Segahas expressed keen interest in reviving some of its older games and series recently, and some content it has shared may reveal that a remake is on the way. Evidence of a long-awaited remake of a fan-favoriteSegagame has gradually been building up, with another tease released just ahead of June. In the past, Sega has been known to announce new games in June with one of its broadcasts. With this being imminent, fans might be able to expect news very soon.
Even though fans have been patiently waiting for news of a remake for this title, it now might be too late; the community’s own efforts to revive this game may have rendered the company’s efforts futile. However,2025 seems promising for Sega, and if these hints are revealed to be true, there could be a way for the company to turn this around.
A Sonic Unleashed Remake Could Be on the Way
June’s Sonic PICT References Sonic Unleashed
The official Sonic Channel website frequently posts original art of different characters from theSonic the Hedgehogseries. Among these is the Sonic PICT series of artwork, illustrated by Yui Karasuno, which was recently merged with the site’s calendar. The Sonic PICT art often gives fans of the series an insight into the characters’ lives outside of gameplay, but they sometimes tie-in with game releases, such as November 2022’s piece showing Sonic and the Koco onSonic Frontiers’ Kronos Island, coinciding with the release of that title.
In theSonic PICT for June 2025, the artwork shows Sonic doing laundry amidst a storm, looking at what appears to be a travel magazine showing Adabat, home to theJungle Joyride stage fromSonic Unleashed. With this Sonic PICT previously referencing games set to release likeSonic Frontiers, there is the possibility that this reference toSonic Unleashedmay be more than just an Easter egg.
Sonic Central is typically an event held in June, around the anniversary of theSonicseries, so the connection to the Sonic PICT June 2025 calendar artwork may have some correlation.Sonic Central is full ofSonic-related announcements, from movie news to game reveals. If the inclusion of Adabat in the Sonic PICT means anything, there could be a chance that aSonic Unleashedremake will be revealed during this year’s broadcast.
Sega May Have Been Hinting at a Remake for a While
Across theTailsTubeweb series, there have been frequent references to aSoniccharacter named Professor Victoria, also known as Torii. Since her first appearance, Torii has been mentioned inSonic X Shadow Generations, as well as featuring in theSonic the Hedgehog 3movie on a billboard. In the 11th episode ofTailsTube, it is revealed that Torii is a professor at Spagonia University, a location that first featured inSonic Unleashed, strengthening the theory that a remake may be on the horizon.
AroundSonic Unleashed’s initial launch, an accompanying animated short was released titledSonic: Night of the Werehog, where Sonic and Chip venture through a haunted house, home to three ghosts – Su, Uh, and Lah.After 15 years, theseSonic Unleashedcharacters returnedin a follow-up short, Ghost Tale, reviving the beloved trio. What may also be of note is that Su and Uh both appeared in side missions of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions ofSonic Unleashed, specifically in Adabat and Spagonia, possibly connecting to the Sonic PICT art and Torii as evidence for a remake ofSonic Unleashed.
Sonic Unleashedis also getting representation inSonic Racing: CrossWorlds, with Apotos being added as a course, as well as Holoska being an option for the Travel Rings, the game’s dynamic track change mechanic. WhileSonic Racing: CrossWorldsdraws from all aspects of the series’ past, such asSonic RidersandSonic and the Secret Rings, the inclusion of twoSonic Unleashedstages could be setting up a remake.
Why an Official Sonic Unleashed Remake Could Be Too Late
Sonic Unleashedhas been in desperate need of a re-release to modern hardware. Being tied to the sixth and seventh generations of consoles has made it difficult for fans of the series to play it, especially newer fans the series has garnered from the success of theSonic the Hedgehogmovies. Even thoughSonic Unleashedis over 15 years old, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 releases still hold up as some of the series’ best-looking titles. Xbox Series X and Series S owners are able to play the Xbox 360 version at a higher resolution and frame rate, surpassing some limits of the original hardware, but this does not undermine the need for a remake available on all modern systems.
