Play Nintendo Retro: Sonic the Hedgehog (VC/Genesis)

Our favourite blue hedgehog is celebrating his 20^th Anniversary this year! Play Nintendo has already looked at the Top 20 Sonic the Hedgehog Zones (#20-11, #10-1), now I will begin to review the classic Sonic series. First up is Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis which released in June 1991. As you know, Sonic has the ability to reach incredible speeds, but he also brought an attitude that a certain plumber couldn’t match. Sega was quick to market both of these things to the gaming consumer. In doing so, Sega was able to create a franchise that is still beloved by fans 20 years later.

Sonic the Hedgehog’s story is a very simple concept. Series nemesis Dr. Robotnik captures animals from Sonic’s homeland and creates his own robot versions called badniks. Of course, it’s up to Sonic to save the day. There is a little more to the story as creating badniks isn’t the only thing on Robotnik’s agenda. He is also after the Chaos Emeralds. Whoever holds the Chaos Emeralds can use their great energy; if they fall in Robotnik’s hands it can mean mass destruction. Sonic has to save the animals of his homeland and prevent Dr. Robotnik from obtaining the Chaos Emeralds.

Sonic was much faster than other video game characters and it really made the first game stand out amongst the competition. While Sonic the Hedgehog is a sidescrolling platformer, the element of speed was a change of pace. Levels are designed to encourage gamers to bring Sonic up to his max speed. After reaching great speeds, Sonic could master loop-de-loops and even attacking enemies by rolling along the ground. These were new elements that only a character like Sonic could pull off easily. Sonic didn’t just bring speed to the table either, as he also carried around a huge attitude, the cool cat so to speak. His attitude was a way to market directly against the competition. Sonic was edgy, and well Sega Genesis does what Nintendon’t. 

However, Sonic the Hedgehog gave us more than just speed and attitude; there are some great platforming elements in the game. Even though these elements may slow down the gameplay, they made Sonic challenging. You couldn’t just press right to cruise through the level, sometimes you had to stop and think about your next move. Going forward without a sense of direction would most likely end with Sonic falling into a spike pit. Sonic has to jump over pits, destroy badniks, and fight Robotnik multiple times. Sonic can even make use of springs that will help him discover multiple paths in each level. All of this comes together to make a really good platformer. 

Sonic can collect rings, and as long as he had some in hand, he is invulnerable. Rings are sacrificed when hit by an enemy, because it wouldn’t be fun if there is no risk involved. However, as long as you could keep collecting rings, you could keep speeding forward. Sonic didn’t just have rings at his disposal as shields, 1-Ups, and running shoes are also thrown in to the mix. Running shoes can make Sonic run even faster, sometimes almost too fast! Also on the power-up forefront are the always important Chaos Emeralds. Sonic can obtain Chaos Emeralds only after finding one if the game’s bonus stage. Collect all six and Sonic can use their power to unleash Super Sonic, and you get a better ending for preventing Dr. Robotnik from obtaining them.

Much like its competitors of the time, Sonic was an easy game to learn. In fact, it may be easier than most games, as only one button is really required to play the game. Sonic could only jump, which also happened to be his main form of attack. Controlling Sonic himself was a little tricky at first as he constantly accelerates to his max speed, but with patience one can easily master Sonic’s movement.

Sonic the Hedgehog is also a great looking game. Sprites are huge and detailed, and the overall art style is extremely unique. Each Zone looks different due to the varying themes, but the unique art style really gives each one its own identity. Graphics would be improved upon in further entries of the series, but for Sega’s first Sonic the Hedgehog effort these graphics are great. Sega’s musical efforts are also a highlight for the game. Amazing compositions can be heard all throughout the game. One thing that I feel Sega gets extremely right with each game of the series is their ability to compose songs that fit the theme of each stage while retaining the overall feel of the Sonic universe. Again, much like the graphics, other entries in the series have better music, but one can’t deny that Sega created some 16-bit gold with Sonic the Hedgehog’s amazing soundtrack.

3/5 D-Pads: Sonic the Hedgehog is overall a pretty solid platforming experience. It doesn’t match up to later entries in the series, but it stands well on its own two feet. Amazing levels and gameplay mixed with awesome graphics and a spectacular soundtrack make this game a definite winner. Fans of the series will love this game, casual fans may prefer Sonic 2 or 3 over the original effort.

Play Nintendo's Top 20 Sonic the Hedgehog Zones - Part 2: #10-1

Let's get right to the Top 10 of my Top 20 Sonic the Hedgehog Zones:

10 – Sky Chase Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

Sega likes change things up every now and then, and that’s exactly what they did with Sky Chase Zone. Probably one of the most relaxing levels in the Sonic franchise, Sky Chase Zone takes place high in the sky with Tails driving the Tornado. Sonic is firmly perched on the plane and will have to attack enemies at given times. It’s an automatically scrolling stage, so all you need to do is avoid and attack. Its music matches the slower pace with an incredible relaxing tune. Sky Chase Zone gives us a new gameplay experience mixed with a wonderful theme song, what more could we ask of Sega?

