Sonic Generations

"DOUBLE THE SPEED, DOUBLE THE FUN! Celebrate 20 years of Sonic with Sonic Generations."

- SEGA.com

Sonic Generations (ソニック ジェネレーションズ) is an upcoming game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS and PC via download. The game is being made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The Japanese version has different subtitles: White Time and Space (白の時空) for the home consoles, and Blue Adventures (青の冒険) for the 3DS version. This game can be played in 3D on the 3DS and on the console versions also, but a 3DTV as well as a pair of 3D glasses are required for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Development
Iizuka says the 3DS edition will only have Sonic friends "who are integral to the story" - a contrast from the console counterparts. The 3DS version will use some handheld game stages while the console versions will use games from the console main series. "For the PS3 and 360, none of the stages we're selecting are going to be from the handheld." Iizuka said. "However, on 3DS we're looking at picking stages from handheld as well." The 3DS will have minor story changes as well. The writers for the story are credited as Ken Pontac and Warren Graff of Happy Tree Friends fame. They also worked on Sonic Colors and MadWorld. Tetsu Katano, who directed Sonic and the Black Knight and did work on the Adventure series, is directing the 3DS edition. Sonic Team and Dimps are co-developing the 3DS edition.

Console


The story takes some time after Sonic's last encounter with Eggman. Sonic and his friends are having a party for Sonic's birthday until a mysterious force sucks all of them back in time and Sonic gets attacked. Sonic suddenly lands in a white world and wonders what's going on. Later on, Sonic meets his past self. After a surprising meeting, the two realize that the world is losing color and the time-line has been messed up for unknown reasons. The two Sonics team up to bring the world into its colors, learn how to fix up the timeline and save their friends.

Handheld
Like the console, the story takes some time after Sonic's last encounter with Eggman. Sonic is invited to a party by Tails. Sonic and Tails were having chilidogs until a vortex sucks Tails in, Sonic jumps in but is "attacked" but he could still get in. Sonic sees a white world and wonders what's going on. Later on, Sonic meets his past self. After a surprising meeting, the two realize that the world is losing color and the time-line has been messed up for unknown reasons. The two Sonics team up to bring the world into its colors, learn how to fix up the timeline and save Tails.

Sonic Boom
A Sonic Generations demo was playable at 2011's E3 Expo, under the name Sonic Boom. It was the first major American Sonic event, being hosted by SEGA, and took place on June 8th, at 6pm PT. At E3, Sonic Generations was playable in both console and handheld versions. Although only Green Hill was playable for the console versions, City Escape was shown; Green Hill was playable, including the boss Big Arm, was playable for the 3DS version. There was also a Birthday Song for Sonic sung at Sonic Boom and the ending of the song, "Happy Birthday Sonic!" will appear in Sonic Generations. It appeared at the Tokyo Joypolis event and at the Summer of Sonic event in London. It appeared at the Gamescon 2011 event in Germany, and at TGS (Tokyo Game Show) 2011.

Demo Release
The Australian government’s OFLC rated a multi-platform demo release of Sonic Generations, and SEGA formally announced at E3, that they will release a demo for PSN and Xbox Live on Sonic's 20th Anniversary, June 23rd. The demo only contained Green Hill, and only the Classic Sonic playthrough. The demo was only available until July 12th, at which point it was no longer available, including for players who had already downloaded it; the file has essentially locked itself. In the Xbox Live version, one has to be an Xbox Live Gold Member to download the demo. The name of the demo is "Sonic Generations Green Hill Zone Demo #1", indicating that a Modern Sonic demo is on the way. SEGA confirmed on their blog a second demo released in Europe for PSN and Xbox Live on October 18th and will be released in North America for PSN on October 25th. The demo contains both classic and modern Sonic playable in Green Hill Zone.

Gameplay
The game features levels derived from 20 years of Sonic history, ranging from the Classic era, through the Dreamcast era, to the Modern era. There will be a level taken from each Sonic game to represent the different times. Each level can be played with either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic, each taking their own routes throughout the level. Classic Sonic's levels are strictly two dimensional side scrolling stages, using classic moves like the Spin Attack and the Spin Dash. Modern Sonic's levels, on the other hand, carry on the modern 2D/3D gameplay of recent titles such as Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors, featuring Homing Attacks, Combo Tricks in the air, Drift, the Stomp Attack, Light Speed Dash, and Speed Boosts. There is going to be a new interactive menu that allows for complete immersion into Sonic's universe, as the player completes the game, extras are unlocked such as favorite characters and hidden treasures.

