2006’sSonic the Hedgehog, commonly referred to as simplySonic ‘06, is one of the most interesting chapters in the series’ long-running history. Though widely considered a low point in the franchise by both fans and critics alike, Sonic Team Producer Kazuyuki Hoshino has made it clear thataSonic ‘06remakeis of interest to him in the past, which could one day result in the developer revisiting the controversial entry.
Such a prospect, were it ever to be realized, is likely to elicit a wide range of reactions from those familiar with the originalSonic ‘06. The game suffered from myriad issues, not the least of which being abysmal performance, legions of glitches, and poor controls. A bizarre story and bland art direction were also common points of criticism upon the game’s release, and unlike other games that performed poorly upon launch, time has not managed to improveSonic ‘06’s reputation much, if at all; while many players can recognize the shortcomings of, say,Sonic Adventure 2, and still appreciate it for what it is, the same can’t be said forSonic ‘06. These factors make the 2006 flop a strong candidate for a remake, but such a remake would have a heavy weight to bear.
Why a Sonic ‘06 Remake Would Walk a Thin Line Between Success and Failure
A Remake Could Redeem Sonic ‘06
Though it’s not exactly common—remake candidates tend to be successful classic games rather than flops—the trend of revisiting games could theoretically lead to older, less successful titles realizing their full potential. This isprecisely what could happen with a remake ofSonic ‘06: Team Sonic could take another crack at this failed, but admittedly ambitious, project.
One ofthe biggest explanations forSonic ‘06’s failureis a troubled development, with Team Sonic being spread too thin, among other issues. This would, ideally, not be the case for a remake’s development process.
To the game’s credit, it does take some big swings. Team Sonic clearly intendedSonic ‘06to be the next big step for 3DSonicfollowing the success of theSonic Adventuregames, which introduced ideas like a more cinematic story, diverse side activities, and hub areas, clearly conveying someSuper Mario 64influences. However,Sonic ‘06stumbles with its attempts at a darker tone, lack of polish, and, most importantly, 3D platforming fundamentals, which are all elements that a remake could elevate.
A Sonic ‘06 Remake Would Need To Be Amazing
Sonic ‘06has room for improvement, clearly, so a remake couldn’t simply move the needle from “terrible” to “okay.” No, Team Sonic would likely be expected to fully capitalize on all the missed opportunities of the original game, and rightfully so.After years of lessons with not justSonic ‘06, but other lackluster entries in the franchise, and with the advancements made in gaming technology in the past two decades, the developer wouldn’t have much of an excuse to drop the ball the second time around. Moreover,Sonic ‘06’s poor reputation tends to precede it, with even those who haven’t played the game having heard of its shortcomings. Since the original’s legacy is usually at the center of marketing for most remakes, Team Sonic and SEGA would have to thoroughly convince audiences that this revitalization is a transformative improvement.
In other words, the success of such a game could hinge on how vast the gulf of quality is between it and its progenitor. And this could very well turn out to be the case, but it may be a hard-won battle. Areprisal ofSonic ‘06isn’t exactly in high demand, so it’ll take more than a nice facelift for this potential project to break through.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a prolific game franchise that started life on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Covering both 2D and 3D iterations through the generations, Sonic is known for speedy movements and interesting platforming mechanics.
