Here in the UK we all had Mega Drive or Master Systems. One of our friends has a NES and we bullied him saying go give Mario a BJ. Referring to the cartridge blowing to get them to boot.
Milking? Master System was very popular in Europe and South America. This version is not a quick port, but rivals the Mega Drive game. Fantastic game. 10/10. If this is a C rank Master System game, you are in for a rough ride playing the Master System library....
3:58 you forgot about the SMS version, it had different boxart from the game gear 7:27 finishing a stage with 50-99 rings takes you to the special stage 9:39 I actually prefer this way of finding the emeralds 24:47 but the 8-bit version actually came out first!
1. Ah, must have overlooked it in my hype for the other artist. Will address it in the next SMS/GG Sonic vid! 2. I see now there are requirements for affecting the Bonus Panel. Will bring it up in Sonic 2 (8-bit)! 3. It def adds a sense of wonder finding them around the map, at the risk of falling into pits. 😁 Sonic CD has better maps for exploration at least! 4. I am aware! Just want to talk about the Genesis/Mega Drvie Sonic 2 first. 🤭
A lot of nostalgia and fondness with this game for me. It was my first ever video game with the master system 2. Pre installed in the machine. Played this so much as a child. Love the music in this.
Sonic 1 on the Game Gear was the first Sonic game I ever played and I loved it. When I finally came to Sonic 1 on the Mega Drive I was in awe, but I still have those memories of 8-bit Sonic, playing in on my cousin's Master System, playing Sonic 2 on the MS before I even owned a Mega Drive (Sonic 2 was the first game I bought to go with it). To this day I still find myself humming the Jungle Zone music sometimes.
This was the first video game I ever played, as my first console (at age 4) was a SEGA Master System, then I got a Megadrive with Sonic 2 three years later. I played this and the sequel to death, and completed them at the time. A masterpiece, and a game I'd rate above even the Megadrive/Genesis Sonic 1. Notable moments are the Sky Base challenge, scrolling Bridge Zone 2 and Jungle Zone Act 2, and the twist in routing in Scrap Brain 3.
In UK and Ireland I knew no one with a NES but everyone had a MS back in the day. The MS was much cheaper than the NES and we where a pretty poor country here in Northern Ireland for a long time, so SMS version was still the first version I'd played all those years ago.
I grew up in UK where the Master System was EXTREMELY popular, all of my school pals had the SMS(I only knew 1 kid that had a NES), SEGA would have been leaving money on the table not making a Master system Sonic game. I loved the 8bit versions of Mega Drive/Arcade games the SMS got, the sonic series, golden axe, altered beast, streets of rage etc. While these ports were obviously inferior to their 16 bit counterparts, they more than did the job to keep us kids stuck with the 8 bit machine(and there was a fair few of us at the time) happy!
Well I remember my friend liked Mortal Kombat sms and wasn't even tempted by the smd version for some reason. He loved Sonic 1 on sms and didn't want to upgrade to smd. Because the sms is so much more sedate than the smd. The colours and sound chip are game designs are more simple and charming in tone to the intensity of the smd. So quite a different experience really. So you see, as each console ends it's lifespan, that specific tone is lost (until the 360/ps3 and later are not so distinguishable). But they are so cool for each game being only 32KB+, the library is only locked behind knowledge of the library. That's the problem with CD's. The Mega CD for instance is so good, but at 500MB a disc (the mcd limit), the library tends to get stored in the ether and I get the games as and when they are needed. Leaving the library in a more precarious position in terms of preservation.
@@RobotnikHolmes I remember some time after my 5th birthday, we bought the Master System. And it was the smaller, nicer-looking Master System that had Sonic The Hedgehog built-in. So you didn't even need the cartridge, you'd just press the power button and immediately the game would start.
Oh - also I only found out about this myself a year or so ago. Every stage has an extra life box in it. If you get them all you get a bonus final one in Sky Base 3. It's why some are hidden and the one in Labyrinth 3 is so taxing!
Pretty cool review! remember wanting a Game Gear just for this even after playing Sonic Advance, it is a harder game but it had a lot of cool changes from the 16 Bit version, really liked the map,the new zones and ofc the music can't beat Yuzo Koshiro, it was common place for SEGA and even Nintendo at times to have versions of the same name game on old and new consoles, despite the power difference the past gen version could sometimes be the better game often thanks to another team handling it, kinda like how Sonic Unleashed has a HD version and a Dimps version, kinda miss that with something like Sonic Superstars the only difference between PS5 and Switch/PS4 is just some graphics details, if your doing Sonic 2 on Game Gear all I can say is good luck, it has ton of differences from the 16 bit version but man is it brutal, makes the Bridge Zone Boss look easy.
