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Difference between revisions of "Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis"

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{{Bob
 
{{Bob
| bobscreen=Sonic_Genesis_Title.png
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| bobscreen=SonicGenesis title.png
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| developer=[[Sonic Team]]
 
| developer=[[Sonic Team]]
 
| system=[[Game Boy Advance]]
 
| system=[[Game Boy Advance]]
| europe=
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| romsize=4 MB
| usa=Nov. 14, 2006
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| releases=
| genre=2D Platformer
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{{release|GBA|US|2006-11-14||BIJE8P}}
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| genre=Action
 
| esrb=e
 
| esrb=e
 
}}
 
}}
'''''Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis''''' is a [[Game Boy Advance]] remake of the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' for the [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Genesis]], made in celebration of the 15th anniversary of that game, as well as ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' himself.
 
  
The game is criticized for its slowdown (for example, obtaining [[Speed Shoes|speed shoes]] causes the game to slow down at times, rather than speed up), poor music renditions and sound quality, unfaithfully ported movement physics, shortened and different ending sequences, and numerous bugs and glitches. This has led it to be considered one of the worst Sonic games released.
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'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', simply referring to itself as '''''Sonic the Hedgehog''''' in game, remake of the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]]. It was released as part of the celebration of the 15th anniversary of [[Sonic the Hedgehog]], but the game was only released in North America.
  
==Differences and Additions from the Genesis Version==
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==Gameplay==
A save game feature which allows players to resume from the beginning of the level can be accessed by pausing and using the "Save" option. The game also automatically saves after completing a zone. An "Anniversary Mode" is added and grants the player the [[Spin Dash]] ability that was introduced in later ''Sonic'' games. The graphics remain the same (with the exception of Sonic's redrawn sprite), but the view is slightly zoomed in due to the Game Boy Advances screen's width being smaller than that of a standard television. This makes the game more difficult as less of the terrain can be seen and thus there is less time to react to oncoming obstacles when running fast. The cheat codes from the Genesis game were not ported.
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''Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis'' is an attempt to bring the first ''Sonic'' outing to the Game Boy Advance, but while many art assets are shared, the game engine is completely different and much of the audio far simpler. Content-wise it is similar to the first game, however the [[spin dash]] move from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' can be used in a new "anniversary mode". The game also includes battery back-up saving, allowing for players to easily revisit finished stages.
 +
 
 +
While some graphics have been altered to better suit the Game Boy Advance's screen resolution (240x160, versus the 320x224 used on the Mega Drive), much remains the same as the 1991 game, meaning less of the play area is visible at any given time. This makes ''Genesis'' a harder title, as it is harder to see what lies ahead. Cheat codes from the Mega Drive game were not ported over.
 +
 
 +
==Criticism==
 +
''Genesis'' was widely criticised on release for being an unfaithful representation of the original game. Its engine is not accurate, with "weightier" jump physics making it difficult to clear some gaps, and different rates of acceleration/deceleration meaning Sonic can stop almost instantly. Sonic also bounces back further after being hit, and can react strangely to certain objects, slowing down the pace of play.
 +
 
 +
Most notably, ''Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis'' very rarely holds a consistent frame rate, slowing down whenever too many objects are on-screen. This variation on performance severely affects character handling, making some platforming sections trickier than they should be. Sprites positioned partially on-screen are often not rendered at all, meaning larger objects pop in more abruptly than on the Mega Drive. Effects such as collapsing platforms and breakable walls are are also simplified.
 +
 
 +
The audio is cut back, with simpler renditions of ''Sonic'' music being generated by the Game Boy Advance hardware. Some sound effects are sampled from Mega Drive hardware, but most are also generated, this time from simple square waves and a noise channel, akin to the average (monochrome) Game Boy and Game Boy Color game. Some sound effects are completely missing.
 +
 
 +
Within just a few months of release, Sonic Retro community member [[Stealth]] released ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog GBA]]'', a more accurate conversion of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' to Game Boy Advance hardware. Stealth would later be hired by [[Sega]] to help produce the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (2013 game)|2013 port of the game]] (and later ''[[Sonic Mania]]'').
 +
 
 +
==Comparisons==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Comparisons}}
  
 
==Manuals==
 
==Manuals==
*[[Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis US Manual]]
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<gallery>
 +
SonicGenesis GBA US manual.pdf|Game Boy Advance, US
 +
</gallery>
  
==Production Credits==
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==Production credits==
 +
{{multicol|
 
===Original Development Staff===
 
===Original Development Staff===
Game Plan: Carol Yas<br>
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Game Plan: [[Carol Yas]]<br>
 
Program: [[Yuji Naka|YU2]]<br>
 
Program: [[Yuji Naka|YU2]]<br>
 
Character Design: [[Naoto Ohshima|BigIsland]]<br>
 
Character Design: [[Naoto Ohshima|BigIsland]]<br>
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Manual Production: Yoshihro Sakuta, Hisakazu Nakagawa, Colin Restall<br>
 
Manual Production: Yoshihro Sakuta, Hisakazu Nakagawa, Colin Restall<br>
 
Special Thanks: Aya Takeuchi, Rhianna Kellom
 
Special Thanks: Aya Takeuchi, Rhianna Kellom
 +
}}
  
==Box Art==
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==Physical scans==
<gallery>
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{{Scanbox
Image:Sonic_the_Hedgehog_Genesis.jpg|US cover
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| console=Game Boy Advance
Image:Sthg_gba_us_cart.jpg|US cart
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| region=US
</gallery>
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| front=SonicGenesis GBA US Box Front.jpg
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| back=SonicGenesis GBA US Box Back.jpg
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| square=yes
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| cart=Sthg_gba_us_cart.jpg
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| manual=SonicGenesis GBA US manual.pdf
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}}
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
*[http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/sonicthehedgehoggenesis Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis Reviews on Metacritic]
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*[http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/sonic-the-hedgehog-genesis Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis Reviews on Metacritic]
 +
*[http://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?showtopic=7350&st=0 Release topic on Sonic Retro]
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
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{{SonicAdvGames}}
 
