Knuckles Chaotix - Sega 32X Review

[@strikexforce]

Definitely bring more of these 32X reviews. There are very few people who were actually an adult during that era AND had played all these Sega games when they were first out.

[@n0isyturtle]

Agreed. No one really does in-depth 32X reviews. Kolibri is one of my favs no one talks about.

[@Andrew_TS]

I was, but post-launch, the games were harder and harder to find. Chaotix was nonexistent in town. Had to go to Pittsburgh. Never found Wrestlemania in the wild. Virtua Fighter was my first pre-order. Kolibri was like Bigfoot.

[@n0isyturtle]

@@Andrew_TS I got my 32X for just $20 on clearance from a Walmart-like store on the East Coast called Caldor for only $20, with a deal for $10 w/ 2 games of your choice.I got Chaotix and Kolibri. Only games I ever had for the system. $30 for the attachment and 2 games was a steal at the time, spent my months allowance on it.

[@SylveonTrapito]

32X has great games, not a lot but there are. Space Harrier, After Burner, Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racing Deluxe, Kolibri, this one..

[@Marcus_K]

I bought a 32X at launch in 1994 with Star Wars Arcade and Virtua Racing Deluxe, both impressive console games for '94. Just like the 3DO, the 32X was actually an awesome system at the time. It just didn't have any longevity. If wish they had managed to release it in '93. It was too late to launch it when the Saturn and PS1 were already getting released in Japan.

[@matthewhall6288]

Chaotix does capture some of the magic of Sonic CD with its weird level design, lush backgrounds, and great music. Also worth noting is the fact that the lighting of the levels changes with the time of day, and that the enemies are level-specific. An enjoyable, if flawed, experience.

[@drunkensailor112]

I have this game for the 32x and I think this game is severely underrated

[@JamesChessman]

Me too, it’s awesome, and people just don’t appreciate it. It’s nothing to hold down B, so u carry ur partner, it removes all the extra stuff (from the rubber band). Then you’re just playing like a standard platformer, it’s just like the controls of the old Mario games, holding B for running, most of the time. Plus the rubberband SnapBack is a good speed dash.👍

[@codydfwn]

If you just stop thinking of it as a traditional Sonic title and think of it more as a platforming objective based game with Knuckles in it, you'll have so much more fun. I like it now too. I initially wished there were more bosses and more levels were like the Speed Slider stage (it's even advertised on the box and can see why) it's the most fun stage in the game and has the perfect balance. Feels the most like a trad Sonic stage! But over time I couldn't help but appreciate this game. It's just gorgeous to look at for one. I adore the 16 & 32-bit aesthetic and it's just satisfying to control and play. I like the Nintendo mini-game-built-into-a-mechanic vibe with the level/character select. Something I initially hated but grew to appreciate. It's just different enough to set itself apart from Sonic yet just Sonic enough to feel at home. The best 32X title besides Virtua Racing, Tempo, & Kolibri!

[@davidalter7810]

Facts

[@ToxcynTV]

Absolutely bizzare that Sega refuses to ever rerelease this. It’s actually kind of fun and the objective is to finish the level with enough rings to enter the special stage. That’s more the primary focus

[@CornishCreamtea07]

Even as someone who wasn't that fond of the game, I really wish it would get a re-release. It would be great if they did a follow up collection to Sonic Origins with this, GG/SMS and GBA games.

[@seanhearn9616]

You just answered your own question "kind of fun"

[@ToxcynTV]

@@seanhearn9616 not really because Sega has re-released tons of shitters

[@anonanonymous9670]

"kind of fun"

[@t_wilson01]

I was one of the few 32x owners back them and of course I bought this game. It was certainly not perfect, but I played it to no end, and loved it. I still listen to it's music on my way to work.

[@superjupi]

I was one of the crazy people who preordered a 32X, and I picked up Chaotix as soon as it was released. It definitely didn't leave a positive first impression but for one point: the music. I adored the soundtrack right off and kept starting new games just to play along to Door Into Summer. Still my favorite soundtrack from a Sonic game, and it's a Sonic game that almost doesn't even feature Sonic at all!

[@gloriab702]

I picked up a 32x probably around in 2015 and put the library on the everdrive and ended up spending way more time on this game than I thought I would. It was a fun night playing through this and I find myself coming back to it. Keep up on the 32x reviews. They are a welcome addition in my opinion.

[@NateRD90]

It boggles the mind that Sega never actually re-released this game in any capacity, outside of GameTap in 2006. This game could become major news and draw a lot more interest in it if Sega were to commission it to be rereleased.

