The Beginning for the Blue Blur...
Name: Sonic the Hedgehog (all three nations)
Other Names (Nicknames): Sonic 1, Sonic Genesis, "The First/Best Sonic Game"
Release Dates:
June 23rd, 1991 - North America
June 23rd, 1991 - Europe
July 26th, 1991 – Japan
Quality: 16-Bit, Side-Scrolling Platformer
Game System(s): Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Also released on:
(1). Sega Arcade Systems - Mega Tech and Mega Play
(2). Sega Saturn - Sonic Jam Collection
(3). Sega Dreamcast - Smash Pack Volume #1
(4). Internet - RealPlayer Arcade, GameTap
(5). GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox/PC - Sonic Mega Collection (Plus)
(6). Radica Games' Play TV Legends – Sega Genesis Volume 1, Super Sonic Gold
(7). Mobile - Sonic Café
(8). Sony PlayStation 2/Portable - Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Collection
(9). Nintendo Wii - Virtual Console
(10). Nintendo Game Boy Advance - Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis
(11). Microsoft Xbox 360 - Xbox Live Arcade
(12). Apple iPod/iPhone
(13). Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 - Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
(14). Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 - Sonic Generations: White Time and Space
(15). iOS/Android
(16). Nintendo DS - Sonic Classic Collection
(17). Nintendo 3DS - "3D" Sonic the Hedgehog
Developer(s): Sonic Team
Publisher(s): Sega Corporation (all three nations)
Credits:
Executive Producer: Hayao Nakayama
Producer: Shinobu Toyoda
Director(Game Planner): Hirokazu Yasuhara
Sound Producer/Composer: Masato Nakamura (of Dreams Come True)
Programmer: Yuji Naka
Sound Programmers: Hiroshi Kubota, Yukifumi Makino
Design: Jinya Ito, Jina Ishiwatari, Reiko Kodama
Character Design: Naoto Oshima
Special Thanks: Fujio Minegishi, "Papa" 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 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.
Concept Deductions: N/A — First Sonic Game, not possible. Unless you deem it necessary to count original beta ideas for the game such as the zone's original names, templates, or Mach, Sharps, Max and Vector.
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.
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):
Every series starts somewhere. This is Sonic's first game, and the one that finally put Sega on the map. It's got all the current staples: loops, colorful environments, animals to free, high speeds, pinball physics, etc. It all started right here.
If you've played this one from top to bottom, like I have, you'll probably have a ball exploring or trying to beat your best scores.
The feel of the game, to me, is rather standard and basic. If you're willing to scour every inch of it – rather than speeding through the whole thing – you won't find as many surprises as you would in future sequels. That's no big deal, though, and shouldn't really be stressed over.
The vast majority of Sonic fans nowadays would prefer if the overall vibe of this game and stuck to this day, with little to no changes. As far as I'm concerned, the series would've been boring as hell had that happened, no matter how "better off" they'd be. Sonic 1 is a good game, but it isn't perfect. None of the classics are. Stating otherwise just makes one out as annoyingly close minded. But, I digress.
Either way you look at it, though, this is the game that started it all and you have to respect that…even if you hate the Blue Blur now.
GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay Value? Once you've beaten the game, you may or may not find yourself hard pressed to go back, unless you wish to outdo past performances (which is fun) or if this is the last Sonic game left that you enjoy. And, there's always the Chaos Emeralds to go after.
Graphics? One can do wonders with 16 bits. The environments are lush and lovely and have been sloped and built to suit the characters in them well. The animations are simple, but they work.
Audio? Right from the beginning, the music for Sonic games has always been awesome. Sonic 1's music is catchy, remember-able and iconic, setting a standard that's still being remixed today.. The sound effects are just as easy to identify.
Storyline? And here's where the praises end. Most games back then at least had a prologue or something after demo sequences. Even NES games did. Sonic 1 didn't have jack. Nothing. You wouldn't know a damn thing about the story outside the manual. Heck, you wouldn't even know about the Chaos Emeralds or their importance! I know this should be excused since this is an old game and all, but still. A bit more effort could've been made here. And, yes, I know that most preferred to make up their own story in their heads, but that's not good enough for me. If I want my own story, I'll write one.
