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Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)/Comparisons

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Master System/Game Gear version comparisons

Sonic 1 MS title.png
Master System version
S1GG sega screen.png
Game Gear version

There is no Sega logo in the Master System version, likely owing to the fact that on original systems, a Sega jingle is built into the BIOS.

Sonic 1 MS title.png
Master System version
Sonic1 GG Title.png
Game Gear version

The title screen has received colour changes in order to take advantage of the Game Gear's larger colour palette. The "PRESS BUTTON" text was also changed to "PRESS START BUTTON".

Sonic1 SMS Comparison MapGHZ.png
Master System version
Sonic1 GG Comparison MapGHZ.png
Game Gear version

More of the map is visible on the Master System, and there are slight colour changes.

Sonic1 SMS Comparison GHZ Act1Start.png
Master System version
Sonic1 GG Comparison GHZ Act1Start.png
Game Gear version

Sonic has an entirely different and slightly smaller set of sprites on the Game Gear, to better suit the lower resolution. This is the only Sonic Master System-to-Game Gear conversion where such measures were taken - the game's sequels have identical sprites in both versions.

Sonic1 SMS Comparison Invincibility.png
Master System version
Sonic1 GG Comparison Invincibility.png
Game Gear version

The Invincibility stars have been re-worked for the Game Gear. In the Master System version, Sonic has two stars flashing all over him. In the Game Gear version, four stars are flashing and spinning around him.

Credits

Sonic1 SMS Credits CharaDesign.png
Master System version
Sonic1 GG Credits CharaDesign.png
Game Gear version

Sonic's character design is copyrighted to Sega in the Master System version. The Game Gear version removes that credit.

Sonic1 SMS Credits ShinobuHayashi.png
Master System version
Sonic1 GG JP Credits ShinobuHayashi.png
Game Gear version (JP)
Sonic1 GG US Credits ShinobuHayashi.png
Game Gear version (US/EU)

Shinobu Hayashi has been given an additional nickname in the Game Gear version: "Pinbot" in the Japanese release, and "Machine" in the International releases. The Japanese Game Gear release also misspells "Programmer".

Sonic1 SMS Credits End.png
Master System version
S1GG sega screen.png
Game Gear version

After the end of the credits, the Master System version will remain on the credits screen indefinitely, requiring the player to manually reset or turn off the system. The Game Gear version automatically resets to the Sega logo.

Level comparisons

Master System II BIOS comparisons

Sonic1 SMS Credits Start.png
Cartridge version
Sonic1 SMS SpecialBonus.png
Built-in version

Sonic the Hedgehog was built-in to certain Master System II systems sold in Europe. To accommodate for the basic BIOS functions of the boot ROM, the credits sequence was removed, with the game remaining on the final results tally indefinitely after it has finished calculating the player's final score. Green Hill Zone's theme is also made to play on the screen.

Localisation comparisons

Game Gear version

Sonic1 GG JP SegaLogo.png
Japanese version
S1GG sega screen.png
Western versions

If running on a Japanese system, the ™ will be dropped from the Sega logo.

Sonic1 GG JP Title.png
Japanese version
Sonic1 GG Title.png
Western versions

Likewise, the ™ will be dropped from the title screen.

References


Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
Sonic 1 MS title.png

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