Hub worlds like the ones in Sonic Unleashed have been confirmed in an interview with Takashi Iizuka. He said that the hub world starts out as the white space, but opens up more as the Sonics pass through more levels. The Hub worlds will only be playable in 2D, so they are not free roam like they were in Unleashed. Also, characters rescued in that stage will stand outside the entrance to the stage, and they can be talked to. Also, there is an area above the entrance to the main stage where the payer can access extra missions and boss stages. Patrick Riley, the Director of Sega America, has talked about updated gameplay issues.

The speed boost on Green Hill inclines appears to have been fixed, among other physics issues, a few were noticed when Generations gameplay was first revealed to the world. A few issues remain, although they will be addressed. The handheld version, unlike the console versions, will make the Modern Sonic gameplay similar to Sonic Rush. Special Stages based on Sonic Heroes, along with the appearance of the Chaos Emeralds were confirmed. Casino Night is one of the 3DS exclusive stages (although it appears as a minigame on the console version), and the boss Big Arm is also confirmed as exclusive; City Escape is a console exclusive. It has also been confirmed that some bosses are played as Classic Sonic and some are played as Modern Sonic. This game like most other Sonic games will feature acts, with Act 1 played as Classic Sonic and Act 2 played as Modern Sonic, there will be several other acts for each level along with missions.

Classic Sonic
Classic Sonic stages consist of him running in a permanent 2-D perspective, platforming all the way towards an end sign post, just like in the original games. Patrick Riley referred to Classic Sonic levels as "Momentum-Based Platforming". The Spin Dash has been confirmed.The handheld 3DS version will use stereoscopic 3-D to give a sense of depth. SEGA's Community Manager Aaron Webber revealed that Classic Sonic will be speechless.

Modern Sonic
Modern Sonic's console stages consist of running extremely fast through the stages while the perspective switches between 2-D and 3-D such as in his more recent games, Unleashed (PS3/Xbox 360, daytime levels only) and Colors (Wii only) specifically. There will also be new Combo Tricks, which are performed in the air, and fill up the Boost Gauge. It has been confirmed that there will be a new visual element to all returning levels, such as the cave in Green Hill. There will be a bit more platforming involved, like the sections after the cave in Green Hill. In the handheld version, Modern Sonic's gameplay will be similar to Sonic Rush and Colors (DS version) and will have Sonic Boost, the ability to slide under obstacles, jump off walls, and use the Homing Attack. In the console versions, the camera is immovable, unlike how it was in Sonic Unleashed and invisible walls can hinder the exploration aspect. Modern Sonic levels will use the 3-D effect of depth on the handheld version more actively, although the console versions will be 3D TV compatible.

Genesis/MegaDrive
When the game is completed the player will unlock the full version of the Original Sonic The Hedgehog game.

Local/Online 2-Player Race Mode (3DS version only)
There will be a local wireless and Wi-fi 2-player race mode in the 3DS version of the game.

StreetPass (3DS only)
It has been confirmed that StreetPass will be used to unlock special content and challenges as one pass by someone else. You can also use the Nintendo 3DS' playcoins system to buy said content in case that you are unable to StreetPass.

Playable

 * Sonic (both Classic and Modern)
 * Super Sonic (both Classic and Modern)

Friendly/2-Player

 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Knuckles the Echidna
 * Amy Rose
 * Cream the Rabbit
 * Rouge the Bat
 * Vector the Crocodile
 * Espio the Chameleon
 * Charmy Bee
 * Blaze the Cat

Other:

 * Omochao (optional guide)
 * Dr. Eggman (arch-rival of Sonic(s))
 * Classic Dr. Eggman (seen on signpost at the end of all Classic Levels and in Big Arm)
 * Classic Tails (speaker of Classic Sonic)
 * Cheese the Chao (follows Cream)
 * Chao (hinted by appearance in concept art)
 * Animal friends (hinted by Picky icon)
 * Orange Wisp (power-up)
 * Pink Wisp (power-up)

