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According to a leaked correspondence, Sonic Generations was meant to be made as part of deal between Sega of America and Sony corporation of America for their consoles under the original working title ‘Sonic Anniversary’. Also, back then, there were not additional ports for the Xbox 360 or PC. However, later sources from Madrid’s Gamefest 2010 confirmed that the game was meant to be a combination of 2D and 3D gameplay, and would have been developed for the Wii, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 3DS. When asked about whether or not it was planned for the Xbox 360, the employee indicated that talks were still going.[1]
With the game's official release, it is uncertain how far the Wii, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS versions got in development, though sources suggest that they were cancelled eary in said development.[1]
Third Sonic
In an interview with Ryan Drummond, it was revealed that a third version of Sonic representing the Dreamcast era was planned during the early development of Sonic Generations. The role of voicing this Sonic was offered to Drummond, a former voice actor for the character, but he turned the offer down.[1]
Classic Sonic's voice
According to Aaron Webber, Sega had considered that Jaleel White should have voiced Classic Sonic. But because they could not reach him and since many insisted that Classic Sonic should remain mute, the idea was scrapped.[1][2]
Super Sonic profile
In the game's data, there is a text file for an unused profile of Super Sonic for the Collection Room. However, it lacks any other data in the XML files. The profiles reads:
The name given to Sonic's ultimate form when he is transformed through the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Sonic is more powerful than normal as Super Sonic, but he can remain so for only a short time due to the tremendous amounts of energy required.
Unused Wisp skills
At some point, the Orange Rocket and Pink Spikes were going to work in every Stage as equippable Skills. However, this idea was scrapped in the final version of the game, although text descriptions of these Skills remained in the game files:
"Turns Sonic into an Orange Rocket to fly up."
"Turns Sonic into Pink Spikes- Cling to surfaces!"
Unused musics
The game holds a few unused jingles and an earlier version of the Green Hill HUB song. The first jingle would have played when Modern Sonic got Invisibility. The second is a unused jingle for when obtaining a 1-Up.
Planet Wisp
The environment map for Planet Wisp is made of screenshots shot with Sonic Team's dev program. The six parts of the image, when assembled together to form a cube, all show Sonic running through the air in a nondescript location in Planet Wisp. Just below his feet is a ball made of red wires, which indicates the use of a 3D rotation tool. In addition, the last two sides are duplicates of the first two.
The renders in Sonic Unleashed use more intense motion blur than in Sonic Generations. Also, Sonic Unleashed displays angular shadows, unlike Sonic Generations, although that mechanic is still found the latter's game files. In addition, there are logos, Hint pictures and inventory icons from Sonic Unleashed present in the game files for Sonic Generations.
Unused options
OnIce2D/OnIce3D option
There are unused friction/acceleration/velocity-related settings for ice surfaces in Sonic Generations. Curiously though, there are no ice-themed Stages in the game.
Homing Attack with X button
There is an unused option that can change the Homing Attack's button to X. But if this option is set to "true", the Homing Attack can be performed by pressing the "X" button, although it will disable the Jump Dash for both Classic and Modern Sonic. Also, the player will be unable to Double Jump when equipped with elemental shields.
Console Demo differences
Sonic Generations Demo
The Sonic Generations Demo was a playable version of Sonic Generations released for gold members on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network users on June 23, 2011. Silver Xbox Live members were given the game a week later on the 30th. This demo included Green Hill Act 1.
In the game files, it included a full version of Green Hill featuring Modern Sonic.
The Power-Ups with the characters' names
Also, the player can see a full list of all the levels contained in the final version (including the Casino Night DLC).
In the game files, all the items, Badniks, missions, cameos and bosses, along with the Sega Genesis Controller, could be found.
It also included the characters' names in Japanese, along with the Power-Ups.
The Sonic Generations Demo title screen.
The demo allowed 3D Stereoscopic mode on TVs that are not stereoscopic, which look quite odd.
It contained leftovers from Sonic Unleashed, more so than in the final version.
Inside the Act, about halfway through when the player enters the cave, there is a Buzz Bomber which was not added in the final version.
Furthermore, breaking Item Boxes would create a brief blue static effect on the screen.
There was a different loading screen in this build, showing Sonic and Dr. Eggman in their Sonic the Hedgehog 2 sprite forms.[3]
Sonic Generations Demo 2
On October 18, 2011, Sega released another downloadable demo, which was at first exclusive to Xbox Live Gold subscribers. This second demo contained Green Hill Act 2, featuring Modern Sonic.
There is a difference between the voice clips used in the demo and the final version. As he begins the Act, Sonic would say “Ready? Go!”, like in Sonic Unleashed. This was scrapped in the final version.
The final section of the Act is quite different from the final version.
A demo build for the 3DS version of Sonic Generations was shown at Nintendo Power, which seems identical to the one playable at E3 2011, featuring both Acts of Green Hill and the boss battle against Big Arm. Nintendo Power also included a few screenshots of the first Special Stage.
The E3 build contained the infamous "uncurling" mechanic carried over from the DS games: Classic Sonic would uncurl after flying off ramps, even if he was rolling prior to being launched. This was fixed in the final version.
The title screen featured a different design for the "Press START" graphic, and lacked the unique sound effect in the final.
The Level selection in the demo was via a simple menu. The top screen showed the background of the Zone and a large artwork of Sonic selected, while the bottom screen showed the list of Stages. The final game however, uses an adaptation of the White Space concept.
The Demo version did not include the hint feature.
The "Start" and "Goal" text were smaller and not in capital letters, except for the "START!" text in Special Stages.
