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Sonic Chaos

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Sonic Chaos title.png
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Sonic Chaos
System(s): Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
ROM size: 512 KB
Genre: Action
Release Date RRP Code Rating
Sega Master System
EU
1993-10-25 €? 9021
Sega Master System
UK
1993-10-25 £29.99 9021
Sega Master System
BR
1993 R$? 028320
Sega Master System
AU
199x $? FSON02SEC
Sega Master System
PT
199x  ? ?
Sega Game Gear
EU
1993-11 €? 2515
Sega Game Gear
UK
1993-11 £29.99 2515
Sega Game Gear
US
1993-11-23 $? ?
Sega Game Gear
US
(Majesco)
199x $? 1204
Sega Game Gear
JP
1993-11-19 ¥3,800 G-3331
Sega Game Gear
BR
199x R$? 077080
Wii Virtual Console
JP
2009-03-17[1] 500[2]pts ?
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US
2009-02-02[3] 500[3]pts ?
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU
2009-02-06[4][5] 500[4]pts ?

Sonic Chaos, known as Sonic & Tails (ソニック&テイルス) in Japan, was released for the Game Gear and Master System in 1993. This Sonic game is notable as being the first 8-bit title to feature Tails as a playable character. Not only is it the first game on any system to allow the player to control Tails' flight, it is also the first 8-bit title to introduce the Spin Dash and the Super Peel-Out. Also of note is that the game shares the same title music and death jingle as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Game Gear, but in a higher key.

Story

Dr. Robotnik has taken the red Chaos Emerald, and he's hunting for more. Sonic and Tails are entrusted with saving South Island before it is too late.

Gameplay

Characters

The player has a choice between Sonic and Tails. Sonic comes equipped with two moves: the Spin Dash, which is performed by holding Down and tapping the jump button. He curls into a ball and takes off at great speed, due to being in ball form he is protected from enemy collisions. He also has the Super Peel-Out, performed by holding Up and tapping the jump button. This move is slightly faster, but since he is standing up he is vulnerable to enemy collisions. However, Sonic will quickly stop unless the directional pad is held the opposite way he was going. Another disadvantage of this move is that Sonic is heavier while using this move so he slows down quicker. Rolling uphill is less difficult than running uphill. This means that the faster way to go downhill is the Peel-Out, but the faster way to go uphill is the Spin Dash.

Sonic also must collect five of the six Chaos Emeralds. Unlike the two previous 8-bit Sonic games, the Chaos Emeralds are located in Special Stages. To enter these special stages 100 rings must be collected in one Act. Robotnik himself has the sixth Chaos Emerald; the player will get it back if he is defeated.

Playing as Tails is slightly different but generally easier. Tails runs slower, but he starts the game with 5 lives and 3 continues. He also is not required to collect the Chaos Emeralds. He has the Spin dash attack also and the ability to fly by pressing Up and a jump button. Flying is handled differently than other games as it must be performed from a standing position and he hovers in position if the control pad is let go. He stops flying after a short amount of time or if he bumps into a ceiling.

Items

Sonic Chaos features two new items: The Pogo Spring item and the Rocket Shoes item monitor. The Rocket Shoes gave Sonic the ability of even more incredible speed and limited flight. Often, this was enough to blaze through the entire stage. When playing as Tails, the Rocket Shoes monitors are replaced by 10-Ring monitors. The Pogo Spring item also made a limited appearance here, which were basically springs strapped on to Sonic's (or Tails') shoes, and also lasted a limited time. It gave them an unprecedented jump that let them pass otherwise impossible obstacles. The other items are standard Sonic fare. (Excluding Shield Monitors.)

Bonus 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:

  • Flicky: No prize.
  • Ring: 10 rings added to final ring tally.
  • Sonic: Extra life as Sonic, Continue as Tails.
  • Tails: Extra life as Tails, Continue as Sonic.
  • Blank Panel: You must spin it again.

