Sonic the Hedgehog CD
Encyclopedia
, or Sonic CD, is a critically acclaimed 1993 platform video game
in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by Sonic Team
for the Mega-CD/Sega CD. It marked the first official appearance of the characters Metal Sonic and Amy Rose
. It was released by Sega
in Japan
on September 23, 1993, in Europe
in October 1993, and in North America
on November 19, 1993.
The game was later ported to PC CD-ROM
in 1996 and was later included as part of the Sonic Gems Collection compilation, released in 2005 for PlayStation 2
and GameCube. An enhanced port will be released on Xbox Live Arcade
, PlayStation Network, PC
, iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7
in December 2011.
arrives in Never Lake where the fabled Little Planet is said to appear on the last month of every year, joined by a female pink hedgehog named Amy Rose
. They arrive to find the planet tethered to a mountain by a chain and completely covered in metal. It doesn't take long for Sonic to realize this is the work of his arch-nemesis, Dr. Robotnik (aka Dr. Eggman), who is using the planet's unique time properties to make it his own base. Furthermore, Robotnik has created a robotic counterpart of Sonic named Metal Sonic
, who kidnaps Amy. Sonic must traverse the Little Planet and collect the Time Stones, seven jewels capable of altering the passage of time itself, in order to save Amy, destroy Metal Sonic, stop Robotnik and free the Little Planet from his grasp.
The main gimmick in Sonic CD is the ability to travel to different periods of time within each level. By hitting posts labeled 'Past' or 'Future' and running at a consistently fast speed for a few seconds, Sonic can move between Past, Present and Future versions of each level (with the exception of boss levels, which always take place in the future), containing different layouts with changes to placement and frequency of enemies and obstacles. By default, traveling to the Future upon entering a level will take Sonic to a 'Bad Future', where enemies and deadly obstacles occur more frequently, providing a tougher challenge. However, if the player travels to the Past and destroys a Robot Generator hidden somewhere in the level, returning to the Future will take Sonic to a 'Good Future', where enemies are absent and there are fewer obstacles. If a Good Future is achieved in both acts of a zone, the boss level will take place in the Good Future, otherwise it will take place in the Bad Future. The player will also automatically achieve a Good Future in a level if all the Time Stones have been collected.
Similar to Sonic the Hedgehog, if a player has more than 50 rings by the end of the act, a giant ring appears that can take Sonic to a Special Stage if he jumps into it. Taking place on a three-dimensional plane, the player has a short amount of time to destroy several purple UFOs floating around the level. Time is rapidly reduced if the player runs through water, though a blue UFO which appears when time is running out can grant extra time if destroyed. If the player is able to destroy all the purple UFOs before the time runs out, a Time Stone is earned. A good ending can be achieved by collecting all seven Time Stones, or by achieving a Good Future in every act.
Sonic CD was the first Sonic game to use a backup save, using the internal Sega CD memory or a backup RAM cartridge. The game saves after the end of each third act (after which, a new level begins) and records the best times of the player in the time attack mode. The game also features an instant game over
scenario, in which Sonic will leap off the screen and instantly end the game regardless of lives if he is left alone for three minutes without the game being paused.
For the 2011 port, players are also be able to control Miles "Tails" Prower
after clearing the game once. Just like Sonic, he can use the spin attack, spin dash, along with his ability to fly by spinning his tails like helicopter rotors. Players also have the option to utilise the Spin Dash physics from Sonic 2
.
Following the release of Sonic the Hedgehog, Lead Programmer Yuji Naka
had grown dissatisfied with the rigid corporate policies at Sega
and moved to the United States to work with the Sega Technical Institute, along with several members of Sonic Team
, to develop Sonic the Hedgehog 2
. Meanwhile in Japan, a separate development team headed by Sonic creator Naoto Ohshima handled development on Sonic CD. Sonic CD, and Sonic 2 were initially intended to be the same game. However, during development, Sonic CD evolved into a vastly different type of game. The game is the first in the series to feature animated cutscenes, which were produced by Toei Animation
, with co-operation with Studio Junio.
