How many times has Sega released the original Sonic the Hedgehog? Let's see, there's the Sega Genesis original, it returned for a Genesis compilation cartridge along with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 & Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, it turned up in Sonic Jam for the Sega Saturn, popped up again in Sonic Mega Collection (and the Plus expansion), you can find it on modern cell phones, GameTap offers it, and it'll be on the Wii's Virtual Console next year. Did I miss any? Oh, right, it's being ported to the Game Boy Advance next month (now with spin dash!). Here's a blurb from the press release:
In celebration of Sonic’s 15th birthday, Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis includes a special anniversary mode, in which players will be able to use Sonic’s Spin Dash ability to get them out of dangerous situations. Also, for the first time in the original Sonic The Hedgehog, players will be able to save their progress and high scores throughout the seven stages.
Here's the crazy thing. I already own Sonic the Hedgehog. I've torn through the game multiple times and seen everything the game has to offer. However, they just don't make Sonic games like that one anymore. Today it's all about attitude and busting cool moves and deep angst and being the "Iblis Trigger" , whatever the hell that means. Provided I can find a good deal on the GBA version of the original adventure, I think I may just buy it so I can play one of the best Sonic games ever created on the go. You hear that Sega? I'm more interested in your lazy budget-priced re-release of a 2D game I already own rather than your new next-generation big budget 3D adventure. Consider that when you ask yourselves why Sonic just doesn't sell as many games these days at he did ten years ago.
