Sonic the Hedgehog Retrospective
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Figuring out just what irks me about Sonic the Hedgehog... the REAL Sonic the Hedgehog!
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Sources:
Mario 3: • NES Longplay [081] Sup...
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Sonic 1 speedrun: • Sonic The Hedgehog Spe...
The rest of the footage was gathered by me.
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Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic 1 Review. Retrospective. Critique. HD. Genesis. KingK
Gf heard me watching this and said, "Turn that incredibly velvety voice off for a minute and decide where you want to eat."
PANICBLADE tfw no gf smh gonna kms
Is Gf Internet slang for "yo momma"?
hahahaha
''let's tune in to KingK's Dm's folks''
thejobloshow no
Yep, I pretty much completely agree with what you said, and this is coming from someone who played Sonic 1 as his second mainline Sonic game. What I think it proves more than anything else is that Sonic's level design is, contrary to popular "hold right to win" opinion, rather difficult to get RIGHT. The team spent way longer on Green Hill Zone than they did anything else, and it shows. Aside from Marble Zone though, I don't really think the rest of the game is BAD, it's just spotty. I even like Labyrinth more than a lot of people. But the rest of the zones certainly don't showcase the potential of the gameplay that Green Hill did, and Sonic never would have been the hit that it was without that spectacular first level.
Both of you know how to review sonic properly, I love you
Hey josh where's prime2!?
I read this with your voice.
I feel like I got a mini review from it.
Love it.
Sonic 1 was my first game as I saw it as a kid right after it came out. Blew my goddamn mind after playing Mario on Nintendo...
Sonic 1 blew my mind as a 6 year-old and it was the reason I was a genesis owner long before I ever got a super nes.
...welp, that'll be my Retro Studios season delayed by another 23 minutes and 39 seconds! :D I already know I'm gonna love this. Thank you!
Hi the geek critique
Gotta admit that Labyrinth zones music is freaking great lol
Isaiah Mack all of it is amazing. As dull as Marble Zone is I love the theme.
Isaiah Mack As much as I don't like Marble Zone's level design, it's ironically my second favorite zone in the game just because of the music
It's pretty nice, though I do prefer Spring Yard, one of my favourites out of all the games. Actually I think the music I like the least in Sonic 1 is Green Hill, but yeah the way the level is (as a starter level) absolutely makes up for it.
Labyrinths is absolutely catchy, but I adore Scrap Brain's theme the most. Love the stage too.
To me, the music for Labyrinth IS Sonic music. Like, it's the piece I think of when I think of Sonic music. That, and of course the "iconic" levels of Green Hill (Sonic 1) and Emerald Hill (Sonic 2).
I'll repeat this because it highlights how Sonic is not necessarily about finishing the level as quickly as possible: Sonic's speed was originally implemented as a means of speeding up repeat playthroughs. Sonic came out when very few games featured a save system so Sonic Team designed the game so that return players can quickly race through early stages and the reach the complicated stages sooner. You were never meant to blindly push right to win until you were familiar with these levels. This comes straight from interviews with the original dev team.
That maybe true but does anyone really want too Go through Marble zone and Especially Labyrinth zone over and over and over again?
That's exactly my point. This is also why the level select cheat is easy to perform in Sonic 1 but difficult in Sonic 3 (when a save system was introduced).
Craig Adams Keep in mind this comment was 2 years ago
Yeah, a lot of people don’t understand that Memorization is a huge part of Sonic Games. You can’t just play a Sonic game for the first time and expect to be good at it/like it.
@@train4292 I actually quite like marble zone.
23:00 You're stupid.
Okay, no... this was a really good and entertaining analysis. Your bit about the fact that Green Hill Zone is so iconic is one of the reasons it gets on people's nerves when they see it is something I haven't thought of. Keep it up!
Hey look it's that other guy who made Sonic videos after Mania!
oh shit look it's Haedox!
hey look its an irrelevant reply plz check out my channel lolz miiverse is dying
youre're
Haedox you're my favorite UA-cam channel to watch. :)
It's sad how many people think every sonic game sucks, or that it was never good. It's definitely had its rough patches, but I still love the great titles in the series.
