Sonic CD is one of the more highly regarded of the classic Sonic titles, and the XBLA/PSN re-release is, surprisingly, one of the better modern ports/recreations for downloadable services and mobile platforms to be seen in recent times. It’s got more content than the original, and has been superbly cleaned up to look great on a digital display. And best of all, it’s been released at a very affordable 400 MSP/$5, which makes it a more valuable prospect than a lot of existing titles… such as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1…
The hedgehog who leapt through time.
Aside from being the first official title to introduce Amy Rose and Metal Sonic, the major gameplay hook in Sonic CD was the ability to travel through time. While you have to remember that the way games conveyed narrative nearly 20 years ago is nowhere near as sophisticated as it is now, the basic story is that Sonic has to save ‘Little Planet’ from the clutches of Dr Robotnik/Eggman, who is taking advantage of the planet’s time manipulation properties to purport his nefarious plans… whatever they may be. It was quaint to see some of the early attempts at animated cut scenes in a game.
If you’ve ever played a classic Sonic title, you’ll know the drill. The game is divided into seven zones, each with three acts. Sonic himself is endowed with the Spin Dash and Super Peel Out, the latter being a faster attack but leaving him more vulnerable. Now it would be simple enough to dash through the game in attempt to finish it in the two to three hours that it will take, thanks to a fairly generous save system (particularly by 1993 standards). However, doing so will only yield you a fraction of the points that you’d want if you’re challenging the leaderboard and the ‘bad’ ending.
Eggman is a stupid name for a bad guy.
Little Planet was once a beautiful place with several unique areas, but Dr Robotnik’s influence has started to have a negative impact on each of the levels you enter during the ‘present’. The actual purpose of the game is to travel to the past - by hitting the signs in each zone that say ‘Past’, then running uninterrupted to gather enough momentum - and find the hidden ‘Robot Generator’. Doing so in each of the first two zones will help you create a ‘Good Future’, in each act’s third boss zone. Failure to do so will create a ‘Bad Future’, where the traps and enemies are much harder. You can also create a Good Future by collect 50 rings in a stage and completing the special (gloriously nostalgic mode 7) 3D stages that follow, to earn a Timestone.
As a bonus, players will be granted access to play through the game with Sonic’s buddy, Tails, unlike in the original, as well as modern conveniences such as online leaderboards to compliment the story mode and Time Attack. While the aficionados will be very happy to get their teeth back into some classic Sonic action, it’s important to remember that a lot of the gameplay integrity is intact, meaning a game that doesn’t always play like you want it to, what with occasionally erratic and fiddly controls. There is a strong emphasis on memorising the levels and get a very good feel of the way the game plays, and gunning for high scores. Today’s kids mightn’t get it, but those who stick with it and learn will get to experience the pleasure of completing levels in rapid time and at break-neck speeds.
One of gaming's iconic rivalries.
The most impressive part of the port has been the conversion to HD. Sure, it retains the visuals as they were in 1993, but in a way that doesn’t sacrifice either charm or integrity for performance, or vice versa. Each of the levels is rather unique, and all built with a nice curve through more challenging areas and deeper parts of the planet. Uniquely, Sonic CD has the option of changing between the Japanese and US soundtracks. Both are excellent, amongst the best of the series, and ode to how much a great sound track can add to a game.
Sonic CD is more than a faithful port, as it has genuine enhancements, while managing to still retain the original flair and nostalgia, especially for a title that played somewhat different to others in its vintage. It’s a title that very proudly displays character and flair that’s missing in many modern top-flight games. Fans know what they’re getting, and at a very reasonable price, but it’s actually a title that is a great introduction for players yet to play much classic Sonic. Just remember, that you’ll be playing by the game’s rules, where your hand won’t be held and not everything will happen as you want it to. But hey, for the price of admission, it’s a piece of gaming history that’s hard to ignore.
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