nintendo Switch. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will also still be playable via Sega Genesis on Nintendo Switch Online +. Sega has also confirmed on Twitter that the IOS and Android versions of Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2 and Sonic CD are staying where they are.

Sonic fans are already incensed at having to fork over additional money for more animations and soundtrack options. Having the option of purchasing the games individually and more affordably taken away is not going to make things better. It also doesn’t suggest that Sega is particularly confident in the value of the Sonic Origins remaster if it has had to remove the option to buy the originals to make it more appealing. Rockstar Games did the same thing with the Grand Theft Auto remastered trilogy, and we all know how that turned out. It isn’t clear if current owners of the original games will still be able to download them after they’re delisted.

At any rate, anyone who wants to buy Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD on digital storefronts have gotta go fast and do so before May 20th 2022. Sonic Origins is set to release on PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on June 23rd. A Nintendo Switch version will be “coming soon” after that date.