Changes from Sonic Generations

This is a sub-page of Sonic X Shadow Generations.

Script and Cutscene ChangesWait, you ate the island!?

Graphic Changes#

• Post-processing effects, such as shadow quality, are rendered in a higher quality than they originally were.
• Color look-up tables (LUTs), first used in Sonic games starting with Sonic Forces, are now utilized throughout the game, which make the colors more vibrant when compared to the original release.

PC (2011)	PC (2024)

• All HUD textures are in a noticeably higher quality when compared to the original game's.

Sonic Generations	Sonic X Shadow Generations

• The color of the Shield skill icon was changed from green to blue. Presumably, this was done to make the shield resemble its appearance in Sonic 1 and 2, rather than its appearance in games from Adventure onwards.

Sonic Generations	Sonic X Shadow Generations

• The border of the Boardmaster skill icon was changed from blue to orange.

Sonic Generations	Sonic X Shadow Generations

• The Endless Boost skill was changed to use a unique icon instead of reusing the icon from Auto-Gauge. This new icon was left unused in the original release of Sonic Generations, likely by mistake.

Sonic Generations	Sonic X Shadow Generations

• The background of the Invincible Start skill icon was oddly changed from yellow to blue, despite it being a skill exclusive to Classic Sonic, who uses yellow backgrounds.

Sonic Generations	Sonic X Shadow Generations

• The boss names seen in their intros now use a chrome version of the font seen on the level title cards, rather than a unique one.

Sonic Generations	Sonic X Shadow Generations

• The rank icons have been slightly changed.
• The text on the title screen telling you to "PRESS START" now says "PRESS ANY BUTTON".
• The pre-rendered movies have been re-rendered in 4K, though they are at 1080p in the PS4, Xbox One, Switch and Switch 2 versions.
  • Pre-rendered movies are now stored as the same USM files that have been used since Sonic Lost World. The original game used Sofdec (SFD) files that had been used up to that point since Sonic Adventure.
• Some character models underwent slight alterations, which also apply to the models in the Statue Room:
  • Classic Sonic's quills were reshaped to bring him in line with his appearance in Sonic Superstars; they're all longer and more equal in length. However, the original model is still used in cutscenes.
  • Modern Sonic uses a higher-polygonal model in cutscenes, though his gameplay model is identical to the original release.
  • Rouge's model was tweaked to bring her in line with her appearance in Shadow Generations; her leotard now covers her back and her chest plate better conceals her cleavage.
  • Vents were added to the heels of Shadow's shoes, bringing his appearance more in line with that of Shadow Generations.
  • The shading on Vector's chest has been edited so it properly aligns with his body.
  • Cream's eyelid UVs have been edited and are now colored orange.

Audio Changes#

General#

• The game now stores audio files in the "HCA" format, stored in ACB/AWB archives. The original version stored the audio in the "ADX" format stored in CPK/CSB archives.

Sound Effects#

• At startup, the 2006 Sega logo intro audio from the original game was replaced with the dramatic electronic synth sound from the 2017 Amazing Sega logo, like in Sonic Colors: Ultimate (though some of the prerelease trailers for the original Sonic Generations did also use the 1983 Sega logo sound as a nostalgic callback).
  • The 2006 Sega logo can still be found in the "SegaLogo.ar.00" archive file in the game, in its original SFD format (as opposed to the USM format used by the rest of the game).

• Blaster-like "pew" sound effects now play when the GUN truck releases GUN Hunters in City Escape Act 1.

Music#

• While almost all of the unlockable tracks in Sonic's Collection Room returned for this remaster, track 40, which was "Right There, Ride On" from Sonic Rush in the original, did not, as it was replaced with "Westopolis" from Shadow the Hedgehog, which also is present as track 10 in Shadow's Collection Room in Shadow Generations. This was probably a result of licensing issues relating to the samples used, as Sega removed the Sonic Rush soundtrack from streaming services in 2018 and has never restored it.¹
• In the original, the Metal Sonic battle theme features an introduction that syncs with the cutscene at the start of the boss. However, in Sonic X Shadow Generations, the music no longer features said intro, but if you restart, the intro will play even though the cutscene doesn't.

The cause of this error is fairly simple: the music files, SNG11_BMS.acb and SNG11_BMS.awb, were swapped by mistake. This can be fixed manually in the PC version. There's currently no fix for the console versions.

Character Voices#

• As a result of the script rewrites, all of the dialogue, even the lines that weren't rewritten, was re-dubbed by the voice actors; characters who had their English voice actor changed since the original Generations (namely Tails, Knuckles, Blaze, Omochao, Espio, and Silver) are now voiced by their current voice actors.
• Eggman's Japanese voice has been redubbed by his current voice actor Kotaro Nakamura. Aside from the newly recorded lines from Sonic and the rerecorded line from Tails when he is rescued, the Japanese dialogue remains the same.
  • Despite these changes, Sonic Generations still runs the same credits sequence from the original game, which credits the previous voice actors.
• A volume slider for character voices was added to the options menu.

