SEGA and M2 are doing a great job of bringing classic Mega Drive games to the Switch with the SEGA AGES series of games. As with the 3DS 3D Classics range, these aren't just lazy efforts. M2 really get into the original games source code so you know you are getting a port worthy of your time.
In a recent interview with M2’s CEO Naoki Horii, he revealed that they are pulling out all the stops for the SEGA AGES port of Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Digging into the source code they have found that this will be a challenge; after all, Yuji Naka was a coding genius and his techniques take some head-scratching to get your head around.
Horii-san also teased that the SEGA Ages port of Sonic 2 might include some features which Naka-san originally wanted to do in the game, but could not manage because of the Mega Drive's limitations. What this could be is a mystery, but we're excited to see how the SEGA Ages port turns out.
In the interview, it was also mentioned that the upcoming Virtua Racing port would benefit from improvements over the arcade original. Horii-san teased that the game will feature something "that’ll allow everyone to play Virtua Racing together" and “play Sega games on Switch in a good environment”, which suggest to us that the game will feature online play.
[source dualshockers.com, via game.watch.impress.co.jp]
Comments 65
Damn it, as if i dont have enough copies of Sonic 2 on various consoles, digital and physical
I don't mind modernisation of retro games, but I'd want the option to play the original, unaltered version as part of the purchase.
@Bunkerneath
I'm in the same boat. I already have these games in various collections and the originals but they have to go and improve the game instead of a lazy port.
improved with voice clips from Sonic Boom
@gcunit it’s M2. I half expect the original versions for all regions thrown in alongside the Master System versions and the Brazil only version where you play as a flying squirrel.
That's how to ensure it's a success despite it being included on the Megadrive Collection.
Virtua Racing HD Online on the TV, in handheld and on my little arcade unit.That's just absolutely superb!
Will it have extra stages?
And Knuckles?
And Shovel Knight?
I'm so happy to see that at least the flagship games of old don't become abandonware and instead find enough consumer interest to merit a lick of paint for a new platform.
The draw distance on the screenies of VR already look much improved. Looks like they eliminated the pop up!
Bravo SEGA.
It would be cool if they brought in some of the features from the iOS port such as the playable Hidden Palace
I’m looking forward to them doing this with games that aren’t readily available or haven’t been rereleased over the years.
It is exciting to hear they’re doing some possible changes to make the game better than ever though. Especially stuff that couldn’t be done originally. Slightly off topic but I’d love to see secret of mana remade with the original vision someday.
virtua racing would be great.
then they need to get cracking on Daytona.
and N needs to bring cruisin' over if possible. update the graphics would even be better.
sonic; don't care.
I doubt it could beat Christian Whitehead's port of Sonic 2 lol
Is there any way to get cheats in releases like this? I know my opinion won't be popular, but when I go back to retro games, I prefer to play them with infinite lives... as a kid, I would get pretty far in games like this, but that was also an era where I played one game for about 6 months straight.
Leave it as a setting for purists and everyone wins
I'd prefer just having access to the Christian Whitehead port. Oh wait I can already play that on my Apple TV with a controller. Wake me up when Sonic 3&K is available on Switch. (I will buy that day one so long as it has a rewind feature so I can get all the emeralds without constantly resetting.
Better than Taxman's widescreen version with Hidden Palace added back in and expanded? I would be surprised. Wish they released that version on consoles to be honest.
Welp, time to buy it again I guess.
Not that I'm in any hurry to do so in a post-Sonic Mania world, anyway.
This is interesting news. I'm excited to try this as well as Virtual Racing on Switch. I'm really hoping they bump Virtua Racing up to 60 fps!
Nice that it won't be just a simple port, I did enjoy the 3DS version so I may had to check on this again.
@Bunkerneath and yet they will charge far too much for the millionth re-re-re-re-release
I personally don't care for the game selection on the upcoming Genesis collection, so I'll stick to buying individual titles through the Ages lineup. I'm definitely getting Sonic 2 and am hoping that Sub-Terrania and Comix Zone also make it.
I'm already ok with this retro game as re-release but with 16:9 native setting
Let's hope for some of the mobile improvements - bring on hidden palace zone!
@earthinheritor It'll cost the same as the other Ages games, £5.99 / $8.99.
One would figure that if M2 does their own version of HPZ (though I expect they won't), it'd have to have a different layout than the Taxman version.
