The Blue Blur's Portable Roots...
Name: Sonic the Hedgehog
Other Names (Nicknames): Sonic 1
Release Dates:
October 25th, 1991 - Latin America
December 28th, 1991 - Japan
December, 1991 – North America
December, 1991 – Europe
Quality: 8-Bit, Side-Scrolling Platformer
Game System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Also released on:
(1). Nintendo GameCube/PC - Sonic Adventure Deluxe: Director's Cut
(2). Mobile – Sega Mobile
(3). PlayStation 2/Xbox/PC - Sonic Mega Collection Plus
(4). Nintendo Wii - Virtual Console
(5). Techtoy - Tectoy Master System 3
Developer(s): Ancient
Publisher(s): Sega Corporation (all three nations)
Credits:
Programmer: Shinobu Hayashi
Graphic Designer: Ayano Koshiro, Takefuni Yunoue
Sound Producer: Masato Nakamura
Re-arranging: Yuzo Koshiro
Character Introductions: Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik, and the animals: Flicky, Kucky, Pecky, Picky, Pocky, Ricky, and Rocky.
Region Game Takes Place On: South Island.
Concept Introductions: Sonic the Hedgehog was based on the Genesis version, the first Sonic game ever released, so needless to say it was the first game that introduced the general style of Sonic gameplay: Chaos Emeralds, zones, loops, special stages, checkered hills, themed levels, etc., etc.
Marble, Spring Yard, and Star Light have been replaced with 3 different Zones: Bridge, Jungle and Eggman's Sky Base, arguably the first aerial fortress level for this series. The Special Stage is different, too. You bounce from springs at ridiculous heights and speeds, gathering as many rings as possible. There's a continue to score here, too. You'll have to reach the goal before time runs out, though, or you lose all you've gained (if you've managed to gain anything at all in that mess).
Concept Deductions: Most of this game's mechanics were based on the Genesis one, only scaled back considerably to suit the underpowered hardware. You get a bonus depending on what's on the end of act sign's face when it stops spinning: Eggman (nothing), Ring (worth 10 Rings), Sonic (1up), or ! (Special Stage; 50 rings first), and checkpoints have went from posts to monitors. Finally, the Chaos Emeralds are hidden in different acts in each Zone.
Here's one piece of crap that holds the game back: rings can't be picked up. In fact, no matter how many rings you pick up, you'll only see one being lost (don't be fooled, they'll all be lost).
Main Framework: Straightforward level design with hills, slopes, and loop-de-loops. Higher and lower elevations were added for those who wished to explore the levels. Levels were made smaller to accommodate the hardware.
Storyline:
South Island was one of Sonic's favorite places to go and was a treasure haven of mysterious jewels and prizes anybody would desire. One of those greedy individuals being the odd Dr. Ivo Robotnik, an evil scientist who is shaped like an egg. Dr. Eggman, as he is mostly named, has always vowed to take over the world and put a stop to the nemesis that always foils his plans, Sonic the Hedgehog! Eggman decided to use the legendary Chaos Emeralds this time, using the animals of South Island, which he turned into robot slaves, to tear down the lands in search for them.
For Sonic, it was just another average day on the South Island beach. But something was different: none of his animal friends were hanging out with him! As he went searching about, he instead found vicious robots, and each time he destroyed one, his animal friends came out. Luckily, Eggman didn't know that the Chaos Emeralds can't just be found on the ground like normal jewels. They exist in another dimension, and Sonic knew just how to get them! He knew right then this must be Dr. Robotnik's treachery, so the hedgehog set right off to once again foil Eggman's fiendish plot!
Personal Criticism/Opinion (by Ryan the Game Master):
I'm starting to see why Sonic's Game Gear games get so much flak: like most portable versions back then, they sucked in comparison to their main console brothers.
This version of Sonic 1 is only similar to the Genesis one in name, look and – to a point – feel only. To compensate the lesser hardware, some of Sonic's on foot speed was taken out (roll him down a hill or slope and that's a different story). It's harder, too. I swear, Sky Base is one of the most annoying Zones in Sonic history. And don't get me started on Labyrinth…
All in all, this version of Sonic 1 fails in comparison to the Genesis one. It's barely decent on its own…but that's about it. Unless you're a completist, like myself, or insanely curious, don't bother with this one. IF you must have an 8-bit Somic, either get the sequel or the Master System version of this one, if possible. The same problems are still present, but at least it looks better and you have more room to work with.
GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay Value? I only play this one every June or if company's over and wants to see it. Otherwise, I pay it no mind.
Graphics? Quite nice for the Game Gear's first Sonic game, but nothing to drool over. Hell no.
Audio? Surprisingly, the music's rather fun to listen to, considering limitations. Bridge and Jungle are personal favorites. Sound effects are basic.
Storyline? Like the Genesis version, there's not much of a story to speak of, which is a pain.
