There have been very few games in my long history of gaming that I’ve gotten as excited about as the original Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis console. With every new piece of material I read about or screenshot I saw in the game magazines, I wanted the game even more. In fact, Sonic is the main reason I kept my Genesis console after I got the Super Nintendo system. I just had to play this game.
The game used speed in a way that no platformer had used it before, and the game offered up a unique and intense platforming experience that you just couldn’t play on any of the competing game consoles. And although there were four other Sonic the Hedgehog releases on the Sega Genesis console, it’s still this original that remains special to me. I’ll never forget the first time I played the game and every time I drag it out to play it on my JVC X’Eye console, it always feels as fresh as it ever did. If you’ve never played the game, do whatever it takes to do so and if it’s been awhile, maybe it’s time you play through the game again. It’s still one of the greatest games to come out of the 16-bit era, and gaming in general for that matter.
The first time i saw Sonic in action i was captivated by it’s beautiful looks and the sheer rate of knots it raced by at. Prior to his appearance, nothing had ever tried to get the player to whiz through the level as fast as possible, and this sense of freedom and speed was arresting.
Unfortunately, i’d just bought an Amiga 500 when the Mega Drive/Genesis got it’s release so i wasn’t about to get another machine at the time, but i lusted after one for ‘ages’ (<-no pun intended!). At least by the time i convinced a friend to loan me his i got a chance to play a selection of games, Sonic and Revenge of Shinobi amongst them.
Aside from the bright and colourful graphics, with their distinctive “patchwork grid” appearance, and the cheery soundtrack, the aspect that most sticks with me to this day is the chiming sound of collecting the Rings. Would Sonic still be a classic without such a genius choice of audio? In my opinion probably, since it really showcased a different style of platforming. However, would it have been loved by quite so many people through the ages without that tone? I doubt it.
Sega are really missing a trick not reverting back to a more 2D approach with their Sonic franchise as it’d be a guaranteed hit if it had half the charm of the original. The move to 3D was fun for a while in Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast, but could never capture the wonder, and more importantly, the sense of controlled speed, inherent in the 2D games. The fact that we never went back to basics is really a missed opportunity.
I keep hoping Sega might do a new 2-D Sonic on one of the digital download services like Xbox Live Arcade or WiiWare, but so far that’s not looking very likely.
And i forgot to mention it initially but…..show off! A standard Genesis not good enough for you….a X’Eye indeed!
LOL. The truth is I wanted an X’Eye back in the day when it was first released, but being in college, I didn’t have that kind of money. So many years later I finally found a brand new one on eBay and I grabbed it when I had the chance. I’ll tell you, it’s nice having a cart slot that will fit the Mega Drive games without any modification. Plus the CD drive is the fastest Sega CD drive you can get, another little perk.
Brand new! You have all the nice toys it would seem.
Most of the used JVC X’Eye sytems I had seen on eBay were really beat up, so when this brand new one popped up, I jumped on it. It was still fairly reasonable at about $150.00 for a brand new console that’s a bit scarce as that one tends to be.
I’d say that as someone who’ll actually use it rather than stick it in storage, you definitely got a bargain there. Of course it depends on how much you do actually use it because i can’t imagine that you’ll ever be able to sell it. And of course the odds of finding another new console today (or even as new) are probably pretty slim.
I think it has to do with the fact that every one of the 32 game systems I own I am the original owner. Not one system I own is used currently. Even the older stuff like the Atari 2600 and Intellivision I was able to find new. The Sega CDX system I used to have was the only used system I had so when this JVC X’Eye popped up and it was brand new, I just couldn’t pass it up.
Are you still alive?
Yep I’m still here. We’re just still swamped with press releases and game announcements at Nintendo Life and we lost a staff member so we’re flying short handed at the moment. Should level out soon. I hope!!!!