"The Best Portable Sonic Game Ever"

When I first ordered my Neo Geo Pocket Color, I knew that I would need a few games to go with it. One of the games I selected was Sonic Pocket Adventure. Having read about the game on various websites, I immediately ordered it. After playing the mediocre (if even that) Sonic Advance games, I had hopes that the Neo Geo Pocket Color's (henceforth called NGPC) Sonic had to be better than those titles. Once I got the game going, I couldn't put it down.

But don't take my word for it, here we go! (I think that I need a new line for this...)

Graphics - 9.0/10 (0_0)

If Sega had done this with the Game Gear a few years back, the battery hog might have lasted longer. The graphics are crystal clear thanks to the NGPC's screen design, and what you see is breathtaking. The graphics are well animated, and there is rarely a hint of bluriness. Each sprite has several frames of animation, and each resembles a cross between the classic Sonic sprites and the new (at least then) cell-shading. Also, the general surroundings resemble the first two Sonic games for the Genesis in terms of backgrounds and textures, giving the game a decidedly nostalgic feel.

Sound - 9.5/10 (Hope you liked Sonic 3 and Knucles...)

Most (but definitely not all) sound files found on this cartridge are reworked tracks from the combined Sonic 3 and Knuckles game for the Genesis. There are dozens of tunes that return, from Flying Battery Zone to the Angel Island tune, and even the 2-player stage tunes make their returns. The boss track (for the regular stage bosses) is from Sonic 2, and is far superior to the lackluster version that appeared in Sonic Advance. Also, sound effects are of extremely good quality, resembling their ancestors with remarkable accuracy.

Wait, there's more? Yep. This game makes suprising use of sterio sound, making it one of the best games to listen to. Had the Sound Test not been so annoying to unlock, this would be perfect.

Controls - 10/10 (0_0)

While the Sonic Advance series has some difficulty with the control scemes due to the characters having complex attacks, Sonic Pocket Adventure returns to the simpler days of Sonci 2 in terms of controls. Jump, spindash, roll, run. Each of these are executed flawlessly with the control stick, and in some ways the stick is simmilar to the Genesis control pads. Like the 16-bit Sonics (wait, isn't the NGPC 16-bit?), Sonic Pocket Adventure (hereon known as SPA) has very responsive controls, and rarely will fail on you. The only gripe is the fact that the NGPC's Option button is so hard to hit, but once you are past that, you are in the clear.

Game Play - 8.5/10 - (Too short...)

Like the Advance games, SPA has only a few levels, but what is available is suficient. The usual levels return, such as the generic Green Hill zone, the Sky Chase, and the ever-popular Ruin Zone. These stages were designed based on Sonic 1, Sonic 2, and to some extent, Sonic CD. There are a few secret items hidden througout the levels, but once you clear the level, you're on to the next. Don't fear about having to replay that hard level that tore you apart, though - like the Advance games, there is a save feature that saves which levels you have cleared. This makes it easier to cash in on some of the additional secrets...

The Special Stages are back, but are a hybrid from Sonic 1 (the ring at the end of the stage when you have 50+ rings) and Sonic 2 (the classic half-pipe). There are six special stages, and six emeralds to attain. However, unlike half of the Game Gear titles, there are seven of the powerful gems, each needed to unlock the final level (guess what you do there...). Where do you get the seventh Dragon Bal, er, Chaos Emerald? Why not ask Knuckles...

One new feature in the game is the Picture system. Scattered across the levels are little picture clips, each one part of a larger picture. Once you collect all of the clips for one picture, you are able to complete it and view it in color. This is not a really big deal, but it does provide a nice challenge, since most of the clips are difficult to get (with the challenge between nail-biting and throwing the NGPC out the window).

There is a two player mode, but unless you have a friend that owns a copy of the game an his/her own NGPC, you won't see the only appearance of Tails in the game (or so I've heard... Haven't had a chance to play it...).

Finally, there are a few Time Trial levels, though they are only to see if you can beat your fastest time. I have yet to see if they unlock anything, but I wouldn't bet money on it. There are sevearl levels, and some require you to win with 50+ rings (even on boss levels). There is a challenge here for fans of the Time Trials, but it is not my cup of tea.

Extras - 9.0/10 (Pictures)

Getting the pictures is a nice touch, and being able to test your skill with a Time Trial is nice. However, once you get all of the pictures (name twenty people that have in the US) and win all of the trials and get the Chaos Emeralds and beat the last level, there is little else to do. However, the brilliant design of the game is worth the replay every other week.

Difficulty - ?.?/10

There are two modes here, one for Normal, and one for Easy. Also, there is an option to turn the time limit (ten minutes) on or off. Due to these options, the difficulty is really up to the skill level that you set.

Overall - 9/10

This is one of the best 16-bit Sonic games available, and worth the purchase should you find a copy on the web. Great graphics, great sound, great controls, great gameplay, and great extras. Had the game been longer, it would have been perfect...

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/05/04