- For the comic, see Sonic Blast (Archie).
Sonic Blast, known as G Sonic (Ｇソニック) in Japan, is a platformer for the Sega Game Gear released in late 1996. It was released in North America and Europe in November 1996. The Japanese release was on December 13, 1996, making it the last Game Gear game released in Japan. It was also released in Brazil for the Sega Master System by Tec Toy, SEGA's Brazilian distributor. The Master System version suffers from worse graphics, due to the system's limited palette. The full width of the screen was not used in that version, leaving a gap on the sides; similarly, the HUD was not shifted to reflect the change in screen resolution. Because of its large size (8 megabits), it won't run in the earliest Master System models.
While this game was released at the end of 1996 in the same month as the similarly named Sonic 3D Blast, it is worth noting that both games have little in common (in fact, the game has more in common with Sonic and Knuckles in terms of gameplay elements). No enemies, levels, or bosses, are shared between the games. The story is also completely different. Sonic and Knuckles join together to collect five of the Chaos Emeralds and confront Eggman at Silver Castle.
A prominent feature of this game was its rendered graphics, which had become popular in Nintendo's 16-bit hit Donkey Kong Country. These graphics are also similar to those of Sonic 3D Blast. The character graphics also took up a big portion of the screen.
Gameplay
Both characters are armed with signature moves. Sonic has his Spin Dash (
+ Jump) and a double jump (press Jump in mid-air). Knuckles can also use the Spin Dash, and has the glide (press Jump in mid-air), and the wall climb (press Jump near a wall). When hit by a enemy only 10 rings are deducted from the counter, making this an easy game overall. Chaos Emeralds are found in the Special Stages which can be entered through the giant ring which is found in the first two acts of each level. The Chaos Emerald is only found in the Special Stage of the second act as the act 1 special stage only rewards a 1-up.
End Level Panel
At the end of Acts 1 and 2 of each level, a panel is spun, with a reward given based on what it lands on:
- Eggman: No prize awarded.
- Ring: Gain 10 rings.
- Sonic: Sonic gets a 1up, Knuckles gets 30 Rings.
- Knuckles: Knuckles gets a 1up, Sonic gets 30 Rings.
- Emerald: Gain a free continue.
- Super Sonic: Both characters get a 1up and 30 Rings.
Items
- 10 Ring: Worth 10 Rings.
- Shield: Absorbs one hit.
- Speed Shoes: Temporary speed increase.
- Invincibility: Temporary invincibility.
- Sonic 1up: Sonic gets a 1up, Knuckles gets nothing.
- Knuckles 1up: Knuckles gets a 1up, Sonic gets nothing.
- Marker: You return to this point if you lose a life.
- Eggman: No reward given.
- Question mark boxes: Grants any of the 8 power-up.
Manuals
Also Released On
Production Credits
Producer: Hiroshi Aso
Director: Ryushin Hamada
Planner: Katsunori Murakami, Hiroaki Suzuki
Map Design: Akira Okamoto, Ken Sasaki
Chief Programmer: Toshiaki Araki
Programmer: Yoshiaki Makishima
Chief Designer: Fumikazu Sugawara
Designer: Taro Murayama
Sound Composer: Kojiro Mikusa
Special Thanks: Kazuyuki Oikawa, Aspect All Staff
Resources
Screen Shots
Game Gear Version
Master System Version
Physical Scans
Game Gear Version
| Game Gear, US
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Cover
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 Cart |
| Game Gear, EU
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Cover
|
 Cart |
Master System Version
| Master System,
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Cover
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 Cart |
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