. The songs were entitled "Sonic - You Can Do Anything" (known also as "Toot Toot Sonic Warrior", composed by Masafumi Ogata) and "Cosmic Eternity - Believe in Yourself" (composed by Naofumi Hataya). The boss music for the Japanese version was also noted for sampling the song "Work That Sucker To Death" by '70s American artists Xavier
, Bootsy Collins
, and George Clinton
. The North American version was delayed a few months to have a new soundtrack composed by Spencer Nilsen
, who did other Sega CD soundtracks as well as some early Sega Saturn
soundtracks. All the music (save for the "Past" tunes, which were in synth PCM audio
rather than Red Book CD Audio) was replaced, and the theme tunes were replaced with "Sonic Boom", performed by Pastiche (Sandy Cressman, Jenny Meltzer and Becky West). Some songs from the Japanese soundtrack have seen remixes in certain 8-bit Sonic titles. The 2011 re-release of the game will feature the Japanese/European soundtrack. Although the inclusion of the North American soundtrack was initially uncertain due to licensing issues it was later revealed that the US soundtrack is included, with the option to switch between the two soundtracks. However, both "Sonic - You Can Do Anything" and "Cosmic Eternity - Believe in Yourself" have been replaced by instrumental versions. A 20th Anniversary soundtrack CD was released in Japan on November 23, 2011, featuring remastered versions of the Japanese soundtrack, with the inclusion of "Sonic Boom", and special remixes by Cash Cash
, Jun Senoue
and Crush 40
.
in 1996, marking Sonic's debut on the PC under the Sega PC
brand. This version was released in Japan on August 9, 1996, in North America on August 26, 1996, and in Europe on October 3, 1996. This version contains the complete FMV animated
intro and ending sequence, and all versions of the game, including the Japanese version, uses the North American soundtrack. This port is currently only compatible with older versions of Windows
, although some unofficial patches allow the game to be played on later versions.
Sonic CD was released as part of the Sonic Gems Collection compilation released for Nintendo GameCube
and PlayStation 2
in 2005. This version is ported from the PC version with some enhancements regarding the game's frame rate
and action speed (with no frame rate slow-down), though features some minor emulation errors. While the Japanese version uses the original Japanese soundtrack, the European version of the game utilises the North American soundtrack. This version also included the highest quality versions of the animated intro and ending sequences.
On August 23, 2011, a blog post by Microsoft
's Larry Hyrb listed Sonic CD as an Xbox Live Arcade
title to be made playable at PAX Prime 2011
. On August 25, 2011, Sega announced it would also be bringing the game to PlayStation Network, PC, iOS and mobile phones in December 2011. The port is being developed from scratch using a 'Retro Engine' created by independent developer Christian 'Taxman' Whitehead, who originally produced a proof of concept video of the game running on the iPhone in 2009. This engine allows improvements to be made to the game, including widescreen graphics and the option to utilise spin-dash physics from Sonic 2. Players will also be able to unlock Tails
as a playable character. The port will also feature both the original Japanese/European soundtrack and the American soundtrack, as well as achievement and trophy support and iOS features. Prior to the game's release, Android gaming tablets purchased from GameStop
from November 2011 include the full game.
's Sonic the Comic
magazine in the UK, where Metal Sonic was renamed Metallix. The game's story was also adapted in issue #25 of Archie Comics
' Sonic the Hedgehog comic book
series.
Metal Sonic later appears as the main villain in 2003's Sonic Heroes
, as well as making appearances in various spin-offs in the series such as Sonic R
, Sonic Rivals
, Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games, and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
. Metal Sonic will reappear as a key villain in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II
, whose story will link to that of Sonic CD's. Sonic Generations
features a recreation of the Sonic CD boss battle against the character, set in the bad future of Stardust Speedway. Amy Rose has reappeared in several Sonic games as well, having a starring role in Sonic Adventure
, and playable in many of the games that she appears in.
Reviews for the PC version were subpar. Many reviewers didn't like how it played on PCs at the time compared to the smooth gameplay of the Mega-CD version. The PC version also didn't work on computers running later Windows OS systems Windows XP
, Windows Vista
, and Windows 7 due to some missing files (though it worked on Windows Me
and Windows 2000
OS). However, a program called "Sonic CD PC Fix" solved most of these problems.
