Bust the video game speed barrier wide open with Sonic The Hedgehog. Blaze by in a blur using the Super Sonic Spin Attack. Plummet down tunnels and spin through space. Bounce around till you're dizzy in a pinball machine. Bust the video game speed barrier wide open with Sonic The Hedgehog. Blaze by in a blur using the Super Sonic Spin Attack. Plummet down tunnels and spin through space. Bounce around till you're.
So, why didn’t I cover these before? Because they are very, very different games. New zones, changed level designs, no special stages, collecting the Chaos Emeralds within stages and 0-Ring Boss Fights; quite the difference!
So, lets go to the stories for each game!
Sonic 1 is the same as the Genesis/Mega Drive version; Dr. Robotnik invades Sonic’s home and he fights back. But Sonic 2’s story is a bit different; Dr. Robotnik capture’s Tails and its up to Sonic to collect the Chaos Emeralds; if he doesn’t collect all seven and give them to Robotnik, Tails is goner!
![Sega master system sonic Sega master system sonic](/uploads/1/1/9/8/119845743/239103232.jpg)
This leads to both games being quite different zone wise from the ‘main’ versions of the game. Sonic 1 MS has unique zones such as Bridge Zone, Jungle Zone and Sky Base but the main zones (Labyrinth, Green Hill, Scrap Brain) are still present. Sonic 2 MS has entirely unique places for the entire game (outside of a return to Green Hill).
So, we got two new adventures to blast through! Can we process this experience?
Sorry, sorry; tired joke!
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Sonic 1 MS/GG’s level design is a lot more focused on being balanced with speed/platforming, compared to the original Genesis/MegaDrive versions which had speed-focused levels (Green Hill, Spring Yard, Star Light) and platforming focused-levels (Labryth, Marble). This allows the game to be more enjoyable in some respects….but the level design can be a bit prick-ish at points.
See these? They are going to be your best friend in Sonic 1 & 2 MS/GG, as they are all over the place. You don’t die when you touch them, only lose rings but these alongside bottomless pits make level design focused on you being very careful through levels.
But its a great challenge and is rewarding! ……In the Master System version. Sonic 1 & 2 on the Game Gear has bad screen-crunch, so you can’t see everything around you. It is really, really bad with Sonic 2 Game Gear……as this it makes things a lot harder then they really have the right to be.
Take this boss for example:
You can’t see the balls landing on the ground, so you can’t avoid them to let them attack the robot in the pit; you will die a lot :(. This is where the Gems Collection comes into play!
Intuit quickbooks pro 2013 torrent. You can make quick-saves and restart from any point you had trouble with. I played these games using Sonic Adventure DX (Sonic 1 GG) and Gems Collection (Sonic 2 GG) so it helped a lot and made this issue more manageable.
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Now that I got my biggest issue out of the way, lets talk about the levels in detail!
Looks like Sonic is excited to learn about the levels!
Okay, Sonic 1’s stages are like I mentioned before, focused on melding platforming + speed and in my mind, it does it a bit better then Sonic. Manly from it being more consistent. Every level has a decent amount of speed vs in the Genesis version where you have two long zones with a major focus on slow platforming (Marble and Labyrinth).
Sonic 2’s stages are home to a number of fun gimmicks to play with. Take Sky High Zone for example. Sonic has this hang glider he can use to fly across the stage, controlling a bit like Cape Mario from Mario World:
If you nail the controls using this, you can fly past a lot of the zone. Or you can take the platforming focused path (filled with spikes) on the ground. Or, you can use your speed to stay on the middle path and use the cloud springs to say in the air for a long time.
It was one of my favorite zones in the game. Every zone in Sonic 2 Game Gear works like this and it allows for some really fun platforming!
So overall thoughts on level design? Solid and it does a great job emulating the ‘Sonic’ feel the Genesis games focus on.
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Next up is the presentation and it does a good job.
Art style for both games are simple (due to the 8-bit nature) but they stick out well to the point that they are quite nice looking.
The music for both games rocks, as while we got some remixes for Sonic 1, Sonic 2 is entirely new tracks with one notable exception.
