Sega surprised a lot of folks when it brought back its sleeper hit Sonic the Hedgehog CD (also known as just Sonic CD, duh) for digital release, unveiling it a few months back at the Penny Arcade Expo and reintroducing the world to a long-lost favorite.  But now it's shocked us again, as it's JUST announced that the game will be out in time for the holidays.  And it's throwing in some extra stuff as well -- including a VERY reasonable price.

Sonic CD will not only feature the classic visual look that the CD version retained (no HD remake, but it didn't necessarily need one), but it will also provide players the chance to play through the game as Tails once they beat it all the way through -- an extra that was missing from the original game.

What's more, they're also including an option that a lot of hardcore fans will certainly appreciate -- the ability to switch between the US and Japanese soundtracks.  We can't state enough how important this is, mainly because a lot of players felt that the Japanese music was better suited for the game than the US, though the "glam rock" really wasn't too bad.  Now you'll be able to decide for yourself.

The best part, though, is the price.  Where most games are sitting in the $10/$15 range, Sonic CD will be a bargain for holiday shoppers, clocking in at just $4.99 (400 Microsoft points).  Considering the original game sold for like $50, that's a superb deal.

"Sonic’s 20th Anniversary has been a banner year for him – as well as for everyone at Sega,” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at Sega of America. “Gamers around the world are rediscovering their love of Sonic through his adventures, new and old. Whether you’re a long-time hedgehog aficionado looking to enjoy a favourite moment from Sonic’s past, or a brand-new player who wants to join in on the fun, there’s no better place to start than with one of Sonic’s most celebrated games, Sonic CD."

If you don't jump on this game, you're a doof.  It's worth playing even if you've never tried it before.

Check it out for yourself when it launches tomorrow (December 14th) on Xbox Live, and December 20th on PlayStation Network.  It'll drop on iOS/Android devices in early 2012.

About the Author

Robert Workman

Senior Writer/Editor

Robert has years of experience in the video game industry, writing for such sites as AOL GameDaily, PlanetXbox360 and Comic Book Resources.  He can also outdrink you any day of the week.  And twice on Sunday.  Follow him at www.twitter.com/thedcd.