View source for Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)

{{Infobox
 |image = Sonic 1 Mega Drive cover art EU.jpg
 |developer = Sonic Team
 |publisher = Sega
 |platforms = '''Sega Mega Drive/Genesis (original)'''
 |date = <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">'''June 23, 1991 (official release date)'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">{{Flag-US}} June 11, 1991 (unofficial)<ref>[https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/CgIpSUHEe3k "SONIC the Hedgehog (Genesis) is out!"] (rec.games.video post from June 11, 1991)</ref><ref>[https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/paAgJy9q1dA/m/PrIxZ_2uKZYJ This Usenet thread], dated June 12, 1991, mentions that some people in the USA had managed to obtain and play a copy of the game as early as the previous day.</ref><br>{{Flag-US}} June 23, 1991 (official)<br>{{Flag-UK}} June 24, 1991<br>{{Flag-EU}} June 1991<br>{{Flag-JP}} July 26, 1991<ref>At least two different magazine ads - [[:File:Sonic 1 MD Japanese print ad from Beep MegaDrive July 1991.pdf|one that ran in ''Beep! MegaDrive'']] and [[:File:Sonic 1 MD Japanese print ad from Mega Drive Fan August 1991.pdf|one that ran in ''Mega Drive Fan'']] - provide this release date for the game.</ref><ref>Sega of Japan mentions this date on two separate web pages: [https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html their game history] and [https://vc.sega.jp/vc_sonic their page for the game's Wii Virtual Console release].</ref><ref>[https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/6Uel2TQ03iI "New Mega Drive/Genesis releases (MD Fan, Beep! MD June issue)"] (rec.games.video post from June 5, 1991)</ref></div></div>
 |wikipedia = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_(1991_video_game)
 |mobygames = https://www.mobygames.com/game/sonic-the-hedgehog
 |tcrf = https://tcrf.net/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_(Genesis)
 |related = [[Sonic Heroes]]
}}

'''Sonic the Hedgehog''' is a 1991 platform game released by Sega in June 1991. The first installment in the series of the same name, it would prove to be a massive success in the West, bolstering sales of the Mega Drive (Genesis in North America) and establishing it as a serious rival to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

== History ==
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD history in EGM issue 26.pdf
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=September 1991
|country=US
|description="Behind the Screens" feature on the game's development and release
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

== Original Mega Drive/Genesis version ==
=== Previews ===
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Mega Drive Fan August 1990.png
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=August 1990
|country=JP
|description=Part of the magazine's coverage of the 1990 Tokyo Toy Show
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in EGM issue 13.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=August 1990
|country=US
|description=Part of the magazine's coverage of the 1990 Tokyo Toy Show
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview blurb in EGM issue 13.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=August 1990
|country=US
|description=Blurb
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in EGM issue 14.png
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=September 1990
|country=US
|description=Part of the magazine's coverage of the 1990 Tokyo Toy Show
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Generation 4 issue 30.png
|title=	Génération 4
|date=February 1991
|country=FR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Mean Machines issue 5.png
|title=Mean Machines
|date=February 1991
|country=UK
|description=Blurb regarding the game's appearance at the 1991 Winter Consumer Electronic Show
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in CVG issue 112.jpg
|title=Computer & Video Games
|date=March 1991
|country=UK
|description=Part of the magazine's coverage of the 1991 Winter Consumer Electronic Show
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in ACE issue 43.png
|title=ACE
|date=April 1991
|country=UK
|description=Part of the magazine's coverage of the 1991 Winter Consumer Electronic Show
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese preview in Beep MegaDrive April 1991.png
|title=Beep! MegaDrive
|date=April 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese preview in Mega Drive Fan April 1991.png
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=April 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Sega Visions issue 4.pdf
|title=Sega Visions
|date=April/May 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview blurb in EGM issue 21.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=April 1991
|country=US
|description=Blurb
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Game Players issue 22.png
|title=Game Players
|date=April 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in GamePro issue 21.pdf
|title=GamePro
|date=April 1991
|country=US
|description=Originally printed on non-consecutive pages
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sega CES 1991 coverage from Sega Power issue 18.jpg
|title=Sega Power
|date=May 1991
|country=UK
|description=Coverage of Sega's presence at the 1991 Consumer Electronic Show, including various other games
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Mega Drive Fan May 1991.jpg
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=May 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Raze issue 8 edited.jpg
|title=Raze
|date=June 1991
|country=UK
|description=Edited together from two consecutive pages for readability
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in EGM issue 22.pdf
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=May 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Mean Machines issue 8.pdf
|title=Mean Machines
|date=May 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese preview in Mega Drive Fan June 1991.pdf
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=June 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in CVG issue 115.pdf
|title=Computer & Video Games
|date=June 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Game Players Sega Guide vol 2 issue 3.pdf
|title=Game Players Sega Guide!
|date=June/July 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview and partial interview in Sega Power issue 20.pdf
|title=Sega Power
|date=July 1991
|country=UK
|description=Also features part of an interview with people from Virgin (which is mostly, but not entirely, unrelated to ''Sonic'')
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese preview in Mega Drive Fan July 1991.pdf
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=July 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Mega Force France issue 1.pdf
|title=Mega Force
|date=July/August 1991
|country=FR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD preview in Raze issue 10.pdf
|title=Raze
|date=August 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Portuguese preview in Supergame issue 1.pdf
|title=Supergame
|date=July 1991
|country=BR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese preview in SPEC July 8 1991.jpg
|title=Sega Players Enjoy Club
|date=July 8, 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Greek preview in User issue 17.jpg
|title=User
|date=September 1991
|country=GR
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

