Why Can’t This Sonic and Knuckles 3D Level Be Real?

Oh Sonic. Your franchise, along with Sega, have become quite the punching bags in the gaming industry of late. You used to be so spinny, so fast, so fresh (and bright + vivid), but now you’re just a retro-gen has been. As much as it pains me to say it, it’s true. It’s so true in fact, that every time we get a glimpse of how good you could be, we get a little weepy, and mourn for the Sonic that we knew and loved.

Take this video mock-up of Sonic and Knuckles 3D. It’s a re-creation of the Mushroom Hill Zone level from that game, done in widescreen and updated graphics. Sadly, it’s not playable, but gives a great sense of that old school Sonic flavor. Sega, I have to ask you an honest question: why have you been unable to pull this off? This game should have come out years ago.

Who else wishes they could play this?

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I write about samurai girls and space marines. Writer for Smooth Few Films. Rooster Teeth Freelancer. Author of Red vs. Blue, The Ultimate Fan Guide, out NOW!

7 thoughts on “Why Can’t This Sonic and Knuckles 3D Level Be Real?”

  1. But what about Sonic 4?

    Isn’t Sega pretty much doing this exact same thing?

    I’m not trying to shoot the discussion down or anything, but I’m still really excited about Sonic 4 because it’s promising to do this.

    And yes, they should have done this years ago, but at the same time I can see why they didn’t do it until now. It’s important to note that Sonic 4 is a downloadable game, just like most of the retro 2d platformers that have come out in the last few years. I think it’s hard for most gamers today to justify paying $50-$60 for this sort of game.

    I don’t count myself in that category, of course. Cool 2d games is part of why I love the wii; anybody play the Klonoa remake that came out a few years back? 2d bliss.

    1. Zayven, I’m going to dub you “Debbie Downer”. 🙂

      Kidding aside, I don’t see what Sega has done to earn our trust in this department. The last Sonic game showed sequences like this in its trailers, and then turned out to have werewolf gameplay of all things. I’m not sure I’m quite ready to believe the promises of a developer who has completely mishandled this franchise for so long. Their track record is against them, I’m afraid.

  2. Fair enough. 🙂

    Yeah, Sega hasn’t exactly helped itself in this department. The side scrolling levels in Sonic Unleashed were the best Sonic experience since the 16 bit days, but those werewolf levels…ugh.

    The only reason I remain optimistic is because of my disfunctional relationship with Sega. They abuse me in all sorts of ways, but I always end up making excuses for them and taking them back when they tell me “things will be different this time” or that they’ve “learned from their mistakes.”

    I probably need therapy at this point.

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