This year marks Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th anniversary. Sega has previously said it's got some "exciting news" that it can't wait to share and has told fans to expect plenty of major announcements - including new games, digital content and more.
There's already been a rumour about the 2010 Wii and Nintendo DS title Sonic Colors being remastered, and now leaker Zippo is claiming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles will be making a comeback in a new Sonic collection. This was the information shared over on their blog page:
"It's back. And I promise you that I'm not shi***** you. It was thought to be impossible, but it's coming. There will be some changes, though. More soon."
The reference to it being "impossible", is likely tied to the legal issues surrounding the music in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - some of the tracks were apparently composed by Michael Jackson but went uncredited. In an attempt to not go off on a tangent here, it seems Sega could have finally worked out a way to revive this classic.
Zippo is the same leaker who earlier this week backed up rumours about the return of Donkey Kong. What do you make of this latest rumour? Could you see Sega reviving Sonic 3 & Knuckles for the blue blur's 30th birthday celebrations? Leave your thoughts down below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 113
Oh boy more rumors from eceleb leakers.
I'm hoping their 'big game' is an evolution of Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, but with loads more mascots. A video game olympics featuring Gex, Glover, Banjo/Kazooie, Crash et al. Heck, even James Pond.
I was curious on why Sonic 3 & Knuckles hasn't gotten any ports since Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection on the PS3/360. I would love to see Sonic 3 & Knuckles be as accessible as Sonic 1 and 2 again.
It can't be THAT much of a hurdle to overcome; it's still available on Steam as we speak.
I hope it doesn't include a change to the music as it was brilliant.
Kay, i'm up for it.
A collection of just 2 games?
Better be true, also add in Sonic CD, and the Taxman version of Sonic 1 & Sonic 2 and we are set.
@Ghost_of_Hasashi I'd kill for a complete compilation of all the 2D momentum-based Sonics (the MD trilogy, the MS "ports", Triple Trouble, Blast, Chaos, Pocket Adventure, CD, and Chaotix)
I'll be honest I haven't noticed the trouble of this game being released. I've had it on my Wii all these years. I think? Or was that just Sonic 3? Pff now I don't remember.
@Noid That would be great. Especially if it's done by M2.
Yet this "impossible" game remains available for sale in several digital storefronts.
I swear, if they cut Hard Times, I'm not buying. I refuse to buy a collection with a butchered Sonic 3, especially since I own this game at least thrice over at this point, with Mega Collection, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, and the PC version of the Genesis Classics Collection.
I got news for the world. Sonic 1&2's prevalance and 3 and Knuckles absence has everything to do with: sales numbers.
You would think Sonic the Hedgehog were a Nintendo franchise the way NLife goes about it.
I never really liked Sonic 3 back in the day but after playing through it a few years ago, I reckon it's his best game, even without the extra S&K content. Sonic Mania is really good but it can feel a bit messy at times.
Sonic 3's huge levels are really fun to explore and never gets too confusing, Sonic himself controls like a dream,it looks great and the soundtrack is absolutely superb. I'd love to see M2 work their magic with it and make it as good as it can be.
@robr But yet Spinball and 3D Blast make it into collections. Sonic 3 and Knuckles is more popular then most of the games that made it into the Sega Ages line.
Popularity has nothing to do with it.
That would be nice. Although I am happy with the Sonic 3 AIR mod on PC.
@Caryslan
I wonder if it's an emulation issue? I mean, if you're dumping a bunch of Genesis/Mega Drive roms into a cheap product, how much effort would you want to put into it? Possibly none?
Zippo speaks..people listen. He is amazing man like nostradamus. Knows all things of everything.
@robr I honestly think it might be an issue including the lock on technology, but is it really that hard to emulate overall?
I might say it's an issue with the music, but a Sonic 3 beta has swapped out music for Carvinal Night, Ice Cap, and Launch Base Zones. These tracks were even used in the PC version.
At this point, I am a loss as to why Sega has buried this game for over a decade.
I felt Sega has some what trying to avoid Sonic 3. Not on the Genesis Mini or that collection of Genesis games on consoles.
I hope this is being handled by Christian Whitehead, and has some of the improvements seen in Sonic 3 AIR, such as the Drop Dash and Max Control Sonic.
@Handy_Man Don't expect to hear the original Michael Jackson composed songs. They'll probably use the old beta version songs or maybe Tee Lopes will make some new compositions.
@robr It's a licensing issue with the music. The Jackson estate wants royalties for using the music.
