Sonic CD

After the success of the first game in the series, Sonic the Hedgehog 1, Sega knew they had to capitalise on the Sonic brand as much as they could. Thus, a sequel was created by Sega of America, tentatively titled Sonic the Hedgehog 2. At the same time, however, in Sega of Japan, work started on another Sonic the Hedgehog title, destined for the soon to be released Sega CD, an additional peripheral for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that would allow it to play games on a CD, instead of a cartridge. Two separate games were being created in tandem by the same company in two different countries. One story states that Sonic CD was supposed to be an enhanced port of Sonic 2 for the Sega CD, another states that Sonic 2 and Sonic CD were developed in two different countries simply to create two different games with two different visions. Sega of America updated the Sonic sprite for their release, but the sprite from Sonic CD is remarkably similar to that of Sonic 1, leading credence to the theory that the games were being created in tandem but without interference or communication from the other side, that being Sega of America creating their own new sprites while Sega of Japan stuck with some of their older assets.

Released a year after Sonic the Hedgehog 2, on the ill fated Sega CD drive, Sonic CD was one of the few games actually worth playing on that machine, and that meant for a long time it was the hardest game in the series to find and play. You had to own a rare Sega CD drive and a copy of the game, and these were not easy to find. Fortunately Sonic CD has since seen a few rereleases, most notably as recently as 2011 on mobile devices and home console arcades. A chance to play a rare gem that might have fallen out of time due to its obscurity.

Sonic CD plays very similarly to Sonic the Hedgehog 1. Instead of a spin dash maneuver being introduced like it was in Sonic 2, here you get a move called the "super peel-out," a similar styled move that gives Sonic a burst of speed, instantly setting it apart from the original. No new characters to play as, it's simply Sonic the whole way through. Sonic handles well, the new sense of instant speed with the super peel-out move works.

One interesting thing to note is the level design. The levels in this game are very inventive and creative, but they are also heavily focused on platforming. Sonic CD follows on from the model set in Sonic the Hedgehog 1, interesting levels that slow the pace down considerably, somewhat removing the sense of speed you want from a Sonic the Hedgehog game. The levels are large and expansive, rife for exploration, but they can also seem a little disjointed at times, especially the later levels. Parts seem designed to intentionally slow you way down, or to lead you to a dead end. It involves a little more thought than just to hold right on your gamepad and hope it all works out. Interesting, but sometimes a little infuriating.

The music excels in this game, also having the honour of having two distinctive and unique soundtracks. For some reason, the soundtrack was changed for the US version. Fans are split down the middle on which soundtrack is better, and both are incredibly different. Both have their charms and highlights. Each level in this game is split into past, present, good future and bad future sections, with different music in each section. The original soundtrack has musical themes that weave through each distinct level section and links them together. The US soundtrack does this in certain sections, and has a more ambient sound to its music. Most recent releases allow you to toggle between the US and Japanese soundtrack, so you can see which one you personally like better. Both have their charms, although I much prefer the Japanese soundtrack.

Sonic CD doesn't mix speed with platforming in the same way that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 does, given that they were both being created at the same time. It follows the model set in Sonic 1 quite closely, only with more vivid level design and imagination. Sonic CD is a great game if you can persevere and get through it all. It's not quite as accessible as Sonic 2, but it is still a classic that is worthy of your time.