Agreed 100%
Haedox Almost as underrated as Garfield Kart
agreed, haedox can you plz make a video on disability and gaming? i have cerebral palsy
For me Marble Zone was a training ground where I learned to carefully handle Sonic's momentum while jumping. It was a strict learning experience but nowadays I have no problems judging his jumps by his speed and my own button imputs. Labyrinth Zone nails this to player's head by making you figure out these challenges with different kind of gravity and acceleration (you also have an underwater time limit). These are not fun levels to play and they are outright chores even when you have mastered them. But they teach elements of Sonic-controls that other levels don't capitalize, challenges other levels don't really punish you that harshly or force you to focus on and actually learn well.
I want to think that my struggles in Marble Zone helped me in the long run and gave me a reason to not just "go" in every single level but learn to appreciate the skill ceiling of Sonic's movement.
I want to think that hellhole helped me to control Sonic's jump better, waiting and block pushing aside.
That's a rather unique perspective. It's interesting to think that Marble Zone, of all things, was what taught people how to properly control Sonic. But that still doesn't excuse Scrap Brain Zone Act 3.
That was kinda similar to my experience, Marble Zone made me learn Sonic’s controls and made my fingers move a control stick with much more ease, back when I was 8 I always had to look at my 3DS circle pad (which is what I had at the time) now I never even look at the circle pad (leftstick/rightstick)
and movement in video games is like riding a bike, I was terrible at controlling the player character but Marble Zone made me much better at it
I always thought both zones were so jarring when compared. I think people don’t like it because the levels are so different. That’s just my opinion though, say what you will
This is an incredibly hot take but I'd agree. The biggest issues with this game I think are just the devs, like he said, not reallly knowing what was up yet besides going for a faster better mario. I can't trash on sonic 1 that much even if it doesn't hold up.
Sonic fan: So, KingK, how do you feel about the original Sonic the Hedgehog?
KingK: I like Green Hill Zone.
As a child, I always enjoyed Marble Zone and Labyrinth Zone. As an adult, I have been diagnosed with several disturbing mental conditions. I believe the two are related.
But seriously, Sonic 1 caught my interest for reasons other than "gotta go fast". I'd never even heard of it, or the Genesis, but one day it was on a playable display at an electronics store, and it drew me in on a purely artistic level; the looks, the sounds, the style. So, when I got to Marble Zone, and it was soooo much different than "that first place that was so cool", I was just floored. I didn't even have to keep playing to know I *needed* this game. That's right, the reason I begged my parents to get me a Genesis for Christmas was the first screen of Marble Zone.
The crusher hit boxes are strange? More like *absolutely horrifying*. The three terrors of classic Sonic: Drowning, The Abyss, and Crushers.
I wasn't kidding about Labyrinth, though, but again that's probably because of my odd approach as a child. I liked whenever a water level or an ice level showed up in a game. It always gave me that feeling like I had really gained an understanding of how to move as the game character and how to master the terrain, only to be faced with an entirely new challenge that questions all of that. Honestly, I'm thinking of doing a video about my weird enjoyment of the things in this game that everyone else is put off by.
Like the special stage! I was so genuinely surprised to find out that people dislike it. I understand and agree with the complaints about there not being enough access to the thing, but actually playing it has always been a literal hobby for me.
Well, at least we can all agree that the spike bug is a thorn in our collective side. Eh? Eeeeeh? :D
As usual, I agree with most of your points. I've always disliked this Classic Sonic game the most but understand why it had it's appeal. All I'm saying is thank goodness Green Hill's appeal was so good that it basically carried the series to a sequel, Sonic 3 and so on. And I love me some Sonic 3 so I'm excited for your thoughts once you get there!
RelaxAlax hey alax wanna play smash 3ds
Classic Sonic are the bomb.
It's the guy I soobed too!
Who wants a 2.5D classic sonic game?!
RelaxAlax Hey Alax
It's odd; sitting alongside my parents, my brother and my sister, this game is among the earliest memories I can recall. I suppose that's why Mania actually made me a bit emotional. Nice review
for a game from 1991 and the first iteration of sonic this is a pretty harsh retrospective. although it's impossible to look at this game without the perspective we have on the evolution of sonic and platforming in general, it's still a very important game and was a solid and groundbreaking game for its time.