[@JoeyJ0J0]

Was supposed to be on Gems Collection, even had a full page of art in the gallery for it.

[@STAXONDECK1]

I remember being so impressed by the huge sprites and bonus stages

[@STAXONDECK1]

@@lordsosa9383 your lame

[@CarlosXPhone]

I too. I was thinking that the color variety was pushing Genesis forward. But the review by SLX makes sense. The graphics kinda stayed true to Sonic material, while 32X does the heavy lifting elsewhere like mode 7 style scaling.
I learned a lot from this review. Like this WAS a Genesis game, a Sonic game. Wow. Makes a lot of sense why people looked down on it.

[@JamesChessman]

@@CarlosXPhone It’s such an interesting game. It does push the colors forward, even though it’s 32x for characters, and Genesis for stages, because stages are way more colorful than normal, and the characters are especially detailed/ colorful. I wish the huge power-up was more useful but it’s great to just see it

[@dustinpaulson1123]

Here's hoping we get 1 more Sega Genesis Mini. Would love to see them use the Genesis 3 design and fill it with some great CD and 32X games in addition to hitting a few of the Genesis gems that haven't been featured on the Mini 1 and 2

[@adayinforever]

I think a Nomad Mini would also be fantastic. However neither the Genesis 3 or Nomad were compatible with the 32x or CD, so it would take some slight historical revisionism.

[@ghostito]

The Neptune design for a new mini focused on 32X games would be dope.

[@Rocketknightgeek]

One thing to note about playing this game is that getting into the habit of carrying your partner as a projectile and double jump (the hold button did weird shit with the throw) would basically allow you to fly. It was great fun to Speedrun once you learned how to utterly break the rushed physics that dictated the tether.

[@DreamcastQ]

Great review brother, the weird new mechanics introduced in this game were polarizing back in the day when it came out!

[@SegaLordX]

Indeed, and very much so today as well.

[@mikebrasoljr8857]

Would love more 32X reviews! As a kid in the 90s I was so excited for the 32X and Chaotix when I discovered a demo of it at a Media Play store. In the moment I thought it was the next big thing, I had to have only been about 8 or 9 at the time. Wow did it fail fast!

[@thecunninlynguist]

Wish we'd get this on a compilation

[@Kokomadeta]

I had the opportunity to speak directly with one of the developers on this game in person for just a few minutes. He gave me some insights on how Sega held this project back. I'd happily share what I remember with you, SLX.

[@YYmmmYY]

Share it with us

[@warchild9381]

Yes! Been waiting for someone to do a proper Chaotix review. Probably the only reason to own a 32x, other than maybe Kolibri for the weirdness factor.

[@gordonshumway7465]

Now that's crazy talk. If there's one game worth owning the 32x for it's Virtua Racing Deluxe. Even Shadow Squadron is a better title than Chaotix.

[@wolffactor56]

@@gordonshumway7465 sorry but Virtua Fighter was awesome on it. I had so much playing that game. Kolibri looked awesome and so did Virtua Racing. I even had a fun time with WWF Arcade. I tried collecting all the 32X games when they were on clearance, sad I never got the Spider-Man game .

[@gordonshumway7465]

@@wolffactor56 I'm not a fighting game fan, but that VF does look good. That, spider-man and whatever the expensive baseball game is are the 3 games I never got. Current prices are insane, but if you got in cheap back in the 90's or early 2000's there were plenty of fun titles. Some of the best home ports of MK2 and NBA Jam TE at the time as well. Star Wars Arcade is another good one.

[@wolffactor56]

@@gordonshumway7465 shoot I had RBI Baseball 95 and Butterbean Boxing, both were fun. I don’t think I ever saw World Series Baseball in the wild. Yeah I picked up my whole collection in 1996-1998 and forgot about collecting it after I got my Dreamcast. Glad you had a fun time with it too.
Yes MK2 was fun and glad to hear NBA Jam TE was fun (owned genesis version). Side note I could never get past Star Wars Arcade second level as a kid.

[@sloppynyuszi]

There is actually plenty of good reasons to play 32x. There is quite a few good games. Personally I replay like Virtua Racing and Virtua Fighter on it. Virtua racing has exclusive tracks that haven’t been ported. tempo was fun, and it has the better home version of NBA jam. Star Wars arcade was fun. I liked Tempo. And I know everyone likes to hate BC racers, but I thought it was good, and if you wanted practically arcade perfect after burner or Space Harrier.

[@curtiswilson4737]

I don't care what anyone says, I love this game!

[@kingkazma3246]

I played Sonic3&Knuckles and Chaotix religiously as a kid!

