Game Review: Sonic The Hedgehog (8 bit version)

Game: Sonic The Hedgehog
Console: Sega Master System
Developer: Sega
Release Date: 28th December 1991

While the best known game under this title is June 1991's Sonic The Hedgehog for Mega Drive, there's also a lesser mentioned version for Sega Master System based somewhat on the gameplay of its namesake. While the Mega Drive game is 16 bit, this version has to stick to the Master System's graphical, processing and audio limits, which are 8 bit. Despite this, the game manages to pull off a fairly decent impression of the 16 bit game, as well as having its own charm and a few faults.

Just like the Mega Drive game, this version sees you controlling Sonic The Hedgehog through various stages (many of these different to those in the 16 bit version), collecting rings and defeating enemies and ultimately Dr. Robotnik. There's not a real explanation of the plot in game, and besides the fact that Robotnik is attacking you at the end of stages you're left to guess as to why he's the bad guy. There are 6 zones in all, each consisting of 3 acts with a different incarnation of Dr. Robotnik at the end of each zone.

Although graphically inferior to the 16 bit version, there's still lots of bright colours and everything is still pretty clear. Some flicker does occur, especially on complex parts or when Sonic has certain powerups but its not too hard to see what's going on, on the whole. The game's backdrops and levels are nicely varied with different locations for each zone and types of enemy that can be encountered there. Added to this there are also pinball-like bonus levels for having collected a certain amount of rings in a level.

The game plays a bit slower than the Mega Drive version, and can feel a little underwhelming for the "fastest hedgehog in the world" at times, but after a little while of playing it seems far more natural. The controls work well with Sonic's simple moveset; running, jumping and spin attacking are all he's really capable of here. There are plenty of different types of level to use these on however; scrolling, vertical and underwater just to name a few.

Musically I'd personally say the game is one of the best sounding on the Master System. The sound hardware in itself isn't the greatest but you can hear that a real effort to translate what is heard in the more complex 16 bit versions of the pieces into the versions in this game has been made. One of the stages even influenced Tails' theme in Sonic Adventure, which is impressive. Some sound effects in the game are better than others, its mixed overall but functional in terms of working with the gameplay.

The level design in the game is good, working around some of the restrictions for the Master System seems to have produced results which work well at challenging the player and providing a different set of levels to the Mega Drive version for players to beat. It would have been easy for Sega to release a simple scaled down version of the 16 bit game, but it seems they wanted to make this more of an experience than a watered down version of another game.

Overall, although the Mega Drive version of this game has superiority in almost every category its not worth letting this charming and frankly very playable version of the game slip under the radar. Not only is this one of the best games for Master System (especially in terms of platformers), it showcases the graphical and musical capabilities of the system like no other game. While there are some slight issues with the game, its a solid installment and a must play for any true Sonic fan.

Rating: 81/100
Grade: B