In a wide-ranging interview tied to the franchise's 35th anniversary, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has spoken candidly about his ambition - and the financial reality blocking it - when it comes to getting older Sonic titles onto current-generation hardware.
Speaking with Jeremy Klinger, Iizuka was asked which game he would choose to remake if given the opportunity. He said he'd love to see the old games playable on modern platforms, and would "want every single Sonic game ever put out there to be playable now on current hardware."
The Cost Problem
The ambition comes with a significant catch. Iizuka reiterated that the costs of bringing games to modern platforms - especially as full remakes - would cost roughly the same as making a brand-new title. In his own words:
"… when we think about all the games in the 35 years that Sonic has been out there, I really want to be able to play all of those old games on the modern platforms."
He acknowledged the painful side effect of hardware generational churn - that some experiences simply become inaccessible as old platforms disappear. Many fans have wanted the ability to play older Sonic games on modern hardware, as a large number of titles are locked behind their original platforms.
Iizuka made clear that this resource reality shapes Sonic Team's current strategy: rather than investing in remakes of legacy titles, the studio prefers to channel that equivalent budget into entirely new games designed to surprise players.
What SEGA Has Done So Far
Sonic X Shadow Generations is a bundle featuring a remaster of the console/PC version of Sonic Generations (2011) and a new game called Shadow Generations, developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA, released in October 2024. The remastered Sonic Generations features rewritten cutscenes by Ian Flynn and improved visuals, while Shadow Generations stars Shadow the Hedgehog as a playable character.
The game proved a commercial success, selling two million copies by January 2025. A Nintendo Switch 2 version then released as a launch title for the system on June 5, 2025.
| Version | Release Date | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Original | Oct 25, 2024 | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC |
| Switch 2 | Jun 5, 2025 | Nintendo Switch 2 |
That Switch 2 release - with upgraded visuals at the same price as other versions - made it the first Sonic franchise title on the Nintendo Switch 2, demonstrating that SEGA is at least keeping pace with new hardware when commercially viable.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds DLC
The interview also touched on the racing spin-off. Iizuka mentioned the possibility of a third year of DLC for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, available on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, adding that if the game continues to sell well and fan demand is strong, the team would be ready to pursue additional content and bring in new IPs.
The Bottom Line
Iizuka's comments reinforce a familiar tension in gaming preservation: the desire to keep classic titles alive versus the cold economics of development. For now, Sonic fans hunting back-catalogue experiences on Switch 2 or PC should look to what is currently available - Sonic x Shadow Generations remains the most recent and most polished showcase of the series on modern hardware.
Buy Sonic the Hedgehog
Live deal tracker
Sonic x Shadow Generations is available now - check the live price in your currency: CA$20.69.
