$30,000 Sonic Cartridge: Worth It?

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Summary

  • A limited-edition Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Sega Genesis cartridge is being sold for almost $30,000 on eBay.
  • Only 150 copies of the promotional cartridge exist, with the rare item created to promote the 2024 film.
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be released in 2027.

A rare game cartridge for a special edition Sonic the Hedgehog game, created to publicize last year’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, is being resold online, notably on eBay, for almost $30,000. The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie was a significant box office hit, with many believing it to be the best film in the Sonic movie series thus far. Furthermore, it linked to Sega’s 2024 Year of Shadow event by presenting the live-action rendition of Sonic’s main adversary, voiced by renowned actor Keanu Reeves.

In promoting the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, Sega and Paramount chose to blend elements of the franchise’s newer 3D games with a nod to its roots on the Sega Genesis. As part of a unique promotion, Sega created a limited-edition version of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 game cartridge. This special edition contained promotional movie images, music, and even a sneak peek at the final film trailer’s release date. Notably, this was the first official working Sonic the Hedgehog game cartridge since the release of Sonic 3D Blast in 1996.

Approximately 150 copies of the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ movie cartridge are believed to be in existence, making them highly sought after by collectors. On eBay, these cartridges are being sold for a minimum price of $28,000 in near-mint condition. This purchase not only includes the ‘Sonic’ item box but also all the original promotional materials such as an authentic Sega Genesis game case and movie poster showcasing Sonic and Shadow.

Sonic 3 Movie Cartridge Is “Grail” for Collectors

It remains unclear how the reseller obtained their version of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 promotional game cartridge, since it was first distributed only to content creators and later used as a prize for the “12 Hours of Sonic” contest in December. The item’s eBay listing refers to the bundle as a treasured artifact within the Sonic community, but opinions are divided on whether its high $28,000 price is justified.

In the interim, it’s been confirmed that a fourth “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie is set for release in 2027. This upcoming film promises to continue the storyline from the third movie, with a possible twist from its surprising post-credits scene. Additionally, fans can look forward to encountering even more beloved characters in the live-action “Sonic” world. Maybe Sega and Paramount will create another sought-after merchandise item for promotion, potentially outmatching the already pricey Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Sega Genesis cartridge. However, we’ll have to wait and see.

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2025-03-13 18:34