[@STAXONDECK1]

It’s really the fastest classic game especially with 2 skilled players, i have yet to see someone do skilled speed runs of this game

[@Alph4Falc0]

I picked up this for my 32x last year, absolutely loved the game, glad to see you’re reviewing this title!

[@Tybis]

I think that the randomized characters and level order could have potentially been pretty interesting if it were done better. The main thing that Chaotix is missing is interesting level design. In Sonic 3, nearly every zone had cool setpiece moments, but Chaotix's levels just feel like a series of mazes. I've spent a lot of time learning how to use the tether mechanic to help me do some casual speed runs, since the levels are obstacle courses anyway. I've learned to like it, but I don't blame anyone if they think it's boring.
Bring on the 32X reviews!

[@donjohnson7768]

This was great! More 32X reviews would be dope!

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Let the CHAOTIX BEGIN!!!! Glad to see this somewhat obscure spinoff covered! I really enjoyed the creativity and uniqueness of Knuckles Crew! 👊❤

[@jacobprayer8656]

This game really isn't obscure it's about the closest thing to a pack in or launch title that 32x had

[@johnellis3383]

​@@jacobprayer8656 true this game was pretty common for the 32X library but those that had the hardware were few and far between. I had one but not even one other kid at my school had one, same with Sega CD lol

[@MaxAbramson3]

​@@johnellis3383The Sega CD had already sold 2.8 million units by that time. With its $99 (1995 price), more games like Soul Star and Batman Returns could've been made that kept the machine competitive into 1996-97.

[@DatBeastard]

Not a great game but I also think it's not a bad game. It's unique in ways and for the most part, I still had fun with it, even though it's lacking a little of what the Sonic Genesis titles had (Or even Sonic CD for that matter, in my opinion). It's an odd one and one that surprisingly still hasn't been ported anywhere. Fun fact: The story in Knuckles Chaotix varies between the Japanese and Western releases. The Japanese version has Eggman (Robotnik) finding this new island and creating Newtrogic High Zone as a base and harnessing the energy of the Chaos Rings to make Dark Rings that power his robots on the island.

[@auditoryproductions1831]

The best thing about it was the new characters. They were all pretty dope, I would have preferred to just play them solo instead of being banded with another character though.

[@kmlumd44]

If this man can go to jail for killing a ghost anyone could!! It's the beginning of the salem witch trials all over again!

[@thejtrax]

Yes this one looks underwhelming and complicating all at the same time. The name is also unattractive. Knuckles chaotix? Come on sega. Sonic the hedgehog. Now that's a name. That's a game!

[@JimmmyRaynor]

this game was a blast, the mechanics were unique with the rubber banding. and the music is so great. I get a kick out of people who don't recognize the music in sonic videos, but of course NOBODY had this game and it's understandable why with the 32x

[@pixhell]

I agree ! 👍

[@JoeyJ0J0]

I wish Sega would put this on a sonic collection, we are getting Sonic Origins Plus so hopefully this is on it

[@-crazycat]

Hopefully sonic r and 3d blast are on it

[@-crazycat]

@Rein that would be a sonic compilation that's actually worth buying

[@printthelegends]

My guess for Origins Plus is this, Spinball and 3D Blast, given those menu islands and the OSTs in the jukebox.

[@gracekim25]

Yeah I agree with all of that 😊

[@-crazycat]

@@printthelegends hopefully knuckles chaotix

[@marvinlohman4403]

Yes please. More 32X reviews Would be great. Having owned one back in 96, I only had like three games for it and I’ve always been curious what some of the other ones were like. Your reviews are always so on point and I agree with just about everything you say so I’d love to learn more about what I did or didn’t miss out on

[@w2ed]

Chaotix was a fun adventure, and I’m surprised to hear about the reviews. I do think, other than for the colors and 3D stages, this could have easily been a Genesis title - and it disappoints me when Sega ignores this title in its rereleases. Definitely hope you do more 32X coverage - I know my faves are lame, but I’d like to know your thoughts on titles I am curious about like Tempo and Kilibri…

[@maroon9273]

I wish sonic mania developmen team implemented Scaling boss scenes from knuckles chaotix.

[@Flameb0]

the level design is pretty bad

[@BurritoKingdom]

The sprite scaling was the main effect of the 32X. Genesis wouldn't have been able to do it as smoothly or with as many sprites.

[@101Volts]

@@BurritoKingdom I think the 32x did sprite scaling better than the Playstation did early on, if it's fair to judge the 32x Prototype of Rayman to the PS1 version.

