Sonic & Knuckles speeding into XBLA September 9

[R.O.B.]

Once again, Xbox Live Arcade will be visited by a ghostly vision of Sonic the Hedgehog's good (see: not terrible) old days -- Shacknews is reporting that the Sega Vintage Collection 2 series will draw to a close on September 9 with the release of Sonic & Kunckles. As hinted at when this Sega collection was first announced, owners of the previous Sonic XBLA titles will have access to bonuses in the latest installment -- including the "Blue Sphere" mode (Sonic 1), as well as the ability to play as Knuckles in Sonic 2 and 3.

We've contacted Sega to confirm the release date and get pricing details -- and also to discover whether the Wii version of the game (revealed by an ESRB listing) will be made available simultaneously.

Sonic & Knuckles speeding into XBLA September 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: Joystiq

[Angelic Lapras King]

Would be nice if they released it on the VC at the same time as the XBL version, but meh, I ve got Mega Collection...

[Ouenben]

This is somewhat good news but doesnt sound quite fully like Sonic 3 & knuckles liek most of us are hoping for...

[Mickeymac]

Sweet, so if I get Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles, I'll get S3&K as well? With online play? Sweet!!!

[Ouenben]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Sweet, so if I get Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles, I'll get S3&K as well? With online play? Sweet!!!

I sure hope so.

Part of me makes me think you'll only suddenly find yourself with the ability to chose Knuckles if you load sonic 3 up.

I really hope it is the true S3&K though. It's the best Sonic game ever and up there for greatness with the marios.

I'm surprised you're happy about the online play though, the multiplayer was really shallow and repetitive. Sonic 2 did beat Sonic 3 on the multiplayer side of things.

[Mickeymac]

Originally Posted by Ouenben

I sure hope so.

Part of me makes me think you'll only suddenly find yourself with the ability to chose Knuckles if you load sonic 3 up.

I really hope it is the true S3&K though. It's the best Sonic game ever and up there for greatness with the marios.

I'm surprised you're happy about the online play though, the multiplayer was really shallow and repetitive. Sonic 2 did beat Sonic 3 on the multiplayer side of things.

Sonic 3/Sonic 3 & Knuckles has co-op.

[Ouenben]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Sonic 3/Sonic 3 & Knuckles has co-op.

I knew a second player could be tails, but its a really light and lousy experience for whoever is Tails, they can't move the screen, often have trouble keeping up with Sonic. I have no idea who'd wanna be tails in an online co-op game tbh.

[Refa]

Originally Posted by Ouenben

I knew a second player could be tails, but its a really light and lousy experience for whoever is Tails, they can't move the screen, often have trouble keeping up with Sonic. I have no idea who'd wanna be tails in an online co-op game tbh.

Well, if it is online, I would guess that each person's screen would keep up with their own character. Then again, this is Sega, so this very obvious fix to make S3&K even better will probably not happen.

[Mickeymac]

Originally Posted by Ouenben

I knew a second player could be tails, but its a really light and lousy experience for whoever is Tails, they can't move the screen, often have trouble keeping up with Sonic. I have no idea who'd wanna be tails in an online co-op game tbh.

Tails can help sonic get to high places. It's extremely useful during the water levels, as Tails can keep Sonic on the high road and out of the water. I honestly can't beat those levels without someone else playing as Tails.

[Refa]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Tails can help sonic get to high places. It's extremely useful during the water levels, as Tails can keep Sonic on the high road and out of the water. I honestly can't beat those levels without someone else playing as Tails.

That would definety make the game more fun...Now all I need to get is some friends ...er, I mean retro gamer friends...

[Ouenben]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Tails can help sonic get to high places. It's extremely useful during the water levels, as Tails can keep Sonic on the high road and out of the water. I honestly can't beat those levels without someone else playing as Tails.

I'm not saying Tails doesn't have his uses, I use a second controller to fly sonic up with tails to other paths/areas and some secrets, I just can't imagine anyone wanting to play co-op on Xbox live and being stuck as tails.

[SegaFan]

Originally Posted by Refa

Well, if it is online, I would guess that each person's screen would keep up with their own character. Then again, this is Sega, so this very obvious fix to make S3&K even better will probably not happen.

I'd say that wouldn't be easy to do without re-writing the game quite significantly. The game is focused on Sonic, events trigger when Sonic gets to certain locations not Tails, it would be a lot to change and you'd end up with a different game.

It's fine to play as Tails occasionally to help a friend out instead of just watching them play, but it's not serious co-op. Sonic 3&K is a single player game, that's how it should be, I don't see the benefit in online play apart from as an extra gimmick (which is fine).