Cameos

 * Fang the Sniper - City Escape (wanted poster)
 * Bean the Dynamite - City Escape (wanted poster)
 * Bark the Polar Bear - City Escape (wanted poster)
 * Mighty the Armadillo - City Escape ("Missing since 1993" poster)
 * Ray the Flying Squirrel - City Escape ("Missing since 1993" poster)
 * Chao - Speed Highway/City Escape/Crisis City ( "Chao in Space" billboard in Speed Highway, "Chao in Space 2" billboard in City Escape, "Chao in Space 3" for Crisis City)
 * Perfect Chaos - City Escape ("Chao in Space 2", also a boss)
 * Big the Cat - Casino Night (neon sign)
 * E-123 Omega - Speed Highway (road sign)
 * Death Egg Robot - Speed Highway ("Chao in Space" billboard)
 * NiGHTS - Radical Highway (poster and NIGHTS hotel)

Console Exclusive:

 * Motobug - Green Hill
 * Chopper - Green Hill/Seaside Hill
 * Giant Chopper - Green Hill
 * Crabmeat - Green Hill
 * Buzz Bomber - Green Hill (with blue and red heads)
 * Spiny - Chemical Plant
 * Grabber - Chemical Plant
 * EggRobo - Sky Sanctuary
 * Cop Speeder - Speed Highway
 * Mono Beetle - City Escape
 * GUN Beetle - City Escape
 * GUN Hunter - City Escape
 * Egg Pawn - Seaside Hill/Planet Wisp
 * Spinner - Seaside Hill (hinted for Planet Wisp, Rooftop Run, and Speed Highway as well)
 * Electro Spinner - Seaside Hill (hinted for Planet Wisp, Rooftop Run, and Speed Highway as well)
 * Iblis Biter - Crisis City (hinted by the appearance of Crisis City)
 * Egg Fighter - Rooftop Run
 * Aero Chaser - Rooftop Run
 * Aero-Cannon - Rooftop Run
 * Sandworm - Planet Wisp

Nintendo 3DS Exclusive:

 * Motobug - Green Hill
 * Chopper - Green Hill
 * Crabmeat - Green Hill
 * Buzz Bomber - Green Hill
 * Newtron - Green Hill
 * Crawl - Casino Night
 * Butterdroid - Mushroom Hill
 * Mushmeanie - Mushroom Hill
 * Dragonfly - Mushroom Hill
 * Madmole - Mushroom Hill
 * Baby Kiki - Emerald Coast
 * Rhino-Tank - Emerald Coast
 * Mono Beetle - Radical Highway (hinted)
 * GUN Beetle - Radical Highway (hinted)
 * GUN Hunter - Radical Highway (hinted)

Console Exclusive:

 * Classic Metal Sonic - Stardust Speedway
 * Death Egg Robot - Death Egg
 * Shadow the Hedgehog - Final Rush
 * Perfect Chaos - Station Square
 * Silver the Hedgehog- Crisis City
 * Egg Dragoon - Eggmanland
 * Time Eater - TBA

Nintendo 3DS Exclusive:

 * Big Arm - Launch Base
 * Classic Metal Sonic - Casino Night
 * Shadow the Hedgehog - Radical Highway
 * Silver the Hedgehog - TBA
 * Time Eater - (final boss, fought in undetermined location)

Items

 * Rings
 * Red Rings
 * Item boxes
 * 10 rings
 * Invincibility
 * Elemental Shields (Fire, Thunder and Water)
 * Speed Shoes
 * Extra Life
 * Skateboard
 * Wisps (Orange and Pink Wisps)
 * Chaos Emeralds
 * Wisp Capsules (Modern Gameplay)
 * Extra Life (A 3D icon of an extra life will appear in the Modern gameplay)
 * Boss Keys
 * Media (Music, Art, and Videos)

Voice Actors
Even though no confirmed official list has been made, Roger Craig Smith said that he's willing to voice Sonic again. His voice as Modern Sonic can be heard in demo gameplay footage. Classic Sonic will remain silent throughout the game, but will still show his personality through his actions and gestures. Cream the Rabbit and Vanilla the Rabbit’s Japanese voice actress Sayaka Aoki revealed on her blog that she has been recording some voice work for a game that will be released in the future as well (whether or not she was referring to Generations is unknown). She also mentioned Jun'ichi Kanemaru, Sonic's current Japanese voice actor.

