Title:
Sonic the Hedgehog

Genre:
2D Platformer

Platform:
Mega Drive/Genesis

Developer:
Sonic Team

Release Dates:
North America: 23/6/91
Europe: 23/6/91
Japan: 26/7/91

Memory:
None

Players:
1

Zones:
7

Playable:
Sonic

Re-releases:
Sonic Compilation (MD)
Sonic Jam (Sat)
Sega Smash Pack (PC/DC)
Sonic Mega Collection (GCN)
Sonic the Hedgehog (RealOne Arcade)
Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Xbox/PS2)
Sonic Mobile (Mobile)

Home > Sonic Games > Games Index > Sonic the Hedgehog

Intro:
Sonic the Hedgehog was the debut game of both Sonic and his enemy Dr. Eggman. He was designed to compete with Nintendo's Mario and give SEGA both a memorable mascot and a flagship game for the Mega Drive. Not only was the game itself revolutionary, the character was unique and likeable. Without a doubt it was a complete success - SEGA was on the map.

Story:
The mad yet gifted scientist Dr. Eggman (A.K.A Robotnik) is once again putting the world in peril - He's discovered that the legendary Chaos Emeralds exist on South Island! If he can get his hands on them, then nothing can stop him! He's captured all of the island's animals and is using them as living batteries for his robot army of badniks. Building his secret base, the Scrap Brain Zone, right on top of South Island, it's only a matter of time until those emeralds are his!

But there's one thing he didn't count on - His old nemesis Sonic the Hedgehog! Sonic is no ordinary woodland creature; he can run at phenomenal speeds and use his trademark spin attack to smash through Robotnik's machines. Can Sonic save the day?

The Game:
Sonic the Hedgehog is a platform game from the days of the Mega Drive (or Genesis, depending on where you live). The basic premise of the game is to run through the stages (called 'zones') controlling the titular hero. The game has a total of 7 zones, mostly split into 3 levels called 'acts'. Act 3 of every zone has a boss battle between you and Eggman, who has to be defeated for you to be able to move onto the next zone. The final zone is only one act, where you engage in one last fight with the evil doctor. Once this is over, you have completed the game.

However, to get the game's 'true' ending, you must collect 6 'Chaos Emeralds'. These shiny gems can only be got at via the special stages. These are opened at the end of the level if you have collected at least 50 rings, where a giant ring appears by the goal. Jumping into the ring sends you to the special stage, where you must negotiate a spinning maze without touching any of the 'goal' blocks (which send you out of the stage empty handed). With some skill and a little luck, you'll come across the emerald. While this is easy to achieve in early stages, later in the game you'll find fewer rings and the stages more challenging so do it while you can! Also bear in mind that collecting 50 rings in the special stage will give you a continue (3 extra lives).

Of course, Dr. Eggman isn't Sonic's only problem; Pitfalls, spikes and other traps are hidden in the levels and more importantly Robotnik's badnik army is hanging around with making Sonic into road-kill their only objective. Grabbing rings will protect Sonic from being killed, and collecting 100 of them will give you a vital extra life so make sure you grab as many as possible. Being hit while holding rings will make Sonic drop them, but you will have a few seconds to grab some before they disappear.

To aid Sonic in his first adventure are certain power ups, including special 'power sneakers' which temporarily give you a burst of speed and shields which will protect Sonic from an enemy attack and such. These are kept in TV monitors spread around the levels, and are opened by jumping on them. Exploring the levels will yield better power ups like extra lives, so keep an eye open!