{{SonicAdvGames}}
  
[[Category:Game Boy Advance Games]]
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[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]

Revision as of 13:54, 21 August 2018

n/a

SonicGenesis title.png
Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis
System(s): Game Boy Advance
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
ROM size: 4 MB
Genre: Action
Release Date RRP Code Rating
Game Boy Advance
US
2006-11-14  ? BIJE8P

Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis, simply referring to itself as Sonic the Hedgehog in game, remake of the original Sonic the Hedgehog for the Game Boy Advance. It was released as part of the celebration of the 15th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, but the game was only released in North America.

Gameplay

Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis is an attempt to bring the first Sonic outing to the Game Boy Advance, but while many art assets are shared, the game engine is completely different and much of the audio far simpler. Content-wise it is similar to the first game, however the spin dash move from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 can be used in a new "anniversary mode". The game also includes battery back-up saving, allowing for players to easily revisit finished stages.

While some graphics have been altered to better suit the Game Boy Advance's screen resolution (240x160, versus the 320x224 used on the Mega Drive), much remains the same as the 1991 game, meaning less of the play area is visible at any given time. This makes Genesis a harder title, as it is harder to see what lies ahead. Cheat codes from the Mega Drive game were not ported over.

Criticism

Genesis was widely criticised on release for being an unfaithful representation of the original game. Its engine is not accurate, with "weightier" jump physics making it difficult to clear some gaps, and different rates of acceleration/deceleration meaning Sonic can stop almost instantly. Sonic also bounces back further after being hit, and can react strangely to certain objects, slowing down the pace of play.

Most notably, Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis very rarely holds a consistent frame rate, slowing down whenever too many objects are on-screen. This variation on performance severely affects character handling, making some platforming sections trickier than they should be. Sprites positioned partially on-screen are often not rendered at all, meaning larger objects pop in more abruptly than on the Mega Drive. Effects such as collapsing platforms and breakable walls are are also simplified.

The audio is cut back, with simpler renditions of Sonic music being generated by the Game Boy Advance hardware. Some sound effects are sampled from Mega Drive hardware, but most are also generated, this time from simple square waves and a noise channel, akin to the average (monochrome) Game Boy and Game Boy Color game. Some sound effects are completely missing.

Within just a few months of release, Sonic Retro community member Stealth released Sonic the Hedgehog GBA, a more accurate conversion of Sonic the Hedgehog to Game Boy Advance hardware. Stealth would later be hired by Sega to help produce the 2013 port of the game (and later Sonic Mania).

Comparisons

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis/Comparisons

Manuals

Production credits

Original Development Staff

Game Plan: Carol Yas
Program: YU2
Character Design: BigIsland
Design: Jinya Ito, Phenix Rie
Sound Produce: Masato Nakamura
Sound Program: Jimita, Macky
Special Thanks: Fujio Minegishi, "Papa"

Credits Listed in Manual

Sega of America, Inc.

Sega of America, Inc. CEO: Naoya Tsurumi
President/COO: Simon Jeffery
VP of Product Development: Dave Cobb
VP of Sales: Sue Hughes-Taigen
Producer: Justin Lambros
Assistant Producer: Kevin Frane
VP of Marketing: Scott Steinberg
Senior Publishing Manager: Klayton Vorlick
Director of Marketing: Don Mesa
Product Marketing Manager: Yosuke Moriya
Public Relations Manager: Jennie Sue
Creative Services Manager: Jen Groeling
Production Specialist: Heather Lucchetti
QA Manager: Deni Skeens
QA Supervisor: Josh Morton
Senior QA Lead: Shawn Dobbins
QA Lead Tester: Marta Khosraw
QA Compliancy Test Lead: Stephen Akana

Sega of Japan

Manual Production: Yoshihro Sakuta, Hisakazu Nakagawa, Colin Restall
Special Thanks: Aya Takeuchi, Rhianna Kellom

Physical scans

Game Boy Advance, US
SonicGenesis GBA US Box Back.jpgSonicGenesis GBA US Box Front.jpg
Cover

External Links

See Also


Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)
Sonic1 title.png

Main page (Gen|2013|3D|Ages)
Comparisons (Gen) (2013)
Maps (2013)
Achievements
Credits


Manuals
Promotional material
Magazine articles (Gen)
Video coverage
Reception (Gen)
Merchandise


Development
Hidden content (Gen) (2013)
Bugs (Gen)
Region coding
Hacking guide
Bootlegs

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems
Game Boy Advance
 2001  Sonic Advance | Tiny Chao Garden     2002  Sonic Advance 2     2003  Sonic Pinball Party | Sonic Battle     2004  Sonic Advance 3 | Sonic X: A Super Sonic Hero     2005  Sonic Advance & Sonic Pinball Party | Sonic Advance & ChuChu Rocket! | Sonic Advance & Sonic Battle | Sonic Battle & ChuChu Rocket! | Sonic Pinball Party & Sonic Battle | Sonic Pinball Party & Columns Crown     2006  Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis    
 Demos  Sonic Advance 3