Sonic CD was awarded Best Sega CD Game of 1993 by Electronic Gaming Monthly
. In May 2009, Gamepro
listed Sonic CD as one of the Top 20 Best Platformers: 1989 to 2009, ranking the game in 12th place. GamesRadar
listed Sonic CD as the 67th best game of all time.
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by Sonic Team
Sonic Team
is a Japanese computer and video game developer established in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan in 1990, originally known as Sega AM8. The Japan-based division is also known as G.E. Department Global Entertainment. The studio has collaborated with several in-house Japanese studios as well as other American-based...
for the Mega-CD/Sega CD. It marked the first official appearance of the characters Metal Sonic and Amy Rose
Amy Rose
, known earlier as Rosy the Rascal, is a video game character who appears in most of the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games developed by Sega's Sonic Team, debuting in Sonic CD as the third recurring protagonist. Amy Rose was created by Kazuyuki Hoshino and based on one of Kenji Terada's...
. It was released by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on September 23, 1993, in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in October 1993, and in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
on November 19, 1993.
The game was later ported to PC CD-ROM
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
in 1996 and was later included as part of the Sonic Gems Collection compilation, released in 2005 for PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and GameCube. An enhanced port will be released on Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
, PlayStation Network, PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
, iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and is the successor to its Windows Mobile platform, although incompatible with it. Unlike its predecessor, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market...
in December 2011.
Synopsis
SonicSonic the Hedgehog (character)
, trademarked Sonic The Hedgehog, is a video game character and the main protagonist of the Sonic video game series released by Sega, as well as in numerous spin-off comics, cartoons, and a feature film. The first game was released on June 23, 1991, to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's...
arrives in Never Lake where the fabled Little Planet is said to appear on the last month of every year, joined by a female pink hedgehog named Amy Rose
Amy Rose
, known earlier as Rosy the Rascal, is a video game character who appears in most of the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games developed by Sega's Sonic Team, debuting in Sonic CD as the third recurring protagonist. Amy Rose was created by Kazuyuki Hoshino and based on one of Kenji Terada's...
. They arrive to find the planet tethered to a mountain by a chain and completely covered in metal. It doesn't take long for Sonic to realize this is the work of his arch-nemesis, Dr. Robotnik (aka Dr. Eggman), who is using the planet's unique time properties to make it his own base. Furthermore, Robotnik has created a robotic counterpart of Sonic named Metal Sonic
Metal Sonic
is a fictional character and a recurring antagonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. In the series, Metal Sonic is an evil identical robotic duplicate of Sonic the Hedgehog, created by the series antagonist Dr. Robotnik, and is able to match Sonic's every move and even surpass his...
, who kidnaps Amy. Sonic must traverse the Little Planet and collect the Time Stones, seven jewels capable of altering the passage of time itself, in order to save Amy, destroy Metal Sonic, stop Robotnik and free the Little Planet from his grasp.
Gameplay
Players control Sonic as he speeds his way to end of each level, using his spin attack to fight against Dr. Robotnik's badniks. Along the way, Sonic can collect rings, which can protect him if he hit by an enemy or obstacle, as well as items such as shields, invincibility and speed shoes. Sonic's gameplay remains similar to that of Sonic the Hedgehog but with the addition of the Spin Dash and the Super Peel Out, which lets him zoom into a quick speed from a standing point, either in a rolling or running position. The Super Peel Out is faster than the Spin Dash, but leaves Sonic more vulnerable. Each of the game's seven zones consists of three acts; two main levels and a boss level.The main gimmick in Sonic CD is the ability to travel to different periods of time within each level. By hitting posts labeled 'Past' or 'Future' and running at a consistently fast speed for a few seconds, Sonic can move between Past, Present and Future versions of each level (with the exception of boss levels, which always take place in the future), containing different layouts with changes to placement and frequency of enemies and obstacles. By default, traveling to the Future upon entering a level will take Sonic to a 'Bad Future', where enemies and deadly obstacles occur more frequently, providing a tougher challenge. However, if the player travels to the Past and destroys a Robot Generator hidden somewhere in the level, returning to the Future will take Sonic to a 'Good Future', where enemies are absent and there are fewer obstacles. If a Good Future is achieved in both acts of a zone, the boss level will take place in the Good Future, otherwise it will take place in the Bad Future. The player will also automatically achieve a Good Future in a level if all the Time Stones have been collected.
