Since its release over 20 years ago, the original Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega Genesis has been ported and re-released on a wide variety of systems throughout the years. From compilations to new and improved ports, nearly everyone probably owns a device that would allow them to play this monumental game from Sega’s history.
However, not all of these methods of playing Sonic 1 are noteworthy and some are definitely better experiences than others and come with worthwhile bonuses. So, we’ve put our heads together and made a list of the 10 best versions of Sonic the Hedgehog 1 that exist.
Hit the jump to read on!
Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection (360/PS3)
Tom Kyzivat: Recently, the History Channel has uncovered lots of striking evidence that might change our perception of history as we know it. Their experts claim (to scoffs and protests of their peers) that the video game Sonic the Hedgehog has consistently predicted major events in man’s history. It began as primitive cave paintings, then ports to portable papyrus scrolls during the rule of Tutankhamen, ports to the dramatic stage just before the fall of Rome, ornate frescoes at the dawn of the Italian Renaissance, and eventually found its way onto the Sega Genesis in 1991. We go to David Childress of Ancient Aliens for more: “The thing that’s so fascinating about Sonic the Hedgehog is that it’s always been a part of our culture without us even knowing it. A gift from the gods? A technological blessing from ancient astronauts? While we don’t know for sure, we have to assume it’s true, and act like a total dick to anybody who disagrees.” While no less than 148 different ports have been sighted since then, the most notable was from 2009, when the port of the game predicted the Great Reckoning, when Michael Bay’s third Transformers movie completed the unholy trinity and cast the world into darkness. Sonic the Hedgehog was the glue that held the country together during those difficult times, and so has since been officially honored in an exhibit titled “Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection” at The Smithsonian. And that’s what happened, according to the History Channel. Watch Ice Pawn Cajun Duck Smugglers every Wednesday at 7:00!
The Original (Genesis)
Mike Kyzivat: This is the only version I can’t really criticize SEGA for releasing since Sonic didn’t exist until this point in time.
Ah yes, 1991. These were the good ole’ days before Cream the Rabbit and when it was Dr. Robotnik and not “Eggman.” A time when Blast Processing was the difference between being the “cool” kid and just another Nintendon’t-er. When it was just Sonic and not a myriad of other primary colored rodents clogging up his adventure. A time when Sonic didn’t say things like “Whoa! Hey, watch it. I’m doing Xtreme stuff here.” In fact, he didn’t speak at all because he didn’t need to. He was a hedgehog of action, not pointless cut scenes involving Iblis triggers or some such nonsense. Yes, a time when the planet Sonic lived on was Mobius not “future” earth, and you didn’t have to save a human princess or question SEGA’s stance on bestiality.
Yes, I’m afraid it’s a simpler time we can never go back to. Unless you get the version on the Saturn… or the Dreamcast… or there’s the Gamecube, Playstation3, Xbox 360, DS, iPhone, Andriod or Wii versions…
Sonic Jam (Saturn)
Mike Kyzivat: 6 years, do you hear me? 6 years!! That’s all it took to re-release Sonic the Hedgehog again. Instead of working on an entirely new Sonic game, which the Saturn needed oh so desperately, SEGA instead decides to just re-release the original Sonic the Hedgehog again with all the sequels (which only amounts to about 4 games at this point). And… AND, to make us all cry, they give us a small taste of what a 3D Sonic would be like on the Saturn in the form of the museum area of Sonic Jam which lets you run around a wonderful 3D rendition of the Green Hill Zone from the original Sonic the Hedgehog.
It’s like SEGA said “Hey let’s start milking Sonic the Hedgehog now. Oh wait, but no one will buy a compilation now when you can still get them on the Genesis for cheap. Wait I know, we’ll give everyone a taste of the brass ring (see what I did there?) by making a small 3D version of Sonic and then they’ll have to buy it.”
And all I have to say is…well, it worked, because I sure as hell bought the collection even though I already had copies of Sonic and Sonic 2 on the Genesis. So I guess, what I’m trying to say is: YOU WIN THIS ROUND SEGA!!, BUT YOU’LL NEVER GET ME TO BUY ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES. NEVER!!!
Sonic Mega Collection (Gamecube/Xbox/PS2)
Michael Westgarth: Most of the entries in this article will be sarcastic piss-takes of Sega’s repeated porting of Sonic 1. I totally agree that Sega have ported the Sonic’s first adventure way too many times and they often ignore his other, superior Mega Drive-era games.
But, actually really like Sonic Mega Collection and the Sonic 1 port it has. To understand why, you need to appreciate that PAL gamers had to put up with sluggish 50hz renditions of Mega Drive games for many, many years, and the Mega Drive games that are 50hz optimised are few and far between.
The GameCube version of Sonic Mega Collection allowed me, for the very first time, to play the original NTSC version of Sonic the Hedgehog in blindingly fast 60hz. I also bought the compilation at a time when my tasted has shifted from 2D platformers to FPS games. Foolish, I know, but Sonic Mega Collection helped snap me out of my war-obsessed, pubescent mindset and help me get back on track.
