Episode 31: Sonic the Hedgehog

When Sonic the Hedgehog was first released in 1991 it blew everyone's minds.  Featuring gorgeous graphics, fast paced gameplay and an iconic mascot, Sega finally had a title that could compete with Mario.  Sonic the Hedgehog was the reason to own a Sega Genesis, on a console that had otherwise failed to impress.

But how well has the original Sonic held up by today’s standards?  We’ve made vast strides in refining 2D platformers in the past 30 years, not only in the Sonic franchise, but across the board.  Can the original really stand up to the test of time? Is Sonic The Hedgehog still a game worth playing today?

On this episode, we discuss:

• Just how fast do you actually go in this game?  While it’s theoretically possible to reach ludicrous speeds, levels are filled with trolls and traps.  Can a new player have any reasonable expectation of going fast?
• Which is the more enjoyable platforming experience?  Using memorisation to perfectly navigate a level? Or relying on reaction speeds to deftly thread the needle?
• Sonic was originally designed to be played from start to finish with no checkpoints or saving.  Modern iterations and ports, however, have both. Is having saving a strict improvement, or is there some merit to the iron mode of original Sonic?

We answer these questions, and many more, on the 31st episode of the Retro Spectives Podcast!

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