Virtual Console Review: Sonic the Hedgehog

System: Genesis
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Virtual Console Release: Nov. 19, 2006 (USA) / Dec. 8, 2006 (EUR) / Dec. 2, 2006 (JPN)
Original Release: Jun. 23, 1991 (USA and EUR) / Jun. 26, 1991 (JPN)
Cost: 800 points
Players: 1
Rated: E (Everyone)

The Sega Genesis arrived on American store shelves on August 14, 1989, (October 29, 1988 in Japan and November 30, 1990 in Europe) yet I remained blissfully unaware of the consoles existence until the summer of 1991. Sega's 16-bit baby didn't even register as a blip on my radar until Sonic the Hedgehog came along. Sonic was hip, cool, and had an attitude, the exact opposite as the joyful Mario. In fact, Sonic was originally created for the soul purpose of combating Nintendo's plumber mascot. Many would argue that the 16-bit console wars didn't really begin until Sonic the Hedgehog arrived to give Nintendo some serious competition, resulting in some of the best games from both the SNES and the Genesis. Looking back on the original game that gave birth to the whole Sonic series and setting aside the rodent's attitude and the console wars, the first Sonic game still holds up magnificently well.

(Insert fond memories of running through
Green Hill Zone here.)

Sonic has his work cut out for him. He has to transverse through six zones, consisting of three acts each to save the planet from Dr. Robotnik, a typical (yet still awesome) mad scientist that gets extra shades of evil for placing adorable woodland creatures into killer robots. At the end of each third act, the doctor himself will confront Sonic in a boss fight with some sort of machine or clever deathtrap.

What set Sonic apart from other platformers out at the time was the emphasis on Sonic's speed. By bouncing of springs or simply running fast, Sonic could run faster than anyone or anything in a video game. At times he could move so fast the screen would struggle to keep up with him. Most of the zones were built to take into account Sonic's quickness. There are ramps, loop-the-loops, and steep hills that Sonic can use to gain speed to run even faster. Whether you're watching someone zipping around the zones or doing it yourself, it's a whole lot of fun. Although even with the focus on going fast, Sonic the Hedgehog is at it's core, still a platform game. There will be many times where you'll have to slow down or you'll fall into a pit or meet your end by some other means. But like the speed elements, the platforming is also fine tuned. There are collapsing platforms to jump across, swing platforms, spiked bridges to cross and even some light puzzle elements where you'll have to move a block on a switch in order to keep moving forward. Pretty routine stuff, but marvelous execution wins the day.

One of the six tripy special stages.

Unless Sonic has some rings or a shield, he's a one hit point wonder. Rings keep you safe from enemies but if you touch them, all your rings will be lost. You can gather some back, but if you had a lot, there's no way you can recollect them all. Rings also serve as a means to gaining extra lives and if you have 50 or more by the time you reach the end of the first and second acts, you can jump through a giant ring and play through a special stage. The special stages confine Sonic to his ball form where you must navigate your way to the Chaos Emerald while avoid the exits. Collecting all six Chaos Emeralds allows you to see the "true ending." Spoiler alter: there's not a huge difference between the game's two endings, but unless you want Robotnik gloating over you at the very end like a smug jerk, you'll have to collect them all.

Take my word for it: drowning SUCKS. No matter
how busy you are in Labyrinth Zone, get those
air bubbles!

Sonic's world is rich with vibrant colors that are clearly visible no matter how fast he's running, which surprised many when the game first released. Green Hill Zone, the most remembered level of any Sonic title is overflowing with palm trees huge loops, lots of waterfalls and looks just as beautiful as it did in 1991. The rest of the Zones also still look spectacular and sport super slick level designs. In fact, I dare say that the original Sonic the Hedgehog has the best designed zones of all the Genesis games, perhaps even all of the 2D Sonic titles.

Bottomless pits, fire, electrocution, razor blades, crushers.
There are no shortage of ways to die in Scrap Brain Zone. 

In order to make Sonic's first game sound just as good as it looks, Sega brought in Masato Nakamura, a J-pop band member of Dremas Come True to compose the game's soundtrack. The result is some of the most splendid music to ever come out of Genesis hardware. Green Hill Zone's theme music is every bit as memorable as Super Mario Bros. Ground Theme, Spring Yard Zone's music gives off the perfect vibe of casino city life at night and Scrap Brain Zone's dark, haunting, heavy drum pounding music is just perfect for the last few acts.

The original Sonic the Hedgehog may seem more streamlined compared to later games, but just running fast, solid platforming, and using three buttons to jump all worked out so well twenty years ago and it still holds up as one of the Genesis' best games. You'd be doing yourself a great disservice by not downloading this one on the Virtual Console.







The Path to Sonic's Design
Think Sonic came out a hedgehog from the get go? Think again. Artists at Sega underwent numerous designs before it was settled that he would be the speedy blue rodent we all know and love. Check out what some of the proposed designs were leading up to the final decision.

Believe it or not, this Theodore Roosevelt-inspired
character was a possible candidate for being the hero of the game.
Ultimately, he was thrust into another role.

Who's That Girl?

Would you believe Sonic originally had a love interest as early as his first adventure, one that wasn't a squirrel or another hedgehog? Madonna was a human female designed in what seems like a similar vein to Jessica Rabbit. What role she may have played in the game is unknown because Sonic the Hedgehog Sega of America project manager Madeline Shcroeder ordered Madonna to be given the ax. Why? It was thought that with Madonna gone, Sonic the Hedgehog would sell much better in the West. In hindsight, considering the negative fan reaction to the romance between Sonic and Princess Elise in Sonic the Hedgehog 2006, that's pretty freaking hilarious. 


Special thanks to Sonic Retro for the images and info.