OVERALL RANK? I give the Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog a
Other Names (Nicknames): Sonic 1
Release Dates:
October 25th, 1991 - Latin America
December 28th, 1991 - Japan
December, 1991 – North America
December, 1991 – Europe
Quality: 8-Bit, Side-Scrolling Platformer
Game System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Also released on:
(1). Nintendo GameCube/PC - Sonic Adventure Deluxe: Director's Cut
(2). Mobile – Sega Mobile
(3). PlayStation 2/Xbox/PC - Sonic Mega Collection Plus
(4). Nintendo Wii - Virtual Console
(5). Techtoy - Tectoy Master System 3
Developer(s): Ancient
Publisher(s): Sega Corporation (all three nations)
Credits:
Programmer: Shinobu Hayashi
Graphic Designer: Ayano Koshiro, Takefuni Yunoue
Sound Producer: Masato Nakamura
Re-arranging: Yuzo Koshiro
Character Introductions: Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik, and the animals: Flicky, Kucky, Pecky, Picky, Pocky, Ricky, and Rocky.
Region Game Takes Place On: South Island.
Concept Introductions: Sonic the Hedgehog was based on the Genesis version, the first Sonic game ever released, so needless to say it was the first game that introduced the general style of Sonic gameplay: Chaos Emeralds, zones, loops, special stages, checkered hills, themed levels, etc., etc.
Marble, Spring Yard, and Star Light have been replaced with 3 different Zones: Bridge, Jungle and Eggman's Sky Base, arguably the first aerial fortress level for this series. The Special Stage is different, too. You bounce from springs at ridiculous heights and speeds, gathering as many rings as possible. There's a continue to score here, too. You'll have to reach the goal before time runs out, though, or you lose all you've gained (if you've managed to gain anything at all in that mess).
Concept Deductions: Most of this game's mechanics were based on the Genesis one, only scaled back considerably to suit the underpowered hardware. You get a bonus depending on what's on the end of act sign's face when it stops spinning: Eggman (nothing), Ring (worth 10 Rings), Sonic (1up), or ! (Special Stage; 50 rings first), and checkpoints have went from posts to monitors. Finally, the Chaos Emeralds are hidden in different acts in each Zone.
Here's one piece of crap that holds the game back: rings can't be picked up. In fact, no matter how many rings you pick up, you'll only see one being lost (don't be fooled, they'll all be lost).
Main Framework: Straightforward level design with hills, slopes, and loop-de-loops. Higher and lower elevations were added for those who wished to explore the levels. Levels were made smaller to accommodate the hardware.
Storyline:
South Island was one of Sonic's favorite places to go and was a treasure haven of mysterious jewels and prizes anybody would desire. One of those greedy individuals being the odd Dr. Ivo Robotnik, an evil scientist who is shaped like an egg. Dr. Eggman, as he is mostly named, has always vowed to take over the world and put a stop to the nemesis that always foils his plans, Sonic the Hedgehog! Eggman decided to use the legendary Chaos Emeralds this time, using the animals of South Island, which he turned into robot slaves, to tear down the lands in search for them.
For Sonic, it was just another average day on the South Island beach. But something was different: none of his animal friends were hanging out with him! As he went searching about, he instead found vicious robots, and each time he destroyed one, his animal friends came out. Luckily, Eggman didn't know that the Chaos Emeralds can't just be found on the ground like normal jewels. They exist in another dimension, and Sonic knew just how to get them! He knew right then this must be Dr. Robotnik's treachery, so the hedgehog set right off to once again foil Eggman's fiendish plot!
Personal Criticism/Opinion (by Ryan the Game Master):
I'm starting to see why Sonic's Game Gear games get so much flak: like most portable versions back then, they sucked in comparison to their main console brothers.
This version of Sonic 1 is only similar to the Genesis one in name, look and – to a point – feel only. To compensate the lesser hardware, some of Sonic's on foot speed was taken out (roll him down a hill or slope and that's a different story). It's harder, too. I swear, Sky Base is one of the most annoying Zones in Sonic history. And don't get me started on Labyrinth…
All in all, this version of Sonic 1 fails in comparison to the Genesis one. It's barely decent on its own…but that's about it. Unless you're a completist, like myself, or insanely curious, don't bother with this one. IF you must have an 8-bit Somic, either get the sequel or the Master System version of this one, if possible. The same problems are still present, but at least it looks better and you have more room to work with.
GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay Value? I only play this one every June or if company's over and wants to see it. Otherwise, I pay it no mind.
Graphics? Quite nice for the Game Gear's first Sonic game, but nothing to drool over. Hell no.
Audio? Surprisingly, the music's rather fun to listen to, considering limitations. Bridge and Jungle are personal favorites. Sound effects are basic.
Storyline? Like the Genesis version, there's not much of a story to speak of, which is a pain.
OVERALL RANK? I give the Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog a