Gaming’s greatest urban legend has finally been confirmed

By Cristina Alexander June 23, 2022

Sonic Origins has been released into the wild just in time for Sonic the Hedgehog’s 31st birthday and Yuji Naka just confirmed the greatest urban legend in Sonic the Hedgehog history: Michael Jackson wrote the music for Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

The legendary game maker took to Twitter on Thursday morning (Thursday night Japan Standard Time) and asked if the music for Sonic 3 & Knuckles changed in Sonic Origins at all since he produced the original game in 1993-94. Not 10 minutes later, he followed up with, “Oh my god, the music for Sonic 3 has changed, even though SEGA Official uses Michael Jackson’s music.”

Related Videos

Oh my god, the music for Sonic 3 has changed, even though SEGA Official uses Michael Jackson's music.

— Yuji Naka / 中　裕司 (@nakayuji) June 23, 2022

Naka tweeting about Michael Jackson’s involvement with Sonic 3 & Knuckles came way out of left field, but it validates all the fan theories and research that cropped up on internet forums about the matter in the last 28 years since the release of the original game — especially when it came to the melodic similarities between the game’s ending theme and Jackson’s song Stranger in Moscow. It also validated a statement composer Brad Buxer gave The Huffington Post in 2016, when Buxer claimed Michael Jackson worked with him and other songwriters on the soundtrack for Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and the music ended up in the final product.

We already knew that Sonic Origins wouldn’t be using the original soundtrack for Sonic 3 & Knuckles, but fans were unsure if Jackson’s rumored portion of the soundtrack remained intact in some way despite not being credited for his contribution. The game’s score has been reproduced by Crush 40 guitarist and veteran Sonic music composer Jun Senoue, using the same sound chip from the Sega Genesis as well as his own digital audio tape collection.

To paraphrase Elton John, Naka turned a legend into fact today.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Tech News

Gaming

How to use Soul Shield in Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Jack fights with the Samurai Job in Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin.

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin borrows almost all of its gameplay mechanics more from action games than Final Fantasy titles. Even the more action-focused games in the series, such as Final Fantasy 7: Remake and Final Fantasy XV, are very different compared to how this game wants you to interact with it. This makes sense when you realize it was developed by Team Ninja, the team behind the Souls-like Nioh series. While Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is certainly not a Souls-like game itself, it has a lot of mechanical depth that you would expect to find in those games. Outside of the more basic and streamlined RPG mechanics, the default abilities Jack and crew have to combat Chaos require a higher level of execution to master.

Outside of attacking, blocking, dodging, and parrying, a new system introduced in Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is the Soul Shield. As the name implies, this is yet another defensive option but is also a way to vastly expand your options for offense. The game does try and make sure you grasp how it works, but especially for those not too familiar with action games like this, the concept may not be as clear as it should be. Get your edgy rock music ready because this is how the Soul Shield works in Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin to help you finally kill Chaos.

Gaming

Fuser support winds down following Harmonix acqusition

The diamond stage in Fuser's Headliners update.

Harmonix seems to be taking resources away from its support of Fuser, just months after being acquired by Epic Games.

In a news post on Harmonix's website, the developer, which is also behind the Rock Band franchise, detailed some changes coming to the rhythm game over the course of this year, most of which scale it back. However, Harmonix made a point to reassure fans that the game isn't going anywhere anytime soon: "While the way we support the community is changing, we remain committed to supporting the live, in-game features and carry a ton of appreciation for the Fuser fam and your boundless creativity."

Gaming

The best rhythm games on PC

beat saber star wars day

Can you feel the beat? Rhythm games had a big boom in the early to mid-2000s with the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles seeing massive success. Unfortunately due to a combination of expensive required instruments and a market flooded with nearly identical titles, the genre quietly slipped back into a more niche spot in the industry. That doesn't mean rhythm games have gone away, though. In fact, music games for PC have been pushing the very definition of what a "rhythm game" is.

As with almost every genre you love, being a PC gamer is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you have access to a near-limitless number of titles that fit into your genre of choice. On the other, there's an overwhelming number of games that aren't worth your time that can distract you from the truly special ones. No one wants a bad song stuck in their head, but a bad rhythm game is as bad as a terrible song plus a bad game all wrapped into one. The balance is tough, but these best rhythm games on PC offer top soundtracks, unique gameplay, and satisfying experiences for all of your senses.