[@thewanderingyouth]

Great review! I got this game for my 9th birthday and have some awesome memories playing it during summer vacation. Definitely not a perfect game but still on my list of favorites of all time.

[@grongy6122]

Someone should redo the level design from scratch to match the original games and get rid of that rubberband bullcrap, the assets (graphics and music) are already there and they're great

[@tragul3594]

I always felt this game was underappreciated. It's definitely not as polished as other Sonic titles but It's also more unique as well. To be fair with as little effort as Sega put into the 32X, I'm surprised it turned out as good as it did. Another great video to btw. Keep it up buddy.👍

[@amansway-rulesforlife4113]

Love the intro bro. #1 branded channel on UA-cam.

[@velvetpilot2008]

Thank you for doing these. I'd love more Sega 32x content!

[@happyspaceinvader508]

Bought it back in the day, couldn’t get on with the tether thing, and traded it in a couple of weeks later.
Watched this review today and started playing again, aged 52… and loving it. You’re absolutely right about having to reframe the way you think about it.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention the incredible sound test mode, which is the best I’ve ever seen on any game on any platform. It shows every keyboard note on every channel in realtime. I could easily kill an hour just watching that.

[@bradynationhayes8562]

Was wondering when you'd tackle this game. Would love to see videos on Kolibri, Tempo and other 32X gems

[@sonicmario64]

Even though I remember seeing this game all the time in stores when I was a kid, I have yet to play it for myself aside from how many gameplay videos I'm able to see of it here on UA-cam. Though, I will definitely give "Knuckles Chaotix" credit for being the game where I was introduced to Vector, Espio, and Charmy before they would make their return to the series in "Sonic Heroes" as well as my first time seeing Mighty The Armadillo, whom I learned originally appeared in the Japan-released arcade game "SegaSonic The Hedgehog" along with Ray The Flying Squirrel, and both characters would eventually return as playable characters in "Sonic Mania Plus" a couple of decades later.

[@TheLonelyGoomba]

I have super fond memories of this game.
At the time, and perhaps even still, this is the best co-op 2 player Sonic game. You went from being Tails being left behind and being useless, to actually being equally as important as the other player. For a sibling who was usually Tails, this was a huge deal. I tend to find most people who poo all over this game only play single player, despite the game being clearly designed with 2 players. So they're not getting the full experience.
I think generally, when a game is obscure, it's easier for narratives to spend. Say if a big UA-camr says the game sucks, it's easier for people to just take their word for it and the game gets a reputation of being bad. Sega should just re-release the game. They've re-released garbage like Sonic Blast on the Game Gear so I doubt quality has anything to do with it.

[@JacobSegaNerd]

As somebody who owns a 32X and a copy of this game, I’m still surprised Sega hasn’t put this game out again. It’s definitely my favorite obscure Sonic Title.

[@MilkshakeSkunkette]

ooooh lookin' forward to this! i own the physical copy of this game, but my 32x was missing cables so i never got to actually play it :C

[@doctorhino8736]

I am glad this game exists just for the awesome new characters it introduced into the sonic universe.

[@TommyDeonauthsArchives]

Here's hoping Vector gets to be DLC for Sonic Frontiers.

[@sasgayable]

The STC stories based on the characters were great

[@ginesgarrido9219]

Just discovered this awesome Sega UA-cam Channel. Thanks and please continue doing this great content.

[@silvermetallix6716]

This game needs a remaster. Include the option to play with or without the rubber band. Every Sonic game should be available on modern consoles and PC.

[@Marcus_K]

I'd rate this higher than SLX. It's unique, so colorful and the music gives the game a lovely, fun vibe.

[@gundambassexe31]

I remember the 32x add on and knuckles chaotix. Though it was mostly forgotten by sega and never ported to any Sonic collections on GameCube or virtual consoles etc 😢😢❤❤ still it was a decent hidden gem sonic spin-off imo

[@kingkazma3246]

Out of all thing I want Sonic Team to do is resurrect the Classic Chaotix characters, just like what they did to Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Mighty and Ray!

[@dansaikyo6664]

I was always so intrigued by this game, then I finally got it (years ago when 32x games were relatively cheap) and I was... Solidly meh. The graphics definitely were bright and colorful but not really next gen. I kinda always wished this and Sonic CD had been included in Sonic Jam, with lock on added to this, CD, and Sonic 1, but maybe that'll happen one day with Origins... We can dream. At any rate, I'd love to see more stand alone 32x reviews. Metalhead, Tempo, and the two CDX games to start.

[@dustys5512]

I had Knuckles Chaotix for my 32X as a teenager and the thing I remember most about it is the high quality music.