Sky High Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QKx…8PD70&index=24
Green Hills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBgC…8PD70&index=15
Boss Theme (Sonic 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhql…g8PD70&index=6
Aqua Lake Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qmf…k7i1cu4ug8PD70
Ending Theme (Master System): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA2e…k7i1cu4ug8PD70
Good Ending Theme: http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for…%3D245ea71VCE8
Gimmick Mountain Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn84…k7i1cu4ug8PD70
Green Hill (Sonic 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVUK…768DBC15D73A37
Bridge Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkS_…D73A37&index=4
Sky Base Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NFk…D73A37&index=8
Boss Theme (Sonic 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUHY…73A37&index=12
Scrap Brain Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dch…D73A37&index=7
Life Lost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq4F…73A37&index=15
Boss Theme (Game Gear): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMtc6ao5uQM
Sky High Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QKx…8PD70&index=24
Green Hills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBgC…8PD70&index=15
Boss Theme (Sonic 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhql…g8PD70&index=6
Aqua Lake Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qmf…k7i1cu4ug8PD70
Ending Theme (Master System): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA2e…k7i1cu4ug8PD70
Good Ending Theme: http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for…%3D245ea71VCE8
Gimmick Mountain Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn84…k7i1cu4ug8PD70
Green Hill (Sonic 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVUK…768DBC15D73A37
Bridge Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkS_…D73A37&index=4
Sky Base Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NFk…D73A37&index=8
Boss Theme (Sonic 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUHY…73A37&index=12
Scrap Brain Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dch…D73A37&index=7
Life Lost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq4F…73A37&index=15
Boss Theme (Game Gear): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMtc6ao5uQM
Both of these games have amazing music and they stand alongside the other iconic tracks from the Classic Era :).
Also interesting is that Sonic 1 GG/Master System was going to have Marble Zone! NeoGaffer Ferr986 corrected me regarding the ending themes but also brought attention to this track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU6T5pb9nhs This is Marble Zone’s 8-Bit rendition….so it was likely meant for a real Marble Zone in Sonic 1 GG/MS but they ran out of time or something and never put it in the final game (though its hidden away inside the rom). San angelo poker. Thank you for sharing this with us man!
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So, overall thoughts on these two gems? Really fun platforms that while very hard, well worth playing! Some of the best games from this Era for Sonic and stands right next to the Genesis games in my book.
Honestly was surprised with these two games and being surprised was one of the reasons I started this retrospective; revisiting games I thought were bad or thought were ‘Meh’. But, my mind completely changed with these two games; iconic classics that everyone should give a look!
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Sonic the Hedgehog |
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Developer: Ancient Publisher: Sega Platforms: Sega Master System, Game Gear Released in JP: December 28, 1991 Released in US: December 1991 Released in EU: December 1991 This game has hidden developer credits. This game has a prototype articleThis game has hidden development-related text. This game has unused enemies. This game has unused graphics. This game has unused music. This game has unused sounds. This game has a prerelease article |
The 8-bit ports of Sonic the Hedgehog scaled down the Genesis game and included the all-new Bridge, Jungle, and Sky Base (not to be confused with Sky Chase) Zones. Given the limitations, it wasn't too bad.
Although they're mostly the same content-wise, the Game Gear version has some unused sprites the Master System version doesn't, and vice-versa. The Game Gear's smaller screen also meant that things had to be scaled down, resulting in the Green Hill boss being laughably easy. Quand doubler au blackjack.
The Master System version also holds the distinction of being the last game released for the console in North America.
- 1Unused Graphics
- 6Unused Text
Unused Graphics
Level Art
Artwork | Name | Description |
---|---|---|
Green Hill Totem Pole | Used in the Master System version, but not the Game Gear one. | |
Green Hill Corner Tile | An unused corner piece. | |
Bridge Zone Tiles | A spring in front of checkerboard, and a pole in front of some sky tiles. The bridges in this Zone are never high enough to hit sky level. | |
Jungle Zone Spring | A spring not set on grass. Probably intended for Act 2. | |
Labyrinth Pillars | Some unused big and small pillar tiles! These were created specifically for the 8-bit versions, and they have no equivalent in the Genesis version. | |
Sky Base Tiles | A chain facing southeast, and an unused cannon facing northeast. | |
Sky Base 3 Tiles | Some unused slopes, and what appear to be laser turrets. The latter tiles are not in the Game Gear version. | |
Sky Base 3 Slopes | Just some unused slope tiles. Game Gear version only. |
(Source: GoldS, Sonic Retro)
Objects
Artwork | Name | Description |
---|---|---|
Ground Segment | Appears amongst the object tiles for Bridge Zone. It almost looks like the top is melted. | |
Door? | Appears amongst the object tiles for Labyrinth Zone. Perhaps it was intended to be a switch-operated door, like the ones in the Genesis version? | |
Unused Newtron | Found in Green Hill's tileset in the VRAM. These two animations are unused, while another animation is used only in Jungle Zone. Master System version only. | |
Shield | May be an early shield animation. Game Gear version only. | |
Unused Enemy | Graphics for the enemy Batbrain appear among the Green Hill objects, and were probably meant to be used in the caves of Act 2. The Genesis version uses them in Marble Zone, not present in either 8-bit port. Game Gear version only. |
(Source: Sonic Retro)
Ancient
Ancient handled the 8-bit ports of Sonic 1 and were evidently going to credit themselves on the title screen with the text '©SEGA/Ancient 1991'. In the end, though, only Sega received credit.