This is one of the best 8-bit Sonic 1 reviews/documentary i've ever seen and love the fact that you threw in bonus information like the Araya fan game at the end. Very informative and very enjoyable. I can only encourage you to make more like this, oh and i;ve seen the Sonic 2 8-bit one as well, that is amazing! Would love to see more 8-bit Sonic reviews like Sonic Chaos and Sonic Triple Trouble.
What a wonderful compliment! 😊 I do my best to cover everything I can, and that includes fangames directly inspired by them! Glad you're looking forward to the other 8-bit Sonic game vids. 😁
Sonic 1 8-bit (Master System version) was the first Sonic game I ever owned, and as a result I'm much more forgiving of it than most. xD My spicy take is that the 8-bit music from Labyrinth and Scrap Brain is better than their 16 bit counterparts!
I think they knew how popular the master system was in other contries and thought it was a good investment. This was actually the first sonic game I played. Still know this one better than the original.
I remember seeing the game gear version shortly after launch and being absolutely stunned. It was comparable to the moment I first saw PlayStation 3D graphics. As a kid owning a game gear was the best thing ever (though in the UK the master system was very popular due to the NES being extortionately priced.)
Sonic is one of the best 8 bits game, it was bundled with lots of master system 2,in memory, though,this version lack the ending.the bridge level features janet jackson sample. Sonic was the last game released in usa for ms.
I used to play this game to death. I got so good at it i could finish before going to school in the morning and i pretty much did that every morning for i dont remmeber how long. I have play it again more recently and it's not like riding a bike sadly.
I always considered this to be the obscure alternative brother of the 16 bit version, and it seems to be more experimental, especially being released for older 8 bit consoles that were slowly losing support by then! But it deserves to be remembered! I like how it has been rereleased many times, almost as much as the 16 bit game, though it was always the Game Gear one, as they don’t really acknowledge the master system that much, though they recently released some in Yakuza as mini games. There’s even a PalmOS version! There’s also been a recent rise in rom hacks for this, and they are looking pretty good! But I always wondered, would it have been, or is it possible, to put Sonic on the SG-1000? Yes, that console! I mean, this was hard enough to make back then! Also, my theory as to why Sega don’t remake this game is because it was made by Ancient, not Sonic Team, and similarly for the other 8 bit Sonic games, being made by Aspect. But it is nice that fans have made a definitive version! And that Genesis-look rom hack is very impressive--I bet if it was a launch title for the master system, then that console would have had a much better chance of competing against the NES! It makes the Genesis look bad!
most nostalgic sonic game and the only one i play from start to end at least once a year on a screenmodded gamegear (so you can actually see what you are doing). its so ironic that this sonic game kinda starts out like the 16 bit one. and the only speed shoes and invincibility box ive ever found in the game was in the first level.
Oh dang, I never knew you could "screenmod" games until now! I will have to make a mention of that in my next Master System/Game Gear vid. Thank you for the comment! 😁 Now that you mention it, those two power-ups only really appear there, though I think I did see one in Labyrinth Zone somewhere too? 🤔
@@RobotnikHolmes its not so much so a screenmod to the game, its moreso a modern lcd replacing the old screen in the gamegear itself, although if you really wanted better draw distance, the game gear can also play master system games through a converter you plug into the gamegear, or you can just everdrive it :)
At the time the 8-bit Sonic version came out, everyone in Europe was still playing on the NES or Master System. I'm rather sad I sold my Master System before I could play Sonic 2 on it.
It's weird this video just came up I just past 1 and 2 on my Master System I like the change up in the 8 bit one's . I just got to Sonic3 and I was happy that I could save only to find out that the memory chip died was lucky to find one on ebay Sonic3 had a Advanced save chip for the time.
I remember going to buy this with my father and it was sold out... for weeks they even had to hire security because some parents became aggressive... like in that arnold schwarzenegger movie "Jingle All the Way" i remember i was once almost pushed down the escalator because of it...
Yes I had a Master System and didn't have a NES, couldn't afford it. Sonic 1 (8-Bit) was a great. I like the review but it's a 2024 set of eyes and standards it's unfair. It's BONUS stages not special stages. Here in the UK, the MS was a budget friendly approach and it was great, we didn't pick apart the frame rate or difficulty it was hard as the style at the time.
