Revision as of 16:54, 10 December 2019 by BSonirachi(talk | contribs)(commented out the bad dumps of identical versions as I'm not sure if we should list them too)
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 (referred to as the Strike Dash). Also of note is that the game shares the same title music and death jingle as the 8-bit versions of Sonic 2, but in a higher key.
In another bid to conquer the world, Dr. Eggman has taken the red Chaos Emerald, and he's hunting for more. Upon getting his hands on the red Emerald, the remaining five ended up losing their balance and scattered elsewhere, and without the power of the Chaos Emeralds to sustain it, South Island began to sink into the sea. 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 and tapping the or buttons. 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 Strike Dash, performed by holding 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 D-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 Strike Dash, 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. Eggman himself has the sixth Chaos Emerald; the player will get it back if he is defeated and the other five have been found.
Playing as Tails is slightly different but generally easier. Tails runs slower, but he starts the game with 5 lives and 3 Continues (Sonic starts with 3 lives and no Continues). He is also not required to collect the Chaos Emeralds, thus he cannot enter the Special Stage. He has the Spin Dash attack like Sonic, and the ability to fly by pressing 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 D-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 Bonus Panel is spun, with a reward given based on what it lands on:
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 Gigalopolis Zone and the Master System version lacks Power Sneaker and Chaos Emerald victory music. Gigalopolis 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 Gigalopolis 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 Gigalopolis 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.