UPDATE: Sega Confirms Sonic Classic Collection
Tristan Oliver | December 1, 2009
Out in All Regions for the Springtime
Today, Sega made it official: Sonic Classic Collection will be headed to the Nintendo DS early next year.
Sega’s official press release, which is below, notes that the compilation will have a new “Save Anywhere” feature, allowing players to instantly save their progress, no matter where they are in the first four classic Sonic titles. Collectable video and photos will also be stuffed onto the cartridge, which is expected to see release in March 2010.
Previously today, there had been a faint implication that North American fans may not be able to get their hands on it. A check of Sega’s release page for Sonic Classic Collection–depending on where you live–shows that the release was intended for UK audiences. Indeed, Classic Collection first showed up in a BBFC classification. It later showed up in Australia’s OFLC database, indicating an Australian release is likely. However, a check of the ESRB database today showed nothing for Sonic Classic Collection. Further investigation shows that the Sega announcement was relayed on Sega Europe’s blog, and the Sonic City Blognik, which is run by the Sega Europe community team.
Earlier in the day, the announcement had not shown up on Sega’s USA blog–even though Sega’s American division is mentioned in the presser–and Internet surfers from American IPs couldn’t access the product page for the game. We checked in with Sega of America’s community team, wondering why they were late to the party, and they did affirm that Sonic Classic Collection will see release in the United States around the same time as the rest of the world. A corresponding blog entry has just been made available by SOA, so that should clear up any confusion.
Sega’s press release follows. Thanks to Yamishi for sending this in via our News Tips system.
SEGA Europe Ltd and SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that, for the first time ever, the original games from legendary gaming icon, Sonic The Hedgehog™ will be coming to the Nintendo DS™ system early 2010. Sonic Classic Collection™ gathers together the first four Sonic The Hedgehog adventures – Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles – introducing some of the most influential Sonic titles to a whole new generation of gamers exclusively for the DS.
Sonic Classic Collection allows fans both old and new to speed through the much loved zones of the four original Mega Drive adventures, in a bid to collect the chaos emeralds and save the world. Optimised to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS system, Sonic Classic Collection will feature a new save anywhere feature, a first in this original series, meaning that the games can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime! Gamers will also be given the chance to expand their knowledge with a wealth of extras including video and collectable pictures that are sure to be fan favourites.
“The phenomenal successes of the original Sonic games are the pillar of today’s Sonic brand recognition” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe. “Sonic Classic Collection for DS will allow a new audience to enjoy a timeless collection of games, whilst older Sonic fans can revel in the nostalgia of playing their favourite Sonic titles. It’s a perfect amalgamation of heritage and new generation entertainment.”
Sonic Classic Collection for the Nintendo DS™ system will hit stores in March 2010.
Filed Under Australia, Europe, Global Gaming, Sonic Scene
I’ll definitely be getting this game. Even if I have to import.
Well most everyone in North America are tired of Sonic rehash compilations anyways, so I don’t see much of a problem. However, if there’s any significantly exploitable potential for big bucks to be drawn out for the handheld compilation, I’m sure SEGA will find it in no other place than the United States.
I’m just wondering what’ll be on the damn cartridge, that’s all.
So I guess SonicsChannel was right that there was a new collection coming out in 2010! It’s just not called Sonic Mega Collection 3
Comms:
1. The announcement doesn’t contain any info on Lock-On. Please note that S3&K is a big problem for DS emulator coders, as original DS has only 4MB of RAM (so exactly for pure S3&K rom image – but no more place for Genesis RAM etc.), so if it’s not a port, there is a high chance of lack of S3&K (unless they find way to “swap” data during runtime, simply shrink the rom image, as a lot of data repeats, load it directly from cart or (for me the worst) make S3&K DSi exclusive).
2. The actual picture on Blognik contains Sonic and Knux on one screenshot during MHZ boss fight. Go and check it before they’d take it out. (The resolution looks like Genny one, though.)
all the best sonic games are now portable. this is awesome.
If it’s for the DS, why not include SEGASonic the Hedgehog? Use the touchscreen to move instead of a trackball.
@Yamishi: You don’t have to import. Go to a local computer swapmeet and buy a TT DS Card. Then download the rom of Sonic Classic Collection. Boom.
@stan423321: The OFLC rating contained Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Knuckles in SOnic 2.
*Sonic 2 ^_^
OH MY GOD! If you go on the Sonic Classic Collection site, there’s a screen with Sonic AND Knuckles fighting the Mushroom Hill Act 2 boss!
“…and Internet surfers from American IPs can’t access the product page for the game.”
I’m in the USA and I can access the product page.
WTF at the Sonic & Knuckles pic.
@serpx: You think it’s a weird glitch exclusive to DS hardware? Or could it be that SEGA is actually ADDING content to the old megadrive games? 0_o
We want the lock on games of Knuckles in Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 and knuckles in sonic classic collection ds.
jonny
I own Mega Collection, so you’d think that I wouldn’t really be interested, right?
… Weeelll. To be honest, the idea of my favorite classics, now in -portable- format, seems like a rockin’ idea to me. I can dig this.
Looking forward to it.
Awesome~ I have been waiting and wanting for a DS version of Classic Collection for some time now. I totally want to buy this game when it comes out. I bet it will be pretty sweet. Now I can play a Classic Sonic game any where I go, instead of playing it on my xbox or my computer~
Sonic Classic Collection on the DS = For The WIN!
Gawd, I love Aussie…
Instabought.
Gotta get my Genesis fix on the go.
Some of these pictures are wrong. Why is the HUD in the angel island zone intro cutscene? Sonic standing in Knuckles way during the Egg robo fight, and no palette screw ups.
Either this is not emulation or these are mock ups. This is sega so I’m guessing the latter.
cool!
DS version! 
lolz
Insta-buy. No question.
I wanna buy this since I support classic Sonic all the way, but if it doesn’t see a NA release, I’ll just download and patch it instead. I’m guessing this’ll be emulation since DS Genesis emulators don’t have a very hard time with classic Sonic games. Some professional tweaking in this area could yield a nice official Sonic compilation like this. But why couldn’t this be released a few years ago when my DS wasn’t broken? LOL! GUess I’ll have to buy a new one. I hope they still mate white DS Lites or even black, because the other colors have weird tints on the screen,
Hate to burst everyone’s bubble but only Sonic 1, 2, 3/&Knuckles, and Knuckles in Sonic 2, meaning Sonic & Knuckles` lock-on games will be included.
DO WANT