Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit video game)
| Sonic the Hedgehog | |
|---|---|
| File:Sonicmastersystem.PNG Master System version box art | |
| Developer(s) | Ancient |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Shinobu Hayashi (Programming), Ayano Koshiro and Takefuni Yunoue (Design), Masato Nakamura and Yuzo Koshiro (Sound and music) |
| Platform(s) | Master System, Game Gear, Virtual Console |
| Release | Master System  October 25 1991Game Gear  December 28 1991 December 1991Virtual Console August 4, 2008 September 19, 2008 |
| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game that was released for the Sega Master System and the Game Gear. The game loosely followed the design of the 16-bit game.[citation needed] The Sega Master System version was the final title for the console released in the USA and is now on the Wii Virtual Console, released 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 and Xbox.
The game was built into some versions of the Sega Master System II, the end game credits are missing in this version as after counting the final score, it stays on the screen with South Island in the background and starts playing the music of the Green Hill Zone.
Gameplay
The gameplay featured slightly different mechanics to the 16-bit version. Level designs were different and new stages were created for the game. Chaos Emeralds now had to be found within certain levels, as opposed to finding them in Special Stages, and boss levels did not have any rings, requiring you to beat the level without getting hit. At the end of an act, the panel would land on an icon that, based on certain requirements, would offer a bonus such as extra rings, lives or access to the Special Stage.
As this is a portable game, the designers intended for the graphics to be easily viewed by the players. The designers used "soft" colors which do not cause eye strain. At the same time the designers ensured that the graphics did not heavily differ from the Mega Drive games.[2]
Master System version
The Master System version contains 6 Zones, each made up of 3 Acts. In each zone, the third act contains a boss battle with Dr. Robotnik and a Chaos Emerald is hidden in one of the first two acts.[3]
Game Gear version
The Game Gear version has a lower screen resolution, but a larger color palette, and slightly different physics.
The Game Gear 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]