It what happens when you started with Sonic and Knuckles. There is a lack of history with the analysis.
If a game isn't that great it isn't that great. Doesn't matter how innovative it was, sure they were great, but you have to recognize I'm talking in past tense, just because something was good for the time, it doesn't mean it is now. It's like Guitar Hero, the first and second were considered ground breaking and were like nothing else, but now are dwarfed in comparison to every other game that's come afterwards, just like Pokemon Red and Blue and Super Mario Bros 1. These WERE great games, but playing them once you have access to much better things starts to show you the cracks.
Agreed, retrospective reviews could go one of two ways it seems. Depends on which side of the metaphorical coin you were born on. Wait .....what did I just say?
All his retrospectives are complaining that the Model T Ford doesn't have satnav, aircon, and electric windows.
@@rooty That's false. He complains even about newer games like Breath of the Wild and Metroid Prime that do have a lot of modern standards. Granted, he has a good reason to complain since these games do lack in some areas, at least in his opinion.
People think it's weird to dislike Sonic 1, or not prefer it? That's weird, I feel like most Sonic fans agree that it's iconic but the most rusty of all the 2D Sonic games. Imo Sonic 2 massively improved on Sonic 1 and 3&K is the pinnacle of Sonic 2D games and honestly probably even 2D platformers overall.
Great video, man. Subscribed; I really dig the points you made here. It actually helped me realize exactly what bugged me about these games that I wasn't even aware of. Well done, dude! Also I like your voice.
So, what I am hearing is I want sonic to be fast and don't like running into enemies. But I don't want it to be too easy. "I wish it was more like Mario."
I think the music of Marble Zone being so good is what made it never bother me much, though I do admit it can get very annoying if you're antsy and just want a free hour of nonsense gaming fun
Love this good video from the Burger King Himself
+Writing on Games what are you on about
Sonic Mania pretty much adds the genius of Green Hill's level design to all the levels.
I've never really considered what truly separates green hill from marble and the other later zones. I've always just taken it for granted that green hill is obviously more fun to play through, but never WHY that is. You've spelled out perfectly how marble and the other zone's structures completely turn away from the good design that green hill and a little bit of spring yard and starlight follow.
Unless you are sticking to exclusively the level design for this series, it'd be nice to hear your thoughts on the bosses from the later games in your future videos. Other than that this was a great analysis!
Not the REAL Sonic the Hedgehog what you're playing here. The original didn't have the spin dash in it.
He does bring that up when talking about the mobile port
I have the REAL Sonic the Hedgehog with a Console to play it on same goes for Sonic 2 3 and knuckles. Last I checked I still have my Saves from Sonic 3 and Knuckles. With Hyper Sonic,Hyper Knuckles and Super Tales. with all chaos emeralds and Super Emeralds. Some time I miss being a Kid.
Ok good, I'm not the only one who was confused there
I groaned when I saw he was playing the steam port... such awful controls I wondered "was it always this bad?" I booted up "sonic mega collection" on PS2 and no... that's just a shit port.
Just for the lols I watched a good chunk of the video post labyrinth zone in 0.5 speed. It was surreal.
Me too.
Boy I took it to the next step and put it on .25 speed and it’s fucking Nirvana
Noah Madera i
1-up'd you by watching entire vid in 0.5x speed
Just got the CD soundtrack for this game in the mail today at 12:59p.m. and it's the "Sonic The Hedgehog 1&2 Original Soundtrack" CD and I'm listening to it while watching this! 6:53p.m. 12/3/2024
I knew something was fishy when I saw Sonic doing a spin dash in Sonic 1.
The Sonic 2 special stages are some of my favorite bonus stages in any game, especially the music. I don't know if growing up with a Super NES instead of a Genesis impacts what aspects of Sonic games I like or dislike but Sonic 2's special stage song is right up there with the bonus game song from Super Mario World for me.
KingK sounds drunk and high if you play the video at 0.5 or 0.25. It’s pretty funny to listen to.
I cannot begin to tell you how happy and excited I am to see your analysis and thoughts on the classic Sonic games!
