Sonic Jam
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| Sonic Jam | |
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| Developer(s) | Sega Technical Institute Sonic Team |
| Publisher(s) | Sega Tiger Electronics (Game.com version) |
| Platform(s) | Sega Saturn, Game.com |
| Release date |  June 20, 1997 July 31, 1997 August 1997 |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: K-A (Kids to Adults), ELSPA: 3+ |
| Media | Compact disc, Cartridge |
| Input methods | Game controller |
Sonic Jam is a video game for the Sega Saturn and Game.com. The Saturn version is a compilation of titles in the Sonic the Hedgehog series originally released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was released in Japan on June 20, 1997, in North America on July 31, 1997 and in Europe during the month of August 1997.
It includes the main Mega Drive/Genesis anthology (including Sonic & Knuckles and its lock-ons); Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D Blast, and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine are not featured. The compilation also includes a 3D "Sonic World", which allows players to access virtual museums featuring Sonic the Hedgehog history, art, music and advertisements, as well as remastered and uncut animation sequences from Sonic CD. Sonic World functioned as both a hub for the extras and as its own game, utilizing missions such as ring-collecting, reaching markers, or finding Tails. Completing all the missions would unlock the credits for Sonic Jam.
Games included in this collection are:
Furthermore, by selecting Sonic & Knuckles, the player can use the "lock-on technology" from its original cartridge version in order to link up to the other three games in the collection, making the following games also playable:
- Sonic 3 & Knuckles
- Knuckles in Sonic 2
- Blue Sphere
Sonic Jam also included customized versions of the games, with redesigned levels with varying levels of difficulty. When played in "Original" mode, the games are identical to their original Mega Drive/Genesis releases. "Normal" difficulty adds extra rings and alters other aspects of the design to remove some of the challenge (these versions of the levels are used when playing Sonic Jam's Time Attack feature). "Easy" difficulty removes certain stages entirely, making the game much easier to complete.
Also implemented into Sonic Jam was the option to use Sonic's signature move, the Spin Dash" in Sonic the Hedgehog (on any of the above difficulties); originally, it did not debut until Sonic 2. There were also fixes of some glitches, particularly in Sonic 3. The games were not simply direct emulations like in later compilations, but rather elaborate ports to utilize the Saturn hardware.
According to the Sonic City website, Sonic World is a test level for what eventually became Sonic Adventure.
The Game.com version features Sonic 2, Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles though different from the Genesis originals. Curiously, this version's box art features the same render found on that of Sonic R.
[edit] Changes
Some of the audio is presented slightly different than they originally were on their original system. This is due to the CD format. The version of Sonic 2 in this compilation uses the invincibility tune from Sonic the Hedgehog. The reason for this is unknown, seeing that the invincibility music from Sonic 2 is actually on the CD[citation needed]. Making this issue even more confusing is the fact that the proper music for invincibility plays during 2 player mode.[citation needed] There are also some enhanced sound effects, particularly in Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles where the sound effect for explosions (from monitors and enemies) is completely different.[citation needed] While the graphics are replicated perfectly on the Saturn, there is one additional visual effect in Sonic 1. While Sonic halts to a stop while running, he leaves behind skid marks just like in later games.[citation needed] This is actually not a brand new graphic. It is unused within the original game's ROM, but never implemented in the game. So far, Sonic Jam contains the only version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog where this lost graphic appears.[citation needed]
