Sega is taking the decision to delist 2011’s Sonic Generations from Steam and the Xbox Games Store to pave the way for the upcoming expanded remaster, Sonic X Shadow Generations. This move by the publisher is rather unconventional in its plan to remove the original Sonic Generations from sale. Not only will it delist the title from individual sale but also make it accessible for those who have a strong desire to purchase it.

While the original Sonic Generations will no longer be available as a standalone title starting from September 9, Sega stated on Friday that they have listened to the feedback and aim to preserve the game.

“Consequently, Sonic Generations will still be obtainable through bundles of other renowned Sonic titles on Steam and Xbox,” the publisher announced in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Current owners of the title will still have the ability to download and play it. Moreover, we are delighted to confirm that mods on the Steam version will not be impacted!”

The original version of Sonic Generations was withdrawn from the Xbox store in late July. On Steam, the game is listed under the Sonic Generations Collection, which encompasses the original game and its Casino Night DLC. It remains unclear through which specific bundle or bundles the original Sonic Generations will be sold in the future. However, the game is also part of Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog: Ultimate Bundle on Steam.

The practice of delisting original game versions in favor of remasters or re-releases of similar titles is widespread, especially among publishers like Sega. In 2022, the publisher pulled Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD from digital stores prior to the launch of Sonic Origins, which incorporated those four games.

Other publishers have taken similar actions. Rockstar Games removed Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from digital stores shortly before launching the troubled Definitive Collection of that trilogy. Ubisoft removed Beyond Good & Evil HD before the release of Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition. And IO Interactive delisted the 2016 Hitman and its 2018 sequel as part of a broader effort to integrate those games into Hitman: World of Assassination.

Sega’s plan to remove the original Sonic Generations as a standalone title while still ensuring its availability appears to be the optimal solution in such circumstances. Hopefully, other publishers will adopt this approach as remasters, collections, and anniversary editions become more prevalent.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is set to arrive on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on October 25. The game features a complete remaster of the original Sonic Generations and a brand-new Shadow the Hedgehog story campaign where the gun-toting ‘hog battles his long-standing nemesis, Black Doom.