Bro, you complain about the challenges that made the old games good and unlike modern games. Imagine a day where you were stuck with that cartridge and you couldnt just download games. You had to appreciate every challenge and it felt good to beat it. Thanks for the video
I feel that if Marble Zone was designed more like Aquatic Ruin, where slowing the player down was used as a punishment (perhaps using the waiting-based platforming only when a player falls from a higher path) it would be a lot better. The waiting-based platforming itself is not the issue, but the fact that there is no faster route to take hurts the level immensely.
The mobile port of Sonic 1 made me appreciate the game more and classic Sonic as a whole for that matter. :)
To be fair, if you're gonna play any version of Sonic 1, the Christian Whitehead port might as well be the one you play.
Well, I can't really fault anything you say in the video, EXCEPT: Well, all your criticisms feel a bit weak to anyone who was there in 1991 (I was 19) playing this game for the first time. Widescreen displays simply weren't a thing - we were used to the field of view. We played video games in spite of (sometimes deliberately for) those painful and unfair difficulty levels. Bouncing off an enemy onto spikes and starting again, or falling to a bottomless pit we couldn't possibly have seen, just kept us coming back for more. Playing most video games from the late 70s to early 90s was an exercise in memorising levels and enemy patterns. For the hardcore, it was the entire point and both what we expected and demanded. And, good grief, if you'd been brought up on the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, games like Sonic were a breeze!
Green Hill Zone was only ever a "training level" to introduce you to Sonic's unique momentum based controls. After that, the real game begins. Marble Hill Zone, to me, felt like a welcome change of style and pace. I love the Labyrinth Zone because it was the first game to use (what felt like) realistic water physics. And that swirly effect in the background, and the clever palette swapping! You probably take that kind of thing for granted these days. And it just felt that the graphics kept getting better, all the way to the end.
Yes, though, that final rehash of Labyrinth with purple water... that was poor. Also, why is the mechanic of pushing a block onto a switch introduced once, only to never be used again?
It's important to note that when Sonic 2 was released, it was absolutely lambasted and ridiculed for being "dumbed down for the masses"; way too easy and short (I particularly remember the Gamesmaster episode that completely trashed it, saying it could be completed in just over an hour).
But, great video... it's brilliant to see someone take the time to do such an in-depth analysis and, as I said initially, I can't really disagree with any of your points.
there's a revision of the genesis version that fixes the spike bug; so yeah it is indeed a bug
I was under the impression that it was a deliberate choice the devs made, and then they changed their minds about it.
That revision of the game was created for the emulated console collections of the 2000's, though the spike behaviour had previously been changed for Sonic Jam on Saturn.
In terms of the original development of the games, the "spike bug" remained until midway through the development of Sonic 2, so it seems like it was intentional for whatever reason.
@@ApocalypticSalad I think the mega drive version doesn't have it.
Sonic 1 while flawed is certainly not a bad game. On the time of it's release it was a revolutionary game. While it's not my favorite Classic Sonic game I can still beat it with all Chaos Emeralds and no game overs.
There's something charming about listening to KingK's Sonic Retrospectives at 2.0 speed, then turning it to 0.5 to laugh hysterically while he bashes Labyrinth Zone.
You've just articulated what I've felt about Sonic 1 for years, right down to the mobile port being a straight upgrade from the original, even with the touch controls.
Definitely an emulated version. There is no speed dash in Sonic 1.
6:17 I've never understood why some people think that Sonic always has to be about running and shouldn't have platforming and exploration. If it were like that, then it would likely resemble those endless runner games for iPhone like Temple Run. If anything ,the parts leaving you wanting to go faster build up anticipation and makes it all the more satisfying when you do go faster. A pace breaker, yes, but a necessary one for the sake of inclining one to appreciate the faster parts more.
electricmastro I've argued this very notion in the video, is that what you're responding to I'm unclear lol
Lol, no, I was just expanding upon what I had thought done in the comments despite you elaborating it on the video. Sorry if I had seemed like I was repeating what you said verbatim. That wasn't my intention.
I think it's that whole mentality of, "Sonic just being a game where you go fast and that's it" without a 2nd thought or consideration for the other 2 big design pillars of Sonic. In fact, the classic games were far from that mentality. Yes, you can go fast and speed is a risk vs reward system in the classics but it's like saying in Mario all you do is jump on enemies. Sure, it's not wrong technically but it doesn't 100% accurately describe the game nor tell you anything beyond surface level.