[@pixelgoat7317]

I was a big Sonic fan but had no idea who the Chaotix were, so that meant doing a little digging, 90s limitations on top of it. A fine game, but not super exemplary. The music is really catchy, though I often joke about the soundtrack needing more bongos XD ....another strange thing I loved about the game was how much Robotnik emotes during boss battles; watching him flail around and throw a tantrum whenever you struck his machine was always hilarious. Speaking of boss machines, his mechanical designs were actually pretty cool in this one.

[@gammaguyyt]

Oh hey, my favourite sonic game.
Despite what many critics say, I loved my time with this game. Even if the 3D is limited and the graphics aren’t as popping as Sonic CD, it’s still a BLAST.
Play this game if you own a 32X and most importantly, don’t treat this as a Sonic game and pick Knuckles only.

[@miamimagicians]

I still remember this on the cover of every video game magazine is so pumped for it

[@JamesShow]

Genuinely been waiting for this!

[@JamesChessman]

This tittle is awesome, and people just don’t appreciate it. It’s nothing to hold down B, so u carry ur partner, it removes all the extra stuff (from the rubber band). Then you’re just playing like a standard platformer, it’s just like the controls of the old Mario games, holding B for running, most of the time. Plus the rubberband SnapBack is a good speed dash.👍

[@juiceala]

I’d like to mention one theory, the title Sonic Crackers is speculated to be a misspell of the word “clackers” by the Japanese devs because of the tether mechanic being similar to a clacker.

[@spazandies]

An excellent review and game it's funny how today we all prefer the 2D Sonic Games which are still released more than GTA 5 but we love them.

[@mcgibs]

I remember being fascinated by the crazy colorful screenshots of this game in magazines back in the day. It's a shame it isn't that good. The rubber band mechanic would have tripped me up a lot.

[@Tweaked818]

As a kid who grew up in the 2000s, i went years using emulators and never batted an eye to the 32x,cd, or saturn library. Makes me wish it was more known

[@FawstAdventures]

just really have to say man not only do I love your intro, the 3D models of the characters are brilliant Im so impressed every time I see them, they almost look like the trophy in super smash brothers on little pedestals

[@jeremybowers3181]

Man,could you imagine what could have been had SEGA of Japan and America "worked together" back in the day instead of the push n pull relationship WE ultimately suffered from?..... As always another stellar video SLX.

[@watchm4ker]

I don't think it would have been possible. Sega of Japan was focused on the arcades as their main business, with the purpose of the consoles to provide arcade games in home form - Nothing could rival the Famicom, after all. Sega of America had seen the writing on the wall for arcades, and was trying to genuinely compete against home computers and Nintendo. They weren't just dealing with different markets, they were in very different businesses, and it took the Playstation for Sega of Japan to realize their mistake - Too little, too late.

[@isaacmall3326]

I've always loved this game when I first heard about it downloaded it in an emulator and played it with my cousin after school days and we beat it then. For a few years I've been into collecting actual hardware so when I popped this cartridge into my S video modded 32x with a sound modded genesis, I was blown away. I know it's not pushing the 32x to its graphical limit but the colors, backgrounds, and characters were something I didn't appreciate until seeing it so clear with a. S video mod. Same thing the sound track, this has become my favorite video game sound track of all time and I come back to the sound test in the game from time to time. I think the fun of the game really shines with the 2 player co op. It was fun to explore the levels and find our way out as a team. It's a different feel than playing one player

[@chrilz1498]

The thought of this being a Saturn game is such a great rabbit hole to go down. I would love that merely for the modern-day accessibility since locked on the Saturn is definitely a better fate than locked on the 32X. Great video, SLX, I hope you're having a good weekend!

[@JLAvey]

32X review, of course I'll watch it. Really like to see a review of Kolibri.

[@Captofthisship]

Not a Chaotix fan but your uploads are always welcomed in my notifications, thanks again!!

[@SegaLordX]

I appreciate that!

[@MaxAbramson3]

​@@SegaLordXOkay, now do a 32X vs Sega CD smackdown! 💿

[@mikeyyls2044]

I am really surprised this game was not on the sega mini 2. Another great review. Thanks

[@bigdoggy6650]

A good Saturday morning today.😌

[@ChrisGorski]

i liked seeing the reviews of the day segment at the end there

[@MisterSouji]

Alternate timeline: no 32x, this and all the other good 32x games spend a bit more time in the oven and are released as early Saturn games. This game becomes Sonic Chaotix and is a more refined, full Sonic experience.