In a joint-interview with Segabits and Sonic Stadium, Takashi Iizuka revealed there will be voiceovers for all nationalities, not just English and Japanese. Proof of this is that Sonic has received a German voice actor as heard in the Chemical Plant and City Escape video released by German game site, Gameswelt. Sonic has also received a french voice.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Sonic Generations is called "History of the First Stage: White Edition" for the console music and "History of the First Stage: Blue Edition" for the 3DS music.
 * "Menu" is a rendition of the Sonic Heroes Menu Theme.
 * "Invincibility" for both Modern and Classic is based off the original Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) theme.
 * "Speed Shoes" is based off Sonic Adventure(1&2) for Modern and Classic is the music simply sped up.
 * "Green Hill Zone" is obviously based on the Green Hill Zone theme of Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)﻿
 * "Drowning" based on Sonic Adventure's drowning tune.
 * "Escape from the City (Classic)" is a pop mix of the original Escape from the City from Sonic Adventure 2, and includes some of the musical elements from Endless Mine from Sonic 3.It can be heard while listening to the game's music
 * "Escape from the City (Modern)" is a rock theme similar to the original song for the Modern version of City Escape from Sonic Adventure 2.
 * "Chemical Plant" is based on the theme from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The Classic mix is nearly the same, while the Modern mix is a rock remix.
 * "Big Arm" is a new remix of the Final Boss theme for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, rendered by Alex Makhlouf of Cash Cash.
 * "Sky Sanctuary" Modern and Classic based on the original Sky Sanctuary Zone from Sonic & Knuckles.
 * "Special Stage" Classic Music (3DS) is exactly the same as the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games Dream Bobsleigh Nocturnus Gate event.
 * "Mushroom Hill" Classic and Modern (3DS) is based on the theme from Sonic & Knuckles.
 * "Rooftop Run" Modern is based on the original theme, with some violin modifications.
 * "Seaside Hill" Modern is a mixture of a rock remix of both the original Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace.
 * "Stardust Speedway (Bad Future)" is almost the same as the original from the Japanese/PAL soundtrack.
 * Separate renditions of each stage's music will be played in the Hub of that Zone.
 * Speed Highway is based on the original music. Modern has a bit heavier use of guitar, while Classic has a techno beat remix.
 * "Crisis City" Modern and Classic are heavy remixes of the original but it still sounds similar.
 * "Death Egg Robot Battle" It's an orchestral version of the final boss of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
 * "End Medley" It's a medley of every stage from the game. It starts off and ends off like in the ending theme of Sonic the Hedgehog (1991).
 * "Game Over" It's sounds similar to the game over theme from Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
 * "Time Break" is a slower paced remix of Cyber Track from Sonic Advence 3.
 * "Vs Knuckles Mission" is a techno Remix of Super Sonic Racing.

Stages
Stages will be divided into 3 eras. Classic, Dreamcast (including Sonic Heroes), and Modern. Levels and Bosses will be different between the console and 3DS versions with the exception of Green Hill Zone. So far 9 levels for the console version and 6 levels for the 3DS version have been officially confirmed by Sega.

Classic Era

 * Green Hill (Sonic the Hedgehog)
 * Chemical Plant (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
 * Sky Sanctuary (Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles)

Dreamcast Era

 * Speed Highway (Sonic Adventure)
 * City Escape (Sonic Adventure 2)
 * Seaside Hill (Sonic Heroes)

Modern Era

 * Crisis City (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))
 * Rooftop Run (Sonic Unleashed)
 * Planet Wisp (Sonic Colors)

Bosses

 * Classic Metal Sonic, Stardust Speedway (Sonic CD)
 * Death Egg Robot, Death Egg (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
 * Perfect Chaos, Station Square (Sonic Adventure)
 * Shadow the Hedgehog, Final Rush (Sonic Adventure 2)
 * Silver the Hedgehog, Crisis City (Sonic the Hedgehog 2006)
 * Egg Dragoon, Eggmanland (Sonic Unleashed)
 * Time Eater, TBA (Sonic Generations)

