Sonic Classic Collection Platforms and How to Play It Today
The Sonic Classic Collection was released on the Nintendo DS and can be played on the 3DS through backward compatibility. Here is what that means for getting it running.
In this article
The Sonic Classic Collection platforms you can use are the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo 3DS, so you can play it on a handheld. The collection is a compilation of six classic Sonic the Hedgehog platform games. [1] It gathers the best original Sonic games into one package. [2] It also helps to read Sonic Classic Collection Tips for Beginners.
The collection was released for the Nintendo DS, which brought these classic games to a handheld system. [2] That makes the DS the original home of the release, and the rest of this article covers how to get it running today.
You can also play it on the Nintendo 3DS through backward compatibility, so a newer handheld can run it. [1] Below, you will find each option and the steps to start playing on it.
How was it released on the Nintendo DS?
The Nintendo DS version is how the main Sonic games first reached a handheld. Sega's compilation put the core series on the DS in one package, so you could play it away from a TV [2].
What the DS collection contains
The collection brings together the main Sonic games that came out on the Sega Mega Drive. In North America that console was the Sega Genesis, so you may see the same games listed under either name [3]. The package holds four main Sonic the Hedgehog platform games, including Sonic the Hedgehog from 1991 and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 from 1992 [4].
How it was reviewed
If you want an outside opinion on the DS version before you start, that review is the one to read.
For a handheld, this means the original 2D Sonic games are all in one place. You can pick up a single game, play a few levels, and put it down again.
Can you play it on a 3DS today?
Yes, you can play it on a 3DS today. The Nintendo 3DS runs the collection through backward compatibility, so you don't need a separate Sonic release for that handheld [1].
This matters if you have a 3DS sitting in a drawer and want to replay the classics. Instead of tracking down an older DS, you can use the handheld you already own. Pick up the collection and it runs on the same system you use for your other games.
The 3DS is also the practical choice for newer hardware. If you're playing on a modern machine, a 3DS is the simplest way to get the DS version without setting anything up on a PC. Think of it as a small, portable way to play Sonic on a couch, on a train, or in bed.
Before you buy, check the current listing and price on the official Sega or Nintendo page. Availability can change, and a price you saw in an old post may no longer be correct.
How is this different from Sonic Origins Plus?
Sonic Origins Plus is a separate release, not another version of the Nintendo DS Sonic Classic Collection. It brings 12 classic Sonic Game Gear titles to modern platforms [5]. The two are different compilations with different games, so one does not replace the other. For the next step, see Sonic Classic Collection Walkthrough.
Side by side
Sonic Origins Plus | Nintendo DS collection | |
|---|---|---|
Games | 12 Sonic Game Gear titles | Main Sonic platform games |
Platforms | Modern platforms | Nintendo DS |
The main difference is the games. Origins Plus is built around Game Gear titles, including Sonic Drift 2, Sonic & Tails 2, and Tails Adventure [5]. If you want those specific games, Origins Plus is the one to look at. If you want the DS collection, you need that release itself, not Origins Plus.
Where should you play it?
The one thing to remember is that the Sonic Classic Collection was made for the Nintendo DS. Sonic comes to the Nintendo DS, bringing the best original Sonic games to a handheld. [2]
If you have newer hardware, the Nintendo 3DS is the practical choice, since it plays the collection through backward compatibility. You don't need an old DS just to play it. [1]
Your next step is simple: pick the system you already own, load the collection, and start with the first game on the menu. Once it's running, that first game is the easiest place to begin.