I think what makes the Classics still good is that Speed is not just something given to you but rather you have to earn it through skillful play and through understanding Sonic's mechanics.
electricmastro no no, I thought you were implying that I held that viewpoint which is why I was confused. Now I'm on the same page lol
Great video! I've been working on one of these for the original five games myself, and it's reassuring to see that you identified the same issues with Sonic 1 as I did. Your explanation of why Green Hill is a good stage puts a finger on a lot of things I hadn't considered.
Very in-depth analysis! I always love watching how you analyze games and break them down from each individual level. The break-down for Green Hill is one of the best I've ever seen. You really brought to life some of the things great about Sonic level design, while also using those points to criticize Sonic 1.
Your analysis is so in depth that i might just use this topic as a fun debate in my debate class lol
I subbed because of the mass effect joke. Couldn't help but laugh at that one. Stumbled onto your channel at random and I love the original 3 sonics. They were my childhood.
I'm waiting for a Steam release of Sonic 1 and 2 just as eagerly as you are King. If the drastic improvements you and ExoParadigmGamer were that impactful on those two game, just imagine how much closer to perfection S3&K would be, especially if they give you the versatile options and customizations Sonic 3 Complete has.
Sonic 3 Complete is amazing!
A modern remake on Retro Engine for Steam would be a dream come true
I can play Sonic 1 and 2 on my HDTV with Amazon Fire, controller support and all. It is weird they hadn't gotten Steam releases like Sonic CD though.
ehm there is the Sega Mega Drive collection, which plays via steam and is epic. You and Exopara gamer are a bunch of noobs, there is nothing wrong with Sonic 1 and 2,
Having had the recent chance to compare Sonic 2 from the Mega Drive collection on steam vs Sonic 2 on an actual mega drive, I can tell you that the emulated versions... Are kind of a pain in places.
They're just less... Responsive than the real thing.
Everything feels more finicky. Less precise. Less... Predictable.
The emulation process introduces at least a frame's worth of additional latency, and it really shows sometimes.
You articulate your thoughts so well about sonic 1. I feel almost exactly the same way. Well done!
4:41 Note for anyone who has not noticed it the original has no spin dash so doing that is a bit trickier.
I love your content. You provide amazing analysis paired with in-depth explanations and reasoning. Keep up the good work!
Amazing video, can't wait for your Sonic 2 retrospective
AlexTCGPro sONIC 2 BONUS VIDEO
As a long time Sonic fan (that loves the classics to death), I've always questioned why everyone latched onto Sonic 1. I've always known it as just the first game that needed to be ironed out with a sequel or two. Glad to see someone else shares a somewhat similar opinion.
this was the first game i ever played and the thing that saves this game and gets me to replay it decades later is that even the worst levels like labyrinth have killer music
This was definitely a sharp video.
I would also like to note that a factor I believe helped in your added enjoyment in Sonic 1 mobile would be the remastered physics/controls; Sonic now has a flow to match his odd weight, and this is accentuated with the removal of the speed cap. I know for a fact that was a big reason I started loving the port, so just wanted to point it out.
I really like marble zone. It's never taken me longer than 5 minutes or so to beat, and the music is pretty good too (maybe it's just nostalgia)
I think I'm the only one on the planet that actually likes Marble Zone and even Labyrinth Zone. But maybe it has something to do with the feeling of exploring this game as a kid and the achievement I felt everytime I beat a level. The best thing is also the music, damn is the star light zone theme catchy!
I actually loved the Marble Zone, and I definitely prefer the special bonus stagss from Sonic 1 over Sonic 2. I use to be able to get all the chaos emeralds when I was a teenager.
While watching this video, I couldn't help but think back to a previous conversation I had with an old friend. We were talking about the Classic Sonic games, and he said that he thought Sonic 1 was a bad game. I was kinda shocked when I heard him say that, if only because it's an opinion that I rarely see. After that conversation, I started to think about Sonic 1, the Genesis version anyway. I have played the mobile port, and while it is the definitive version of Sonic 1, the touch controls never stuck with me.
