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The prices of classic Sonic the Hedgehog games are climbing, largely driven by Sonic’s resurging fame and a renewed interest in his edgy counterpart, Shadow. Over the past few years, Sonic’s universe has seen a revitalization, spurred by well-received video games and a variety of media ventures. Sonic Frontiers, for instance, took the character in an adventurous new 3D direction in 2022, and the 2024 release of Sonic X Shadow Generations revisited the 2011 anniversary title with a fresh storyline featuring Shadow’s exploits during Sonic’s 20th celebration.
Shadow played a significant role in this resurgence, with 2024 marking a celebration year for the enigmatic rival. This year included exclusive promotions and a wave of fresh content. Shadow also made a splash with his cinematic debut in December’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3, voiced by none other than the Hollywood giant, Keanu Reeves. The success of these projects has catapulted Shadow’s popularity, giving his classic appearances newfound value.
As reported by Price Charting, and highlighted by Comicbook, the cost of numerous classic Sonic titles has surged after the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Those starring Shadow have seen the most significant hikes. For instance, Sonic Adventure 2, originally for the Sega Dreamcast and featuring Shadow’s first appearance, has shot up from an average of $140 to about $210, with some copies even hitting the $300 mark. Meanwhile, the 2002 GameCube iteration, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, has doubled from approximately $60 to $130, with its “Player’s Choice” edition being somewhat cheaper.
Shadow-themed games, particularly since the Sonic 3 movie, are seeing a notable appreciation in value. The controversial 2005 Shadow the Hedgehog spin-off, for instance, has climbed in cost across its available platforms. The PS2 version now fetches around $65, while the Xbox edition is near $90, and the GameCube version is a staggering $145.
These soaring prices almost certainly stem from Shadow’s spotlight in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which was both a critical success and a box office hit. While these prices may eventually settle, the current spike underscores the impact that the live-action series has had, rekindling fan interest in the classic games that inspired it.
