Update: Naka later clarified that he was actually referring to an official TikTok video by Sega in which Michael Jackson's music was used, not Sonic 3's official soundtrack. Original story is below.
Michael Jackson allegedly working on the soundtrack for Sonic 3 has been an urban myth in gaming for decades. Fans of the blue blur have been trying to confirm whether that was the case for years, and today former head of Sega Yuji Naka appears to have confirmed the legend with nothing more than a short tweet.
“Oh my god, the music for Sonic 3 has changed, even though SEGA Official uses Michael Jackson's music,” Naka tweeted (via Nibellion). The former Sega head has clearly been playing Sonic Origins which launched on multiple platforms worldwide just a few hours ago. Earlier today, Naka questioned whether the music in Sonic 3 had been changed from the original for the sake of the new collection.
The answer to that question is yes, and it has been a point of contention ever since the news was revealed shortly before Origins launched. No one can decide who exactly owns the rights to the game's soundtrack, and that means the music you hear when you play Sonic 3 in Origins this week might sound a little different. MJ's now confirmed inclusion in the composition of that soundtrack might go some ways to explaining why the rights to Sonic 3's music are in such a state all these years later.
If you didn't already know MJ's connection to Sonic 3 has been something fans of the hedgehog have poured over for years, you need look no further than the replies to Naka and Nibellion's posts. After arguing over and investigating the gaming legend for more than 28 years, fans are at a loss at seeing someone who would know for certain one way or the other simply tweeting it out as if it was common knowledge.
MJ was presumably a pretty big gamer. Not only did he have a huge collection of arcade cabinets, but he even had a video game of his own, Moonwalker. As for that altered music, hopefully it won't bother you too much as you try to replay Sonic 3. You can always play the OST separately as you go, now equipped with the knowledge that Michael Jackson had a hand in composing it.