Sonic 1 and 2 being officially remastered by Taxman and Stealth

[TimmiT]

http://www.sonicretro.org/2013/03/gdc-2013-sonic-1-remastered-and-more-headed-to-mobile-devices/
http://segabits.com/blog/2013/03/26/sonic-the-hedgehog-remastered-releasing-to-ios-and-android-in-spring-2013/

Widescreen, full 60 fps, remastered soundtrack and time attack mode. Was announced at a press event at GDC where they focused on mobile games, so so far they've only announced it for iOS and Android.

[DJaw]

Good stuff. We see if worth buy. Hope for addition content

[Aki-at]

Stealth got Knuckles into Sonic 1 all those years ago didn't he? Could we be seeing the gulible echidna in this?

[semmie]

the question is what do they define as remastered?

[Barry the Nomad]

Play the rereleased Sonic CD, thats the type of remastering they're going for

[Aki-at]

the question is what do they define as remastered?

Sonic CD remastering had these added features;

- Widescreen graphics
- Added spin-dash option from Sonic 2
- A completely new feature with unlockable Tails with a brand new Special Stage spirte
- Both Japanese/European and US soundtrack

So pretty damn extensive.

[DJaw]

I think sonic CD was different. It came out on unpopular platform(SEGA CD), so it was rare. Also later terrible port to PC windows 95. So not many people play sonic CD

For sonic 1 the orignal classic was and still is good enough. Those feature are all neat, but it needs that one thing. If remaster soundtrack mean rearanged. I'm down. If knux and tails playable, i'm down as well. So I don't need a lot, but maybe other people be like, yo this is same game, what's  difference?

[TimmiT]

This is what they mean with remastering the music:

To clarify on the whole 'Remastering' thing:

The arrangements are identical to the originals, using FM synthesis. But they have been put together in a DAW environment and given an actual mix as opposed to simply recording the existing music. The Drum samples are sourced from the original synthesiser so they're super clean and crisp too.

http://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?showtopic=31061&view=findpost&p=736345

[Randroid]

The arrangements are identical to the originals, using FM synthesis. But they have been put together in a DAW environment and given an actual mix as opposed to simply recording the existing music. The Drum samples are sourced from the original synthesiser so they're super clean and crisp too.

I think in the case of Sonic 1 and 2, the above process will be better than a straight rearrangement.

Sonic 1 and 2 have melodies that lend themselves well to straight synthesis. I expect this to sound sort of like Sonic 4. Now I know Sonic 4 sounds like ass, but I think it's the melodies that are terrible not the instruments. Sylvania Castle act 2 has an awesome melody and the synths work very well in that case. Sonic 1 and 2 are pure gold as arrangements go, so this should sound great in the end.

Looking forward to it.

[Barry the Nomad]

On iOS, since these are replacing old Apps, I get why they're separate. But nothing is stopping SEGA from combining the two into one title for PSN/XBLA/WiiU. Unless, of course, a system update replaces the old games. But I'd think with the achievements and stuff it wouldn't be as easy a switch.

Ideally, I'd like to see Sonic 1 & 2 on consoles as one title. Price it at $5 (same as Sonic CD) and then release Sonic 3 & Knuckles down the road for the same price. 

[Kori-Maru]

FTCR on twitter said something about Madonna (Sonic's scrapped girlfriend) is suppose to make an appearance in the remastered version of Sonic 1. Is that true?

[TimmiT]

FTCR on twitter said something about Madonna (Sonic's scrapped girlfriend) is suppose to make an appearance in the remastered version of Sonic 1. Is that true?

I'm pretty sure he's just joking.

[Marionette Cherry]

I'm hoping these two games come out on Steam or PSN.

I have the backbone ports already but they don't feel 'right' when I play them. I don't think I'm the first one to notice this. Anywho, if they are iOS exclusive then I guess it wont hurt to play them on my iPod. Just never been too big on touch controls.

[CrazyT]

I actually havent bought S1 on mobile but after this no doubt I will

Latest video looked great. Subtle improvements can sonetimes affect a game more than one might initially think. Can't wait to see the improvements in the other stages.

[Barry the Nomad]

Sonic 1 is a fantastic game that I think too many SEGA and Sonic fans have "reevaluated" and deemed to be not as good as we once thought it was. It's a shame, because levels like Marble Zone and Starlight Zone deserve more love. I love all the lava gimmicks in Marble Zone, and Starlight Zone has some fantastic music as well as some really smart platforming segments.

To be honest, I think I like Sonic 1 more than Sonic 3&K... Still love Sonic 3&K! But Sonic 1 is just such a classic, and I think its simplicity is what makes it a bit better than the later games.