Sonic CD is out, it’s cheap and it’s really, really good!

SEGA have done something fantastic today, something you don’t see big publishers doing very often. They have chosen to reach out to the community and nabbed themselves Christian Whitehead aka ‘Taxman’ and his quite marvelous ‘Retro Engine’. It’s my understanding that Whitehead has been developing his ‘Retro Engine’ for quite some time now and gained a name for himself in the Sonic Community, and I can see why. His re-master release of Sonic CD for XBLA, PSN, iOS, Android, Windows Phone and of course PC is really, really good!

Unlike Backbone’s rather poor and often botched efforts at updating SEGA classics, Christian Whitehead’s ‘Retro Engine’ has given us Sonic CD locked at 60fps on every platform, both Euro/Japan and US sound tracks, new features, playable Tails, a choice of filters and modes, achievements and more… It really boasts the lot!

Hit the jump to find out why I think SEGA should snap up Whitehead and his engine!

Sonic CD Teaser Trailer

Well here’s an interesting trailer! They introduce the trailer with a Sonic 4 sprite running into a Past sign and turning back into the Sonic CD sprite! Is it just a gimmick or some kind of hint towards the direction of Sonic 4 Episode 2? Hard to say!

It has been confirmed that Sonic CD will use the Japanese/Euro version of the sound track, which is a good thing! Apparently this isn’t an emulated port but it actually runs on a fan made engine called ‘The Retro Engine’ developed by someone going by the name ‘The Taxman’. That doesn’t mean much to me but by the reaction of the Sonic fans it’s a good thing and so long as Backbone isn’t involved that’s a plus judging by their previous port work for Sega.

Sonic CD will be available for XBLA, PSN, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad™, Windows PC Digital Download, Android and Windows Phone and will be available for download in late 2011.

I also read something about looping sound tracks and ‘Sonic 2 spindash or CD style.’ Which I’m sure means something to someone…