Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:02, 11 September 2024

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

Electronic Gaming Monthly
🇺🇸 September 1991

"Behind the Screens" feature on the game's development and release

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox
+{{InfoboxGame
   |image = Sonic 1 Mega Drive cover art EU.jpg
   |developer = Sonic Team
   |publisher = Sega
-  |platforms = '''Sega Mega Drive/Genesis (original)'''
+  |platforms = <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">'''{{plat-megadrive}} (original)'''
+<div class="mw-collapsible-content">{{plat-arcade}} • {{plat-gba}} • {{plat-win}} • {{plat-3ds}} • {{plat-ios}} • {{plat-android}} • {{plat-amazon-fire-tv}} • {{plat-apple-tv}} • {{plat-switch}}</div></div>
   |date = <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">'''June 23, 1991 (official release date)'''
-<div class="mw-collapsible-content">June 11, 1991 {{Flag-US}} (unofficial)<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>June 23, 1991 {{Flag-US}} (official)<br>June 24, 1991 {{Flag-UK}}<br>June 1991 {{Flag-EU}}<br>July 26, 1991 {{Flag-JP}}<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></div></div>
+<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]]
+  |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.
-== Previews ==
+== 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
@@ Line 195: / Line 207: @@
 |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 ==
+=== Magazine covers ===
 {{GalleryStart}}
 {{GalleryCard
@@ Line 272: / Line 290: @@
 |date=August 1991
 |country=JP
+}}
+{{GalleryCard
+|file=CVG Italy issue 8 cover.jpg
+|title=Computer + Video Giochi
+|date=September 1991
+|country=IT
 }}
 {{GalleryEnd}}
-== Features ==
+=== Features ===
 {{GalleryStart}}
 {{GalleryCard
@@ Line 324: / Line 348: @@
 |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 ==
+=== Reader letters ===
 {{GalleryStart}}
 {{GalleryCard
@@ Line 335: / Line 450: @@
 |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 ==
+=== Advertising ===
 {{GalleryStart}}
 {{GalleryCard
@@ Line 363: / Line 492: @@
 {{GalleryEnd}}
-== Reviews ==
+=== Reviews ===
 {{GalleryStart}}
 {{GalleryCard
@@ Line 482: / Line 611: @@
 |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 ==
+=== Miscellaneous ===
 {{GalleryStart}}
 {{GalleryCard
@@ Line 524: / Line 689: @@
 {{GalleryEnd}}
-== Forum posts ==
+=== Forum posts ===
-=== Usenet ===
+==== Usenet (rec.games.video) ====
-* [https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/paAgJy9q1dA/m/PrIxZ_2uKZYJ "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/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 ==