=== Magazine covers ===
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=EGM issue 22 cover.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=May 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Mean Machines issue 8 cover.jpg
|title=Mean Machines
|date=May 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sega Visions issue 5 cover.jpg
|title=Sega Visions
|date=Summer 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=GamePro issue 23 cover.jpg
|title=GamePro
|date=June 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=VG&CE issue 29 cover.jpg
|title=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment
|date=June 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sega Power issue 20 cover.jpg
|title=Sega Power
|date=July 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Beep MegaDrive July 1991 cover.pdf
|title=Beep! MegaDrive
|date=July 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Mega Drive Fan July 1991 cover.jpg
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=July 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Games-X June 27 to July 3 1991 cover.jpg
|title=Games-X
|date=June 27 - July 3, 1991
|country=UK
|description=Also features ''[[Super Mario World]]''
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Supergame issue 1 cover.jpg
|title=Supergame
|date=July 1991
|country=BR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=VideoGame issue 5 cover.jpg
|title=VideoGame
|date=July 1991
|country=BR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Mega Drive Fan August 1991 cover.jpg
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=August 1991
|country=JP
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=CVG Italy issue 8 cover.jpg
|title=Computer + Video Giochi
|date=September 1991
|country=IT
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

=== Features ===
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD feature in Sega Visions issue 5.pdf
|title=Sega Visions
|date=Summer 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese feature and interview in Beep MegaDrive July 1991.pdf
|title=Beep! MegaDrive
|date=July 1991
|country=JP
|description=Also includes an interview
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD codes and tricks in Mega Play issue 5.pdf
|title=Mega Play
|date=July/August 1991
|country=US
|description=Cheat codes and an infinite lives trick
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese feature in Beep! MegaDrive August 1991.pdf
|title=Beep! MegaDrive
|date=August 1991
|country=JP
|description=Guide to Labyrinth and Star Light Zone
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD feature in Mega Drive Fan August 1991.pdf
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=August 1991
|country=JP
|description=Guide to Marble Zone
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD codes and secrets in EGM issue 25.pdf
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=August 1991
|country=US
|description=Cheat codes and tricks
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD guide in Game Players Sega Guide vol 2 issue 4.pdf
|title=Game Players Sega Guide!
|date=August/September 1991
|country=US
|description=Guide to every stage in the game
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD level select code in Beep MegaDrive JP September 1991.jpg
|title=Beep! MegaDrive
|date=September 1991
|country=JP
|description=Level select code
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese guide in Mega Drive Fan September 1991.pdf
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=September 1991
|country=JP
|description=Full guide
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD level select code in CVG issue 118.jpg
|title=Computer & Video Games
|date=September 1991
|country=UK
|description=Level select code
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD guide in Raze issue 12.pdf
|title=Raze
|date=October 1991
|country=UK
|description=Guide (including codes, tips, and more)
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD French feature in Consoles Plus issue 1.pdf
|title=Consoles +
|date=September 1991
|country=FR
|description=General guide, including a map of Green Hill Zone's first act
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD level select code in Mega Drive Fan JP October 1991.jpg
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=October 1991
|country=JP
|description=Level select code
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Spring Yard boss tips in Mega Drive Fan JP October 1991.jpg
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=October 1991
|country=JP
|description=Tips on Spring Yard Zone's boss
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD full French guide in Mega Force issue 2.pdf
|title=Mega Force
|date=September/October 1991
|country=FR
|description=Comprehensive guide to the entire game
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD code in EGM issue 26.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=September 1991
|country=US
|description="Code" that causes Sonic to die in attract mode & the ending
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD ending in EGM issue 26.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=September 1991
|country=US
|description=Outline of the game's ending
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD boss tips in CVG issue 119.pdf
|title=Computer & Video Games
|date=October 1991
|country=UK
|description=Tips for every boss
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Portuguese guide in Acao Games issue 6.pdf
|title=Ação Games
|date=October 1991
|country=BR
|description=Guide to each zone
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD guide in EGM issue 27.pdf
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=October 1991
|country=US
|description=Guide to the first two zones
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