[@yenk82]

Thank you for this video, it was very nice, I’m going to play this game in the next months. I like when you show the old magazines review scores :)

[@roberto1519]

Imagine if there was a law protecting consumers of hardware which relies on specific media, making sure a console, media player and the sorts had to be supported for at least 5 years after its release, assuring all promised content and in-development software/projects was released and sold in retail. The 3DO, the Jaguar, 32X, the Saturn and possibly even the Sega CD would have received many great games that were left behind and also making those who believed and invested in such systems satisfied enough in order to not have felt disappointment/left behind/betrayed by their respective companies. I know of many car manufacturers and a range of other businesses that are forced to support their products one way or another, even if their model/line/series of products aren't available for new purchases, why it never happened to the entertainment media, which features the same dynamics (money/product/service/jobs/etc) is a bit ridiculous.
It would probably refrain SEGA and other companies back them from flooding the market without second thoughts, as they would account for the said 5 years of support law, so the risks would probably be favorable to true next-gen systems such as the Saturn, as they would focus on that since the early 90's instead of stop-gaps. Imagine the Saturn starting the 32 bit era in 1994 with 30 titles across all possible genres at launch tailor-made with expertise for their new hardware (no rushed garbage), since SEGA wouldn't have to lose their heads with unnecessary money spent in hardware and software with high risk bets.

[@PixelzNcreatureZ]

I picked up this game and played it on my Genesis 1 system. I got a Genesis 2 because I liked how the 32X looked on it better. Since I had already beaten Knuckles Chaotix I didn't play it. When I finally booted it up, the game wasn't working anymore. It would play but freeze at the title screen. I still kept it but it was almost 10 years later that I found out it was my Genesis the whole time. For some reason mine wasn't fully compatible with the 32x.. Once I got another system the game played perfectly fine. I'm glad I never got rid of it.

[@alex64gaming]

Been waiting a long time for this one ...

[@irasimpson1465]

I bought this game from a low budget game stop competitor (back before gamestop railroded & bought them all out) about 2 weeks after I bought the 32x during the time when they were surplusing it for $20 at toys r us.i used my own money I earned from cleaning offices after school in the 8th grade.i played the living sh** Otta this game because I was and still am a sega genesis sonic titles fan.i loved it. I still have that very same copy of this game, the 32x with my sega genesis and all 4 sonic titles. The GOOD ones. Sonic 1,2,3, & knuckles. I purposely looks over sonic spin all & 3d blast.glad to see you gave it some recognition @segalordx .it's simply a masterpiece in my biased eyes and as far as I'm concerned Knuckles Chaotix is the TRUE Sonic 4.

[@MegaGordion]

I would love to see you do a review of the 32x game Shadow Squadron!

[@remakeyourself]

I love when a video makes me say "wait, my copy is worth how much?!?"
I remember picking this game up for like 8 bucks complete. Oh used game market, you're so silly.
Great video! Always love seeing 32X content, it's such an odd system.

[@kennethd4958]

I was so excited when I saw you were reviewing this game... I feel a lot of people gave up on it because of the tether system and that it was based more around platforming and less on pure speed. But I think its a great game.. def wasn't going to save the 32X but still a very worthy installment in the Genesis era Sonic games.

[@TrippyCommentaries]

Would be cool to get a Sonic Mania video from you Sega Lord X

[@chrisplissken4626]

Would be nice if you did a review of all the 32x games library ,i love that type of content and also do reviews in general or complete dive in into different Sega games ,cheers!

[@Monacomaverick]

You missed the sound test option with Amy that shows what keys are being played on each track of the song. I always thought that was an awesome touch!

[@michaelpanayotou3740]

I am pleased to see you mention the 32x. I was 15 when I got one for Christmas and absolutely loved it, my mates and I played Virtua Racing, Virtua Fighting and Star Wars to death..!!

[@tornadot2025]

The Doom 64 of the Sonic franchise. It was misunderstood and rejected when it came out, but now that people are taking a more honest and open minded look at it, the game is finally getting some of the credit that it deserves. It wasn't an all time great like the original Sonic games on the Genesis, but it was a pretty decent game in its own right.

[@user-ow3hz8wx2k]

Would really like to see you review some more 32x games, and also those very very few 32X/CD games. Seeing your dissection of games most us skipped over back then (due to attention on the Playstation, Saturn, and N64) is very interesting.

[@QUAI7777]

My only memory of playing this game back in the 90s was at a Kmart kiosk while the parents shopped. So confusing compared to what I expected from a Sonic title. Every Sega fan I knew had skipped 32x for the Sega CD.

