Sega announced that the original Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic 2 will return as premium Genesis cartridges, priced at $100 each. The legacy editions are available for pre‑order now and are slated to ship in the third quarter of 2026, with waves of deliveries planned later this year.
The Sonic cartridge arrives in a translucent blue shell, while Sonic 2 uses an orange shell. Iam8bit says one in eight copies will be the rare “Chaos Emerald” version. Each set includes a full‑color instruction booklet featuring restored artwork and a new foreword, all housed in a custom‑designed box. The partnership follows Iam8bit’s earlier legacy releases for titles such as Street Fighter II, Mega Man X and Earthworm Jim.
The launch was part of a 35th‑anniversary live stream that also revealed Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, and two Sonic collections for Switch—Classic and Modern—both slated for a physical release in October at $49.99.
Collectors who want the limited‑edition cartridges should act quickly, as the special Chaos Emerald variants are expected to sell out fast. The broader anniversary program will continue with merchandise, pop‑up events and new narrative content throughout the year.