@Caryslan Lock on technology isn't an issue, Sonic 3 & Knuckles has it's own rom, like Sonic 3, and Sonic & Knuckles. It's also not difficult to emulate under any decent Genesis emulator.
Suuuuuuuuuuuuuure they will
@russell-marlow
They could use the prototype soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be3B-_ZrGu8&list=PLcBhxfLWCap5FC1No7mCk4iwgVy9GR23K&index=10
If it's gonna be on the same quality level as the lame SEGA AGES re-release of Sonic 1&2 then no thanks.
As I keep saying now, when it comes to Sonic I have to see it in action to be excited.
Sonic 3 was always my favourite and its even better coupled with sonic and knuckles! I remember in the days of it's original release McDonald's had this promotional contest thing going on where you could win the game. I was one of the lucky few who won my very own copy!
Either M2 or Whitehead on duty otherwise it’ll lag like crap.
I hope it’s a collection of all the Taxman and Stealth versions with a Sonic 3 and Knuckles port in the same engine. It’s crazy to me that the best versions of Sonic 1 and 2 are stuck on mobile.
If they threw in the other Mega Drive/Master system games I wouldn’t say no to that either.
In an ideal package (which will never happen) I’d like them to port the Sonic Jam collection thing as that was so much fun. They could even update it with more art and adverts.
Also I like 3D blast as I played it as a kid and I have massive nostalgia goggles for it but I had it on PC which had the same soundtrack as the Saturn and I find it really hard to play the ,Eva drive version with its inferior music so some way to play 3D blast with the CD sound would be icing on the cake.
@Glassneedles have you heard of the Sonic 1 and 2 decompiler? Basically, the mobile versions are now playable on PC without the use of an Android emulator. I do believe fans have got the games running on Switch, but in Sonic 2's case it slows down in the Special Stages.
"There will be some changes, though."
This makes me think that it'll be optimized for 16:9 á la Sonic 3 AIR
@locky-mavo Since Nintendo isn't doing anything and the release schedule is as dry as the Mojave desert, they have to grasp at any straw to fill the front page.
“The reference to it being "impossible", is likely tied to the legal issues surrounding the music in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - some of the tracks were apparently composed by Michael Jackson but went uncredited.“
Another decade+ old game being screwed over by music copyright. Not surprising
Love 3K. Never owned a Genesis, but a neighbour had a Genesis with a copy of SK, I ended up renting 3 and playing through the whole game. One of my best memories. Really hope it’s remastered by Christian Whitehead though. Mania simply looks better on high res screens.
If this is true I’m going to be so f***ing happy. This is without a doubt one of my top 3 all-time favorite games. The sonic 3 and knuckles complete collection is just amazing. The music and just everything. I hope this is true.
... AND/OR hear me out... Sonic Adventure 3.
Please, Thank You & ASAP.
... Wun can only hope.
A collection with the Christian Whitehead versions of Sonic 1, 2 and CD plus S3&K in the same vein is my dream for a perfect 16-bit Sonic Collection...
I guess they could throw in Chaotix as well...
I think legal issues with the music were the reason the soundtrack was already changed between the first two releases of the game (the original Genesis release in 1994, and the PC version which first released in 1997.)
Can someone please explain how the musical legal issues and lock-on technology weren’t issues for the version on Sonic Mega Collection, the Wii’s Virtual Console, or the version that’s been on Steam for the last 10 years?
@Ambassador_Kong
NLife “grasps” at Sonic any time he’s mentioned, even when it’s got nothing to do with Nintendo.
Can we have a real Sonic Classics Collection, one that has Sonic 1, 2, 3, Knuckles, 3&Knuckles, CD and the missing Knuckles' Chaotix?
Bonus points if they add Mania Plus and (for the sake of having the complete series regardless of what you may think) 4 Ep.I&II.
Ahhhh sweet sweet ports!
An people just keep begging for them...
I kind of hope Sega trolls with the reveal with a physical release of Sonic 3 and a physical lock-on switch cart version of Sonic and Knuckles.
I literally just bought Sonic 1 and 2, so it better be available by itself and not just in a collection, or I'll be upset...
@robr
That’s highly, highly unlikely. SEGA releases Genesis games that sold a lot worse than Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles all the time.
Take a look at the recent Genesis Collection on Switch or the Genesis Mini. Both collections had games like Space Harrier 2, Virtua Fighter 2, Toejam & Earl, etc. Do you really think SEGA is excluding a Sonic game over any of those titles due to sales numbers. That would make no sense.
