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Master System/Game Gear version comparisons

Sonic Chaos title.png
Master System version
Sonic Chaos title GG.png
Game Gear version

Unlike the previous two 8-bit Sonic games, the Master System version of Sonic Chaos has a title screen that better fits the expanded resolution, but has a plain colour for a background instead of a checkered pattern.

SonicChaos SMS Comparison PlayerSelect.png
Master System version
SonicChaos GG Comparison PlayerSelect.png
Game Gear version

The player select screen is different. The Game Gear has dedicated portraits of Sonic and Tails, while the Master System just uses their walking sprites on a loop.

SonicChaos SMS Comparison THZ TitleCard.png
Master System version
SonicChaos GG Comparison THZ TitleCard.png
Game Gear version

The title cards are also optimised for the different resolutions.

SonicChaos SMS Comparison ScoreCard.png
Master System version
SonicChaos GG Comparison ScoreCard.png
Game Gear version
SonicChaos GG ScoreCard SpecialStage.png
Game Gear version

As are the score cards, although the lack of space means "Continue" is reduced to "Conti'" and multiplier info is cut in the Game Gear version. Collected Chaos Emeralds are displayed on all score cards in the Master System version, whereas the Game Gear version relegates them to Special Stage score cards. The maximum number of Continues the game can display is also halved from eight to four.

SonicChaos SMS Continue.png
Master System version
SonicChaos GG Continue.png
Game Gear version

The Continue screen, in addition to the different font, adds an exclamation mark to "CONTINUE". The countdown removes the stars and displays as a single-digit number.

Bad ending

SonicChaos SMS Comparison BadEnding1.png
Master System version
SonicChaos GG Comparison BadEnding1.png
Game Gear version

The bad ending plays out with some differences. Firstly, Sonic rolls in his chase after Dr. Eggman in the Master System version, whereas he walks after him in the Game Gear version.

SonicChaos SMS Comparison BadEnding2.png
Master System version
SonicChaos GG Comparison BadEnding2.png
Game Gear version

After Eggman flies away, Sonic stops rolling and slows down to a stop in the Master System version, whereas the Game Gear version has him pick up speed, only to trip.

SonicChaos SMS Comparison BadEnding3.png
Master System version
SonicChaos GG Comparison BadEnding3.png
Game Gear version

Like all other screens in the game, the "Try Again" text uses a different font.

Audio comparisons

Master System version
Game Gear version

The Master System version uses the song played in Electric Egg Zone Act 3 for the opening intro. The Game Gear version was instead given a unique song for the intro.

Master System version
Game Gear version

The music for the Player Select screen was reworked to have a pitch shift for the second half of the melody, along with some instrumental changes.

Master System version
Game Gear version

The intro and backing melody in Turquoise Hill Zone's theme were reworked.

Master System version
Game Gear version (used)
Game Gear version (unused)

Gigalopolis Zone's theme in the Master System version is very similar to "Oh Yes!1 (SONG 0)", a demo tune from the KORG M1 synthesizer, very probably used to compose the rest of the music in Sonic Chaos. In the Game Gear version, it was replaced with a different theme entirely. The original theme remains unused in the sound test (sound code 083H), and plays at a lower pitch.

Master System version
Game Gear version

Certain sections of Sleeping Egg Zone's theme were reworked in a similar case to Turquoise Hill's.

Master System version
Game Gear version

The main melody at the start of Aqua Planet Zone's theme was reworked.

Master System version
Game Gear version

In the Master System version, all Special Stages use the same song. The Game Gear version adds a second song that plays on outdoor-themed Special Stages, while the original song is still used for the crystal-themed ones.

Additionally, the jingle played on the Special Stage results after acquiring a Chaos Emerald does not play in the Game Gear version for some reason, going unused.

Level comparisons

Game Gear localisation comparisons

Sonic&Tails GG JP SegaScreen.png
Japanese version
SonicChaos GG Comparison SegaScreen.png
Western versions

The Japanese version drops the ™ symbol from the Sega logo.

SonicandTails GG Title.png
Japanese version
Sonic Chaos title GG.png
Western versions

In Japan, Sonic Chaos is known as Sonic & Tails. As a result, the two have slightly different title screens.

SonicChaos GG Comparison THZ JPTitleCard.png
Japanese version
SonicChaos GG Comparison THZ TitleCard.png
Western versions

For reasons unknown, the Western versions of Sonic Chaos use a different font for the title cards (similar in design to Sonic the Hedgehog 2), and do not show the Act number. The Japanese font is still used for the score card.

Gigalopolis-j-TitleCard.png
Japanese version
Gigapolis-TitleCard.png
Western versions

The decision to change the title card comes with consequences. In the West, Gigalopolis Zone becomes "Gigapolis Zone".

Sonic&Tails GG JP ZoneSelect.png
Japanese version
SonicChaos GG LevelSelect.png
Western versions

The change in Gigalopolis Zone's name is also reflected on the Zone Select screen.

Sonic&Tails GG JP SonicEnding.png
Japanese version
SonicChaos GG US SonicEnding.png
Western versions

Dr. Eggman's name is localised accordingly in the credits: "Eggman" in the Japanese version, and "Robotnik" in the West.

References


Sonic Chaos
Sonic Chaos title.png

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