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-- General Info --
Title: Sonic the Hedgehog
System: Sega Master System/Mark III, Sega Game Gear
Developer: Sega of Japan
Genre: Platformer
Rating: N/A

-- Release Info --
Latin America: October 25, 1991 (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Japan: December 28, 1991 (Sonic the Hedgehog)
USA: December, 1991 (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Europe: December, 1991 (Sonic the Hedgehog)

-- Media --
· US Game Gear box
· Master System box
· Art from an old game review

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-- Sonic the Hedgehog --
   After the real deal hit the shelves, Sega wasted no time in moving their new mascot to all corners of their kingdom. While not as pretty or as fast as its Genesis counterpart, the 8-bit build proves to be a moderately enjoyable diversion. (Besides, that rockin' DJ Sonic in the credits is just too cool!)
-- Story --
   All is not well on South Island: Dr. Ivo Robotnik -- evil genius, freaky egg-shaped dude, and all-round mean person -- has begun turning innocent animals into robots to run his factories and help him take over the world! At the center of Robotnik's takeover plot are the six Chaos Emeralds, which hold legendary power. If he were to get those stones in his oily hands, all hope would be lost! Not good. Only one speedy, spiky, blue hedgehog has the moves and the wits to set the Eggman straight: Sonic the Hedgehog!
-- Gameplay Info --
   The original gameplay is, for the most part, well intact. The level designs are much simpler, obviously, but the only place where it's really bad is in Green Hill Act 1, which is almost nothing but a flat plane with a couple hills and holes to jump over.

   There are still six Chaos Emeralds to collect, although you won't find them in the Special Stages...they're hidden around the Zones, one in each. Spot it, get to it, grab it. What could be easier? The real issue is that they're all the exact same color...

   If you've got 50 Rings when you reach the exit, you'll spin an exclamation point on the Bonus Panel and be warped to the Special Stage. It's a zany maze of bumpers and stuff filled with Rings, One-Ups, Continues, and all sorts of goodies. The catch? Don't make it to the exit in time, and you don't get to keep a dime of your loot. So you'd better beat feet and cut cheese!

   The Bonus Panels (the signs you spin at the end of each non-boss Act) now have a number of different faces that pop up, each having a different effect:

  • Robotnik -- Nothing happens
  • Ring -- You get 10 Rings
  • Sonic -- You get an extra life
  • Exclamation Point -- You're warped to the Special Stage (provided you have 50 Rings)

   Each of the seven Zones consists of three Acts, but the third Act is nothing more than a short field with a couple of obstacles and a boss slapped right on the end. The big problem is that there are no Rings in boss Acts... The new levels are:

  • Green Hill -- Similar in appearance to its Genesis counterpart, but quite straightforward in design. Home to Moto Bug (Motora) and Netwron (Mereon).
  • Bridge -- A series of connecting bridges built over a mountain lake. In Act 2, the level scrolls automatically and you've got to keep up. Home to Chopper (Batabata), Yadrin, and Buzz Bomber (Biiton).
  • Jungle -- The first of only two jungle-themed Zones in all of Sonic history. It's fast, wild, and pretty. The second Act scrolls upward through a giant waterfall. Home to Caterkiller (Naaru), Buzz Bomber (Biiton), and Newtron (Mereon).
  • Labyrinth -- Similar in appearance and design to its Genesis counterpart. Home to Burrobot (Ogurin) and Jaws (Pukupuku).
  • Scrap Brain -- Similar in appearance to its Genesis counterpart, only designed more like a massive metal labyrinth. With teleports! Good, old-fashioned interdimensional fun! Home to Caterkiller (Naaru) and Ball Hog (Tonton).
  • Sky Base -- Big guns...REALLY big guns. And some electrical conduits in the background that shock you in the foreground. Home to Bomb.

   And last but not least, here's a list of the monitor items:

  • Super Ring -- Worth 10 Rings
  • Shield -- Protects you from one hit
  • Power Sneakers -- Temporarily raises your speed
  • One-Up -- Gives you an extra chance
  • Invincible -- Makes you invinible for a short time
  • Arrow -- Marks your position in the level

-- Screenshots --
Title Screen Green Hill Zone Bridge Zone Jungle Zone Labyrinth Zone Scrap Brain Zone Sky Base Zone Special Stage

This page was written and designed by Jared "Green Gibbon!" Matte. Make no mistake, this site is a part of SonicNEXT. All Sonic related materials are copyright Sega Enterprises. SonicNEXT is created by Zifei Wu. Space provided by VGHQ.com. Hey, there's a blue speck on your Game Gear screen, man. Oh wait, that's Sonic...so the red speck is Robotnik? Oh, it's ketchup...