9 – Wacky Workbench – Sonic CD (Sega CD)

A very unique stage, Wacky Workbench is exactly that, Wacky. At the bottom, the floors are decorated with a flashy bouncing material that will launch Sonic high into the level. After being launched, you will notice that there is also a lot of activity going on around the top of the stage. There are a countless number of moving platformers and even some alternate paths to take if you want to avoid the rubber properties of the floor. However, it’s just a lot of fun to bounce around the stage.

8 – Chemical Plant Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

Chemical Plant Zone is a favourite from my childhood. It’s full of life both with its soundtrack and the fantastic level design. There are a number of tubes that will take you to various parts of the stage, making it a little maze like. Other than the tubes, there are a lot of classic Sonic elements as well, such as long sloped stretches that will have Sonic moving at top speed in no time, and loops of course. In the background you can see a city skyline that adds a lot of character. Hazards such as water and brilliantly placed enemies can posed a threat, but that’s what makes the level even better. Throw in the dance like theme and you have an incredible level top to bottom.

7 – Stardust Speedway – Sonic CD (Sega CD)

To be honest, this level almost didn’t make the cut. At first glance it may look like a pretty standard Sonic stage, and it would be if there weren’t a few twists. Throughout the stage you can change the path you take by flipping switches. It’s not something I noticed until I played it a second time. Stardust Speedway stands out even more by giving us a very tense boss battle. It’s not your average boss battle either; it’s more like a race. Throughout the stage you will be chased down by Robotnik who is trying to obliterate you with a huge laser. OK, so Robotnik is on your case again, no big deal. However, as mentioned before, this is a race, against Metal Sonic. He’s fast and mean, and to beat him you will have to cross the finish gate first. If not you will fall victim to Robotnik’s laser.

6 – Oil Ocean Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

There are many small elements in this level that mesh together to bring us one of the best stages in the Sonic franchise. Sonic has to traverse one of Robotnik’s oil refineries, but he has to do it in extreme heat. Off in the distance you can see the Sun, but you can also feel it burning. Cleverly used waves over the sun, and a warm orange sky really bring the point home. Sonic will sweat it by wading through pools of oil that will suck him down and crush his body if he isn’t careful. Oil slides will cause Sonic to slip and slide, and other industrial equipment can work against Sonic, or help depending on how you utilize them. Top this off with a very Arabic, desert sounding style and you have pure genius.

5 – Scrap Brain Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)

Scrap Brain Zone is full of traps and that definitely makes it my favourite stage from Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic has to conquer a variety of different obstacles such as: saw blades, conveyor belts, fire, spinning platforms, disappearing blocks, just about everything is thrown at you in Scrap Brain Zone. A little twist is even thrown your way in Act 3 when Robotnik drops you into a water labyrinth. This is one of the most punishing water sections in any Sonic, and you will be grasping for air too many times. Scrap Brain Zone’s futuristic theme is also very awesome. It makes the water section of Scrap Brain Zone even more surreal.

4 – Death Egg Zone – Sonic and Knuckles (Genesis)

The moment you heart this Zone’s music, you know the game isn’t messing around. Entire sections of Death Egg Zone will take place upside down. When Sonic is flipped upside down, it can be tough to get your bearings, but don’t get comfortable as Sega has no intentions of holding your hand. It still throws every obstacle imaginable at you without pulling punches. Towards the end you will fight Robotnik a few times. First you will have to use gravity in your favor to hit his robot. A shield will constantly hover around the bot blocking your attacks, when flipping gravity you can distract it while its own objects destroy the poor thing. Cap that off with another fight against Robotnik’s familiar looking mech weapon and you get a real sense of the word epic. A new ominous theme even plays which makes everything tenser. I should also mention that throughout the whole level you can see earth in all its mysterious glory.

3 – Ice Cap Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis)

There are many reasons for Ice Cap Zone to be in the top 10, and especially in the top 3. First you start off by jumping on a snowboard and racing down a snowy mountain. It’s in all honesty, one of the most bad ass ways to start a level. After reaching the bottom, and surviving a small avalanche, Sonic heads off into a very crystal like ice cavern which is quite an amazing sight. Inside the walls are blue and crystal like which can be quite magical at times. However, after beating the first act you can stay outside and enjoy the snow! During this part, the background holds many icebergs that float by in the water adding to an already surreal experience. Bringing everything together is arguably the best music in any Sonic game. It holds a very mysterious, wintry feel and can at times make you shiver. Personally, I’m a sucker for ice/snow levels, and Ice Cap Zone delivers on every note.