Similar to Sonic the Hedgehog, if a player has more than 50 rings by the end of the act, a giant ring appears that can take Sonic to a Special Stage if he jumps into it. Taking place on a three-dimensional plane, the player has a short amount of time to destroy several purple UFOs floating around the level. Time is rapidly reduced if the player runs through water, though a blue UFO which appears when time is running out can grant extra time if destroyed. If the player is able to destroy all the purple UFOs before the time runs out, a Time Stone is earned. A good ending can be achieved by collecting all seven Time Stones, or by achieving a Good Future in every act.
Sonic CD was the first Sonic game to use a backup save, using the internal Sega CD memory or a backup RAM cartridge. The game saves after the end of each third act (after which, a new level begins) and records the best times of the player in the time attack mode. The game also features an instant game over
Game over
Game Over is a message in video games which signals that the game has ended, often due to a negative outcome - although the phrase sometimes follows the end credits after successful completion of a game...
scenario, in which Sonic will leap off the screen and instantly end the game regardless of lives if he is left alone for three minutes without the game being paused.
For the 2011 port, players are also be able to control Miles "Tails" Prower
Miles "Tails" Prower
, better known by his nickname , is a character, as well as the main deuteragonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games, comics, animated series and film released by Sega....
after clearing the game once. Just like Sonic, he can use the spin attack, spin dash, along with his ability to fly by spinning his tails like helicopter rotors. Players also have the option to utilise the Spin Dash physics from Sonic 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 16-bit 1992 platform video game that was developed by Sonic Team members working at the Sega Technical Institute, and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992...
.
Development
Yuji Naka
, is a video game designer and programmer, best known as the former head of Sonic Team, a group of Sega programmers/designers, where he was the lead programmer of the original Sonic the Hedgehog....
had grown dissatisfied with the rigid corporate policies at Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
and moved to the United States to work with the Sega Technical Institute, along with several members of Sonic Team
Sonic Team
is a Japanese computer and video game developer established in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan in 1990, originally known as Sega AM8. The Japan-based division is also known as G.E. Department Global Entertainment. The studio has collaborated with several in-house Japanese studios as well as other American-based...
, to develop Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 16-bit 1992 platform video game that was developed by Sonic Team members working at the Sega Technical Institute, and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992...
. Meanwhile in Japan, a separate development team headed by Sonic creator Naoto Ohshima handled development on Sonic CD. Sonic CD, and Sonic 2 were initially intended to be the same game. However, during development, Sonic CD evolved into a vastly different type of game. The game is the first in the series to feature animated cutscenes, which were produced by Toei Animation
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
, with co-operation with Studio Junio.
Music
There are two different soundtracks for the game, one which was used for the Japanese and PAL releases of the game, and another completely different soundtrack used for the North American version of the game, as well as later European ports of the game. The Japanese soundtrack was composed by Naofumi Hataya & Masafumi Ogata, and featured songs by Keiko UtokuKeiko Utoku
is a Japanese singer and songwriter, who debuted with Jpop female band Mi-Ke from 1991 to 1993, before starting a solo career. As a child, Utoku listened to a lot of music, including music made by Momoe Yamaguchi...
. The songs were entitled "Sonic - You Can Do Anything" (known also as "Toot Toot Sonic Warrior", composed by Masafumi Ogata) and "Cosmic Eternity - Believe in Yourself" (composed by Naofumi Hataya). The boss music for the Japanese version was also noted for sampling the song "Work That Sucker To Death" by '70s American artists Xavier
Xavier
Most uses of Xavier are directly or indirectly derived from St. Francis Xavier and are therefore likely to have a Catholic connotation. It may refer to:* The given name Xavier* The surname Xavier* Xavier , the ring name of pro wrestler John Jirus...
, Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
, and George Clinton
George Clinton (musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
. The North American version was delayed a few months to have a new soundtrack composed by Spencer Nilsen
Spencer Nilsen
Spencer Nilsen is a video game music composer. He is best known for his soundtracks to the Sega Mega-CD versions of Batman Returns, Ecco the Dolphin, Ecco: The Tides of Time, Jurassic Park, The Adventures of Batman and Robin and The Amazing Spider-Man vs...