[@MaxAbramson3]

In some ways, the 1992 Sega CD was actually more capable than the 32X. It's sad that SEGA kept abandoning great hardware and expecting everyone to follow them into the quagmire of the mid 90s.

[@CommodoreFan64]

I'm a huge Sonic fan, and the only good thing I can say about Knuckles Chaotix is the music is really really good, and I'm so glad it has a nice sound test menu.

[@VBrancoPT]

I love the soundtrack of this game. Pretty neat.

[@hackwrench5583]

Here's a little secret I found about this game.
If the game freezes on the title screen, or within seconds of starting it up, try a different Genesis/Mega Drive. I have a couple copies of this game and a Model 1 that it freezes like that every single time. But I have two Model 2's that play it flawlessly.
Also, there's no battery in the cart. Just flash memory.

[@sethmartin2588]

I bought this game and enjoyed it vary much back in the day it was a fine addition to my then 32X collection of doom, star wars arcade and virtual racing 😊🤩😊🤩🤘🤘🤘🤘 thanks for the trips down memory lane.
As always great video content Sega Lord X 😎😎😎😎

[@NewportBox100s]

More 32X reviews are always welcome!

[@LRon-ef7ni]

Sega was ahead of its time. Today, the marketing term for 32X would be “mid gen upgrade”

[@Marcus_K]

Yeah, although it was more of a late-gen upgrade. Like if Sony had released the PS4 Pro 8 months before the PS5...

[@LRon-ef7ni]

@@Marcus_K true

[@cireza_]

The 32X was never meant to push backgrounds and parallaxes at high speed. It is not well suited for this at all. It is made to display pixels on a one by one basis, which is essential for 3D (as it handles the fact that visuals cannot be predicted) , unlike the MegaDrive which uses exclusively 8x8 pixels tiles and offers various layers in order to be super fast at moving around huge backgrounds. The Saturn implemented the exact same features in VDP2 to keep strong capabilities for 2D games, as managing layers of background with tiles at high speed is expected.
This is the way the configuration should be understood : 32X was meant to be the VDP1 (sprites, 3D, effects on it) and provides the same two main CPUs as Saturn, while the MegaDrive is the VDP2 (background, parallax, hud). In that regard, Chaotix makes a pretty good usage of the 32X in my opinion. It was an early game, as all 32X games.
Also I noted you almost never pick-up your partner. You are supposed to do it a lot... It allows to get back classical physics, and you are supposed to throw it to reach higher places or enemies... Also I think that you missed the point of the experience. The game is not meant to be played one area after another, it is meant to feel randomized, with palettes changing every two stages, level-design is meant to confuse you a bit. Honestly, this the most enjoyable Sonic game to pick up and replay because it never feels the same, but it is largely misunderstood.

[@SegaLordX]

I understand how the 32X works and its still unimpressive. There should have been better usage of sprites and polygons. It should have been 2.5D. Or at least with loads of additional background effects all over the place. It's not anything the Genesis couldn't have done to a fair degree.
Picking up your partner doesn't return this to the classic physics. You are slower and heavier. It affects every area of the gameplay. Granted it takes away the tether snapping, but stopping so frequent to pick up or throw your partner slows this to a crawl and becomes quite tedious.
And of course its meant to be randomized in terms of the stages. It's literally a part of the design. But this feels disjointed and I don't prefer it at all. These stages are all the same in terms of design anyway, which is its biggest fault by a mile.
So no, there is no misunderstanding with Chaotix at all. I understand quite well, in fact. I simply do not like a great deal of it.

[@cireza_]

@@SegaLordX I think that you greatly overestimate how much polygons the 32X can push at a decent framerate. 2.5D is simply out of the question, especially if you are thinking of textured polygons. A look at the bonus stages of Chaotix is a good indicator of what these 2.5D stages could have looked like. If you want fully textured polygons then you probably know about Metal Head and what the framerate is like. Everything is done through software with the 32X, there are no advanced features such as in the VDP1 of the Saturn.

[@SegaLordX]

I'm not talking 2.5D with the 32X drawing complicated structures or entire layers. I'm talking 2.5D with the 32X adding accents to the Genesis rendered backgrounds. As you see in Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racing deluxe, and Star Wars Arcade, there's enough polygons there for such. Polygon trees popping out of the Genesis rendered backgrounds. A polygon trap springing in the backgrounds which swings to the foreground. Polygon water layers. Polygon cloud layers. We are talking 1995 here. It would not have taken much to look so different from the stuff we were seeing on the 32X. These polygons could have been animated at 20fps and it wouldn't have mattered because the Genesis is still in full control of the scrolling engine. It would have made this stick out more at a time when polygons were everything new and interesting to the vast majority of the gaming public. Wouldn't have sold a ton more 32X's, but the people that did own it might have at least picked it up.

