While many people debate if there has been a good Sonic the Hedgehog video game released in the last 25 years, fans of the blue speed demon can generally agree that the series was in its heyday during the 2D era of early gaming history. That's why yesterday's announcement of Sonic Origins, a package of Sonic The Hedgehog 1, 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD set to release in June, had people excited. At least, they were excited until Sega sucked the wind out of its own sails.

Right after getting fans hyped about the ability to revisit four remastered and generally well-liked Sonic games, Sega laid out their "DLC" plan for the release, which many saw as the company gouging their fans by hiding 30-year-old content behind money. It didn't help that Sega offered a "handy" chart explaining the assortment of content unlocked at various tiers of purchase.

Judging by the above chart, there are five different "packs" players can purchase. Tiers start from "Standard Edition," which will only include the "main game," but to unlock such features as "character animations in the main menu," players will need to purchase either the "Premium Fun Pack" or the "Deluxe Digital Edition." That "Deluxe Digital Edition" will include all of Sonic Origins' exciting, paywall-blocked content, such as "Camera controls in the main menu" and additional music tracks.

The bizarre DLC outline struck many fans as an immediate slap in the face, who took to social media to voice their displeasure.

Evidently it's impossible to put everything into one version of a game these days. They always have to get every penny out of us. Sonic Origins was looking so good too… pic.twitter.com/YoC8YqLlSA

— SSJ4 Juan (@XxJuan_776xX) April 20, 2022

My only problem with Sonic Origins is like

Why the does a $45 remaster need DLC and multiple versions

It is a REMASTER

Just put it all in one you doofus ass company pic.twitter.com/cuN7ACHt3J

— The Communist Party of Animal Crossing (@CommunistPrtyAC) April 21, 2022

Sonic origins looks cool but what the hell kind of excuse for dlc is this pic.twitter.com/QlhDv1LzAR

— pkoswald (@Pkoswald2) April 20, 2022

The weird set of DLC packages and editions is kind of souring what should be nothing but a phenomenal reveal for Sonic Origins. Between this and the weird locking of Planet Wisp original tracks behind DLC with Colors Ultimate, I'm concerned this is going to be the new normal.

— TheKazeblade (@thekazeblade) April 20, 2022

The ever-irreverent studio Devolver Digital took the opportunity to fire a potshot at Sega by parodying the bizarre Sonic Origins DLC chart with a chart of its own.

Our marketing department created a handy guide for preordering Trek to Yomi.

Please use it to navigate your path to purchase. pic.twitter.com/cN9f303FIZ

— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) April 20, 2022

If there's one thing Sega can take comfort in, it's that Sonic will probably always be a money-maker, despite the company's best efforts to alienate its fans, so Sonic Origins will likely still be a hit. Still, Sonic fans seem to agree that it would be nice if they could see character animations in the main menu without shelling out additional money for the 30-year-old games they paid for.