Sonic CD
What we have here is a 2D Sonic game, but with save points, a fantastic soundtrack and slightly better graphics. I was sold on this one immediately. Between this and Sonic Adventure there’s a peculiar aesthetic at play. While it was meant to look modern and sleek and fabulous at the time, now it’s a time capsule with a busted seal. Not that I can condemn these games. I’m also from that same leaky canister, a warped and faded relic of a bygone era. I love it so much, in other words. Eggman’s boss music in this one is basically perfect as well. The whole soundtrack has this weird attitude like they had four guys in a lab researching cool for years before blasting out this gem. It’s unspeakably cheesy and if there’s a vinyl release out there I want it. I don’t even have a record player. Sonic CD’s Steam release also has the advantage of being sexed up and polished by Christian Whitehead, one of the geniuses responsible for Sonic Mania being a love letter to the past instead of a ransom note.
Sonic 3 and Knuckles
I’m legitimately bummed I never got to experience this game the way you’re supposed to, by jamming two cartridges together. Never again will we know the joy of making a video game Voltron out of clunky peripheral hardware. Also, the game is pretty good! I’m excited about any Sonic game that doesn’t start with Green Hill Zone. Don’t sleep on this one, kids.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Man, fuck this game. Wait, really?
….
…..
…….
Yup!
I hate the systems for getting continues and extra lives. I hate how cheap and costly dying can be. I hate how easy it is to get lost later in the game. Yes, these are elements present in the whole franchise, but each successive game refines them a bit more. The frustration is balanced with excellent level design and aesthetic polish. The challenge feels a bit more gradual and justified. I never played these games for years. I read so much hype and adoration from so many people. Then I finally decide to dive into the original game and it’s so aggravating. I experienced little moments of joy at overcoming certain roadblocks, moments which were quickly blotted out by more anger and exhaustion. There’s just better-starting points for your Sonic journey out there. Maybe come back to this title after you’ve seen a bit more of where Sonic went next.
Bonus Entry: Every Special Stage
It’s a tale as old as time. Hedgehog seeks power greater than any before him, hedgehog bumblefucks his way through a series of clumsy trials, player resets the game over and over for a perfect run until Mario starts looking really good. I will never attain Super Sonic without cheating, I just won’t. Be it a matter of principal or patience, I just can’t. At least the Steam versions of these games have a robust save system that lets you cheese your way to super-powered glory.
Okay, there you have it. Three games to pick up once you’ve finished Sonic Mania, as well as three more to maybe check out if you’re starved for more Sonic in your life. These choices represent both the best of Sonic and my own obvious biases. I know a lot of people loved Sonic Adventure and the original Sonic the Hedgehog, but my lack of childhood nostalgia for those games sort of ruined them for me. If you’re also playing these games for the first time, it’s possible you’ll run into similar issues. Or you’ll think I’m full of crap/utterly insane. Either way, feel free to let me know.