Classic Era

 * Green Hill (Sonic 1)
 * Casino Night (Sonic 2)
 * Mushroom Hill (Sonic 3 &amp; Knuckles)

Dreamcast Era

 * Emerald Coast (Sonic Adventure)
 * Radical Highway (Sonic Adventure 2)

Bosses

 * Big Arm, Launch Base (Sonic 3)
 * Metal Sonic, Casino Night (Sonic 2)
 * Shadow the Hedgehog, Radical Highway (Sonic Adventure 2)
 * Silver the Hedgehog, TBA
 * Time Eater, TBA (Sonic Generations)

Special Stages
Special Stages will appear in the 3DS version. The style of the play is akin to the Special Stages in Sonic Heroes. A Chaos Emerald will be achieved if the stage is completed. It hasn't been confirmed whether Super Sonic will be playable. It was called "Unlockable Special Stages" during SEGA's press conference regarding the 3DS version of the game. For the console versions, there will be an alternate way of getting the Chaos Emeralds.

Spoilers
After the first demo release, released on the XBLA and PSN on June 23rd, 2011, which was the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog's official debut, hackers from Sonic Retro mined out installed information from the demo due to the file size. A wide array of information such as levels, Hub World missions, boss battles, gameplay elements, character models, and music were extracted from the demo. These are the following:

Levels

 * Green Hill - Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Chemical Plant - Sonic the Hedgehog 2
 * Casino Night - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Appears as DLC in the form of a pinball mini-game)
 * Sky Sanctuary - Sonic 3 & Knuckles
 * Speed Highway - Sonic Adventure
 * City Escape - Sonic Adventure 2
 * Seaside Hill - Sonic Heroes
 * Crisis City - Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
 * Rooftop Run - Sonic Unleashed
 * Planet Wisp - Sonic Colors

Bosses

 * Metal Sonic - Stardust Speedway from Sonic CD (Sub-Boss; Re-imagining of the race between Sonic and Metal Sonic)
 * Shadow the Hedgehog - Final Rush from Sonic Adventure 2 (Sub-Boss; Re-imagining of the final duel between Sonic and Shadow)
 * Silver the Hedgehog - Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) (Sub-Boss)
 * Death Egg Robot - Death Egg from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Main Boss; Re-imagining of Sonic's battle with the Death Egg Robot)
 * Perfect Chaos - Station Square (Sonic Generations) from Sonic Adventure (Main Boss; Re-imagining of Sonic's clash with Perfect Chaos)
 * Egg Dragoon - Eggmanland from Sonic Unleashed (Main Boss)
 * Time Eater

Supporting Characters
Images of characters with their Japanese names written in circles (representing icons) were also extracted. The names written are the following:
 * Miles "Tails" Prower (Appears in front of the Green Hill Hub World)
 * Amy Rose (Appears in front of the Chemical Plant Hub World)
 * Knuckles the Echidna (Appears in front of the Sky Sanctuary Hub World)
 * Cream the Rabbit (Appears in front of the Speed Highway Hub World)
 * Rouge the Bat (Appears in front of the City Escape Hub World)
 * Espio the Chameleon (Appears in front of the Seaside Hill Hub World)
 * Blaze the Cat (Appears in front of the Crisis City Hub World)
 * Vector the Crocodile(Appears in front of the Rooftop Run Hub World)
 * Charmy Bee(Appears in front of the Planet Wisp Hub World)

In the list of leaked Hub World missions, it suggests that there will be co-op missions, and missions where the player will battle, race, or perhaps even play as these characters. There are also recurring missions called "Sonic Ghost", which is most likely a Time Trial mission.

Genesis
Files were found in the game regarding some sort of mode called "Genesis". A Genesis can also be found on the floors of Challenges. However, it is unknown if you can play the original version of the Dreamcast and Modern eras. Sega has confirmed that players will be able to unlock a full version of the Original Sonic the Hedgehog game, other demos or full versions are currently still unknown.