I thought back to my original few playthroughs of Sonic 1 back in 2009 and 2010, when I was first exposed to the series outside of one episode of Sonic X. I remember those playthroughs having some serious ups and downs and all arounds. The best way I could metaphorically describe Sonic 1, is that it's a roller coaster of emotions. For every high point (Green Hill, Spring Yard, Star Light, etc), there's always a low point, most of which comes down to the linear one-track mind of the other 3 Zones and the questionable enemy placement. I won't say that Sonic 1 is bad; I think it's fairly decent, but if you were to ask me if Sonic 1 is a good starting point... I would say "no." Yes, the mobile version does solve most if not all the problems of the original Genesis version, but I'd personally recommend Sonic 2 to start out with, if only because it takes everything Sonic 1 tried to do, and does it a lot better.
Sonic 1 is a decent game overall, but it's a bit of a hard sell, since I think all the Classic games (sans Sonic 4) are better than Sonic 1.
I loved this retrospective.... I love your rather calm voice even more!!
5:39 - finally, someone who shares my sentiments. Technically, this is my fave stage in ANY game. I think it is mechanically, artistically, audibly perfect. And Classic Sonic is my fave character design ever! I am jealous, being an artist and intermediary game designer. 26 years later, and I'm still striving for that kind of emotional fidelity and design!
BTW, I love the intentional slow pickup speed that Sonic exhibits. Good for platforming on small footholds.
I assume we all know about the early alternate route in Scrap Brain Act 3, that essentially lets you skip most of the level?
I believe one of the hallmarks of a truly excellent retrospective is being able to disagree with the author on specific points without considering them “wrong.” You may not fully agree, but the points are well thought out and expertly backed. Your retrospectives are all that and more. Appreciate the point of view.
Nicely put together here KingK. I remember playing the Sonic Mega Collection years ago, enjoying everything about Sonic 2 and 3, I rarely go back to the first one. Every so often just for those select stages to scratch that itch.
Marble zone sucks but the music is popping.
Edit: Actually, all the bad areas have great music in the first sonic. Huh.
Fantastic analysis, dude. Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the first games I've played. It's an extremely archaic game, but it did a great job laying down the ground work for it's future Sonic's three sequels (Sonic 3 & Knuckles is still the GOAT, imo) and is a fun game in it's own right.
Monkey D. "Straw Hat" Luffy I agree I'm hoping mania 2 has nothing but original stages then sonic 3 and knuckles may be surpassed
American Burger Gamer
Agreed big time.
I can understand the critique about levels like Marble zone being a pace breaker, but I still didn't mind Marble or Labyrinth zone. Those two levels are simply a change of pace meant to make it clear that you can't always go mindlessly fast in this game. That's one of the main things about the classics where first and foremost, they're platformers. Sonic's focus is on platforming and exploration, not speed. There are moments where you're free to utilize the game's momentum-based physics and pull off crazy stunts in Green Hill, Spring Yard and Starlight zone (my personal favorite stage), but there are other moments where you need to slow down like in Marble, Labyrinth and Scrap Brain zone. This is the case for all platformers after all where you have stages where you need to slow down and not make careless mistakes. Sonic is no different.
It's pretty much why I personally like Sonic 1 a bit more than Sonic 2. Sonic 1 doesn't allow you to simply speed-run or have all the levels after Green Hill zone be easy to speed through. It's mostly a slow-paced, platforming focused game unlike Sonic 2. If all the levels were simply Green Hill zone where you're easily able to run through the level with not much difficulty, it would get stale and be too easy if you ask me. That's probably why Yuji Naka thought pace breakers like Marble zone were a good idea to begin with and I support that design choice. Nevertheless, I respect your thoughts and really enjoyed this retrospective video. I look forward to your future ones, KingK.
I have been playing Sonic games since my toddler hands were capable of holding a controller, and you and I have a startlingly similar take on just about every Sonic game. It's really cool, honestly.
When I played Sonic on the Genesis, I always just stared at the waterfalls in the background.
I think I'm the only person on Earth who enjoys Sonic 1 more than 2.
In all actuality, the whole idea about the nonlinear platforms that are more natural is for level contrast, as the more the game goes on, the flatter the geometry gets. Do you know why this is? Because of the fact that the further you get, the more technological it gets
Fantastic video, I hope that with Sonic Mania being a success we finally get Sonic 1,2,CD, and 3&K on PC/consoles with the mobile port quality. It would be beyond amazing.