Then again, SEGA does things that make no sense all the time (like keeping Yakuza off the Switch because a Japan-only Wii U game sold poorly, the 32X, etc.) so you could be right after all.
@AshFoxX
That wouldn’t be a troll at all. How could we even play Sonic 3 & Knuckles without using lock-on technology?
@HammerGalladeBro
I’d want the Advance trilogy over the 4 duology.
And if we’re talking about a “complete” 2D Sonic collection, there’s a lot more games than that like the Master System/Game Gear games, the Neo Geo Pocket Color game, DS games, etc.
Could've done it before, instead of disappointing fans not including the game in any of the collections that include Sonic games.
@RushDawg Don't feed the troll. Anyone claiming that the lack of popularity for Sonic 3 & Knuckles is why it was left off something like Sega Genesis Classics simply can't be taken seriously.
@gaga64 Because The King Of Pop was alive then and could agree to using his music.
@Decapre Yes, it's amazing with all the features and 16:9 support. It's also available on Android now with a pretty simple setup process.
Whatever they do I hope it’s better than the appalling version of Sonic 2 on the most recent Mega Drive collection on Switch.
How on Earth is there that much lag on a game that came out nearly 20 years ago, but runs fine on the Wii, Xbox and Mega Drive mini? That collection is probably my one gaming regret in the last 10 years. Wish I’d gotten in physically so I could at least get some of my money back!
I have the OG carts still, the changed some tracks on this one but still good.
I’ll buy it in a heartbeat if it has the MJ composed tracks. Jackson possibly did it for nothing, he let people sample his music & never took a fee. The famous SWV sample of Human Nature on Right Here? He gave them it for nothing. The Jackson Estate are quite possibly the problem now, not quite so generous lol. But again, I’d pay for it BECAUSE of the MJ composed music, so I guess it’s fair if they get a slice, after all it mostly goes to his Mother, children & charity.
If it is a collection, hopefully it has Sonic CD, and although I had a 32X way back when, I never got to play Chaotix - would be a missed opportunity not to include them.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles is my favorite sonic game. Seriously it needs to be played in its complete form. Day 1 buy.
Remake by Christopher Whitehead??? Please!!
I was excited until I saw the subheading. Funnily enough I was listening to a podcast just the other day in which somebody described this as the best Sonic game - and one which Sega needed to try and rerelease. I couldn't agree more. As much as I loved Sonic 2 on the Game Gear, the original Sonic and Sonic Chaos on the Master System, 3 was always my favourite too.
Tbh I'd be more excited if it had some or all of the more obscure sonic games. Also the gba games
@Deppasois good theory, but his death predates the Wii VC and Steam releases by 1 and 2 years respectively. Maybe his estate took time to sort through, but if that were the sticking point, wouldn’t the games have been delisted at some point after? The Steam one is still up...
Lol, just the other day I was saying it’s typical of Sega to tease something “big” and then it always turns out to be re-releasing Megadrive ROMs…
ice cap is my fave sonic tune of all time tho
@harouhiko Is it a bad thing if people want them? It's not like the companies are putting a ton of resources into them, and they help fund new games which they develop at the same time.
Why doesn't Sega own the right to the damn music they use in their own damn games? I just don't understand. If you ask someone to compose music for your damn game, make sure that the music he composes belongs to your company, period.
@screechums read the text again. A collection including these games.
I wouldn't say no. The only option right now I have to play these, is the Mega Collection on Gamecube. And I didn't use my old Wii since years
I REALLY hope that SEGA releases Phantasy Star V!!
@RushDawg heck yes! As much as 3K would be great to have, I’d love a handheld collection. If it was up to me, the Advance games would have the camera zoomed out a bit and the DS games would be rejigged to work on one screen. It would probably just be rom dumps though.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles is my favourite game of all time and I am always open to any excuse to buy it again. Give it to me on Switch.
I’d love for this to be developed by whitehead, with the original music, along with the first two ports on a physical cart/disc.
MJ died in 2009, but the Sonic 3 & Knuckles for sale on Steam right now was released in 2011, so it might be a bit more complicated than that.
But either way, I'll be happy to play an official modern port of Sonic 3& Knuckles. It always was my favorite of the series.
NintendoLife covers Sonic, because there is no SEGA equivalent for this site, and that The Sonic Stadium would also work. Also, SEGA is third-party, and has been since the GameCube games, which explains why Sonic is in Smash nowadays. At least if it DOES happen, it won't be the LEGO DImensions version of the Carnival Night Zone theme, but probably the PC Collection of the music used.
