Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis

"The latest fantastic console game to be shoddily ported to handhelds"

Sonic the Hedgehog is easily one of my favorite games ever made. The game had it all; unbelievable speed, solid gameplay, colorful graphics, fantastic music, and everyone's favorite hero at the the time: Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic easily catapulted to the top of the "What's what" of video games. While this title had some incredible sequels, I believe there is something to be said for nostalgia, and this title may be my favorite in the series.

As such, I was looking forward to the opportunity to experience one of my favorite console games of all time on a handheld. I couldn't wait for Sonic Genesis.

Then, I played it.

Gameplay: 3/10

I can say this: at its absolute core, it is definitely is trying to be Sonic 1. But it just doesn't succeed.

Most noticeable is the drastically decreased screen resolution. Sonic can no longer see very far in front of him. I don't know why they changed it, but it definitely slows the game down. If you don't have every inch of this game memorized, you'll be almost consistently slowing down to a walking pace.

Fortunately for you, the game FORCES you down to a walking pace because 95% of this game is riddled with slowdown. It's indisputable proof that GBA is nowhere near as capable as the Genesis.

Another thing is that this game has more glitches than both Sonic Adventure titles combined. Too many times I found myself dying cheaply from these glitches. If someone who's played this game since he was 3 years old is dying in Marble Zone, you know there's a problem.

Added features in this game (available in "Anniversary Mode" include use of two series staples that weren't available in the original, the Spin Dash and the ability to save your game. I would say these make the game easier, but since the game is damned near impossible to play in the first place, they really don't matter much. It feels like I'm playing this game on a emulator on Windows 95.

Graphics: 7/10

The graphics are nearly on par with the Genesis version. Except for the aforementioned slowdown and decreased resolution, as well as the lack of a few graphical effects (ring sprites have been toned down a bit, collapsing bridges are very glitchy looking), the game looks pretty much identical to the Genesis version. Also, the HUD has been changed a bit, probably to fit the new smaller screen. The background for the special stages has been noticable toned down, too.

Sound: 6/10

Come on. Did the music really need to be toned down THAT much? It's quite primitive and simple-sounding compared to the old Genesis version. I guess it doesn't matter that much, because it is all of the same tunes.

However, many sound effects have been changed, and not always for the better. It's the little things like this that kill the nostalgia.

Also, it's not really a complaint, but the music continues looping after you die, unlike in the original, where it stopped and started over.

Story: 7/10

It's exactly the same story as the original: Robotnik kidnaps Sonic's animal friends to find him the Chaos Emeralds so he can enslave the world, and Sonic has to free them, recover the Emeralds, and beat up Robotnik's machines. Simple enough.

Replay Value: 2/10

You must get all 6 Emeralds to get the good ending. If you can stand playing this game until the very end, though, I applaud you, because, as I said before, it's atrocious.

It's definitely Sonic 1 at its heart, but Sonic Team should have had the common sense that they were changing it TOO much, and either scrapped this project, or moved it over to the much more capable DS engine. I think we Sonic fans deserve a complete graphical overhaul of Sonic 1, with more story worked into it, maybe some cutscenes and whatnot.

As for the eternal "rent or buy", do yourself a favor. DO NEITHER. This game is as bad as everyone else says it is. Buy Sonic Mega Collection to experience Sonic 1, or, even better, buy a Genesis and this game to experience it the way it was MEANT to be played. If you want a solid Sonic handheld, play any of the Sonic Advance titles, or Sonic Rush. You won't be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 03/12/07