Ah, one of the few UA-cam masters has blessed us with his analysis yet again. 👍
Sonic 1 is just sad
Your toned down voice moments are simply amazing: "unexciting" "difficult "welcome"
Lol some of the criticism is totally unnecessary. Its the only Sonic game that balances well speed and platforming. Its very pure in its gameplay. The level design was great, had aspects of exploration. I never, and still dont, complained about this game or the difficulty back in the 90s. Its a very memorable game overal.
Labyrinth Zone is my favorite music in the game
Fun fact: The level progression in Sonic 1 was completely different before being changed to the current version.
It would have started at the tropical coast of Green Hill, to the underwater ruins of Labyrinth, to the castle/temples of Marble, to the highways of Star Light, to the city of Spring Yard, and to the factories of Scrap Brain. It was supposed to go from 0% technological to 100% technological. But the team realized that Labyrinth zone was way too hard for a second level. So they changed the level order to the one we know today.
If I remember correctly, the spike bug might only be in an early version.
I'm glad someone feels the same way I do about Sonic 1, I almost never replay it just because of Labryinth Zone
Awesome retrospective, really enjoyed your points of view. For me, I found enjoyment in Labyrinth with the tunes and the tension; it was underwater, the air supply was tight and it was a challenge. It always ate my continues when I'd play at a friend's house and it'd piss me off, but leaving it behind felt glorious.
Even the worst stages in the original games stay with me better than the better stages from modern games (Mania aside, that was a pretty tight experience and I loved the boss touch-ups and re-tooling)
LET'S GO! I've Been waiting for this ALL DAMN DAY.
Star Light Zone is one of my favorite levels in Sonic history
I never could get past Labyrinth as a kid, but for some reason that makes me like it cause of the nostalgic. Also the special stage rings didn't appear in scrap brain cause of memory limitations with the game.
Great video as always and this time all criticism was extremely fair. I'm a little surprised you didn't touch on the music outside of Green Hill. Labyrinth Zone might be a miserable time but that is one of the funkiest Genesis beats!
Say what you will about Marble Zone, but that level has the most sublime music I've ever heard in a 16-bit game.
This is a video that practically every Sonic fan and not fan should see.
Congratulations. You're one of the few people that know sonic the HEDGEHOG, can roll into a ball.
In case you didn't know, press down while moving to roll.
○ ° ° ° /\/\/\ □
Super late here, but I love that you address the fact that Sonic is about going as fast as possible ALL THE TIME. That attitude has landed us in the overuse of the boost formula we are in now. While fun at first, it just feels soulless to just be blasting along with nothing hindering you.
Well you got me. When you talked about green hill being so iconic it hurt I've always found that a bit hyperbolic, but then when you played the song over and over, knowing it was from different games but still being the same, and then playing the very beginning over and over...boy did I groan hard.
Great video of course! Glad to see someone who isnt just blindly praising the game because it was the OG (no problem to people that do like it). To be honest when I played Sonic 1 I only remember Green Hill and Marble zone and forget everything that happens after that, I guess it was my brain blocking out all the non fun I had. And yeah if Green Hill is a sonic sprint, Marble zone is a twisted ankle face plant.
As a 7 year old when I first played this game on the Megadrive, it was awesome. Even now with all the gaming systems we have, I still love playing this on the old Megadrive.
8:30
There is so much god damn waiting in Marble Zone
What a good youtube channel. I only watched this and the Sonic CD retrospective and I'm already subscribed and have a huge list of videos in my "watch later"
Good luck on building this into a career. If you pull it off, it would be really inspiring.
I got all the emeralds and beat the game one time and my brother and I were just freaking out because we both knew I had been trying to do that since I was young, and I got close too, as I kid I got 5 emeralds but I thought I had gotten 6 so I go to beat the game and I see that there’s one chaos emerald left. The image of Robotnik juggling that last grey emerald saying “try again” will never be forgotten, and I just started crying lmao.
Would've liked to hear about Star Light's design, but as it is, great video dude! Looking forward to your Sonic 2 video.
been binging your channel I thought I ran through them all. Just found the sonic ones. NICEU!