@YoshiAngemon Segabits is sega equivalent.
Great. Another sonic title. Sega has one hel of a catalog and we get this....
@gsilver Time really does fly doesn't it? But yeah regarding this game, who cares if they re release this without the MJ songs, it's not that hard to play the og version without any troubles and I would rather play that than some butured version, what are they gonna do? Remove all the music? 🙄🙄 He composed quite a few songs for sonic 3
I would rather have a sonic 4 episode 1&2 bundle for current platforms instead
@gaga64 Those versions were released before the Jackson Estate started wanting royalties, so I guess there's some legal thing where they're exempt since they came out already, and it's only future releases that are affected?
Why don't they make a definitive collection of 2D Sonic games, with ALL the Sonic games from ALL platforms (from Master System to at least GBA)???
@huyi really? Sonic 4? The blandest "2D" Sonic game??
On the subject of why it's available on certain services still, the issue with copyright seems to have began after Jackson's death in 2009. Since that time the game hasn't been released in any compilation. Also weren't some of the more recent releases done with different music in?? Hopefully if this game is getting brought back it'll be with original music.
@gaga64 Good point.
I'm out of ideas.
I highly doubt this would be superior to Sonic 3 AIR, but If we get a new Sonic collection that has the MD games AND the Master System/Game Gear games that'd be grand. Especially if it had a snazzy interface like Mega Collection or Sonic Jam, what with the Sonic World Hub and all that. And for the niche of us, the option to play the MD/MS games in 50hz, so Sonic 1 with slowed down Music and gameplay, but Sonic 2 with just its slower gameplay. No reason at all other than for the novelty.
One of the best 2D platformers of all time... hope they make it happen!
So here's the thing. The music is the strongest factor from this possibly not getting re-released, but you can't just pin it down to Michael Jackson and his estate. There's other factors like Fervor Records. If you don't know who they are, they are the record company that owns the catalogue for the early 1980s new wave group, The Jetzons and the unreleased song that got used for IceCap Zone, Hard Times.
It's pretty much solely because of Brax Buxer, MJ's collaborator, who's long been a pain in the ass for Sega regarding the music rights.
If this happens, I'm almost certain they'll use the beta music for those tracks.
Regardless, I really really hope that this is either M2 or the Christian Whitehead port he showed a proof of concept for years ago...
@zoneseek Brad Buxer did collaborate for Sonic 3, but I doubt he is the reason. If you're looking at the credits which later became Stranger In Moscow, then that's down to Michael Jackson's Estate. If you're looking at IceCap Zone which used the unreleased track Hard Times by The Jetzons, then that's now down to Fervor Records who owns the entire The Jetzons catalogue.
We can play sonic 3 on steam. The handheld games such as the advance,battle and rush series are forever gone.
I'll definitely buy it to support SEGA and Sonic, but unfortunately, there's no way it will ever be better than Sonic 3 A.I.R., so nothing to really be excited for.
@Isaix How were the Sonic 1 and 2 SEGA Ages releases poor quality?
Did you also hear the rumour that they'll be including every sonic game ever in this collection? Including all sega cafe games.
@Clyde_Radcliffe The SEGA AGES versions were released after the Christian Whitehead versions yet they were inferior which is unacceptable. They should have ported the Whitehead versions on Switch, but didn't for no reason
Until I see some announcements for IPs like Shining Force, Skies of Arcadia, Dragon Force, and other RPGs from Sega, I couldn't care less if I never see or play another Sonic game again. Sonic has come to be synonymous with Sega never touching their other beloved properties (and their recent announcement of "revisiting more dormant IPs" A) has been said before, B) most of those like Panzer Dragoon Remake and Streets of Rage 4 were outsourced to other developers or required Kickstarters like Shenmue 3 to even exist, and C) the games they mentioned in the announcement didn't include any of their iconic RPG IPs.
Another day, another Sonic announcement from Sega is as inevitable as another year, another Call of Battlefield: Madden's Creed from the "AAA" publishers. If you claim you're going to give your fans of your other franchises what we want, Sega, you've had TWO DECADES already to do that since you went third-party. It's time to put up, or SHUT UP and just admit you're a washed-up, one-trick has-been.
@Chamver music is always a complicated legal matter. Often the WWE has to replace licensed music they or companies they brought used in the past with generic music.
They will sometimes negotiate with some bands for the most iconic entrances but often they're scared s word-less over other stuff.