[@cireza_]

@@SegaLordX I perfectly understand that you would expect more of the 32X, however some of these examples simply would not work because of how visuals are made with the combo MD+32X.
The 32X only sees a flat picture coming from the MD. So even if the idea of putting some nice 3D elements in the background to add some depth sounds nice, you actually will never be able to put anything that will sit between the far background and the foreground (which is a typical layout for any 2D game). You can only put things on top of whatever was drawn by the MD (or eventually behind all of it).
You could still add 3D elements to the foreground sure, such as palm trees why not. Anything drawn by the 32X would have to be scrolled by the 32X simultaneously to the MD, which is perfectly doable. However you certainly would not want to update a tree at 20fps when the floor is actually moving at 60fps, it would look extremely jaring. And 32X would struggle at moving around a lot of 3D elements at 60fps, so you would have to design this well to not have too much on screen, especially if you have to manage sprites as well. I suppose you would be forced to go the 30fps route, but honestly for 2D games it doesn't feel good (see Pitfall on 32X as example).
Also, you could not do transparency in top of what was sent by the MD either (maybe you can by looking at each pixel in the picture and deciding what to do ? This looks totally impractical in real time though), so I don't see how you could do nice clouds (and they would have to sit on top of everything else).
Use-cases would be quite limited I think.

[@miguelroman4294]

Bless you and your family SLX love the content very much!

[@cndctrdjful]

I liked the game back in the day. But I liked everything I paid for with my money. Would love to see more 32x content

[@SparkyMK3]

Great review! And just for the record, it's pronounced "Chay-ah-ticks" (with a very soft T), or at least that's how it's pronounced when the Chaotix characters showed up again in Sonic Heroes. And yes, I'd love to see more solo 32X reviews! I remember Shadow Squadron was a good one!

[@edonslow1456]

Such a weird game to play, but looked and sounded gorgeous. Makes me wish they'd done a proper Sonic game on 32X

[@mjdf122]

Sega Lord X Thanks For Showing Sega And The 32X Love I’m Enjoying 36 Great Holes Starring Fred Couples For The 32X Right Now As We Speak So Many Outlets And Extension Cords That We Need When We Attach The Genesis CD And 32X Hahah We’re Lucky To Live Through the 1980s To Now

[@PKGangsta18]

I managed to get this for $5 from a school bully waaay back in 1997. I still have it in my collection.
I could never understand the localized story summaries as a kid. Years later, I found out the story is more connected to the lore from Sonic 3 & Knuckles in the Japanese manual (Sonic 3's story ties into Sonic Adventure too in the Japanese manual). When the Dead Egg crashed into Angel Island, it pushed it back into the ocean bedrock. And after Eggman's defeat at the end of Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the Master Emerald was returned and it took the the skies again. But when it did, the energy of the Master Emerald caused bits of the bedrock the Angel Island touched to become energized with Emerald energy and it took flight as well...hovering underneath Angel Island. It isn't called Carnival Island. It's called Newtrogic Zone(?). I always wondered why the late word was plastered underneath each level splash screen.
Outside that, I never understood the hate it received. I love this game.

[@paratext]

Wow this game might be the most underappreciated and overlooked 2D platformer ever.

[@MH-ye1ku]

I listen to this game's OST all the time

[@Jr-Reed]

I really like what you did with the "LE" in the Knuckles Chaotix title card

[@VirajKathwadia]

Indeed the when this game was being developed it didn't utilize the 32X's capabilities to push it to the next level. However this game did have it's merits and it's a shame it's not had a re release. I did love the music in this game mind you. As like yourself I was caught in between the two camps.

[@glenhayman8722]

As always thank you for bringing some light on a darker section of the sega timeline

[@h_ymusicgroup5051]

As a kid when I saw the advertisement for this game in a magazine I was more hyped for this game than any other

[@markx1126]

I picked this up with a 32X, when the 32X went on sale for $15 at Toys ‘R Us (yes it eventually went that cheap). I like the potential of the game mechanic-this is the only Sonic game I know of where co-op can actually be enjoyed. The tether solves the problem of Sonic ditching Tails in the older games. And while gameplay wise this could almost be a Genesis title, the graphics and sound are noticeably better than Genesis. The biggest issue is that the levels are too easy and not that memorable. I beat this game very quickly. If they spent more time with level design, it could have been truly epic.

[@kron520]

0:30 Little did they know that it would be both.