Sonic the Hedgehog
Developer(s)	Ancient
Publisher(s)	Sega
Designer(s)	Shinobu Hayashi (Programming), Ayano Koshiro and Takefuni Yunoue (Design)
Composer(s)	Masato Nakamura Yūzō Koshiro
Platform(s)	Master System, Game Gear,Xbox Live Arcade, Virtual Console
Release date(s)	Master System NA October 25, 1991 EU October 25, 1991 BRA 1991/1992 Game Gear JP December 28, 1991 NA December 1991 EU December 1991 BRA 1991/1992 Virtual Console NA August 4, 2008 EU September 19, 2008
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	Single player

Sonic the Hedgehog is a platform video game that was released in 1991 for the Sega Master System and the Game Gear. It is distinct from the more popular 16-bit game. In addition to its original release as a cartridge, the game was later built into some versions of the Sega Master System II in Europe.

In 2007 it was re-released for Xbox Live Arcade. In 2008 it was also re-released for Wii Virtual Console in North America on August 4, 2008^[1] and in Europe on September 19, 2008.The Game Gear version has appeared with other titles on Sonic Adventure DX for GameCube and PC and Sonic Mega Collection (Plus) for GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC.

[edit] Gameplay

The game consists of six worlds (called zones), each made up of three acts.^[2] In each act, the player must survive enemies and obstacles while progressing through the stage to accomplish a goal within the time limit. In the first two acts, the goal is to cross a Bonus Plate at the end, a signboard which then spins on its post to reveal a possible random bonus such as extra rings, lives, or access to a Special Stage. The third act contains a boss battle with Dr. Robotnik.^[3]

The game features the same general mechanics as the Mega Drive game, in which Sonic can run at high speeds, and roll or somersault into things to damage them with his spines. Throughout the game Sonic can collect rings, which protect him in the event of a contact-based injury. Boss levels have no rings, requiring the player to traverse them without being hit. The player has a number of lives with which to complete the game. If all lives are lost, the game ends.

Though three of the six zones are adapted from the Mega Drive game (Green Hill Zone, Labyrinth Zone, Scrap Brain Zone) with different level designs, the others are based on original themes (Bridge Zone, Jungle Zone, Sky Base Zone). The more limited capabilities of the 8-bit Master System and Game Gear compared to the 16-bit Mega Drive influenced the design changes, which include a reduced speed and an absence of loops. In each zone, a Chaos Emerald is hidden in one of the first two acts, as opposed to being in the center of Special Stages as in the Mega Drive game.

In contrast to the the Mega Drive game, the end game credits are missing in this game. After counting the final score, the screen with the South Island in the background remains and an adapted version of the Green Hill Zone music plays.

[edit] Game Gear version

Compared to the Master System version, the Game Gear version has a lower screen resolution, a larger color palette, a bit more sound channels, and slightly different physics and level designs.^[3] Sonic himself also has a sprite different from that of the Master System version.

This version was featured in the compilation Sonic Mega Collection Plus and was an unlockable in Sonic Adventure DX. A conversion for Palm Tungsten handhelds was also released in 2003 by Sega Mobile.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] On Television

A prototype of this game was featured on the popular Nickelodeon game show Nick Arcade.

[edit] References