Classic Sonic Thread

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Yeah I guess it depends on when you were introduced to it. I had only played like, a bit of 1, 2 and 3 before I played CD so my frame of reference was pretty narrow, and that's probably why I think US CD fits, since it's a sound I like without it "interfering" with what Sonic is (to me).

I guess I’m just a bit of a young’n, blessed with the discoverability of the internet and the hard work of fans before me who archived and created so much around the series. But, from my perspective…
This is Sonic:

As much as THIS is Sonic…

As much as THIS is Sonic…

As much as THIS is Sonic…

As much as THIS is Sonic…

For me, Sonic music is good music. It can be any genre. As long as it has a defined musical component that isn’t just background noise, it’s Sonic music.

Oh, and as long as it’s amazing. That’s the most important part.

Post automatically merged: Apr 23, 2025

That's weird because Mario is still iconic and timeless looking.

And he's even better with the Switch and even Switch 2 era with how he looks in Mario Wonders and the upcoming Mario Kart World.

Mario evolves to become better over the years while Sonic is still in a constant identity crisis for over a decade and a half.

Sonic is intrinsically 90's in his themes but 2010's Sonic has little to nothing to do with 90's Sonic. Even his Adventure/Dark Age (Sonic Heroes to 2006) design was radically different from Classic and the Current Modern one.


Is there a reason why 3D Blast and Sonic Underground both were Classic styled yet happened after Adventure?

I think the whole Modern Sonic idea is merely a big retcon whereas back when he came out with a new design Sonic was still the same guy.

Eh. I guess Sonic is just different like that.

With my modern eyes, I think comparing these two characters is fruitless because they’re so wildly different and appeal to often the same set of people but for totally different reasons.

Sonic’s design is malleable. Ever changing. That’s what’s so neat: there’s a Sonic for everyone! I can tell you that “my Sonic” is a particular plush I had of the character I had as a child that looked a little off, and it wouldn’t be any less valid than you claiming a specific game design.

This series is at its worst, frankly, when it feels tied to tradition (reused stages, stale design, imitating other games from both its own series and other series, etc.) Where it shines is when it decides to just do something fun and cool, regardless of if it’s been done before, regardless of if people click with it, regardless of if it even makes a lick of sense. Sonic is Sonic. And I don’t want it to be anything else than itself.


(That said, please change the modern design. It’s been 18 years. The people are tired of the weirdly metallic shoes that are also mad dirty for some reason.)

 

[Tonberry]

Just like to say that I agree with you guys, I was busy when writing so it came out hastily written, and the site's slow as hell right now so I can't reply to both of you.

As long as it's full of energy (and preferably not too much like just a symphony orchestra) it can definitely sound like Sonic.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I guess I’m just a bit of a young’n, blessed with the discoverability of the internet and the hard work of fans before me who archived and created so much around the series. But, from my perspective…
This is Sonic:

As much as THIS is Sonic…

As much as THIS is Sonic…

As much as THIS is Sonic…

As much as THIS is Sonic…

For me, Sonic music is good music. It can be any genre. As long as it has a defined musical component that isn’t just background noise, it’s Sonic music.

Oh, and as long as it’s amazing. That’s the most important part.

Post automatically merged: Apr 23, 2025

Eh. I guess Sonic is just different like that.

With my modern eyes, I think comparing these two characters is fruitless because they’re so wildly different and appeal to often the same set of people but for totally different reasons.

Sonic’s design is malleable. Ever changing. That’s what’s so neat: there’s a Sonic for everyone! I can tell you that “my Sonic” is a particular plush I had of the character I had as a child that looked a little off, and it wouldn’t be any less valid than you claiming a specific game design.

This series is at its worst, frankly, when it feels tied to tradition (reused stages, stale design, imitating other games from both its own series and other series, etc.) Where it shines is when it decides to just do something fun and cool, regardless of if it’s been done before, regardless of if people click with it, regardless of if it even makes a lick of sense. Sonic is Sonic. And I don’t want it to be anything else than itself.


(That said, please change the modern design. It’s been 18 years. The people are tired of the weirdly metallic shoes that are also mad dirty for some reason.)

Mario is still the same dude since Donkey Kong.

