Sega announced the return of the acclaimed games Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in special cartridge format for the classic Mega Drive. The announcement was made during the Birthday Livestream event, held this Monday (23).
The new series, called Sonic the Hedgehog 1&2: Legacy Cartridge Collection, is a collaboration with iam8bit and targets collectors and enthusiasts of the history of electronic games. Pre-sales began on June 23, with the expectation of launch in 2026.
The titles will be available in physical versions of cartridges that are fully compatible with the original Mega Drive console. Each game will sport its own distinct look: Sonic the Hedgehog will have a design named Blue Blur, while Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will appear in the Two Tail Amber edition, a tribute to the character Tails.
The initiative, according to information from Sega, aims to produce archival items with a premium finish, designed for preservation and collecting. One of the most attractive points is the possibility of purchasing an ultra-rare version: around one in every eight cartridges produced will feature a unique visual effect, inspired by the series’ famous Chaos Emeralds.
The collection is part of the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary Project, created to mark the three and a half decades of the saga with a series of re-releases, compilations and products aimed at older fans. The action seeks to remember important moments in the character’s journey, who made his debut in 1991 and established himself as one of the great icons of the electronic games industry.
In addition to the reveal of the commemorative cartridges, the event also marked the official launch of Sonic Frontiers – Definitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2, expanding the hedgehog’s collection on Nintendo’s latest platform.
However, for the most nostalgic admirers, the chance to relive the original adventures of Sonic and Tails directly on an authentic Mega Drive could represent the highlight of this year’s anniversary celebrations.