2 - Metropolis Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

The moment this level starts, you immediately recognize that you’re in for a wild ride. Drums begin pounding through your speakers as an epic guitar riff starts to unfold partnered with scratching sounds. Ice Cap Zone has a very serious contender with this song, just saying. For such epic music, you know you’re headed for trouble as Metropolis Zone is both very long and grueling. Many traps, combined with annoying enemies (starfish anyone?) make this a difficult stage. It’s actually even pretty easy to get caught up in your surroundings, and before you know it, time over.

Besides its increased difficulty, there are a lot of unique gameplay elements thrown in this zone. Because of its factory setting there are a ton of items Sonic gets to use to his advantage. Giant screws that move up or down depending on Sonic’s movement, steam valves that can send Sonic spiraling sky high, and those yellow bumpers will bounce Sonic silly. It’s a very fresh and entertaining level that offers a great challenge. Just don’t get stuck on those screws with exploding badniks nearby!

I have gone through a pretty crazy list of great Sonic Zones, but what could be hiding away at the Number 1 spot?

1 – Sandopolis Zone – Sonic and Knuckles (Genesis)

Ice Cap and Metropolis Zone were hard zones to top, but after playing through the long and great Sandopolis Zone, I instantly changed my mind. Oil Ocean Zone may have given a sense of warmth, but Sandopolis Zone will give you borderline heatstroke. Waves of heat are constantly emitting throughout the entire desert stage. Sonic speeds through several pyramid structures. One quick look at the background and you can see them all over the desert. All these pyramid sections are full of different traps that will keep you on your toes. New game elements also put Sandopolis Zone up front. Sonic can use sand to reach different parts of the level that would have been otherwise difficult to reach. It even includes epic moments of climbing down the side of huge pyramid structures with nothing but just a rope and Sonic’s bravery. It really combines a lot of elements that you’d expect from a pyramid theme, including an Egyptian soundtrack. I also just about crapped myself when a gigantic pyramid rises from the ground and reveals Act 1’s boss. It’s a clever battle that sees you tricking the boss into jumping in a quicksand pit.

Act 1 sounds pretty epic, right? Well Act 2 just adds more brilliance to the mix. Now enclosed inside a pyramid, it will continuously darken if you don’t re-light the torches. If it darkens all the way, spirits will continue to appear and finally begin to attack. It creates a very tense situation for Sonic, but it gets even tenser. At some points, Sonic will have to race against rising sand that will crush him if he isn’t fast enough. During these periods you may have to stop and push switches and race into that particular area you opened. Robotnik even gets in on some of the fun by battling you with his new Egyptian Robot.

It’s a really spectacular stage that is worthy to go up against any video game.

There you have it, the Top 20 Sonic the Hedgehog Zones. Disagree with my choices? Let me know in the comments. Better yet, why not give me your Top 20 zones!

Part 1/Part 2

Play Nintendo's Top 20 Sonic the Hedgehog Zones - Part 1: #20-11

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, I thought that I'd go through each Sonic game and pick out my favourite zones. After playing through 52 zones spanning the classic Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD games, I have narrowed this list down to my favourite 20. It was grueling to replay each classic Sonic game, but I've accomplished that task and will now present Play Nintendo's Top 20 Sonic The Hedgehog Zones

20 – Jungle Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System/Game Gear)

This is a great zone for many reasons. First, it has an incredibly upbeat song worthy of any Sonic game; however, the jungle setting is the real strength. Sega was able to include many neat obstacles for Sonic to overcome in this zone, such as: rolling logs, vines, and even waterfalls. My favourite aspect of this Zone would be climbing the gigantic waterfall in Act 2. It’s a standout stage on the Master System game because it offers great platforming all the while advancing vertically. Yes, this is a change of pace for Sonic, but the design is honestly a lot of fun and challenging, not to mention the cool waterfall backdrop. Sonic even fights Robotnik high above the jungle, which is also a nice touch.

19 – Scrambled Egg Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Master System/Game Gear)

Another well designed stage from the Master System games makes this Top 20 list. Scrambled Egg Zone consists of a series of tubes that run throughout a blue mountain chain. Making it to the end of the Zone can be tricky because these tubes form an interconnected maze. Go the wrong direction and you could end up back where you began, which is a total pain. Sonic also battles Metal Sonic at the end of Act 3, which has a quite an epic feel in the darkest depths of Scrambled Egg Zone.

18 – Aqua Lake Zone - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Master System/Game Gear)

I’ll be getting away from the Master System games shortly, but for now let’s look at Aqua Lake Zone. Aqua Lake Zone combines the claustrophobic water level you’d expect from a Sonic game, but also throws in a few twists to keep things fresh. First off, you can actually skip across the water while rolling, which can completely cut off sections that you would otherwise have to navigate underwater. It’s a nice change as you can travel most of Act 1 above the water, Act 2 isn’t as nice. Act 2 brings back the tight water filled corridors you know so well, however, at certain points, when you’re not racing for an oxygen filled bubble to prevent Sonic from drowning, you can actually hitch a ride inside a bubble. You will need this bubble to get through sections of the Zone otherwise inaccessible.