When I was 6 my step grandfather came to visit us and gave me and my brother our first console, A Sega Genesis, and the first 3 Sonic games. It was amazing
"You know that meme where you press the Upgrade key on the keyboard? This isn't that."
Let me tell you, before they completely remastered the game on mobile, it was just a regular port. That port is a great example of that meme.
That voice is smooth like butter
Zones like Marble Zone get very frustrating like that bit in Chemical Plant 2 where you have to race the liquid up the moving blocks
Sonic 1 has always been pretty nostalgic for me. I grew up with Heroes and Adventure 2 as my introduction to this series, and my first contact with the classics was via the Mega Collection. Since Sonic 1 was the first game on the list, it was the first one I played. It was the first time I saw Sonic's shorter, chubbier design, and the old art style, and the twangy Genesis music. I think it was also the first game I played where you couldn't save your progress. I remember using a level select code from Nintendo Power as a makeshift save system. I remember speeding forward in Green Hill and always dying at the same parts. I remember how mysterious and unattainable the Chaos Emeralds were, and how hard Labyrinth Zone was, and how immersive, dark and imposing the atmosphere of the game was. I don't remember much of Sonic 1, but the memories I do have are quite strong. Sonic 1 was certainly not the perfect incarnation of the Classic Sonic formula, but I've always had a fondness for this game despite its flawed design choices. Even at its worst it's a solid platformer, and at its best its a damn good time. I'll always cherish it as the introduction to one of my all-time favorite series of 2D platformers.
You have issues with Sonic 1? Try Knuckles' Chaotix. You will be left baffled.
Would love to see a retrospective of Sonic Adventure 2 Battle and Sonic Heroes. Those were two of my favorite GC titles growing up. Love your insight keep up the awesome work!
I always thought Scarp Brain Zone was well designed, unlike Marble and Labyrinth, because it was a typical "Super Hard Final Level" that was so common in retro games like this. It's not supposed to be "fun", it's supposed to be tense and ominous, hence the intense percussion used in the music. Sonic's design philosophy is opposed to waiting challenges, as you said, but given the worrying nature of being in Robotnik's lair, the last stand, it works here to have the player wait though difficult level portions when it feels like their heart is about to burst out of their chests. It's not above the occasional cheap shot here and there, unfortunately, but overall it does a good job at testing the player's ability to control Sonic through winding and sprawling conveyor belts and giant buzzsaws. I would argue that the Final Boss, however, is a bit of a disappointment, especially with the Spin Dash added. It's too easy, you have plenty of reaction time to get away from a slow moving crushing platform, when Sonic has the ability to run out of the way at such a high speed. Bar Labyrinth, every boss takes 8 hits to defeat, the Final Zone should have upped it to 10 or 12, given how much bigger it is than the other bosses.
Also, in the beginning of Scrap Brain Zone Act 3, try running off the first platform with the pillars for a SUPER handy shortcut that bypasses what feels like 60% of the level, if you really can't stand it that much.
I will say that Scrap Brain Zone 3 is actually a much brisker and better designed take on Labyrinth, since it has a variation of routes and areas, and an experienced player can actually breeze through the level very quickly, only having to suffer water for a short amount of time. It's ironically a lot more like a labyrinth in terms of design, while Labyrinth itself is usually pretty linear outside the occasional extra route.
Fantastic video, you've earned a subscriber. I agreed with you on most points but I might be the only one to disagree with your thoughts on Labyrinth Zone. This Zone was the first water level I ever played in a videogame (Sonic 1 was my first videogame) and I adored how different it was from the other stages. I know people hate the pace, enemy placement, those damn spikes, those awful spear traps and most of all the air mechanic but I love it all. It is quite the difficulty curve for sure and it's completely the opposite of what makes Sonic games so good (Green Hill) but it's that difference I enjoyed so much and still do. It was almost like playing a totally different game for one zone. Ever since my enjoyment with Labyrinth Zone I've enjoyed all water levels in almost every game (yes, I even genuinely enjoy the Water Temple in OoT). I might be the only one on planet Earth going by your comments but I can't help but love the sudden challenge and the difference water levels bring to videogames. Oh and Hydrocity is the best zone in Sonic 3 - fight me.
Didn't expect you to reference Clement, but that was a nice surprise.
Clement is great!