Review: Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis (Gameboy Advance)

Review
Gameboy Advance Version

Oh, how the mighty hath fallen. After Sonic '06, SEGA needed something to get Sonic back on his feet. So SEGA announced a re-release of Sonic 1 for the Gameboy Advance. Insert Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis - the game many consider to be the worst in the franchise. And after playing just four minutes of the game, I cannot blame them.

Upon imediately starting the game, I noticed the first problem - the music. The music in this game is terrible. Listen to how the music sounded on the SEGA Genesis...

And now listen to it on the Gameboy Advance...

See?

But it takes more that bad music to make a bad game. That's where the gameplay comes in, as it makes sure that this game is horrendous.

Take a look at the screenshots below...

Original Version

GBA Version

Don't see the difference? Let me tell you - the camera is a close-up of Sonic. While I am aware that Sonic is the main character, that doesn't mean I need to constantly be reminded.

The camera also interferes with the game. Because you are zoomed in on Sonic, it's hard to see what enemies are going to attack you next, unless you've memorized the layout.

Another thing that's terribly wrong with this version is that the physics engine is broken. First of all, it takes a while for Sonic to come to a halt. It's as if Sonic is in an ice rink...

I swear, I was not holding down left or right here...

Another problem with the physics engine is how high you can jump. Apparently, you can jump extremely high, and thus, you can skip important puzzles, and make mince meat of bosses.

Just keep bouncing on Robotnik's head, and you win!

Another problem with the game is that there is massive slowdown EVERYWHERE. There is no escape from the slowdown in this game, which only takes off more points.

The spin is difficult to pull off, due to how you pull it off. Anyone who's played the original Sonic would think to keep holding left or right and press down. But no, you have to LET GO of left or right and THEN press down. Sometimes I forget, and it has gotten me killed.

It's because of this that the Anniversary Mode is more playable, because in that mode, you have the Super Sonic Spin Dash. (I'll talk more about it in my Sonic 2 review.) But it still has the other problems the Original Mode has.

Finally, the last problem I have with the game is the special stage. It is WAY TOO FAST!

Wheeeee!

Unlike the main game, that slows down way too much, this maze doesn't slow down at all. It's nice to see a part of the game that DOESN'T have slowdown, but they made it way too fast, so I was kind of hoping for some slowdown in this part.

This game is bad, but it is only made worse because it's a port of a once great game. Which begs the question, "did they put any effort into this game?"

Nope. It's terrible. So, for puking all over my childhood, this game gets:

2/10

Horrendous

Do NOT play this game. You will be happy you stayed away from this insult to a masterpiece.

Review: Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

Review

Back in the 90's, Nintendo was king. Every company (other than Nintendo) had a mission: take Mario down. No one (at the time) had even come close. Nintendo's chubby plumber had captivated the hearts of millions. It was a time when Nintendo had the power. (Nintendo Power, that is!)

So, what could take down Mario, you may ask? A company in Japan, called SEGA, had one chance to compete with the NES. They were armed with only a blue hedgehog that had red shoes and super speed: in the beginning, he was was known as Mr. Needlemouse. Today, he is known around the world by one name: Sonic the Hedgehog.

At first, it had little effect, but then Sonic the Hedgehog became bundled with the SEGA Genesis (SEGA Megadrive in Japan) and Sonic stole the hearts of many-all of them were originally Nintendo's.

For the first time, Nintendo had competition. The world's fiercest video game war had just only begun.

Back in 1991, the game was a masterpiece. But how does it hold up today?

The first screen in Sonic the Hedgehog only symbolised the adventure to come. But does it hold up by today's standards?

Like Mario, Sonic could attack his enemies by jumping on their heads. But he also had a Super Sonic Rolling Attack (I just call it "ball form.") in which he could roll into enemies.

Sonic's health was also very different. Instead of having to collect a Super Mushroom to avoid one hit deaths, he had to collect Gold Rings. If he got hit with at least one ring, he was safe.

The rings also returned in the future games.

But the main difference between Sonic and Mario was the sheer amount of speed in the game. The game was based around momentum-based platforming, and the amazing physics engine helped with that.

Loop-de-loops. A classic.

The graphics in the game were amazing, even for a SEGA Genesis game. (That's saying something.) They ranged from colorful and bright to dark and eerie. Mostly colorful.

Green Hill Zone in particular had graphics that were eye-catching.

The control was fairly simple. Each button did the same thing, and because the controller was not pressure sensitive, you sped up as you ran.

Finally, the plot was fairly simple. Mad Scientist Doctor Robotnik had captured the animals of South Island and turned them into robots. Your job was to collect six magical stones called "Chaos Emeralds" and stop the evil Doctor once and for all.

Robotnk: The antagonist of the game.

Overall, Sonic the Hedgehog still stands up, even by today's standards. It is, and still stands to be, one of the best games I have ever played. I'm not afraid to give it:

10/10

Amazing

If you ever get the chance to play it, do so. It is a classic that will not easily be forgotten.