Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
From Sonic Retro
Sonic the Hedgehog |
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System(s): Sega Game Gear & Master System |
Publisher: Sega |
Developer: Ancient |
Genre: 2D Platform |
Sonic the Hedgehog was a 8-bit port of Mega Drive game of the same name. It was released for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear. The Master System was thriving in Brazil at the time of its launch in that country on October 23, 1991. The Game Gear version was released in Japan on December 28, 1991 and was also released in North America and Europe in that same month. The plot of this game is that Sonic the Hedgehog is fighting Doctor Robotnik and he has to take the six Chaos Emeralds to free the land of Robotnik's pollution.
Contents
Gameplay
The gameplay is similar to that of the Sega Genesis version. The items available and moves are the same. The gameplay is also similar, although it is slower than the Mega Drive game. There are some differences however: Checkpoints take the form of point arrow monitors rather than posts. Chaos Emeralds aren't found in special stages; rather, one is hidden in each of the six regular zones. The Special Stages exist merely as a bonus stage where players can collect Continues and Extra Lives, and no additional reward is given for collecting all items.
Three of the zones came from the Genesis version of the game. Bridge Zone and Jungle Zone are considered unusual today for Sonic the Hedgehog zones. However, this was Sonic's second game, so such norms hadn't been established yet. Each zone has three acts. The first two acts were standard levels, but the third act was merely a short run up to the boss and contained no rings. Trial and error were required for the player to defeat the bosses.
Rings
Like in the Genesis version, the player can collect 100 rings to earn an extra life; but in the 8-bit version, the ring counter resets to 00 rather than increasing past 99. Additionally, rings dropped after taking a hit cannot be re-collected.
End Level Panel
At the end of Acts 1 and 2 of each level, the player has to spin a panel to continue, with a reward given based on what it lands on:
- Robotnik: No prize. This panel comes up most often in the game, provided the player's ring count is below 50.
- Ring: 10 rings added to final ring tally. Comes up rarely; unlike in Sonic Chaos, having a multiple of 10 rings doesn't trigger it.
- Sonic: Extra life. Comes up rarely; unlike in Sonic Chaos, beating an act with no hits taken doesn't trigger it.
- Exclamation Point: Special Stage. Appears if 50 or more rings are on hand when passing the sign.
Differences between the Master System and Game Gear versions
The Game Gear version has a smaller screen resolution, but a higher color palette. Sonic's sprite is smaller and the control feels lighter. In the first zone, warning signs had been placed because the high speed combined with the narrow screen could present problems. Jungle Zone Act 2 allowed for vertical descent without losing a life, which made this stage easier in the Game Gear version. Labyrinth Zone's level design was different in this version also, and the Chaos Emerald is in a totally new location. Several bosses, including the very last one, were modified or even replaced. The special stages also got redesigned, with all springs being of like color. The Game Gear version uses a different Sega screen with a jumping Sonic sprite.
Manuals
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System) US Manual
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System) EU Manual
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear) US Manual
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear) JP Manual
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear) EU Manual
Also Released On
- Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut for the GameCube (2003)
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus for the Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and PC (Game Gear) (2004)
- Virtual Console on Nintendo Wii (Master System) (2008)
- Tectoy Master System 3 for the Tectoy Plug and play console (2008)
Production Credits
Programmer: Shinobu Hayashi
Graphic Designer: Ayano Koshiro, Takefuni Yunoue
Sound Producer: Masato Nakamura
Re-arranging: Yuzo Koshiro
Resources
Original Sound Version Recordings
See Sonic the Hedgehog OSV for a download page.
Scans
Game Gear version
Master System version
Artwork
Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems | |
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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 Prototypes Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear prototype) | Sonic Chaos prereleases | Sonic Spinball (8-bit) prereleases | Sonic Triple Trouble prereleases | Sonic Blast prereleases Unreleased Sonic's Edusoft
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