Sonic went from Sega seeing his pre Adventure and post-Adventure design as the same character then separating the two while also saying that Adventure era and Modern Sonic are the exact same despite how radically different many ideas and characterisations are between them...

Post automatically merged: Apr 23, 2025

Just like to say that I agree with you guys, I was busy when writing so it came out hastily written, and the site's slow as hell right now so I can't reply to both of you.

As long as it's full of energy (and preferably not too much like just a symphony orchestra) it can definitely sound like Sonic.

Orchestra can work with Sonic (ie: Unleashed and Colours) but I agree that it needs to sound energetic.

 

[MegaDrive1987]

I'm a devout Sonic 3D Blast apologist, it being my first Sonic game might have something to do with that though.
Has anyone here tried the "Director's Cut" hack that was made by its former developer?

I have it I just haven't played through it yet

Post automatically merged: Apr 28, 2025

No Knuckles Chaotix is a crime. That game seriously deserves a re-release, it's visually stunning as far as 2D games go and probably the most polished title on the 32X.

You know what I love that game (especially the soundtrack) and couldn't agree more when you say it deserves a re-release.

 

[Leviafen]

BOOT UP MGBA WE PLAYING SONIC ADVANCE 3

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I have it I just haven't played through it yet

You should try it.

You know what I love that game (especially the soundtrack) and couldn't agree more when you say it deserves a re-release.

I've played it years ago (through emulation of course) but to be honest the fact you don't have a life system and that the level are sometimes lacking enemies (or at least not numerous) makes me feel like it was more of a puzzle game tech demo with Sonic characters than it being an actual Sonic game.

It looks gorgeous of course and it's nice to see Knuckles taking the spotlight for once (which ironically makes the Chaotix more like background characters than properly introduced ones) but CD on the other hand had a proper level progression and the Time Travelling mechanic is more worthwhile than the Physic-based ring-link system.

I would like to see a proper remaster like Sonic 1&2&CD Mobile's remasters and Origins.

 

[MegaDrive1987]

You should try it.


I've played it years ago (through emulation of course) but to be honest the fact you don't have a life system and that the level are sometimes lacking enemies (or at least not numerous) makes me feel like it was more of a puzzle game tech demo with Sonic characters than it being an actual Sonic game.

It looks gorgeous of course and it's nice to see Knuckles taking the spotlight for once (which ironically makes the Chaotix more like background characters than properly introduced ones) but CD on the other hand had a proper level progression and the Time Travelling mechanic is more worthwhile than the Physic-based ring-link system.

I would like to see a proper remaster like Sonic 1&2&CD Mobile's remasters and Origins.

Yeah I emulated it as there's no way I could afford a 32X and a copy of the game at those prices.
To be honest when I played it it felt like a tech demo so I kept my expectations low and actually enjoyed it, was nice to see Knuckles getting his own game but yeah the other characters where just in the background really.
You think Sega will ever pick it back up and re-release it? There's plenty of people including myself who would happily buy an official version.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Yeah I emulated it as there's no way I could afford a 32X and a copy of the game at those prices.
To be honest when I played it it felt like a tech demo so I kept my expectations low and actually enjoyed it, was nice to see Knuckles getting his own game but yeah the other characters where just in the background really.
You think Sega will ever pick it back up and re-release it? There's plenty of people including myself who would happily buy an official version.

I'd even argue that I would love to see a Sonic 1 Forever-style remake that would add back things or even make the level progression better.


I do think that 5 acts for a Zone is too much, I would've gladly sacrificed the 5th Act of all 5 main Zones for 4 Acts in 6 instead (but then again 3 Acts was already too many imo in Sonic 1).

Speaking of Acts, I kinda liked that Sonic CD had a smaller pre-boss area for Act 3 that was set in the Good/Bad Future of said Zone, it made the tension build-up. 3D Blast having a dedicated Boss Act was mostly a technical limitation I think.

Sonic 2 having 3 Acts for Metropolis was the worst choice imo, I would've rather had it scrapped (because it was meant for Cyber City (yes, it was the name of the level, not the term starting by "Geno" which I won't say completely).

Is it me or Sonic 2 had the most fascinating development history and was the most documented of all? Even Sonic 1 and 3 never had as many betas.