Comparisons

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic Chaos/Comparisons

Differences between the Master System and Game Gear versions

The screen resolution difference is the most obvious change between the two versions, as expected. The title screen, menus and title cards were changed, partly to compensate for the limited colours on the Master System and partly because the higher resolution meant more space could be used on screen. The music is different for the intro and Gigapolis Zone and the Master System version lacks Power Sneaker and Chaos Emerald victory music. Gigapolis Zone is known as "Gigalopolis Zone" in the Master System version (which is also its name in the Japanese version) and there are act 3 layout differences in Aqua Planet Zone, Mecha Green Hill Zone and Electric Egg Zone between the two versions, and the Game Gear version has some (in some cases, most) of the rings removed from act 3 layout of every zone. The Gigapolis Zone boss also shoots a spiked ball before he blows up in the Master System version. In the Master System version, Sonic's second good ending is different as he simply rolls up in a ball as opposed to tripping and falling when Robotnik goes off screen. In the credits of the Master System version, Miles "Tails" Prower's name is misspelled as "Miles Power", but this is corrected in the Game Gear version. Interestingly, there are differences between the English and Japanese Game Gear versions, too. The font used for title cards is different; the Japanese version uses the same font as the one used for the results screen, whereas the English version uses a different font. Dr. Robotnik is called "Eggman" in the credits of the Japanese version. Also, the Japanese version uses a combination of Master System and English Game Gear versions' act 3 layouts. It uses the Master System's layouts for Turquoise Hill Zone and Gigapolis Zone, an altered version of Master System's layout for Sleeping Egg Zone, altered versions of English Game Gear's layouts for Mecha Green Hill Zone and Aqua Planet Zone, and the English Game Gear's layout for Electric Egg Zone.

Manuals

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic Chaos manuals

Also released on

Production credits

  • Game Design: M.Shima, Ray, 5OOZO
  • Art: 7LY.BigKing, GEN♥, Noburin, East
  • Sound: Mix, Nagao N.Gee
  • Program: Koko, Hiro 777, Toshiyan, Tomoyan
  • Thanks to: Hitmen, The Hase, Kensan, Gadai, Mikarin, LLG, J.S, K.Dash, Hasuwo, Yokoyamasan, Tomozo, and You.

Promotional material

Artwork

Physical scans

Game Gear version




Sega Game Gear
83 Sonic Retro Average
Based on 5 reviews
Publication Score Source
Sega Power (UK) 72 #50 Pg 84/85
Sega Pro (UK) 72 #28 Pg 44
Sega Force Mega (UK) 93 №7, p56/57
Sega Zone (UK) 93 №15, p79
Sonic the Comic (UK) 85 №12, p10/11
Game Gear, US
Schaosgg-box-us.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, US (Majesco rerelease)
SonicChaos GG US Box Back Majesco.jpgNospine.pngSonicChaos GG US Box Front Majesco.jpg
Cover
Chaos gg us majesco cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
SonicChaos GG EU backcover.jpgNospine.pngSchaosgg-box-eu.jpg
Cover
Sonic-chaos-gg-eu-cart.jpg
Cart
50x50px
Manual
Game Gear, JP
Sandt jp back cover.jpgSchaosgg-box-jap.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, BR
SonicChaos GG BR.jpg
Cover
SonicChaos GG BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version




Sega Master System
84 Sonic Retro Average
Based on 5 reviews
Publication Score Source
Sega Magazine (UK) 80 №1, p126
Sega Power (UK) 93 №49, p40/41/42
Sega Pro (UK) 69 #28 Pg 56/57
Sega Force Mega (UK) 93 №7, p56/57
Sonic the Comic (UK) 85 №12, p10/11
Master System, EU
Schaosms-box-eu.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
SonicChaos SMS AU Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
Schaos-box-br.jpg
Cover
Chaos sms br.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR (alt)
SonicChaos SMS BR Box Alt.jpg
Cover
Chaos sms br.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR (?)

External links

References


Sonic Chaos
Sonic Chaos title.png

Main page
Comparisons
Maps
Credits


Manuals
Promotional material
Magazine articles
Reception


Development
Hidden content
Bugs

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems
Wii Virtual Console
WiiWare
 2006  Sonic the Hedgehog | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     2007  Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Sonic Spinball | Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island     2008  Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit) | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)     2009  Sonic Chaos | Sonic & Knuckles     2010  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I    
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
 1991  Sonic the Hedgehog     1992  Sonic the Hedgehog 2     1993  Sonic Chaos | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     1994  Sonic Drift | Sonic Spinball | Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble     1995  Sonic Drift 2 | Tails' Skypatrol | Tails Adventures | Sonic Labyrinth | Sonic 2 in 1     1996  Sonic Blast    
 Unreleased  Sonic's Edusoft