17 – Green Hill Zone – Sonic The Hedgehog (Genesis)

What can I say about Green Hill Zone that you don’t already know? Perhaps one of the most familiar Zones in the Sonic franchise, Green Hill Zone features many nostalgic elements. For some, it was the first time you ran through loop-de-loops, or admired the unique art style exhibited in Sonic games. Green Hill Zone also portrays how speed and platforming can mesh together and create a new experience. It’s also home to one of the most familiar Sonic themes in the series. One listen to this song and you will agree that its adventurous spirit accompanies your first steps on Green Hill Zone perfectly.

16 - Sky Base Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System/Game Gear)

This is probably the most epic of all the Master System Zones. Sky Base Zone is a dark stage that occasionally lights up when electric beams are generated. Watch out though, as these beams are hazards that will have no problem hurting Sonic. Time your moves correctly in this wait and go situation. In my opinion, the real highlight comes in Act 2. During the second act you will navigate a blimp that’s already in flight. As you navigate the blimp you will notice that there are no rings to collect, which makes dodging its cannons even more important. Some tense music and the occasional cloud add to the Zone’s atmosphere. Miss a jump, or fall off the blimp and you will try again from the beginning.

15 - Carnival Night Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis)

One of the standout Zones from Sonic 3 and it’s a carnival theme! Littered throughout the stage are tons of balloon that can help you bounce to a new location, or large cylinders that Sonic can ride by holding on for dear life while spinning round and round. Carnival Night Zone also includes barrels that are tricky to control, which have been infuriating gamers for many years. No directions are given and you are left jumping up and down trying to reach an area you know you need to access. It’s quite nonsensical to put such an obstacle, but as with a real carnival, not everything is as it first seems. Add a creepy carnival theme that loops while you try to pass that barrel, and you have some true brilliance. This level will no doubt continue to clown many gamers for years to come.

14 – Star Light Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)

Star Light Zone really highlights a lot of the elements fans enjoy in the series. It is full of unbelievably fast stretches complete with loop-de-loops and springs, as well as a number of obstacles for Sonic to overcome. See-saws can be found throughout Star Light Zone and will help you access greater heights and ultimately, new paths giving you multiple routes to travel. This zone is also host an extremely charming theme that makes it really hard to dislike this Zone. End it with a crazy Robotnik battle that forces you to utilize see-saws as a weapon, and you have a really good and complete zone.

13 – Mystic Cave Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

Mystic Cave Zone is one of the most mysterious Zones in the Sonic series, and it has a lot of competition. Lots of obstacles await you in Mystic Cave zone, some of which are just plain brutal. Sonic will have to open gates with vines, jump across swinging platforms and avoid enemies that seem to pop out of nowhere. Mystic Cave Zone also punishes you for being careless by leading Sonic into spike filled pitfalls, and parts of the environment that may crush him without thinking twice. Mystic Cave Zone also includes a strange theme that has a very Inspector Gadget like feel. It’s a strange journey through this zone, but it is creative in design, creativity being something Sonic the Hedgehog 2 certainly doesn’t lack.

12 – Tidal Tempest – Sonic CD (Sega CD)

Tidal Tempest is in my opinion the best water level in any Sonic game. While the design is classic Sonic underwater labyrinth at its best, it stands out above the rest for other reasons. It has a dazzling soundtrack that really creates a gloomy underwater atmosphere. This music creates at atmosphere that I can imagine while being panic stricken and frantically searching for an opportunity to breathe. It gives you glimpses of hope and of darkness making the track pretty substantial. Tidal Tempest also gives us a unique spin on a classic Sonic 2 boss. Being completely submerged, you will have to breathe by hitting bubbles that surround Robotnik. Hitting these bubbles will also open an opportunity to strike him that is if you can avoid the lasers he shoots. Tidal Tempest really makes you feel Sonic’s struggle with the underwater world.

11 – Casino Night Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

A casino themed zone was a first for the Sonic series, even if it has been reused several times; the concept was at one point original. Casino Night Zone has many bumpers and flippers that can be used to guide Sonic to slot machines. Spin a winning combo and score some serious loot! Flashing lights and casino decor really add to the Las Vegas vibe, as does the very fat cat like theme. Sonic can spin through a variety of other elements such as elevators and pinball launchers which opens up a large number of paths to follow. Speaking of pinball, the boss battle with Robotnik plays similar to that of a pinball game, and is both fun and challenging!

Part 1/Part 2

iNintendo: Sonic Classic Collection (DS) Review

Read the Sonic Classic Collection Review Here