An iconic platform game (Sonic 1)

Member Name: Burning_Darkness

Product:	Sonic 1
Date:	31/10/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great graphics, animation and sound, entertaining and fast paced gameplay

Disadvantages: None

Back in the early 90s SEGA were releasing their new flagship console the 16-bit Mega Drive, and they needed a new mascot to increase their commercial profile. Enter Sonic the Hedgehog.

Released in 1991, (and ported to the amiga not long after) the original Sonic the Hedgehog looked nothing short of breathtaking, and it still looks nice today. The game is a side-scrolling platformer, but with a difference- unlike Mario Bros and its associated clones, Sonic relies heavily on speed, with the eponymous blue hedgehog racing through the levels at Speedy-Gonzalez speeds, traversing ramps, jumps and even loop-the-loops, whilst collecting as many rings as possible in the process. There are also numerous enemies to be disposed of by jumping on them, each of these consisting of a harmless animal trapped inside a menacing robotic machine, with the animals running off to safety when their outer shells are destroyed.

The general idea is to race through the levels as fast as possible, although there are the usual array of deadly traps, rising ceilings, and moving platforms to be traversed as well. There are even underwater sections, where Sonic must keep himself alive by swimming from one air-bubble to the next.

There are six level types or 'zones' in all, and these are varied and lovingly created, whilst the graphics themselves are colourful, crisp and possessive of their own unique style and charm. The animation is excellent too, making the visuals even more impressive, whilst the music is icohighly memorable, and brilliantly devised. If enough rings are collected, the player is transported to a mini-bonus round; a third-person, 3d-tunnel-network in which, as before, Sonic must collect as many rings as possible, recieving one of a number of rare emeralds for his trouble if enough rings are collected.

A true landmark in the platform game genre, the original Sonic is an iconic and timeless game that still possesses the ability to impress and entertain nearly twenty years after its original release.

Summary: One of the best platform games ever made