Retro Lookback: Sonic the Hedgehog

Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Platforms and Release Dates (US): Genesis (standalone: June 23, 1991, Sonic Compilation: 1995, Genesis 6-Pak: 1996), Sega Saturn (Sonic Jam: 1997), Dreamcast (Sega Smash Pack: 2001), Nintendo Gamecube (Sonic Mega Collection: 2002), Playstation 2 (Sonic Mega Collection Plus: 2004, Sega Genesis Collection: 2006), Xbox (Sonic Mega Collection Plus: 2004), PC (Sonic Mega Collection Plus: 2004), Mobile (Q3 2005), Playstation Portable (Sega Genesis Collection: 2006) Game Boy Advance (November 14, 2006), XBLA (July 11, 2007), Wii Virtual Console (November 19, 2006), iOS (December 18, 2007), Xbox 360 (Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection: 2009), Playstation 3 (Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection: 2009), Nintendo DS (Sonic Classic Collection: 2010), Microsoft Windows (October 6, 2010), PSN (March 2011)
Genre: Platform

This is where it all started for the Blue Hedgehog, his Genesis, first game ever, released on the Sega Genesis in the Summer of 1991. Does Sonic's premier game still hold up 20 years later?

There is a bit of story to set the background, you have to have a motivation to do anything, right? Somewhere in the ocean lies a mysterious island not found on any map, known by its inhabitants as South Island. The reason for it being absent is a simple, yet mysterious one: it does not have a fixed position, instead traveling through the seas on its own course. While the reason for this behavior is unknown, it is rumored that it may have something to do with the legendary gemstones known as the Chaos Emeralds. Though legend says they exist on the island, no one knows exactly where they are or how to get a hold of them. All they do know is of the incredible power they are said to contain, and how they can give energy to all living beings. Learning of the existence of the Chaos Emeralds, the mad genius Dr. Robotnik sets himself on a quest to locate the emeralds for his own use, wanting to harness their power for his many mechanical creations. With the plan in motion, Robotnik creates his base in a corner of the island, which he dubs the Scrap Brain Zone. However, he is aware that his evil plans will more than likely be interfered by Sonic the Hedgehog. Though not a native of the island, Sonic the Hedgehog would often find himself on its mystical shores, and more than once had he run into the evil doctor, foiling an untold number of schemes. Just as Robotnik predicted, in no time at all does the blue hedgehog learn of the doctor's intentions, running at sonic speed to confront him. It doesn't take long for Sonic to realize that something is amiss, and is shocked to learn that Robotnik has gone a step further with his evil intentions. Kidnapping the many animals living on the island, he has methodically been placing them in robot shells and using them to scour the island in search of the emeralds. Realizing that Robotnik has turned Sonic's friends into his own personal mechanical army, Sonic wastes no time. Running across the island, he must not only stop Robotnik's latest scheme and gather the Chaos Emeralds, but free his friends in the process. "Hurry! Sonic the Hedgehog - everyone is waiting for your help!" (Story taken from Sonic Retro)

