Overview
- Sega and iam8bit announced the Legacy Cartridge reissues as part of Sonic’s 35th anniversary during a late-June live stream.
- Each cartridge is priced at $99.99 and ships in a restored clamshell package with a full-color instruction booklet and new foreword.
- The cartridges use translucent color shells — Sonic 1 in blue and Sonic 2 in orange — and one in eight units will be a special 'Chaos Emerald' variant that glows when powered.
- iam8bit confirms the cartridges are compatible only with NTSC Sega Genesis consoles, which means Mega Drive/PAL systems cannot play them.
- Pre-orders are open now and iam8bit says the product will ship in waves beginning Q3 2026; the release follows iam8bit’s niche model of small-run, high-end retro collectibles and ties into other anniversary items such as Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition for Switch 2.