Earlier today, SEGA’s classic Genesis/Mega Drive game, Sonic & Knuckles, was released on the North American Virtual Console.

This rerelease of Sonic & Knuckles comes less than two weeks after SEGA formally announced Sonic the Hedgehog 4, so this can be seen as a way to celebrate Sonic’s return to form, but also lets us revisit one of his greatest games.

Oh, and it comes complete with its patented “lock-on” technology, so you can once again experience Sonic 3 complete and play as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

With Sonic & Knuckles now on the Virtual Console, all of Sonic’s Genesis classics are available on the Wii (they have also been released on Xbox Live Arcade as well). What better way to gear up for Sonic 4?

Which also reminds me, in recent months the original Super Smash Bros. and Super Mario Kart have been released on the Virtual Console, so go download those classics as well if you haven’t already!

And for all of the (many) Sonic CD fans out there, don’t worry, I’m sure Sonic CD will find its was to the Virtual Console in one way or another. And where are Yoshi’s Island and Earthbound exactly?