Additional

 * There are two icons that depict the Spike Wisp and the Rocket Wisp, which suggests that they will be playable in the leaked level, Planet Wisp.
 * There is an icon with a set of Chaos Emeralds which confirms Super Sonic for both Sonics.
 * There are also unknown icons such as a broken stopwatch, a bolt of lightning, fire, bubbles, and one that has a ring and a Motobug. It is not known how these items will affect the gameplay. The stopwatch might freeze time, and the bolt of lightning, fire and bubbles are the shields from Sonic 3. The ring with the Motobug could also give damage, similar to the Eggman Item Box.

Gallery

 * For more: Sonic Generations/Gallery.

Videos
Video:Sonic Generations - Teaser Trailer HD|Sonic Generations Teaser Trailer Video:Sonic Generations Gameplay Trailer|Official Green Hill gameplay trailer Video:Sonic Generations E3 2011 Trailer CITY ESCAPE|City Escape Trailer Video:Sonic Generations Japanese City Escape trailer with Modern Music!|Japanese City Escape trailer with Modern Escape from the City Video:Sonic Generations: Two Sonics Trailer|Two Sonics trailer Video:Sonic Generations: New Levels Trailer|Classic Era Trailer Video:Sonic Generations - Dreamcast Era Trailer|Dreamcast Era Trailer Video:Sonic GenerationsModern gen Era Trailer|Modern Era Trailer Video:Sonic Generations: All Bosses Trailer|Rivals and Bosses Trailer Video:Sonic Generations: 3DS Gameplay Trailer|3DS Version Trailer Video:Sonic Generations Extended gameplay footage|Modern and Classic Green Hill Zone gameplay Video:E3 2011 Sonic Generations Green Hill Walkthrough Video|Aaron Webber's Green Hill walkthrough Video:Sonic Generations HD Gameplay (Chemical Plant Zone and City Escape)|Chemical Plant and City Escape Modern and Classic Japanese Video:Sonic Generations - Classic Era Gameplay|Classic Era gameplay and Amy. Video:Sonic Generations - Hub World|Hub World Video:Sonic Generations 3DS Gameplay: Comic-Con|Sonic Generations 3DS Comic-Con Gameplay thumb|300px|right|Sonic Generations Modern Rooftop Run

Merchandise
The game had two newly revealed action figures at Comic-Con 2011. Now early on Nintendo has released these official new Sonic Generations shirts to remark the 20th birthday for a kicking price of $82.00 each.

Jazwares has also released a line of Generations themed toys, from a character with an iconic badnik with a picture of a stage to giant stuffed animals.

Adaptations
Archie Comics produced a video game tie-in for Sonic Generations in Sonic The Hedgehog Issue 230.

A short manga for Sonic Generations was released in Japan. It has been presented in a similar format as to the Sonic Unleashed manga and Sonic Colors manga.

Reviews
In issue 270 of Empire magazine they had the first review of Sonic Generations. they gave it 4 Stars out of 5 and said "Generations is a delirious race down memory lane, only let down by a moronic story that makes the movie sequences a toe-curling embarrassment.".