The gameplay is fairly simple on the surface, you go from the beginning of each level to the end without dying, but there are extra elements to distinguish itself. Sonic's main action is to jump, and he curls up into a ball when he does so, this attack is used to destroy the various robots, known as Badniks, and of course to jump up to higher places and over hazards. Sonic's other main action is rolling into a ball while running, he can destroy most Badniks in this manner and pick up speed on inclines while rolling. The levels are designed with momentum in mind, with Springs, Bumpers, and Inclines there to help or hinder. The levels can be played slow and methodically, but also as fast as possible. The levels also feel like part Pinball as well in a sense, as Sonic can jump and bounce around quickly and wildly. The levels in this sense give replay value, trying to find all the hidden secrets of the levels or trying to complete them as fast as possible. The levels are broken up into 7 Zones, each with 3 Acts (with the exception of the Final Zone, which is just a showdown with the Final Boss), and the difficulty is evenly paced throughout. Scattered throughout the levels are Rings, which serve both as a means of Survival and Points. As long as Sonic is holding at least 1 Ring, he cannot be killed by enemies or spikes, although drowning, being crushed, or falling in a pit will still result in a death. When When Sonic is hit with Rings on him, he spills all his rings, and is temporarily invulnerable, allowing for him to attempt to re-collect the rings. If Sonic has 0 Rings when he is hit, it is a Death and he loses 1 life. There are also various monitors on the levels, helping Sonic. A Ring monitor will give Sonic 10 Rings, a Shield monitor will protect Sonic from 1 hit, a Shoe monitor will increase Sonic's speed for a set amount of time, a Sonic monitor will give Sonic an extra life, and a Stars monitor will make Sonic invulnerable to Badniks and Spikes for a set amount of time. There are also Lamp posts on the levels that acts as Checkpoints when passed. They record the Score and Time at that point and Sonic will restart from there if he dies. There is also a 10 minute time limit on each act, and Sonic dies if the time limit is reached and the clock is reset back to 0. At the end of Acts 1 and 2 of each zone, there is a signpost with Robotnik's fade on it, and when you spin it, it flips to Sonic's face, signaling the end of the Act. At the end of Act 3 of each Zone (except Scrap Brain Zone), Sonic has a showdown with Robotnik in his machine, which is modified to give different attacks depending on the zone. Robotnik is defeated when struck 8 times, Sonic then can open the Animal Capsule and end the Zone. There is an optional second objective to complete during the game. If Sonic is holding 50 rings or more at the end of Act 1 or Act 2 of each Zone (except Scrap Brain Zone), there will be a Giant Ring hovering in the air. If Sonic jumps into the Giant Ring, he is taken to the Special Stage for the chance to earn one of the Chaos Emeralds. The Special Stages here involve a constantly rotating 3D maze, where the objective is to work through the maze to reach the Chaos Emerald at the end. There are different blocks on the maze that alter how it behaves, Down will slow the rotation down, Up will speed the rotation up, and R will reverse the Rotation. There are also the Goal blocks, which will kick Sonic out of the Special Stage without the Chaos Emerald they are touched, so it is best to avoid them. Sonic can also collect Rings in the Special stages, with 50 Rings awarding a Continue to use if all lives are lost. There are 6 Chaos Emeralds to collect, which makes for 6 Special Stages, unlike the later games which have 7 Emeralds. If Sonic fails to get the Chaos Emerald in a Special Stage, he can try again by going to the Special Stage again until all 6 Emeralds are collected. If all 6 Chaos Emeralds are collected, Sonic can get the Good Ending as a result, the Bad Ending happens if any amount under 6 Emeralds are collected. There is also a scoring system in play. Each Ring collected and held on to in the Acts or the Special Stage is worth 100 points each. There is a time Bonus giving up to 50,000 depending how fast Sonic completes the level. Points are also earned for defeating Badniks, and more points are awarded for defeating Badniks in a Chain without touching the ground. There are Point Posts at the end of Acts 1 and 2 of each Zone, the give 100, 1,000, or 10,000 points when uncovered, although the 100 point posts really only award 10 points. Defeating Robotnik at the end of Act 3 is worth 1,000 points. Sonic can earn lives by collecting 100 or 200 Rings and holding onto them in an Act or by breaking a Sonic monitor. When Sonic dies, he loses a life, when all lives are lost, it is Game Over. If Sonic has earned Continues via the Special Stages, Sonic is given the chance to Continue from the beginning of the Act with 3 Lives. The Gameplay is fun and satisfying, and has much complexity even though it is simple on the surface.

The Graphics are bright and colorful, and don't looked dated at all, even 20 years later. The Zones are all beautifully designed with each having a distinctive look and feel. The Music is also awesome, and fit each zone nicely.

Bottom Line: Sonic's first game is really good, and offered a real alternative to Mario back in the day among all the other clones. The gameplay, graphics, and sound are all still as solid as ever. This is worth a Play or Buy.

I also did an LP of Sonic the Hedgehog, watch it here:

Part 1: Green Hill Zone
Part 2: Marble Zone
Part 3: Spring Yard Zone
Part 4: Labyrinth Zone
Part 5: Star Light Zone
Part 6: Scrap Brain Zone and Final Zone