Sonic the Hedgehog

This version of the game has a number of differences to the Genesis/Mega Drive version. Due to the limitations of the 8-bit Master System and Game Gear consoles, the graphics are simpler, the levels are less complex and the soundtrack is different and uses a less advanced synthesizer, but also in this version there is no Marble Zone, Spring Yard Zone or Star Light Zone, instead there is Bridge Zone, Jungle Zone and Sky Base Zone (which in this game is the final zone instead of Scrap Brain Zone). The Special Stage is not a rotating maze that Sonic spins around in but more like another level full of rings with springs lining the floor and a signpost at the end like the other levels. Nor are there any Chaos Emeralds in the Special Stages here, instead they are hidden somewhere in each zone. Dr. Robotnik uses a different variety of weapons and attacks. Sonic cannot grab his rings back if he is hurt, instead he must get new ones. There are no poles in the middle of levels that Sonic can start again at if he loses a life. And at the beginning of each level, a picture of the island is shown, with markers displaying the route that Sonic is going to take. Or, in Act 3 of each zone, Robotnik hovering over the island in his flying machine. At the top of the island is Robotnik's industrial facility, pumping lots of black smoke into the air. If the player has collected all the Chaos Emeralds on completion of the game, the smoke will disappear.

Featured in Sonic Origins (2022)