Trivia

 * This is the first Sonic game to have 3D capability.
 * The artworks are poses from past video games in the series.
 * This is the first game Classic Sonic and Classic Tails are rendered in a CGI artwork.
 * Jun Senoue will be mixing all the tracks for this game. The music also speeds up and slightly changes when Modern Sonic uses his boost.
 * The Classic version of City Escape is remix of the Endless Mine theme from the multiplayer mode of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
 * Like Sonic Unleashed (Wii/PS2), when using the boost while on a Dash Panel, Sonic uses a Spin Dash.
 * The E3 Demo, Sonic Boom, is named after the opening theme in the US version of Sonic CD. Crush 40 and Cash Cash performed a remix of this song at Sonic Boom.
 * In the City Escape trailer, Fang, Bean, Bark can be seen in "wanted" posters, while Mighty and Ray can be seen on a "missing" poster.
 * Like the street signs in Empire City from Sonic Unleashed, City Escape has various buildings named after characters, such as Tails' Pizza, Coffee Blaze, Amy's Market and Vector's Daily.
 * Patrick Riley confirmed the appearance of Leaderboards for the console versions, he also revealed some unannounced form of "internet functionality" that will likely be learned about at a later date.
 * At one point in Green Hill Zone, Modern Sonic is being chased by a giant Chopper, clearly a reference to when he was chased by a whale in both Sonic Adventure and Sonic The Hedgehog (2006).
 * When doing a finish to one of his mid-air Combo Tricks after going through a rainbow-colored hoop or a special dash panel ramp, Modern Sonic does the same widely recognizable pose as he does on the cover for Sonic Adventure.
 * The first 2 gameplay trailer featured an instrumental version of a famous song:
 * Tenderoni by Kele Okereke (Green Hill).
 * Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance (City Escape).
 * Takashi Iizuka revealed that the reason Sonic Generations is coming to the 3DS is because the Wii isn't a good fit for the game, since the primary goal for the console versions is to reimagine classic stages in vivid, HD graphics. So they decided that, for the Nintendo audience, it would come to the 3DS.
 * This is the first time Modern Sonic gets Boost Energy from both Rings and Enemy Power in a handheld console.
 * This is the first time that Classic Sonic gets a rank on his stages.
 * In this game, Classic Sonic has different waiting animations. One looks similar to Sonic 2, one looks similar to Sonic 3 and one looks similar to Sonic 3D Blast.
 * During a Spanish interview with Diana Redetski, a spokesperson form SEGA Spain, she revealed there might be a way to do a Modern Sonic/Classic Sonic switch, as a toggle feature
 * In addition, in the list of leaked missions, it seems there are levels played right before the HUB worlds, in every stage, where the player plays as "Both".
 * Red Rings will be in the game, but they have been renamed as "Red Star Rings."
 * This game has been in development since Sonic Unleashed was released.
 * If noticed, the PS3/XBOX 360 versions have a white colored design on top and bottom, where as the 3DS version has a replacement for blue, this is reference to the consoles and handheld's version's Japanese name, White Time and Space (PS3, XBOX) and Blue Adventures (3DS).
 * Some of the stages in demos of the 3DS version have been presented with placeholder music. For example, the Big Arm boss fight used Doomsday Zone's music in the E3 2011 demo, but was changed to the final boss theme of Sonic 3 in the Gamescom 2011's demo.
 * Takashi Iizuka recently said via Twitter that, after seeing Sonic CD on Xbox Live, he is upset that they missed their chance for Wacky Workbench in this game, with "bouncy floors and boosting".
 * This is the first main series Sonic game on the PS3 to have hidden trophies.
 * In this game, Sonic and Tails are the only characters to have both a Classic and Modern form confirmed so far(Unless you count the cameo of Robotnik while he's controlling Big Arm in the 3DS version and on the signpost in the console version).
 * The rivals appeared as playable characters in Sonic Rivals.
 * Knuckles is the only rival from Sonic Rivals that is a friend in Sonic Generations as the others are all bosses.
 * In this game, the countdown to drowning starts at 4 instead of 5.
 * On the case cover of the Xbox 360/PS3 version, Modern Sonic's run looks similar to the one on the case cover of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) which was also released on the 360 and PS3 consoles. On the 3DS one, Modern Sonic looks similar to the one on the case of Sonic Classic Collection, which was released on the DS.
 * It has been hinted that enemies from the Sonic '06 game will appear in Sonic Generations. However, the end of Sonic '06 erased the events of the game, which should have erased the enemies from the timeline entirely.
 * The Dreamcast Era is the only era in which Dr. Eggman is not a boss.
 * In the E3 demo of Green Hill Act 2 (when the game was in early development), at the beginning of the stage, Sonic said "Ready...Go!", while in the last Demo, he doesn't.
 * When Classic Sonic runs, a blur effect is set in the background.
 * If a 10 Rings box is destroyed, the sound when you got a Ring sounds ten times instead of one.

Pre-Order
All versions of Sonic Generations is available for pre-order:
 * Xbox 360- The Xbox 360 Version is available to pre-order at Gamestop for $49.99.
 * Playstation 3- The PS3 Version is available to pre-order at Gamestop for the same Price as the Xbox 360 Version.
 * Nintendo 3DS- The Nintendo 3DS Version is available for pre-order at Game.co.uk for £39.99.
 * PC- The PC Version is available for pre-order at Direct2Drive for $26.95. It can also be pre-ordered on Steam for $30.00


 * Links
 * Xbox 360 and PS3 Pre-Orders
 * Nintendo 3DS Pre-Order
 * PC Pre-Order
 * Steam Pre-Order