So yeah, Sonic Mega Collection’s port of Sonic 1 get a genuine thumbs up from me!
Sonic the Hedgehog XBLA (360)
Scott Morrison: I can think of 12 easy reasons why anyone should own Sonic the Hedgehog on XBLA: achievements. Dude, why else do people buy games on Xbox? For cheevo’s! Widescreen Sonic with cheevo’s! What else do you need? Spindash? No thank you, sir, because real gamers play it like it is…. but with cheevo’s and widescreen. Your ability to fly through Sonic 1 in under 40 minutes can now be shown to the world. And you can grind your teeth all night trying to clear the first act of Green Hill Zone in 1 minute and 35 seconds. “Beat the game without dying,” for 40 gamer points? Hello, “in-game-saving!”
Porting Sonic the Hedgehog to XBLA was a no-brainer and clearly worth every Microsoft space-penny. Besides, blast processing can only be replicated perfectly through an Xbox 360. The PSN port probably sucks since no one collects trophies in that world. I mean how the heck can you measure a trophy percentage against an actual numeric bro-killer like your gamerscore? You can’t! And what you also can’t do is beat my best run-thru time of Sonic the Hedgehog on them leaderboards, because I got mad skills with the blue blur. I’ll run circles around you before you ever grab a ring because YOU’RE TOO SLOW and I GOTTA GO FAST to be the best, while I’M WAITING for you to try and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
CHILI DOGS!
Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic Generations (360/PS3/PC)
Tom Kyzivat: Sonic Generations represented how far the Sonic franchise has come. With its beautiful re-creations of classic Sonic levels and creative twists on gameplay, it was as fresh as it was artistic. So why WOULDN’T you want to just play the first, stale, predictable ol’ Sonic the Hedgehog you always have? Thanks goodness they included it in the game. But in all seriousness (or at least some), it made sense to include it on the game as a sort of “timeline” within Generations; showing us where Sonic is going, but also remembering where Sonic has been. But seriously, who actually played it? Gee, a badass 3D Metal Sonic wants to race in a re-vamped Stardust Speedway, but I think I’d rather dick around in the Labyrinth Zone instead. I’m willing to bet people only played it to unlock an achievement. Which I assume you get if you play through it. If not, then you’re probably wondering how such an ill-informed loudmouth expects anybody to take him seriously as a journalist. But then you remember that Rush Limbaugh still has a show on the radio. Boom. Sonic boom.
Genesis 6-Pak (Genesis)
Alex Riggen: This version of Sonic the Hedgehog is spot on to the original release. You’ll experience the origin of Blast Processing as your little blue hedgehog runs and spins through loops and other curvaceous terrain with one goal in mind: to stop Dr. Robotnik. This is Sonic the Hedgehog in it’s purest form: no extra side characters, no werehogs, no motion control, no voice acting… just you and the wind in your hedgehog-ified hair. The additional features that this version comes with just makes the game all the sweeter.
Sega Smash Pack (Dreamcast)
Alex Riggen: This version of Sonic the Hedgehog is spot on to the original release. You’ll experience the origin of Blast Processing as your little blue hedgehog runs and spins through loops and other curvaceous terrain with one goal in mind: to stop Dr. Robotnik. This is Sonic the Hedgehog in it’s purest form: no extra side characters, no werehogs, no motion control, no voice acting… just you and the wind in your hedgehog-ified hair. The additional features that this version comes with just makes the game all the sweeter.
Sega Genesis Collection (PSP)
Alex Riggen: This version of Sonic the Hedgehog is spot on to the original release. You’ll experience the origin of Blast Processing as your little blue hedgehog runs and spins through loops and other curvaceous terrain with one goal in mind: to stop Dr. Robotnik. This is Sonic the Hedgehog in it’s purest form: no extra side characters, no werehogs, no motion control, no voice acting… just you and the wind in your hedgehog-ified hair. The additional features that this version comes with just makes the game all the sweeter.
Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam (PC)
Alex Riggen: This version of Sonic the Hedgehog is spot on to the original release. You’ll experience the origin of Blast Processing as your little blue hedgehog runs and spins through loops and other curvaceous terrain with one goal in mind: to stop Dr. Robotnik. This is Sonic the Hedgehog in it’s purest form: no extra side characters, no werehogs, no motion control, no voice acting… just you and the wind in your hedgehog-ified hair. The additional features that this version comes with just makes the game all the sweeter.
Sonic Jam was the best because it has been reworked (not just the original rehashed) with time attack & more difficulty levels. I’m surprised they never used this version again. The first port was the only one to offer anything extra (though I think the GBA version allows spin dash but so does Jam!)
You want to talk about it being 6 years?
On the sega CD they released “Sega CLASSICS” Arcade Collection in 1992 with games released from 1989-1991. While I agree all those games are instant classics that is still pretty funny.
Yeah, I have that game on the Mega CD. I didn’t play it for ages thinking that it was just a bunch of ROMs, but Sega enhanced the sounds and added a few other little extras. A decent disc for any Mega CD collection.