Early Credits Screen
An early version of the credits screen can be found in the Master System version at ROM offset 16AEE. The triangles in the background were replaced with yellow and blue stars in the final version.
Unused Music
An unused rendition of Marble Zone's theme is present in the Master System version's ROM at offset CD0A. This and the unused Batbrain graphics (present only in the Game Gear version) suggest that Marble was intended to be included in the 8-bit ports but was cut due to time or space issues.
Hi Nikhil, I cannot open or save any.pdf files from the internet. I have financial accounts I access via IE9 (AMEx, etc.) and I cannot open or view or save the monthly statements that are in.pdf format. I can open existing.pdf files that were saved to my desktop prior to the 10.1.3 update. Open Acrobat Reader Click Tools, Preferences and then on the Internet category. Uncheck the first check box which says 'Display PDF in browser', click OK and close Acrobat Reader. The above solutions have fix the problem in almost 100% of the cases where I have experienced this problem. Common symptoms when you can't view a PDF on the web: A blank page in the web. Pdf files won t open in internet explorer.
Unused Sounds
This sound echoes twice. Unknown what it could have been used for. It could have been used for entering a Bonus Stage.
A heavy bubbling sound. May have had a use in Marble Zone before it was scrapped?
An alternative sound to the bumper sound? Free full psp games direct download.
Sounds like an alarm. May have had a use in Scrap Brain and/or Sky Base?
(Source: Original TCRF research)
Unused Text
Developer Text
A copyright string starts at 0x3B:
Filler Text
A text string (with minor variations) used as filler in the ROM banks.
Version Differences
Sonic 1 Sega Master System Online
To do: This section is WIP: add more detail, elaboration, screenshots, etc. Extremely long and in-depth video. |
The 8-bit versions of Sonic 1 are mostly identical, but besides the resolution there are some differences in the Game Gear version:
- A white Sega splash screen with an animated Sonic and the trademark 'Sega!' voice clip was added. This was done because the Game Gear doesn't have a logo screen incorporated into the BIOS, unlike the Master System.
- The smog clouds above Scrap Brain on the map screen were redrawn.
- The sprites for Sonic, invincibility, and shields were all redrawn to be smaller, to account for the reduced screen size.
- Most stages have altered layouts, from simply moving a few rings around to completely removing or replacing entire chunks of levels.
- Warning signs were added near spike pits and cliffs in Green Hill in the Game Gear version. Various background elements were altered as well, such as the color of the mountains and the flower animations (which are closer to the 16-bit game).
- The Special Stages have different layouts in the Game Gear version. On the first 'loop', the stages have a time limit of 2 minutes rather than 1.
- Due to the smaller screen, the Green Hill boss flies much lower and can be reached from the ground, making it a complete joke.
- On the other hand, the Bridge Zone boss is trickier, taking place on an actual bridge rather than an island.
- Fruit appears in the background of Jungle Zone.
- In the Master System version of Jungle Zone Act 2, the screen continuously locks as Sonic travels upwards through the stage, with the bottom of the screen acting as a bottomless pit. This little challenge would naturally have been completely unfair on the Game Gear, so it was removed.
- Jungle Zone's boss takes place in a steeper arena in the Game Gear version, making the bombs harder to avoid.
- The first two Acts of Labyrinth Zone have radically different layouts between versions. Most notably, the Chaos Emerald is much easier to get. In the Master System version, the Emerald is sitting in the middle of a spike pit; to get it, the player must collect an invincibility power-up a few screens below, run through a lengthy obstacle course to get to the spike pit, jump in, grab the Emerald, and jump out before the invincibility wears off. In the Game Gear version, it's just. sitting there, out in the open, very near the end signpost.