Gameplay Changes#

• The Drop Dash, first introduced in Sonic Mania, was added as a move for both Classic Sonic, who has it as a skill that can be removed, and Modern Sonic, who has it baked into his moveset.
• A new control scheme based on Sonic Frontiers and Shadow Generations was implemented, though the original control scheme can still be selected. The only change is that it maps the boost to the right trigger, with the original boost input becoming a second jump button.
• A HUD element that tracks the Red Star Rings by their position, similar to the ones in Sonic Colors and Sonic Forces, appears for a few seconds whenever one is collected. The original only showed the obtained Red Star Rings in White Space.
  • The Red Ring trackers have also been reworked in the White Space stage gates to track by position, rather than simply the amount collected in a stage.
• The Casino Night pre-order DLC from the original is included by default.
• Three Chao can be found in every Act. If you rescue a Chao in a Zone's Act, it will appear as a stage object in the White Space. You can access hints about their locations in the Collection Room.
• A "Challenge Tries" setting, to enable or disable lives, was added to the options menu. The setting is off by default, removing 1-Ups from the stages, though they can still be purchased from the Skill Shop (in which they do nothing but waste shop points).
• The 30 Second Trial mode from the Online menu was removed, leaving only the Ranking Attack mode.
• Frame-rate related issues in some stages, such as the the second crane towards the end of Chemical Plant Act 2 (which erroneously would prematurely fling the player off and lose a life at 60fps or higher), have been fixed and now work as intended at 60fps.

Miscellaneous Changes#

• The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive item from the Skill Shop, which allowed PS3 and Xbox 360 players to play an emulated version of Sonic the Hedgehog, is not included. It was previously excluded from the PC version of Generations, possibly due to frame rate issues that can arise from playing it at 60 FPS.
• The Japanese text and subtitles have been updated to use kanji characters considerably more often.
• The secret Statue Room beneath the Collection Room is now easier to access, requiring a single press of the appropriate button as opposed to holding the button for 5 seconds.
• The statues within the Statue Room are all unlocked by default, rather than requiring codes to unlock as in the original version of the game.
• There are now three save slots as opposed to just one.
• A setting for controller vibration was added to the options menu, as opposed to basing it on the system setting.
• Support for text in Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean and Thai was added. An option to change the text language was added to the options menu, as opposed to basing it on the system setting.
• Loading times are considerably shorter than they were on the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. As a result, there's some cases where a stage's terrain can load in before the baked GI lightmaps/shadowmaps can fully load.²

Trophies/Achievements#

• There are only 24 trophies/achievements compared to the original's 49. The trophies/achievements listed below were removed or replaced:
  • The Opening Act: Race through the first stage.
  • Greased Lightning: Clear GREEN HILL Act 1 within one minute.
  • Bright Star: Get Rank S in an Act.
  • Shooting Star: Get Rank S in three Acts.
  • Blazing Meteor: Get Rank S in seven Acts.
  • Blue Comet: Get Rank S in twelve Acts.
  • Trickstar: Pull off a seven or more trick combo or six trick combo ending in a finishing trick.
  • Eradicator: Defeat 100 enemies.
  • Ring King: Reach the goal without dropping any of the rings you collected in GREEN HILL Act 1.
  • Action Hero: Perform all of Sonic's moves in GREEN HILL Act 2.
  • Bonds of Friendship: Complete all Challenge Acts featuring Sonic's friends.
  • Walkie Talkie: Chat with each of Sonic's friends you have saved.
  • Join the Ranks: Join the rankings.
  • A 30-Second Test: Participate in a 30 Second Trial.
  • Jump for Joy!: Find the spring hidden in GREEN HILL Act 1 and reach the goal with a Red Star Ring.
  • Walk on Water: Clear CHEMICAL PLANT Act 2 without entering the water.
  • Walk on Air: Clear SKY SANCTUARY Act 1 without falling and losing a life.
  • The Byway or the Highway: Get the Red Star Ring located on the shortcut route in SPEED HIGHWAY Act 2 and reach the goal.
  • Demolition Derby: Wreck 30 or more cars in CITY ESCAPE Act 2.
  • Secret Sleuth: Get the Red Star Ring located in the hidden room in SEASIDE HILL Act 1 and reach the goal.
  • Look Both Ways: Reach the goal in CRISIS CITY Act 2 without being hit by a tornado-carried cars or rocks.
  • A Quick Breather: Get the Red Star Ring atop the highest spot in ROOFTOP RUN Act 2 and reach the goal.
  • Color Power!: Get the Red Star Ring by using an Orange Wisp in PLANET WISP Act 2 and reach the goal.
  • Supersonic!: Race through a regular stage as Super Sonic.
  • Time Attacker: Play Ranking Attack on all stages.
  • Halfway Point: Clear half the Challenge Acts.
• One achievement has been added:
  • Rescue Professional: Rescue all Chao.

References#