OVERALL RANK? I give Sonic the Hedgehog a
Other Names (Nicknames): Sonic 1, Sonic Genesis, "The First/Best Sonic Game"
Release Dates:
June 23rd, 1991 - North America
June 23rd, 1991 - Europe
July 26th, 1991 – Japan
Quality: 16-Bit, Side-Scrolling Platformer
Game System(s): Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Also released on:
(1). Sega Arcade Systems - Mega Tech and Mega Play
(2). Sega Saturn - Sonic Jam Collection
(3). Sega Dreamcast - Smash Pack Volume #1
(4). Internet - RealPlayer Arcade, GameTap
(5). GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox/PC - Sonic Mega Collection (Plus)
(6). Radica Games' Play TV Legends – Sega Genesis Volume 1, Super Sonic Gold
(7). Mobile - Sonic Café
(8). Sony PlayStation 2/Portable - Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Collection
(9). Nintendo Wii - Virtual Console
(10). Nintendo Game Boy Advance - Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis
(11). Microsoft Xbox 360 - Xbox Live Arcade
(12). Apple iPod/iPhone
(13). Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 - Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
(14). Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 - Sonic Generations: White Time and Space
(15). iOS/Android
(16). Nintendo DS - Sonic Classic Collection
(17). Nintendo 3DS - "3D" Sonic the Hedgehog
Developer(s): Sonic Team
Publisher(s): Sega Corporation (all three nations)
Credits:
Executive Producer: Hayao Nakayama
Producer: Shinobu Toyoda
Director(Game Planner): Hirokazu Yasuhara
Sound Producer/Composer: Masato Nakamura (of Dreams Come True)
Programmer: Yuji Naka
Sound Programmers: Hiroshi Kubota, Yukifumi Makino
Design: Jinya Ito, Jina Ishiwatari, Reiko Kodama
Character Design: Naoto Oshima
Special Thanks: Fujio Minegishi, "Papa" 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 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.
Concept Deductions: N/A — First Sonic Game, not possible. Unless you deem it necessary to count original beta ideas for the game such as the zone's original names, templates, or Mach, Sharps, Max and Vector.
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.
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):
Every series starts somewhere. This is Sonic's first game, and the one that finally put Sega on the map. It's got all the current staples: loops, colorful environments, animals to free, high speeds, pinball physics, etc. It all started right here.
If you've played this one from top to bottom, like I have, you'll probably have a ball exploring or trying to beat your best scores.
The feel of the game, to me, is rather standard and basic. If you're willing to scour every inch of it – rather than speeding through the whole thing – you won't find as many surprises as you would in future sequels. That's no big deal, though, and shouldn't really be stressed over.
The vast majority of Sonic fans nowadays would prefer if the overall vibe of this game and stuck to this day, with little to no changes. As far as I'm concerned, the series would've been boring as hell had that happened, no matter how "better off" they'd be. Sonic 1 is a good game, but it isn't perfect. None of the classics are. Stating otherwise just makes one out as annoyingly close minded. But, I digress.
Either way you look at it, though, this is the game that started it all and you have to respect that…even if you hate the Blue Blur now.
GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay Value? Once you've beaten the game, you may or may not find yourself hard pressed to go back, unless you wish to outdo past performances (which is fun) or if this is the last Sonic game left that you enjoy. And, there's always the Chaos Emeralds to go after.
Graphics? One can do wonders with 16 bits. The environments are lush and lovely and have been sloped and built to suit the characters in them well. The animations are simple, but they work.
Audio? Right from the beginning, the music for Sonic games has always been awesome. Sonic 1's music is catchy, remember-able and iconic, setting a standard that's still being remixed today.. The sound effects are just as easy to identify.
Storyline? And here's where the praises end. Most games back then at least had a prologue or something after demo sequences. Even NES games did. Sonic 1 didn't have jack. Nothing. You wouldn't know a damn thing about the story outside the manual. Heck, you wouldn't even know about the Chaos Emeralds or their importance! I know this should be excused since this is an old game and all, but still. A bit more effort could've been made here. And, yes, I know that most preferred to make up their own story in their heads, but that's not good enough for me. If I want my own story, I'll write one.
OVERALL RANK? I give Sonic the Hedgehog a