 

[MegaDrive1987]

I'd even argue that I would love to see a Sonic 1 Forever-style remake that would add back things or even make the level progression better.


I do think that 5 acts for a Zone is too much, I would've gladly sacrificed the 5th Act of all 5 main Zones for 4 Acts in 6 instead (but then again 3 Acts was already too many imo in Sonic 1).

Speaking of Acts, I kinda liked that Sonic CD had a smaller pre-boss area for Act 3 that was set in the Good/Bad Future of said Zone, it made the tension build-up. 3D Blast having a dedicated Boss Act was mostly a technical limitation I think.

Sonic 2 having 3 Acts for Metropolis was the worst choice imo, I would've rather had it scrapped (because it was meant for Cyber City (yes, it was the name of the level, not the term starting by "Geno" which I won't say completely).

Is it me or Sonic 2 had the most fascinating development history and was the most documented of all? Even Sonic 1 and 3 never had as many betas.

I'm hoping someone will pick Chaotix up and remake it in that style too.

To be honest I did find the amount of acts per zone a bit tedious but I suppose they had to pack the game out a bit more.

Sonic CD is probably my least played Sonic game although I have completed it (Didn't get all the time stones or a good ending) I'm gonna play through it again properly one day as I've already fully completed the campaigns on both S1A and S2F.

Personally I never liked Metropolis Zone, I always found it was too hard and the enemy placement was tedious, it's more of a slog to get through that level for me I always just rush through it to get it over and done with.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I'm hoping someone will pick Chaotix up and remake it in that style too.

To be honest I did find the amount of acts per zone a bit tedious but I suppose they had to pack the game out a bit more.

I think the biggest issue is that the zones are done in a roulette style instead of choosing. That's absolutely not the best game design element. I'd rather have a proper level select or order.

I firmly believe that playing Sonic Classic Heroes with the Chaotix and their rings is a much better experience (even if the level design wasn't made for that).

Sonic CD is probably my least played Sonic game although I have completed it (Didn't get all the time stones or a good ending) I'm gonna play through it again properly one day as I've already fully completed the campaigns on both S1A and S2F.

I do agree that CD's biggest flaw is that once you get to Metallic Madness Act 3 it's too late to go in previous levels.

The 2011 port on Mobile (and on PC) as well as the Origins version not allowing you to have the choice to choose the level after finishing the game like in Sonic 3, 3&K, the Mobile ports of 1&2 and Sonic Origins for Sonic 1, 2 and 3&K is just a wasted opportunity. Sure, CD allowed two different ways to get the good ending (either by destroying the cages in the past of every non boss acts or by getting all 7 Time Stones which means that you got 14 separate tries in one playthrough although you could always alt-f4 the game if you were about to lose).

Getting all Chaos Emeralds (and Super Emeralds for 3&K) after finishing the game one time was a neat "post-game objective" that made Sonic 3 & Knuckles feeling like fully fledged Adventure where Sonic went back to previous zones to get to defeat Eggman for good. Knuckles revealing Hidden Palace in Mushroom Hills also made sense for the altar (which would be referenced in SA1 not long after).

Apparently Taxman (or Stealth? I forgot which) wanted to add a new Final Boss in Sonic CD '11 after getting all Time Stones (as well as a cancelled Zone that was Desert Dazzle) but Sega wanted it to be a more conservative remaster. Shame that this wasn't an optional area like Hidden Palace in Sonic 2 Mobile/Origins.

Sonic CD Miracle Edition and Sonic CD Restored are both good, like Sonic 1 Forever and Sonic 2 Absolute. I tried both and while Miracle seemed a bit more complete you should try both to make your own opinion on the subject.

Personally I never liked Metropolis Zone, I always found it was too hard and the enemy placement was tedious, it's more of a slog to get through that level for me I always just rush through it to get it over and done with.

Metropolis is supposed to be hard because it's the last "proper Zone" in the game (Wind Fortress is more or less a last rush to the end rather than a real Zone with two acts and a boss) but I do agree that they didn't have to make the enemy placement that bad with the boomerang mantises, punching crabs and starfishes in the walls with unusual angles for their spikes...

It's less tedious in the remaster thankfully.

