Sonic the Hedgehog

Released in 1991

Object of the Game: To stop Robotnik and collect the 6 Chaos Emeralds

It is Sonic. Whats not to like?

The first Sonic game ever made is not the best one every made, but still fun. In this game, Sonic's health is based on rings. If you have rings then you can't die. Or so you would think. Even if Sonic does have rings, he can still die by drowning, falling off the screen, geting crushed by something, or failing to finish a level in under 10 minutes. Sonic 2 and the other Sonic games by Sonic Team are way more fun that this game, which seems to have a few problems.

First of all, in a game where your main character is based on speed, don't let there be slowdown. This ruins everything.

There also never seems to be a real sence of speed. Only when you get the fast running shoes power-up you start to get some speed. This game seems to be more on platform action than speed. Something the other Sonic games fixed.

There are 6 "Zones" each with 3 Acts or levels. In the 3rd Act at the end of every Zone, you fight Robotnik in another one of his fantastic robot machines. Yeah right. This guy is always patheticaly easy to beat. He only seems hard in the Labyrinth Zone because of that constant fear of drowning.

Green Hill Zone: Sonic's trademark grass level. You run past everything and grab rings are introduced to the game.

Marble Zone: Still not very hard. Lava and getting crushed is the only real fear here. Spring Yard Zone: The level that every Sonic game seems to have. The pinball level. Things get harder here, but not really.

Labyrinth Zone: Water is your biggest fear. This level is hard and can get you frustrated your first time around. Better grab those air bubbles...

Star Light Zone: This zone should have been placed before Labyrinth. It is much easier.

Scrap Brain Zone: Okay, after the Star Light Zone, now you have to finish these hard levels. Act 2 is the hardest level in the game and Act 3 of this Zone is a dreaded water level.

There are also 6 secret stages that you must play in order to collect the 6 Chaos Emeralds. You roll around in a 360 rotating maze. The Emerald is not that hard to get but some people say it is. Well, if you're a Sonic Master like myself...

You knew you would eventually see another Sonic review

Graphics: An early Genesis game. This did not come out at launch though because a lot of people think it did. The graphics are good for a Genesis game. When you run fast you can see Sonic's spikes being blown by the wind. There is some sprite collision though. Like in Star Light Zone when those Egg Bombs blow up. 8/10

Sound: The Sonic series has been known for great music. I love the themes of Green Hill, Marble, and Labyrinth. There are still things that get anoying though. Sonic's jumping sound will make you want to stop jumping entirely. Other than that, the sound rules. 9.10

Control: Sonic moves around with the greatest of ease, except in the water that is... Moving around in water is like manuvering Sonic in a bowl of think syrup. This is not fruity at all! 9/10

How Fun Is It?: Well, if you want my opinion then I would tell you that this game is so fun that you should run out to play this game non stop every day taking a break only to breath until you have finished the game with all 6 emeralds. But that is just my opinion. Others say this game is the weakest of the Sonic Team Sonics. And it could be. The game just seems too slow. 6/10

The Fruit: I AM GOING INSANE! IF I DON'T FIND A GAME WITH A DECENT AMOUNT OF FRUIT THEM.... I mean, look elsewhere for your fruity needs...1/10

Final Score: 7/10

Turn up the volume

A 10 year old game. Yep, it does show its age a little. But can be some fun for everyone, even for a few minutes at a time.