Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | |
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| Developer(s) | Ancient |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Shinobu Hayashi (Programming), Ayano Koshiro and Takefuni Yunoue (Design), Masato Nakamura and Yuzo Koshiro (Sound and music) |
| Release date(s) |  December 28, 1991 December, 1991 December, 1991 |
| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Game Gear, Master System |
| Media | Cartridge |
| Input | Control pad |
Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series developed by Ancient and published by Sega for its Master System and Game Gear systems. Originally released in December of 1991, both to the Japanese and the American/European markets, Sonic the Hedgehog was not merely a port of the original Genesis game, but a reworked version, incorporating the same game play as well as both old and new levels. The game was re-released as part of Sonic Mega Collection Plus and was included as a hidden minigame in Sonic Adventure DX. This was the final game released for the Master System in the US.
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[edit] Storyline
Sonic the Hedgehog battles Doctor Robotnik (Dr. Eggman in the Japanese version) for six Chaos Emeralds in order to rid the world of pollution caused by Robotnik. Robotnik has made a huge base on South Island and wants to now control the world!
[edit] Gameplay
As in other games from the Sonic the Hedgehog Series, the player controls the rapidly-moving Sonic the Hedgehog from a 3rd-person, side-scrolling perspective. The control and feel of the game is similar to that of its 16-bit predecessors, but with subtle differences such as graphical changes and waypoint markers.
Sonic obtains rings which can be used as protection against enemy attacks. The maximum number of rings the character can hold is 99; when a hundredth ring is picked up, an extra life is awarded, and the ring count resets to zero. Unlike in other Sonic titles, the player cannot retrieve rings that are lost once Sonic is hit by an enemy.
Chaos Emeralds, special collectible items, are found in secret areas in each of the six zones, comparable to game "chapters," each zone containing three acts, or levels of game play. The first two acts of each zone focus on standard side-scrolling game play, while the third act has no rings and is characterized by a boss fight. Special stages, accessed when Sonic has 50 or more rings at the end of an act, allow the player to collect Continues and Extra Lives.
Three of the zones were designed based on those from the 16-bit version of the game. A rarity in Sonic games, Bridge Zone Act 2 scrolls independently of Sonic’s progress, forcing the player to work at a fast pace. Jungle Zone Act 2 is also different from traditional Sonic games, as the level map is vertical as opposed to horizontal.
[edit] Zones
- Green Hill Zone (old zone)
- The first zone is thematically the same as the 16-bit version but without crumbling cliffs or loops. The notable difference is that much of Act 2 is set underground in a series of caverns.
- Bridge Zone
- A zone consisting of a series of unstable bridges over a mountain lake. Act 2 features an auto-scrolling background.
- Jungle Zone
- A colourful zone set deep in the lush rainforest. Sonic can run on logs to cross stretches of water. Act 2 is a vertical level where Sonic must scale a mighty waterfall.
- Labyrinth Zone (old zone)
- Very similar to the Mega Drive version but with modified background music, creating a more sinister mood.
- Scrap Brain Zone (old zone)
- Again, similar to the Mega Drive version with different background music. Teleports replace the power chutes used in the 16-bit version.
- Sky Base Zone
- The final level is set aboard the first of Robotnik's many flying fortresses, rigged with a large number of sentry guns and lightning cables. The second Act is set on a giant airship with no rings, making it easy to be depleted of lives.
[edit] Differences between versions
Master System version box art
The Game Gear version has a lower screen resolution, but a larger color palette. Sonic's sprite is smaller and the control is said to feel lighter. In the first zone, warning signs were added because the high speed of the game combined with the narrow screen increases the difficulty of gameplay. The Jungle Zone Act 2 allows the player to "fall" off the stage without losing a life, making this stage easier in the portable version. The Labyrinth Zone level design in the Game Gear version is significantly changed from the Master System edition: most notably, the Chaos Emerald is in an entirely different location, and all Chaos Emeralds are blue. Several bosses, including the final one, were modified from the Master System version or even replaced. Additionally, the springs found in the bonus stages have differing colors.
[edit] External links
- Sonic the Hedgehog (SMS) at MobyGames
- Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit) page at The GHZ