 

[DrunkGecko]

sonic 1 is my favorite of the first 3
sonic adventure 2 is my favorite of the dreamcast ones

 

[bigstinkie]

i wonder if it is uncommon or popular to share my opinion - i respect the mega drive sonic games a lot, but i am not a particularly big fan of them, the original sonic adventure game is when the series caught my interest, and i am very fond of sonic adventure (1)
sonic adventure 2 i enjoyed less than sonic adventure 1, but i still thought it was a good game and shadow the hedgehog is my favourite sonic character by far
i do not really care for the sonic games that came out after adventure 2, with the exception of sonic 06 and unleashed (i have not played sonic frontiers yet, but i have heard it is like sonic 06 and unleashed so i would like to play it)
oh and sonic generations was pretty good too (i have not played shadow generations yet)

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Sonic 1 is my favorite of the first 3.

It's quite the uncommon taste among fans around.

While Sonic 1 is being respected for being the genesis of the franchise (pun intended) many agreed that 2 and 3&K improved upon and that there's little to no reasons to go back to the first if we got the choice.

Yet I totally understand that sentiment.

It's the early instalment weirdness but it's fascinating how the series was before they've introduced the two acts zones, the spin dash and even the ability to have Super Sonic.

I also liked his slightly light purple hue compared to the more blueish look in 2 onwards

I've always found the Mania colour a bit weird because Sonic looks a bit too light

And reverting to his 1&CD&2 shape than his 3&K kinda felt like back pedalling rather than showing that Classic Sonic has evolved after Generations.

Back to Sonic 1 I really wonder if they wanted to tell what those were about

Same with the bird faces on the Labyrinth Zone blocks:

 

[MemeAlert]

i wonder if it is uncommon or popular to share my opinion - i respect the mega drive sonic games a lot, but i am not a particularly big fan of them, the original sonic adventure game is when the series caught my interest, and i am very fond of sonic adventure (1)
sonic adventure 2 i enjoyed less than sonic adventure 1, but i still thought it was a good game and shadow the hedgehog is my favourite sonic character by far
i do not really care for the sonic games that came out after adventure 2, with the exception of sonic 06 and unleashed (i have not played sonic frontiers yet, but i have heard it is like sonic 06 and unleashed so i would like to play it)
oh and sonic generations was pretty good too (i have not played shadow generations yet)

...you forgot Sonic Heroes.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

...you forgot Sonic Heroes.

I often forget about this game.


They've brought back some of that Classic feeling in this entry (the checker-board pattern on the mountains, the two act level structure, the special stages, the comeback of the Chaotix among other things) yet they have missed the mark on that one.

But let's focus on Classic Sonic.

 

[bigstinkie]

...you forgot Sonic Heroes.

i do not like sonic heroes
it does have very nice music

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

So, I was the perfect age to get screwed over by Sonic’s merch. The Jazwares run ended right as I got into the series, and they were best stocked in Toys R Us stores, which were falling out of prominence and weren’t super near me. As such, I didn’t have many of the Jazwares figures, though I did have a couple and loved the ones I had (I’m so happy younger me got that Super Pack. The prices went up CRAZY on that thing). Unfortunately, things got worse, as the prices on even older figures went up to insane heights not long after. My dreams of owning Resaurus or any other figures for that matter were out the window.

I kept with plushes. I prefer plushes, really. But, in the back of my heart, I always wanted some Sonic figures. Small guys, ones who could easily fit on a desk. I also wished for variety, something that the older toy lines lacked. Jazwares was legendary at the time because they dared to do the impossible: give us more than just five characters. All I wanted was a cheap, obtainable, and varied figure line. I knew that was asking for a lot though, and as the 2010’s went on to be one of Sonic’s least prominent decades, it felt as though that dream would never become a reality.

Then Jakks Pacific came in. Their 2.5 inch line was varied, cheap, and everything I had ever wanted. It was a slow burn, but eventually I hopped in, right or around the time I turned 18. I was too old at that point to grow up with these figures, but I felt a couple wouldn’t hurt to have as a shelf piece.

So, uh, I live near a Walmart that has a lot of character variety, and I may have gotten “just a little here and there” a lot over the past four years.