=== Reader letters ===
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD early screenshot in EGM issue 16 reader mail.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=November 1990
|country=US
|description=Pre-release letter featuring another early screenshot
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD reader letter in ACE issue 48.png
|title=ACE
|date=September 1991
|country=UK
|description=A reader compares the game to ''[[Super Mario World]]''
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese reader letters and fanart from Mega Drive Fan October 1991.pdf
|title=Mega Drive Fan
|date=October 1991
|country=JP
|description=Also includes a piece of reader fanart
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

=== Advertising ===
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD UK print ad from Mean Machines issue 9.pdf
|title=Print ad
|date=1991
|country=UK
|description=Taken from issue 9 of ''Mean Machines'' (dated June 1991)
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese print ad from Beep MegaDrive July 1991.pdf
|title=Print ad
|date=1991
|country=JP
|description=Taken from ''Beep! MegaDrive'''s July 1991 issue
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese print ad from Mega Drive Fan August 1991.pdf
|title=Print ad
|date=1991
|country=JP
|description=Taken from ''Mega Drive Fan'''s August 1991 issue; also advertises promotional plushies distributed in Sega's claw machines
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

=== Reviews ===
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in GamePro issue 23.pdf
|title=GamePro
|date=June 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in VG&CE issue 29.jpg
|title=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment
|date=June 1991
|country=US
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD German review in VideoGames from June 7 1991.pdf
|title=Video Games
|date=June 7, 1991
|country=DE
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review feat. Super Mario World in Games-X issue 10.pdf
|title=Games-X
|date=June 27 - July 3, 1991
|country=UK
|description=Frequently compares the game to ''[[Super Mario World]]'', down to printing scores for both titles at the end
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in New Computer Express issue 138.pdf
|title=New Computer Express
|date=June 29, 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in Mean Machines issue 10.pdf
|title=Mean Machines
|date=July 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD panel review from Mega Play issue 5.jpg
|title=Mega Play
|date=July/August 1991
|country=US
|description=Panel review
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD French review in Player One issue 11.pdf
|title=Player One
|date=July/August
|country=FR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD panel review in EGM issue 24.jpg
|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly
|date=July 1991
|country=US
|description=Panel review
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Portuguese review in VideoGame issue 5.pdf
|title=VideoGame
|date=July 1991
|country=BR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD French review in Joystick issue 18.pdf
|title=Joystick
|date=July/August 1991
|country=FR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese panel review in Beep MegaDrive August 1991.jpg
|title=Beep! MegaDrive
|date=August 1991
|country=JP
|description=Panel review
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in ACE issue 47.pdf
|title=ACE
|date=August 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in CVG issue 117.pdf
|title=Computers & Video Games
|date=August 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in Raze issue 11.pdf
|title=Raze
|date=September 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Portuguese review in Acao Games issue 4.pdf
|title=Ação Games
|date=August 1991
|country=BR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in Zero issue 22.pdf
|title=Zero
|date=August 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in Sega Power issue 22.pdf
|title=Sega Power
|date=September 1991
|country=UK
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in Megazone issue 17.pdf
|title=Megazone
|date=August/September 1991
|country=AU
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD review in CVG Italy issue 8.pdf
|title=Computer + Video Giochi
|date=September 1991
|country=IT
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD French review in Tilt issue 93.pdf
|title=Tilt
|date=September 1991
|country=FR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Italian review in The Games Machine issue 34.pdf
|title=The Games Machine
|date=September 1991
|country=IT
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Greek review in User issue 18.jpg
|title=User
|date=October 1991
|country=GR
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Spanish review in Hobby Consolas issue 1.pdf
|title=Hobby Consolas
|date=October 1991
|country=ES
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Spanish review in Micromania second period issue 41.pdf
|title=Micromania (second period)
|date=October 1991
|country=ES
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

=== Miscellaneous ===
{{GalleryStart}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese feature about the soundtrack and Dreams Come True in SPEC issue 7.pdf
|title=Sega Players Enjoy Club
|date=November 1990
|country=JP
|description=Feature about Dreams Come True & their involvement with the game's soundtrack
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD Japanese feature including Dreams Come True from SPEC issue 7.pdf
|title=Sega Players Enjoy Club
|date=November 1990
|country=JP
|description=Feature about Sonic as a character (featuring Dreams Come True)
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic related Sega contest in GamePro issue 23.jpg
|title=GamePro
|date=June 1991
|country=US
|description=Announcement of a Sonic-related contest to win various Sonic/Sega prizes
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD news item about UK imports in Mean Machines issue 10.jpg
|title=Mean Machines
|date=July 1991
|country=UK
|description=News item about Sega of America's efforts to block British wholesalers from importing and reselling American copies early
}}
{{GalleryCard
|file=Sonic 1 MD poster in CVG issue 117.pdf
|title=Computers & Video Games
|date=August 1991
|country=UK
|description=Poster
}}
{{GalleryEnd}}