However, Sega may have been beaten to the punch bySonicfans.Sonic Unleashed Recompiledis a fan project that unofficially ports the Xbox 360 version of the game to PCs, running natively without the need for emulation. For many, this is the best way to enjoy the game, offering features that are unavailable even to the Xbox Series X and Series S, such as ultrawide support and modding capabilities. With the hard work and dedication that the hedge-dev team has put into this project, it would be very difficult for an official remake to compete.
Though fans were treated to an adjacent experience with theSonic GenerationsUnleashed Project mod, these only recreated the daytime stages. Though many argue that these are the best aspects ofSonic Unleashed, the recompilation offers the complete experience that runs natively on PC, including the Werehog stages and cutscenes. Now that this is available, Sega porting the game to PC officially would likely not be able to offer anything that fans can’t play right now. However, there are some things a remake could do that can convince even players of the recompilation.
How Sega’s Remake Can Set Itself Apart From the Recompilation
Additional Features That Only an Official Remake Can Offer
Despite being one of thebestSonicfan games, the only real downside toSonic Unleashed Recompiledis that it is only intended to be used on a PC. This means that console players are left out of the experience, with the only real modern alternative being to play the Xbox 360 version on Xbox Series X or Series S. An official remake would undoubtedly make its way to all current generation consoles, ensuring that no fan would be left out of replayingSonic Unleashed.
It’s also important to note that theSonic Unleashedrecompilation project ports only the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game to PC, meaning that the Wii and PS2 releases – as well as thenow unavailable mobile version ofSonic Unleashed– are still restricted to their original hardware. Despite sharing the same name, these were very different from their HD counterparts, offering players different level designs for each location. In an official remake, this content could also be added and remade to match the visuals of the HD version.
Sonic Unleashed Could Get the Shadow Generations Treatment
Opinions on the originalSonic Unleashedgame have changed in recent years. The game was initially marred by the negative reception of the games that closely preceded it, particularly the 2006 rebootSonic the Hedgehog, typically referred to asSonic 06by fans. One of the gripes that some still hold towards the game is the inclusion of the Werehog, making for anover-the-topSonicstoryand slower-paced gameplay. However, there is a character that could have filled the role of a strong brawler, that being Knuckles the Echidna.
Replacing the Werehog with Knucklesis likely out of the question for an officialSonic Unleashedremake, especially since returning players have grown fond of this form and gameplay style recently, in part thanks to the recompilation. Instead, a remake could follow in the footstepsof Sonic X Shadow Generations, a remake of another game stuck on the PS3 and Xbox 360 before finding new life with a considerable new side story.
Knuckles was absent fromSonic Unleashed, so additional content centered around him in aSonic Unleashedremake could fill in the gaps of theSonic the Hedgehogtimelinewhile offering a new gameplay experience thatSonic Unleashed Recompiledis unable to do. Mods do currently exist for the project to add Knuckles in the Werehog’s place, but none are able to build on the established lore.
Shadow’s abilities inShadow Generationsexpand upon Sonic’sGenerationsmoveset, giving players new ways to interact with levels that feel fitting with the character. ASonic Unleashedexpansion for Knuckles could similarly expand upon the Werehog’s mechanics, utilizing a hack-and-slash gameplay style while staying true to his treasure-hunting prowess from previous titles. AfterKnuckles’ character was redeemedbySonic Frontiersand its accompanyingDivergenceprologue animation, it would be great to see this version of the echidna playable in his own story.
After the lengths theSoniccommunity has gone to restoreSonic Unleashedfor themselves with the recompilation, Sega may be too late to release a direct port of their own. PC players have everything they wouldexpect from aSonic Unleashedremakeand more with the recompilation, so an official release may not have much to offer without some serious changes and additions. If Sega has been hinting at aSonic Unleashedremake, it should be prepared to give fans more content if it wants to compete with the fan project.