, who did other Sega CD soundtracks as well as some early Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
soundtracks. All the music (save for the "Past" tunes, which were in synth PCM audio
Pulse-code modulation
Pulse-code modulation is a method used to digitally represent sampled analog signals. It is the standard form for digital audio in computers and various Blu-ray, Compact Disc and DVD formats, as well as other uses such as digital telephone systems...
rather than Red Book CD Audio) was replaced, and the theme tunes were replaced with "Sonic Boom", performed by Pastiche (Sandy Cressman, Jenny Meltzer and Becky West). Some songs from the Japanese soundtrack have seen remixes in certain 8-bit Sonic titles. The 2011 re-release of the game will feature the Japanese/European soundtrack. Although the inclusion of the North American soundtrack was initially uncertain due to licensing issues it was later revealed that the US soundtrack is included, with the option to switch between the two soundtracks. However, both "Sonic - You Can Do Anything" and "Cosmic Eternity - Believe in Yourself" have been replaced by instrumental versions. A 20th Anniversary soundtrack CD was released in Japan on November 23, 2011, featuring remastered versions of the Japanese soundtrack, with the inclusion of "Sonic Boom", and special remixes by Cash Cash
Cash Cash
Cash Cash is an American band from Roseland, New Jersey.Cash Cash consists of Jean Paul Makhlouf, Alexander Luke Makhlouf, Sam Frisch, and Anthony Villacari.-History:...
, Jun Senoue
Jun Senoue
is a video game composer and musician from Wave Master, well known for some of his contributions in many Sonic the Hedgehog games. He is also the guitarist for the band Crush 40, which also contributes to many Sonic the Hedgehog games.-Biography:...
and Crush 40
Crush 40
Crush 40, formerly known as Sons of Angels, is a Japanese-American hard rock band formed in 1997 that is best known for their contributions to the soundtracks of several video games, predominantly the Sonic the Hedgehog series...
.
Ports
Sonic CD was ported to PC CD-ROMPersonal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
in 1996, marking Sonic's debut on the PC under the Sega PC
Sega PC
Sega PC is a computer and video game publication arm of video game company Sega. It originally self-published games for the personal computer and later used other companies for distribution including GT Interactive, Expert Software, and Activision....
brand. This version was released in Japan on August 9, 1996, in North America on August 26, 1996, and in Europe on October 3, 1996. This version contains the complete FMV animated
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
intro and ending sequence, and all versions of the game, including the Japanese version, uses the North American soundtrack. This port is currently only compatible with older versions of Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, although some unofficial patches allow the game to be played on later versions.
Sonic CD was released as part of the Sonic Gems Collection compilation released for Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
and PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in 2005. This version is ported from the PC version with some enhancements regarding the game's frame rate
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
and action speed (with no frame rate slow-down), though features some minor emulation errors. While the Japanese version uses the original Japanese soundtrack, the European version of the game utilises the North American soundtrack. This version also included the highest quality versions of the animated intro and ending sequences.
On August 23, 2011, a blog post by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's Larry Hyrb listed Sonic CD as an Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
title to be made playable at PAX Prime 2011
Penny Arcade Expo
The Penny Arcade Expo is a semi-annual gamer festival held in Seattle and Boston. PAX was created by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, the authors of the Penny Arcade webcomic, because they wanted to attend a show that gave equal attention to console gamers, computer gamers, and tabletop...
. On August 25, 2011, Sega announced it would also be bringing the game to PlayStation Network, PC, iOS and mobile phones in December 2011. The port is being developed from scratch using a 'Retro Engine' created by independent developer Christian 'Taxman' Whitehead, who originally produced a proof of concept video of the game running on the iPhone in 2009. This engine allows improvements to be made to the game, including widescreen graphics and the option to utilise spin-dash physics from Sonic 2. Players will also be able to unlock Tails
Miles "Tails" Prower
, better known by his nickname , is a character, as well as the main deuteragonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games, comics, animated series and film released by Sega....
as a playable character. The port will also feature both the original Japanese/European soundtrack and the American soundtrack, as well as achievement and trophy support and iOS features. Prior to the game's release, Android gaming tablets purchased from GameStop
GameStop
GameStop Corporation is an American video game and entertainment software retailer. The company, whose headquarters is in Grapevine, Texas, United States, operates 6,500 retail stores throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New...
from November 2011 include the full game.
