Sonic CD has long enjoyed a tradition of being either “the forgotten Sonic the Hedgehog game” or “the greatest Sonic game ever”, depending on who you ask. Released in 1993 for the Sega Genesis/Megadrive’s little-owned CD add-on console, the Sega CD/Mega-CD, the game went unplayed by most, eventually making a quiet, slightly glitchy reappearance on the PC and later the Gamecube and PS2 as part of the Sonic Gems Collection.
In the past couple of years, dedicated fan Christian Whitehead has been painstakingly porting Sega CD to iOS platforms with the most accurate performance possible, along with added bells and whistles. Sega, surprisingly, welcomed Whitehead with open arms, using his fan-made emulation engine as the basis for an official release of the game, which is now available on XBLA and PSN in a fancy HD port. It’s a beautifully packaged treat and one that’ll be sure to please those fans who’ve been pining for classic 2D Sonic to return and never checked out Sonic CD the first time around.
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Sonic CD will be pleasingly familiar to those who grew up playing the original cartridge-based Sonic the Hedgehog games. Funky animated opening cut-scene and better resolution aside, it looks just like Sonic 1-3, delivering the same 2D side-scrolling platform/rollercoaster game you’d expect. The levels hit the expected Sonic archetypes: There’s the Green Hill Zone equivalent, a pinball/casino stage, the ancient temple level and an industrial factory stage. The mechanics, the sense of speed and the core coin-collecting, enemy-hopping, multi-path platforming gameplay is as tight, propulsive and enjoyable, too (though the new behind-the-back, UFO-catching bonus stages which replace the original Sonic’s psychedelic crystal mazes just aren’t as much fun).
Where Sonic CD layers on added gameplay depth is in its use of time travel. Throughout each level you’ll find ‘Past’ and ‘Future’ signposts to hit. Spin one and then run at high speed without getting hit for a certain distance and you’ll launch yourself through time to a different version of the level. Travel to the future and you’ll find a post-apocolyptic version of the stage, the world ruined by Dr. Robotnik’s meddling. Jump to the past and destroy Robotnik’s machines and you’ll change the future, unlocking a new, rosier future utopia free from pollution and destruction. It’s a cool mechanic, one which adds more layers to the platforming and added challenge, too; with four alternate versions of every level, there’s plenty of replay value, and in certain levels, maintaining your speed to warp through time can require rapid-fire reflexes and forward thinking.
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The new widescreen HD port adds in a selection of visual filters to smooth and sharpen the resolution or simply leave them in their classic, pixelly state. You can switch the spin-dash type, either using the Sonic CD method of holding down a button to build speed or rapidly pushing the button a-la Sonic 2 & 3. Also included is the option to swap between the US soundtrack and the Japanese version, and if you complete the game, you’ll unlock the ability to play through the game as Tails.
It’s a wonderful package and the definitive version of an overlooked classic. If you’ve played the game before, the visual upgrades and added bonuses make it a must buy, and if you’ve never checked Sonic CD out but are craving some old-school 2D Sonic action, you should definitely give it a shot, especially at a surprisingly cheap 400 Microsoft Points.
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Sonic CD is now available to buy on the Xbox Live Marketplace, priced at 400 Microsoft Points, and on the PlayStation Network for £3.59/€4.49/$5.00.