Sonic the Hedgehog [Master System/Game Gear]

"Sonic the Hedgehog", for the Game Gear and Master System is quite a different beast than even the more traditional Sonic Games. The little Master System tries its hardest but can't get Sonic going at ultra quick speeds (no speed ball boosting) or doing loops or corkscrews so we're in pure platforming zones. It plays a bit more like something akin to Super Mario Land or early NES Mario platformers).

You still hop and op through the levels and they all present unique elements that try to spark some unique elements to levels (platforms fall on you in bridge zone, there's even a scrolling stage with so weird to experience in a sonic game). It's far and away from other 2D Sonic games of the early 90s that often have large sprawling stages...which I actually like as I feel there is more of a focus in design in these linear stages.

The Game Gear version and the Master System versions are generally pretty close with some minor changes. Some bosses play a bit differently, sprites and colours are a bit different, and some gameplay mechanics are a bit different (you don't die as easily in the Waterfall level in Jungle 2). Some levels feel way too cramped on Game Gear, (that last stage before Dr. Robotnik? Not really re-designed for the Game Gear's small screen size).

I don't think it will stand out too crazily in a sea of platformers from the early 90s, but its probably the only 2D sonic game where I don't feel like I'm randomly wandering around and occasionally getting rewarded with rings or prize boxes, it feels like a bit more structured and each level has its own personalities that don't feel like palette swaps. It's also super short and can be beaten in about an hour, which is ideal for such a simple game. Why not give it a shot?

I understand why this exists. The Master System was seeing good sales in Europe and Brazil. It was also ported to the Game Gear since that is a handheld version of the Master System anyway. This 8 bit version of Sonic 1 is nothing like it's Genesis counterpart. It has a larger focus on more traditional platforming and is overall more difficult. If you ask me, it's the lesser of the two. At its best, it brings surface level entertainment but fails to find an identity of its own. At its worst, it's unreasonably unfair.

For starters, Sonic can't even pick his rings back up when he gets hit. Visibility, even on the Master System version, can be too restricted. I often find myself having to make leaps of faith, hoping that I will land on a platform I can't see. Due to their cheap yet simple patterns, bosses are never fun to fight. This is also the only game in the series to have an auto scrolling level. I hated these when Mario did them and it's no better here. In fact, due to the minimal level design, the player often has no fail-safes so if a mistake is made death is very often guaranteed. Due to all of these problems, I am never getting past Jungle Zone Act 1.

There are some positives. The special stages provide relief from the main game and remind me of Super Mario Land 2. The soundtrack, while it doesn't compare to the Mega Drive original, is still quite pleasant. The sprite work is decent.

For me, Sonic's first handheld game misses all the most important qualities. If you want to play a more traditional platformer with nearly unfair challenges, play Super Mario the Lost Levels. If you want to play a Sonic game with its own identity, finesse, and a more balanced difficult, just play the Genesis version.