Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)/Development

Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit).

Sonic the Hedgehog had gone through several changes over its development process. There are several rejected ideas, level designs, and other things that were left on the cutting room floor. The following images detail several of these things.

Development Documents

In June 2016, Yuzo Koshiro tweeted an image of documentation for the Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog^[1]:

Reused Boss Concept

Unused turret sprites from Sky Base in the Master System version of the game suggest that elements from an unused final boss concept from Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit) may have been implemented and later cut.

Prototype screenshots

Master System press screenshots

At some point Sega released at least two screenshots of the Master System game, which were subsequently picked up by the gaming press. The Main difference here is the use of the word "RING" to denote how many rings have been collected, rather than an image.

Alternative scan^[2]
Alternative scan^[3]

Game Gear version

Game Gear version with Master System Sonic sprite.
Same differences as last image.
Same differences as last image but a digit from the timer is attatched to the badnik.
Master System Sonic in Game Gear game again.