=== Forum posts ===
==== Usenet (rec.games.video) ====
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/vtEl1NU7xiU "more on MD Fan and Beep! MD"] - Sir Han J. Lee summarizes upcoming games seen in two Japanese magazines, including ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (August 9, 1990)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/mQXp4xEhb8Q "SEGA NEWS -part 3"] - Sir Han J. Lee updates their list of upcoming Mega Drive games, once again including ''Sonic the Hedgehog''; one of the replies comments on the notion that it's "SEGA's answer to Mario and Bonk" (November 5, 1990)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/CR6w1esS0yU "Lynx Shanghai, more CES game news"] - 
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/gStVPrE-HXQ "I played the Super Famicom"] - in a mostly unrelated thread, Dave Taylor proclaims that ''Sonic'' "will be HOT HOT HOT" based on its showing at that year's Winter CES (January 14, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/FKFCCppPDjg "Turbo Grafx Dying?????"] - a reply to this thread mentions ''Sonic'' as an "expected standout" based on the 1991 Winter CES (March 8, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/_w3Oh_R2_kk "Ces"] - Eric Glover discusses the games and consoles on offer at CES, including a claim that "Sonic ***NUKED*** anything I saw, heard, wished was on the Super Famicon ''[sic]'' that day" (June 11, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/CgIpSUHEe3k "SONIC the Hedgehog (Genesis) is out!"] - a short thread praising the game that confirms that it was released in portions of California on June 11, 1991 (the day the OP was posted)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/paAgJy9q1dA "Sonic 'Hog News Wanted"] - a user solicits opinions on the game, with details indicating some people had received it prior to the official American release date (June 12, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/pu23bbxBenA "Sonic"] - a short thread with a reply claiming that the game sold out in portions of Washington (June 13, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/fnADozgopUk "Move over Mario, SONIC is here!!!"] - Ken Clarke's first impressions of the game are glowing, going so far as to say that it trumps every ''Mario'' game available at the time (June 13, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/C1UJ-EOmt90 "Sonic The Hedgehog"] - Lee Thompson notes that the game released in Seattle, Washington that day and opens a discussion about its merits (June 14, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/FprxdyKKtlI "Sonic and Star Control..."] - before asking a question about ''[[Star Control]]'', Gregory Legowski expresses his fondness for ''Sonic'' and claims it's "a hit with my entire apartment building!" (June 17, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/qXVYJ6JB4zA "Sonic Mania"] - Han Lee mentions that the game was "sold out practically everywhere," to the point where Electronic Boutique set up a wait list to purchase it (June 18, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/MdMyzrFa4sw "Star Control Review wanted (plus some misc. stuff!)"] - Larry J Brackney deviates from the main purpose of the thread to offer some thoughts on ''Sonic'' (June 18, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/opC0szfylSM "Can't find Sonic; Help!"] - Dylan Ginsburg can't find the game anywhere around Washington, D.C. and requests help, only to find it at a Babbage's less than a day later (June 18, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/jES9Msn7GAc "What's the big deal with Sonic?"] - Doug Quarnstrom questions the hype surrounding the game; two others explain why they love it so much (June 19, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/ZyV7S4xSa3U "Sonic impressions"] - a moderately positive but skeptical review of the game, with a considerable amount of debate afterward (June 21, 1991)
** [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/8jJE4nWzefU A portion of the thread missing from the above link]
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/pEzwh2DnRgk "Mario -vs- Sonic"] - a debate comparing ''Sonic'' to the [[Super Mario Bros.|first]] and [[Super Mario Bros. 3|third]] ''Mario'' games, primarily (circa June 29, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/SjMxV7d1bYo "Sonic - Labyrinth Act 3"] - Steve Jonke asks for advice on handling the titular level's boss, then expresses fondness for the zone as a whole (July 31, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/f0R3cJ--G2Y "flashing dot on lynx"] - a thread which derails into sharing impressions on contemporary games, ''Sonic'' included (August 18, 1991)
* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/rWVWC0ZwG9o "Post Sonic Blues ... what to do..."] - a reply to an older thread that explains the level select cheat and mentions that their friends are addicted to the game (circa September 17, 1991)

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Game]]