Sonic Origins had some strange calls regarding its various editions, but the final product was a mostly great collection of Sonic’s earliest titles. The new Sonic Origins Plus upgrade seeks to improve upon the base collection, and it succeeds in doing so for Sonic fans who want to experience some of the franchise’s somewhat forgotten installments.
Sonic Origins Plus
Developer: SEGA
Price: $40 for full package, $10 for upgrade from Sonic Origins
Platform: PS5 (reviewed), PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
MonsterVine was provided with a PS5 code for review
The biggest additions in Sonic Origins Plus are the Sega Game Gear Sonic titles and Amy Rose as a playable character across the main games. You can also now play as Knuckles in Sonic CD, while more minor things like backgrounds, music, and challenges have also been included.
The 12 Game Gear games are a very intriguing addition for Sonic fans, as a good number of those games are unique takes on the world and gameplay of Sonic the Hedgehog. While a few are straightforward 2D platformers (that suffer a bit from the smaller screen when it comes to seeing what lies ahead of you on a stage), there are some peculiar entries into the Sonic catalog.
From Tails’ solo games that focus less on speed and more on platforming to Sonic Labyrinth, which has you spin-dashing across a top-down maze, some of the lesser-known Sonic titles are finally easily playable. It’s interesting that Sonic Triple Trouble is now out there, as it features the debut appearance of Nack the Weasel/Fang the Sniper/whatever he is called now, who is set to make a return in the upcoming Sonic Superstars. Regardless, though the individual quality of the Game Gear titles is all over the place, they serve as a pleasant little sideshow of Sonic history.
Amy being playable is always a welcome feature since she’s probably the most well-known and relevant Sonic character after the main trio and Shadow the Hedgehog. Playing as Amy is a blast here, as she has a distinct drop-dash mechanic that has her run while swinging her hammer, providing her with an offensive option that other 2D Sonic characters primarily lack. This allows for a playstyle that you typically don’t get in this sort of Sonic game, which was a pleasant surprise.
The Final Word
Sonic Origins Plus may not be essential for more casual Sonic fans, but those who want to experience the Game Gear titles and play as Amy Rose are in for an all-around great time. If you want to take on the included classics with a new playstyle or see where Fang comes from before Sonic Superstars, this is the ideal upgrade to your Sonic Origins experience.
MonsterVine Rating: 4 out of 5 – Good