Other appearances
The story of Sonic CD was adapted in FleetwayFleetway
Fleetway, also known as Fleetway Publications and Fleetway Editions, was a UK publishing company which mainly produced comic magazines. For a time owned by IPC Media, they are now a division of Egmont Publishing....
's Sonic the Comic
Sonic the Comic
Sonic the Comic, known to its many readers as STC, was a UK children's comic published fortnightly by Fleetway Editions between 1993 and 2002...
magazine in the UK, where Metal Sonic was renamed Metallix. The game's story was also adapted in issue #25 of Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
' Sonic the Hedgehog comic book
Sonic the Hedgehog (comics)
Sonic the Hedgehog is an ongoing series of American comic books published by Archie Comics, featuring Sega's mascot video game character of the same name. The comic book series debuted in the United States as a 4 part mini-series published between November 1992 and February 1993...
series.
Metal Sonic later appears as the main villain in 2003's Sonic Heroes
Sonic Heroes
is a 2004 platforming single-player/multiplayer video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series developed by Sonic Team USA. It is the first multiplatform title in the Sonic series, developed for Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox and released in Japan in December 2003, in North America in...
, as well as making appearances in various spin-offs in the series such as Sonic R
Sonic R
Sonic R is a racing game developed by Traveller's Tales and Sonic Team for the Sega Saturn and PC, the latter version being ported to the GameCube and the PlayStation 2 in Sonic Gems Collection. It features characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series...
, Sonic Rivals
Sonic Rivals
Sonic Rivals is a game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series in late 2006. It is the first Sonic game developed by a Canadian company, Backbone Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation Portable...
, Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games, and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a racing game in the Sega Superstars series produced for Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS and Microsoft Windows, featuring characters from many Sega franchises. It is being published by Sega and developed by Sumo Digital...
. Metal Sonic will reappear as a key villain in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
is an episodic platform video game and a sequel in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The game was developed by Dimps alongside members of Sonic Team and is intended to be inspired by and similar to the original Sonic the Hedgehog titles on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.Episode I was released in October...
, whose story will link to that of Sonic CD's. Sonic Generations
Sonic Generations
is a 2011 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, produced by Sonic Team for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo 3DS...
features a recreation of the Sonic CD boss battle against the character, set in the bad future of Stardust Speedway. Amy Rose has reappeared in several Sonic games as well, having a starring role in Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure
is a 1999 platform video game developed by Sonic Team and released on December 23, 1998, in Japan by Sega for the Dreamcast. One of its development titles was Sonic RPG...
, and playable in many of the games that she appears in.
Reception
Reviews for Mega CD version of Sonic CD were very positive, with a consensus that it was one of the best games for the Sega Mega-CD. The game was praised for its innovative time-travel based gameplay, presentation and music. It was rated 10 out of 10 in Game Rankings Despite this critical acclaim, the game failed to emulate the commercial success of the Mega Drive Sonic games, due to the unpopularity of the Mega-CD. Copies of Sonic CD were at one time distributed through a free mail-in offer to buyers of the later, top-loading version of the Mega-CD (in addition to the Sewer Shark pack-in game) as a promotion for the Mega-CD.Reviews for the PC version were subpar. Many reviewers didn't like how it played on PCs at the time compared to the smooth gameplay of the Mega-CD version. The PC version also didn't work on computers running later Windows OS systems Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, and Windows 7 due to some missing files (though it worked on Windows Me
Windows Me
Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me , is a graphical operating system released on September 14, 2000 by Microsoft, and was the last operating system released in the Windows 9x series. Support for Windows Me ended on July 11, 2006....
and Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
OS). However, a program called "Sonic CD PC Fix" solved most of these problems.
Sonic CD was awarded Best Sega CD Game of 1993 by Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
. In May 2009, Gamepro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
listed Sonic CD as one of the Top 20 Best Platformers: 1989 to 2009, ranking the game in 12th place. GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
listed Sonic CD as the 67th best game of all time.
External links
- Sonic CD at SegaSega, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
.com - Sonic CD at Giant BombGiant BombGiant Bomb is an American video game website and wiki that includes gaming news, reviews, commentary, and video, created by former GameSpot editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis in collaboration with Whiskey Media...
- Sonic CD at The GHZ