Difference between revisions of "Sonic Chaos"

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Sonic Chaos

System(s): Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Aspect Co. Ltd
Genre: 2D Platform
ESRB VRC PEGI OFLC CERO A GRB DJCTQ

Sonic Chaos (Sonic & Tails 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 you to control Tails' flight, it is also the first 8-bit title to introduce the Spin Dash and the Peel Out. Also of note is that the game shares the same title music as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Game Gear, but in a higher key.

Storyline

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

You have a choice between Sonic and Tails. Sonic comes equipped with two moves: the Spin Dash, which is performed by holding 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 Peelout, 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 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 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 (this also means 1-ups won't be awarded for the first 100 rings collected). Eggman himself has the sixth Chaos Emerald and the player will get it back after 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 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 monitor 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 box 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.

End Level 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.

Differences between the Master System and Game Gear versions

Game Gear version, with different artwork on the title screen.

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. 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.

Manuals

Also Released On

Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut for the GameCube (2003)
Sonic Gems Collection for the Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation 2 (2005)
Sonic the Hedgehog Chaos & Spinball for the Techno Source Plug and play console (2005)
Sonic Mega Collection Plus & Super Monkey Ball Deluxe for the Microsoft Xbox (2005)
Playpal Plug and Play for the Coleco Plug and play console (2006)
Sega Fun Pack: Sonic Mega Collection Plus & Shadow the Hedgehog for the Sony PlayStation 2 (2009)
Virtual Console on Nintendo Wii (Master System) (2009)
Sonic PC Collection for the PC (2009)

Production Credits

Game design: M. Shima, Ray, 500ZO
Art: 7LY.Bigking, GEN$, Noburin, East
Sound: Kojiro Mikusa, Naofumi Hataya
Program: Koko, Hiro 777, Toshiyan, Tomoyan
Thanks to: Hitmen, Katsuhiro Hasegawa, Gadai, Kensan, Mikarin Nishida, LLG, J.S., K. Dash, Hasuwo, Yokoyamasan, Tomozou Endo

Resources

Original Sound Version Recordings

See Sonic Chaos (Game Gear Version) OSV for a download page.

Scans

Game Gear version

US cover
US cart
US Majesco re-release cart

EU cover
EU cart

JP front cover
JP back cover
JP cart

Master System version

EU cover
EU cart

Brazilian cover
Brazilian cart

Artwork

Template:SonicChaosLevels

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems

Demos Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit) AutoDemo | Sonic & Tails Jitsuenyou Sample | Sonic Drift (demo)

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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-'''''Sonic Chaos''''' ('''''Sonic & Tails''''' in Japan) was released for the [[Game Gear]] and [[Master System]] in 1993. Not only did this game have great gameplay and some of the best music, this [[Sonic]] game is notable as the first 8-bit title to feature [[Tails]] as a playable character. Not only is it the first game on any system to allow you to control Tails flight, it is the first 8-bit title to introduce the [[Spin Dash]] and the [[Peel Out]]. Also note that this game has the same title music as ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' for the Game Gear, but in a higher key.
+'''''Sonic Chaos''''' ('''''Sonic & Tails''''' 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 you to control Tails' flight, it is also the first 8-bit title to introduce the [[Spin Dash]] and the [[Peel Out]]. Also of note is that the game shares the same title music as ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' for the Game Gear, but in a higher key.
 ==Storyline==