Wi-Philes

• Platform: GEN (VC)
• Genre: Platformer
• Players: 1
• Developer: SEGA
• Publisher: SEGA
• The word from N-Philes
• Cost: 800 points
• Average Rating:

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Jared Thomas Sonic the Hedgehog

The first adventure of the Blue Blur took video games in a hip new direction with "attitude" and off-the-hook speed (made possible by the Genesis' exclusive Blast Processing). Its image may have made it popular, but what made the game successful and why it remains fun to play today is simplicity of control, depth of level design, and a brilliant soundtrack that brought it all together. Sonic rips through branching levels that offer wide exploration, a variety of items to collect, and creative bonus levels that can earn players a special ending.

Contrary to contemporary, moronic belief, the original Sonic the Hedgehog wasn't all about non-stop dashing around. The game offered an impressive balance in level design between tight platforming, moderate puzzle-solving and exploration, and carnival-ride fun through loops, springboards, and tunnels. There's not a speedway to be found in the Labyrinth Zone, which requires Sonic to navigate through rocky underwater caverns and conserve oxygen, but directly afterward the game gives way to the futuristic Starlight Zone that barely gives Sonic time to breathe in between all the extended loops, slopes, and springboards. Taking into account solid boss battles after each detailed and innovative zone, and there's no doubt Sonic the Hedgehog is a classic that easily stands side-by-side with such names as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

Legacy...

Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as its three direct Genesis sequels, can be found on Sonic Mega Collection for GameCube, which also includes a number of other Virtual Console titles and retails for much less than it would cost to download all the games separately. Wii's backward compatibility with GameCube means that having the download is a negligible convenience compared to owning the more expansive, less expensive Mega Collection.

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