- The final boss no longer enters a second phase, and attacks with three floor-mounted flamethrowers rather than a moving electric wall. The homing device was also moved from above Robotnik to the middle of the ceiling.
- The credits text has been updated to reflect the hardware.
- The end of act panel prize mechanics are different between versions: In the Master System version, Sonic panels were obtained by finishing an act with a specific amount of rings, and ring panels were obtained by having a multiple of 10 rings. In the Game Gear version, panel prizes appear to be random, and do not seem to be influenced by the amount of rings you had. The Game Gear version also adds point bonuses to end of act panels.
(Source: Original TCRF research)
The Sonic the Hedgehog series | |
---|---|
Sega Genesis | Sonic the Hedgehog • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Prototypes) • Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Prototype) • Sonic & Knuckles (Prototypes) • Sonic 3 & Knuckles • Sonic 3D Blast (Prototypes) • Sonic Spinball (Prototype) Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (Prototype) • Sonic Classics |
Sega Master System | Sonic the Hedgehog • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 • Sonic Chaos (Prototypes) • Sonic Blast • Sonic Spinball Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine • Sonic's Edusoft |
Game Gear | Sonic the Hedgehog (Prototype) • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Prototype) • Sonic Chaos (Prototypes) • Sonic Triple Trouble (Prototypes) Sonic Spinball (Prototype) • Sonic Drift 2 • Sonic Labyrinth • Sonic Blast (Prototypes) Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine • Tails' Skypatrol • Tails Adventures |
Arcade | SegaSonic Cosmo Fighter • SegaSonic the Hedgehog (Prototype) • Sonic Championship • SegaSonic Bros. |
Sega CD | Sonic the Hedgehog CD (Prototypes) |
32X | Knuckles' Chaotix (Prototypes) |
Sega Pico | Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld • Tails and the Music Maker (Prototypes) |
Windows | Sonic the Hedgehog CD (1996, 2011) • Sonic's Schoolhouse • Sonic & Knuckles Collection • Sonic 3D Blast • Sonic R Sonic Heroes • Sonic Riders • Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (2004, Demo, 2011) • Sonic Adventure 2 Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I (Prototypes) • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II (Prototype) • Sonic Generations (Demos) • Sonic Lost World • Sonic Mania • Sonic Forces • Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing • Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed • Team Sonic Racing |
Sega Saturn | Sonic X-treme • Sonic 3D Blast (Prototype) • Sonic Jam (Prototype) • Sonic R (Preview) |
Game.com | Sonic Jam |
Dreamcast | Sonic Adventure (Prototypes) • Sonic Adventure 2 (Prototypes) • Sonic Shuffle (Debug Version) |
Neo Geo Pocket Color | Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Prototypes) |
Game Boy Advance | Sonic Advance (Prototype) • Sonic Advance 2 • Sonic Advance 3 (Prototype) • Sonic Battle • Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis |
GameCube | Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (Demo) • Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (Prototypes) • Sonic Heroes (Prototypes) Shadow the Hedgehog • Sonic Mega Collection (Prototype) • Sonic Gems Collection • Sonic Riders |
PlayStation 2 | Sonic Heroes • Shadow the Hedgehog • Sonic Riders • Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity • Sonic Unleashed • Sonic Gems Collection |
Xbox | Sonic Heroes • Shadow the Hedgehog • Sonic Riders |
Nintendo DS | Sonic Rush (Demo) • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Beijing 2008) • Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing • Sonic Classic Collection |
PlayStation Portable | Sonic Rivals |
Xbox 360 | Sonic the Hedgehog (Demo) • Sonic Unleashed (Preview) • Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I (Prototypes) • Sonic Generations (Demos) • Sonic Adventure 2 • Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed |
Wii | Sonic Unleashed • Sonic Colors • Beijing 2008 • London 2012 • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I (Prototypes) • Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing • Sonic and the Black Knight • Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity |
PlayStation 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I (Prototypes) • Sonic Adventure 2 • Sonic Generations (Demos) • Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed |
Nintendo 3DS | Sonic Generations • Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed |
Wii U | Sonic Lost World • Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric • Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed |
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Sonic Mania |
J2ME | Sonic the Hedgehog Mobile • Sonic Jump |
Leapster | Sonic X |
N-Gage | Sonic N |
iOS/Android | Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I (Prototypes) • Sonic the Hedgehog • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 • Sonic the Hedgehog CD Sonic Jump • Sonic Dash • Sonic Runners |
Plug & Play | Super Sonic Gold |
Sega Master System Sonic 1.4
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