Every time a new Sonic game comes out, a little bit of old Sonic dies. Even though we thoroughly enjoyed Sonic Colours and Sonic The Hedgehog 4, and even though it's clear Sonic games are seeing a resurgence in quality, a cynical part of us mourns the loss of old Mega Drive Sonic, with his rounder belly, pointier shoes and lessened sense of cocky, irritating self-confidence.
Sonic Generations is set to put this right by bringing chubby Sonic out of retirement and giving him the spotlight once again. He has to share the glory with his modern alter-ego, but that's a small price to pay.
It's About Time
How does Sega explain the return of old-school Sonic? Time travel, of course. The plot to Sonic Generations involves a mysterious new power that's creating time holes in modern Sonic's universe.
Sonic and his chums get pulled through these holes into the past, where they encounter little chubby-cheeked old-school Sonic himself. Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic (as they're known in the game) must team up and defeat this odd new evil force, save their missing pals and find out who's behind it all. As if you couldn't guess the most likely culprits. Though will it be Eggman or old-school Dr Robotnik? It all remains to be seen.
Each level can be played in two ways, depending on whether you use Modern Sonic or Classic Sonic. Going for the latter makes the level feel like the old Mega Drive titles, with proper side-scrolling gameplay, chunky physics and no fancy gimmicks getting in his way.
Playing as Modern Sonic, on the other hand, turns the level into more of a Sonic Colours or Sonic Rush kind of affair, with loads of rails to grind and homing jumps to execute.
Sonic Boons
Each Sonic also has his own special moves from the original games. Classic Sonic is armed with his standard jump attack and Spin Dash, while Modern Sonic has a Homing Attack and Sonic Boost to hand. Which style is better depends on your own preference, but naturally we're all about Classic Sonic.
Levels have been designed with the 3DS version in mind, so you can expect them to make full use of the system's 3D capabilities. There's also an exclusive Special Stage mode that reminds us of the ring-collecting tunnels from Sonic 2.
Sega promises that Sonic Generations is a love letter to Sonic's entire past, and from what we've seen so far we're inclined to believe them. The whole thing gives us a warm feeling inside. So long as the gameplay lives up to the nostalgia, Sonic fans will be in hog heaven with this one.
i was only interested a little bit in this title when i first heard of it, but reading more reviews and seeing more about the game is tempting me to a purchase
um sounds interesting, loved old mega drive sonic and still play them, when is this out?
November me thinks.
Almost makes me want a 3DS. Almost.
im definitely buying this game
im love'in the classic character looks!! <3 and the game sounds as if it might actually be good scince sonic colours i think sonic games have improved alot. 
Wasn't this exact preview in ONM 71? (EDITED)
Yes, it was in issue 71. I too thought this was a different preview than last month's one, but it's the same one, word for word.
any body else notice in ONM 73, they kept saying in the preview that the special stage is from sonic 2, (it's from sonic heroes) AND they said the first appearance of metal sonic was sonic 2 as well (it was sonic cd).
Looks good. Probably going to get it on the Xbox and the 3DS because the levels are different
Hopefully it will be the first decent Sonic game since Sonic and Knuckles.
My craving for good sonic games will not be satisfied by just playing the megadrive anymore.
Fix'd because FOR GOD SAKE CHRIS THE SONIC IN THE MODERN SONIC GAMES IS NOT AN IMPOSTER BECAUSE HE IS THE SAME AS CLASSIC SONIC ONLY OLDER, SLIMMER, WITH DIFFERENT COLOURED EYES AND A DEEPER SHADE OF BLUE!
PS: I'm also going to point out that Dr. Ivo Robotnik and Dr. Eggman are the same character as well.
This is going to be sonic game of the decade no doubt about it
After playing a demo of this this game from the PSN, I hope that Nintendo puts a demo of it on the e shop so I can try it on my 3DS to see which version I like... 3DS in 3D or PS3 in HD lol...
There could be demos of 3DS games in the near future but I doubt this one will be one of them.
Also a week to release.
Sonic Generations is a great game.