The first, slightly streaky scan

SEGA's Sonic Generations on PS3 and Xbox 360 will join "Classic Sonic" — the slightly portly, pale blue, side-scrolling version of the hero — with "Modern Sonic", the leaner, laser fast interpretation familiar from recent 3D releases such as Sonic Colours and Sonic Unleashed. For the upcoming 3DS version though, SEGA is making a few neat changes.

While home console owners will likely be familiar with the hedgehog's 3D releases, handheld owners are used to the Sonic Rush-style of gameplay, so the traditional DS development duo of Sonic Team and Dimps have decided on two separate forms of 2D gameplay.

Classic Sonic will still feel very much like the 16-bit hero of old, with momentum-based gameplay and speed as a reward, but the Modern Sonic stages will take on the gameplay style of Sonic Colours DS, so stay on the lookout for bottomless pits, huge set pieces and holding boost to win. We kid, we kid.

It also seems that only the iconic Green Hill Zone will appear in all versions of the game, with the 3DS release set to receive Casino Night Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the Launch Base Zone boss from Sonic the Hedgehog 3. StreetPass and Play Coin support are also confirmed to be in.

Lastly, in case you're uncertain whether the 3DS version is for you or not, this may swing you over:

The console version will have many characters, but the Nintendo 3DS version will only feature the ones who are integral to the story.

Let's just hope the story isn't "Sonic must talk at great length with everyone he's ever encountered".

[source sonicstadium.org]