@OorWullie Exactly which is usually about $9.99CDN as well. Personally i still find that a little on the pricey side given how old the game is and most version if it nothing has changed. Some have even been emulated versions which have cost pretty much nothing.
I already own like ... 4 or 5 different versions of Sonic 2, but yeah, I might get this if this isn't just hot air. Though as I'm definitely getting the Sega Genesis collection, hard to say.
They have their work cut out for them if they want to surpass the iOS version of Sonic 2 which has:
-16:9 widescreen
-Playable Knuckles
-Hidden Palace Zone
Anyone else hoping for a physical AGES collection?
I have the 3D Classics version and will soon have it as part of the Genesis Collection. I'm good.
@sketchturner Love Sub-Terrania but I don't think that one was made by Sega.
I'll have to let my friend know. We may have to run Sonic 2 AGES for some enhanced fun. Can't wait to find out what
I'd love to see those re-releases getting individual physical copies too... damn, it'd be more than stellar... it'd be pure bliss.
While it could be worse, im still disappointed we arent getting the portable taxman ports after all this time. I guess this is the next best thing though.
They should just remake the game with the Sonic 4/Generations/Forces graphical engine.
It basically would be the best Sonic game of all time.
Everyone and their mother already have the 25 years old version.
Jesus, enough already, this is insulting,
release the 5 Sonic games from Genesis on one cart, then I'll consider paying $40, this is just wrong
S1, 2 & 3, S&K and S&K 2/3 (S2 & S3) anyone who had original S&K on the physical Genesis will understand
Online multiplayer Virtua Racing? My Lord I never thought I’d see the day, my favorite Arcade game growing up.
Hope this turns out to be something really good but I want Daytona or the original Sega rally
@gcunit M2 normally give you a few versions of a single game to choose from, Sonic 1 SEGA Ages already had 3 versions, international, japan and the Mega Play Arcade version (which plays very different from the console release)
@construx But Force's Classic Sonic gameplay was awful
Or might not be
But does it have the Mega Drive's sound?
@Gs69 1000% agreed. Sega Rally for the win
@ICISAZEL 'Easy right...maybe.'
Can't wait until this silly era of hopping on the 2D gaming bandwagon ends.
Crazy taxi and any of the outrun games would love to see power drift as well
Would do Sonic some justice to get some enhanced versions of all those genesis sonic games on a physical cart.
@jhewitt3476
And Sonic & Knuckles + Sonic 1 or Sonic Spinball.
Anyone who had the physical carts on Genesis will understand
@JaxonH
as i understood it back when i had the S&K cart, it could be played by itself and by inserting S2 or S3, the instruction manual did not mention S1 and I never had Sonic Spinball so i can't say if it worked with the S&K cart
curious, perhaps i can find a friend who has both S&K and S1 see if it works, thanks
I highly doubt they would add online to this. Most likely the "good environment" they are speaking of is for local co-op..
Better than the mobile version though?
@RushDawg you bet I am!! And they did it for 3DS so there’s hope!!!
@jhewitt3476
Oh, it works. It unlocks special sphere bonus stages that go on and on and on and on. If you get a perfect with all rings you skip 10 stages.
I made it to level 450 something one weekend.
You had to press ABC and Start on the screen saying "No Way" with Robotnik and Sonic wagging their finger at you
@xzacutor "Will it have extra stages?
And Knuckles?
And Shovel Knight?"
Ha ha. Great comment. Someone named nfnjdkdkd appears to have downvoted it.
@StuTwo
Do you have a link where I can read more on the Brazil-only version you're referring to?
@GrailUK takes me back.....
I'm really loving the Sega Ages approach right now, absolutely can't wait to get Virtua Racing and I'll probably pick up Sonic 2 as well.
Will it have hidden palace though?
Maybe this will have the missing levels cut from the first game like Hidden Palace, Dust Hill and Wood Zone
Sonic 2 is most likely my absolute favorite Sonic game so if there was any game in the series I would be willing to purchase yet again this would be it. M2 usually adds a good amount of quality of life features to their games so I will likely end up getting this.
I'd rather have the White head versions. Sorry m2
How about they bring over that Sega Ages Phantasy Star 2 remake that was only released in Japan on PS2, instead of the 4,000th port of Sonic 2?
It "might" also "not" be the best version ...
@bluesdance Yes! Thank you for that!
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