Sega plans to delist digital versions of games in upcoming Sonic Origins

destructoid.com:

The new Sonic the Hedgehog classic collection is on the way. But before it arrives, several standalone versions of the included games will be leaving their stores. Sega announced today that it will be delisting digital versions of the games featured in Sonic Origins on May 20, 2022.

These games are Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD. According to the press release, there will be a few exceptions. Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2 will still be available through Sega Ages on the Nintendo Switch. And Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will also remain playable through the Sega Genesis side of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

Previously announced last year, Sonic Origins is a new collection of classic games featuring the blue blur himself. The digital standard version brings together all four Sonic games for $39.99.

This does finally mark a new Sonic 3 & Knuckles re-release, which is pretty exciting. But the situation around the digital copies of Sonic is not great. Seeing games get delisted from storefronts is never great, especially classics like the original Sonic games.

It also doesn’t help that the monetization for the Sonic Origins lineup is a little exhausting, either. Different pre-orders, editions, and packs contain some extra content, which feels a bit like an added upsell on the retro collection. I’m excited at the prospect of having some classic Sonic to play in one easy package, but the circumstances around Sonic Origins definitely chips away at that enthusiasm.