Gallery: iam8bit’s Sonic Legacy Cartridges Are Stunning, But Are They Worth The Money?
By Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
When iam8bit unveiled its Legacy Cartridge Collection for Sonic and Sonic 2 on Sega Genesis a few months ago, it’s fair to say that many individuals were astonished by the cost. Available through iam8bit’s official store page, each cartridge — complete with a genuine case, instruction manual, and poster — is listed at $99.99.
That’s quite a sum. Indeed, a significant amount more than the combined digital price of both games on Switch. Honestly, you can grab Sonic Origins Plus for around 20 bucks nowadays. So for the Average Joe who merely wishes to engage with these games in the most accessible way, these may not justify the expense.
Nonetheless. There are some true enthusiasts for Sonic out there; individuals who will gladly purchase any and all memorabilia and merchandise they can acquire (and yes, despite a love-hate relationship with Sonic, I too find it difficult to resist appealing merchandise). For those fans, the price could just be justified, because wow, these items are stunning.
Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
To begin with, the cases resemble and feel like authentic Genesis games, complete with the textured sleeve and display hook. The colors — blue for the first title, orange for the second — pair nicely with the original artwork, but if you wish to switch it up, the sleeves are reversible to showcase the Japanese editions.
The instruction manuals are impressive as well. Sonic 1 features a new introduction by Sonic Mania developer Christian Whitehead, while Sonic 2 includes one by Team Sonic. They are both packed with details about gameplay, options, characters, and adversaries. In a time where instruction manuals have nearly disappeared, this represents a commendable effort.
Transitioning to the cartridges themselves, I absolutely adore them… but simultaneously, I have some reservations. Allow me to clarify.