I used to have more. I sold most of my 4 inch figures, because I genuinely don’t like most of them. I find them to be big, pricey, and I realized I was only spending my hard earned cash on them because they were characters I was excited to see ANY figure for (Cream, Rouge, Infinite, Blaze, Omega, etc.)

I’ll probably sell even more in the future. I love Modern Sonic and the cast it has, but I don’t know why: the classic figures make me more excited. All the badniks? That’s a childhood dream right there! Silver Sonic? Heck yeah, that’s awesome! The animal buddies? That’s so stupid, of course I’m down! And of course, big classic characters that never got merch before get me all kinds of excited. Fang, Mighty, Ray… these were all pipe dreams when I was a kid. These characters were forgotten, dismissed, and disused. Nobody wants Fang because his Superstars boss sucks? That’s okay, I’ll take ‘em.

Again, I’ll probably liquidate at some point and focus in on the classic line. I love some of the modern and movie figures though, so it’ll be hard to part with some of them. I just hope that I can keep these so that any future child of mine will have an awesome childhood (if they even end up liking Sonic, of course.)

 

[diet_orange]

Sonic, as much as I love the Genesis, was never my favorite series. I loved all the merchandise like the cartoon, pasta, comics, and toys, but it barely resonated with me as a child and teen back in the 90s and early 00s. Sonic 1 was neat, Sonic 2 was decent if not incredibly frustrating once you got to Chemical Zone and Sonice 3& Knuckles was decently polished and a nice capstone.

The only games I legit liked were the spin-offs, Mean Bean Machine and 3D Blast (which tbh controls much better via the Mega Collection release with an analog stick)

 

[ThunderBoy]

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Sonic 1 was neat, Sonic 2 was decent if not incredibly frustrating once you got to Chemical Zone and Sonic 3& Knuckles was decently polished and a nice capstone.

Ah yes, the infamous passage when you have to jump with the rising water. But you can skip that section with a well timed jump after a spin dash.

I find it frustrating around the mid-point of the game (Mystic Cave being the first example).

The only games I legit liked were the spin-offs, Mean Bean Machine and 3D Blast (which tbh controls much better via the Mega Collection release with an analog stick).

You should try the Puyo Puyo series then.

As for 3D Blast I agree, on the original hardware it's not easy because even if the d-pad having diagonals it's much more bearable with a proper joystick. You should take a look at the Director's Cut by the way.

It's sad that, despite how good Mania Adventure and the Sonic Origins cutscenes were, we'll never see something as good as the Sonic CD intro (and the Sonic OVA to a lesser extent)...

Those were great designs for the blue hedgehog next to the Adventure era Uewaka's artworks.

Nowadays I find the pre rendered Sonic a bit bland and samey looking.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

As for 3D Blast I agree, on the original hardware it's not easy because even if the d-pad having diagonals it's much more bearable with a proper joystick. You should take a look at the Director's Cut by the way.

Which is an ACTUAL director’s cut! As in, it’s a rom hack made by the game’s original director. It adds faster movement, super sonic, and multiple other quality of life features that won’t totally change the game (nor the monotony of its gameplay loop) but attempt to lift up what is already there.

Post automatically merged: Jul 6, 2025

Anybody remember these guys?

The Resaurus Sonic figure line.
From what I hear, they were somewhat cheaper in the late 2000’s, as a large amount of unsold stock for the second series was discovered, so a lot of people got cheap Gamma’s, Big’s, and Amy’s around that time (also Skiing Sonic).

It’s neat how they attempted to replicate Uwekawa’s unique art style but in figure form! They were also pretty high quality, which was unfortunately a problem.
Resaurus as a company cared about their products, made ones that were quite high quality, and then sold them for a competitive price. TOO competitive of a price. It sunk the company. Kinda like the Dreamcast itself, if you think about it.

As for nowadays… good luck. As the legend of these guys spread, and as they’re very unique looking, their price has gone up to absurd amounts. Like most collectibles, they got NUKED by the Covid era, but their price has already hit the hundreds to multi-hundreds even before then. These figures are not rare, but there’s not enough supply to hit the demand from millions of new Sonic fans who were born after the company went under. The line was sold for 2 years or so before it all went bust at Resaurus.