Sega has announced that “3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2” is coming to North America and Europe on Oct. 8 for the 3DS, and will only be available in the Nintendo eShop. The game was originally supposed to come out near the end of September, but experience a slight delay, though it’s already available in Japan.

This 3D version of “Sonic 2” doesn’t stray too far from what made the original a classic, but does have some new features like stereoscopic 3D functionality, according to Digital Spy. Gameplay should be familiar to fans of the blue hedgehog, having the usual mix of speeding and platforming that made the series popular in the first place, though the ability to save anywhere is a blessing.

What makes “Sonic 2” a milestone in the series is that it introduces fans to Sonic’s good friend Tails, a brown fox with two tails which allows him to fly. The game allowed fans to switch between the two characters, who played very differently from one another. Sonic was faster, but Tails could explore the level more thanks to his flight.

One other notable aspect of “3D Sonic 2” is the optional multiplayer. According to Siliconera, two friends with a copy of the game can help each other in the game, with one player as Sonic and the other as an invincible version of Tails. Players can also race each other through a level with split screen, for those in the mood for some competitive play.

“3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2” joins other Sega classics that have also been given the 3D treatment, like “3D Sonic the Hedgehog” and “3D Gunstar Heroes”. Like “Sonic 2”, both games were mostly untouched, with a few new features added like the stereoscopic 3D functionality and multiplayer.

No price for the eShop exclusive has been given yet, though its predecessor was priced at $5.99 when it was released last December, and “Gunstar Heroes” had the same price when it was launched last August. It’s safe to say that “3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2” will probably come out at around the same price.

[Trailer] 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - 3D Trailer (Credit: YouTube/NintenDaan)