And don't forget, the music industry is always the most vocal about pirates and often get behind Internet Censorship bills.
I don't understand the story behind this game not being released.
If there was some legal matter preventing it because of the music, why is it for sale now on digital stores? None of this supposed music controversy makes sense because you can on Steam and have been able to for many years (not to mention it has been available several times on previous consoles). If it held any weight, why does it only apply to current console releases? Even if the Jackson estate stepped in later on, would it not have been removed from Steam?
Finally! It's been making me sad how it seems to be lost to history, having the two games on my Xbox through the old Xbox 360 arcade versions has been my only way of playing them outside of classic consoles.
@Piyo No point to offer a PS5 or Series S/X version. PS4 and XB1 have ample power to fully realize a Sonic compilation and both next-gen successors offer excellent backwards compatibility.
No need to code four versions when two will fully cover both console families.
@TheFullAndy thats what there saying from others, that the music will be the port of the PC from 1997 which did not have the original music in it. I hope that not the case as well thou.
@Shadowthrone @gaga64 Doesn't the PC version have different music? Probably why it's okay to be on Steam and I imagine the upcoming console version (if true) will be the same.
@Akidna There are Genesis versions of the PC music that leaked recently (from a prototype) which are much better than the cheap Midi PC versions. I'd hope they'd use them if it gets re-released.
@Clyde_Radcliffe Fans want the original music from the Genesis days, the music is half the reason why that game is so popular. the PC music version did not receive good on the people. I honestly think there going to use the original music that was composed by Michael Jackson Producer. I think the changes are going to be in a HD resolution with Christian Whitehead properly having something to do with it and that if this rumour as any truth to it. believe me I want it to be true, Sonic 3 is one of my favorite games of all times.
@Clyde_Radcliffe Ah, that explains it, thanks
Honestly, while the original music would be nice, the music from the protos also slap. The Carnival Night tracks especially. Pretty sure a music change wouldn't change the gameplay at all, it'd still play like Sonic 3 and Knuckles.
Also chances are the port would be inferior to Sonic 3 A.I.R either way, so... yeah.
@Sabrewing it’s incredibly difficult. It goes a lot deeper than your comment. Things changed a few years after MJ died. Lawyers have commented on it over the years and they speculate that it has to do with the music and the estate wanting more money for past releases because it’s their music. So they stopped releasing it again in case of lawsuits and they can’t just release it again with the beta music as it would be admitting that MJ actually owns those tracks so they would have a case for back pay in terms of royalties.
Have no idea if I can trust the rumour or not, but like someone else said I'd also think it wouldn't be hard to put Sonic 3 & Knuckles on consoles. It is a great 2D Sonic game.
Sega this is what I’d like to see in the collection:
Sonic 1
Sonic 2
Sonic 3/Knuckles
Sonic Spinball
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic CD
Knuckles Chaotix
Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure 2
Game Gear Sonics
Sonic Drift 1&2
Sonic Advance 1,2,3
Sonic Rush 1&2
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 part I
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 part 2
Sonic Colors
Sonic and the Black Knight
Sonic Heroes
Sonic Generations
And many more that I can’t think of right now! So gather em all up In a convenient package for $50 which I would gladly fork over!
@Sabrewing it’s still available on Xbox too, even backwards compatible on Xbox One and Series S/X. But you can only buy it from the Xbox website, not the console.
Zippo is not to be trusted! People have committed arson with those things, what a nutjob
Everyone saying "I hope it's this version" or "I hope it's that version", prepare yourselves for disappointment. If Sega are messing with the music you can get they're going to try to make this as an original experience as possible outside of that. Best hope is the M2 treatment, I guess.
My favorite Sonic game and I play it all the time via emulator but it would be great for the masses to replay as well. 👍🏽
Some you cats give the king of diddling a little too much credit. The man could dance and sing, but his keyboard player totally wrote those instrumentals.
@Clyde_Radcliffe You do realise that the version on Steam is an emulated version of the original Mega Drive version, and that it's not the port that was featured on the Sonic & Knuckles Collection.
@MarioFan432 It's already been released on consoles after the Mega Drive. It's been featured in Sonic Mega Collection, Sonic Mega Collection Plus, it's been released on the Wii's Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade.
@Jamie64326 Interesting to know, thanks! I agree it shouldn't be hard to do. Not surprised to hear that, it was on PC as well long ago as that's how I originally played it.
Guess we'll see if Sega does anything with Sonic 3 & Knuckles soon.
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