Thank you for the insight! Yeah, these retrospectives are from my experiences with the games, so its more a 2001 set of eyes, really. I am thankful for the comments because I'm learning so much about everyone else's experience with the games at the time. 🙂
I absolutely adore Sonic 1 MS... but cannot stand any of the other 8 bit games. The first one just, understands its limitations and makes a solid game that I honestly struggle to fault. Sonic 2 GG onwards though - meh. Broken gameS
I'm not sure why your calling StH gimmicky. I suppose it's not proper legit game design like Super Mario World. Which is authentic game design and not gimmicky, I have to assume, by association, is what you meant.
Wasn't really milking, it was just the only way most people in Brazil could give it a whirl.
And the MS was also really popular in Europe.
Which he should well know unless he gets his info from youtube and not people who are ten years older than him that he could literally touch,
Here in the UK we all had Mega Drive or Master Systems. One of our friends has a NES and we bullied him saying go give Mario a BJ. Referring to the cartridge blowing to get them to boot.
@@chrisb4350 Also Mario is a known groomer.
Milking? Master System was very popular in Europe and South America. This version is not a quick port, but rivals the Mega Drive game. Fantastic game. 10/10. If this is a C rank Master System game, you are in for a rough ride playing the Master System library....
I always saw it as the opportunity to be able to play Sonic without having to buy a Mega Drive
Great soundtrack too.
Not everyone could afford a Genesis so to be able to play sonic on the master system was very special! I loved that game!
Its such a fun game! 😁
The I-bit sonic 1 is my go-to sonic. Bridge zone music is the first piece of music I thought was beautiful
So beautiful Janet Jackson ripped it off
3:58 you forgot about the SMS version, it had different boxart from the game gear
7:27 finishing a stage with 50-99 rings takes you to the special stage
9:39 I actually prefer this way of finding the emeralds
24:47 but the 8-bit version actually came out first!
1. Ah, must have overlooked it in my hype for the other artist. Will address it in the next SMS/GG Sonic vid!
2. I see now there are requirements for affecting the Bonus Panel. Will bring it up in Sonic 2 (8-bit)!
3. It def adds a sense of wonder finding them around the map, at the risk of falling into pits. 😁 Sonic CD has better maps for exploration at least!
4. I am aware! Just want to talk about the Genesis/Mega Drvie Sonic 2 first. 🤭
I love how much research you put into these videos, especially on the differences between the European and American editions.
Thanks, matey! I do my best.
A lot of nostalgia and fondness with this game for me. It was my first ever video game with the master system 2. Pre installed in the machine. Played this so much as a child. Love the music in this.
Sonic 1 on the Game Gear was the first Sonic game I ever played and I loved it. When I finally came to Sonic 1 on the Mega Drive I was in awe, but I still have those memories of 8-bit Sonic, playing in on my cousin's Master System, playing Sonic 2 on the MS before I even owned a Mega Drive (Sonic 2 was the first game I bought to go with it).
To this day I still find myself humming the Jungle Zone music sometimes.
That's awesome that you got such nice memories with the games. 😁 Jungle Zone is indeed a bOP!
This was the first video game I ever played, as my first console (at age 4) was a SEGA Master System, then I got a Megadrive with Sonic 2 three years later. I played this and the sequel to death, and completed them at the time. A masterpiece, and a game I'd rate above even the Megadrive/Genesis Sonic 1. Notable moments are the Sky Base challenge, scrolling Bridge Zone 2 and Jungle Zone Act 2, and the twist in routing in Scrap Brain 3.
In UK and Ireland I knew no one with a NES but everyone had a MS back in the day. The MS was much cheaper than the NES and we where a pretty poor country here in Northern Ireland for a long time, so SMS version was still the first version I'd played all those years ago.
NES was also pretty outdated when Sonic was released...
I grew up in UK where the Master System was EXTREMELY popular, all of my school pals had the SMS(I only knew 1 kid that had a NES), SEGA would have been leaving money on the table not making a Master system Sonic game. I loved the 8bit versions of Mega Drive/Arcade games the SMS got, the sonic series, golden axe, altered beast, streets of rage etc. While these ports were obviously inferior to their 16 bit counterparts, they more than did the job to keep us kids stuck with the 8 bit machine(and there was a fair few of us at the time) happy!
Well I remember my friend liked Mortal Kombat sms and wasn't even tempted by the smd version for some reason. He loved Sonic 1 on sms and didn't want to upgrade to smd. Because the sms is so much more sedate than the smd. The colours and sound chip are game designs are more simple and charming in tone to the intensity of the smd. So quite a different experience really.
So you see, as each console ends it's lifespan, that specific tone is lost (until the 360/ps3 and later are not so distinguishable). But they are so cool for each game being only 32KB+, the library is only locked behind knowledge of the library. That's the problem with CD's. The Mega CD for instance is so good, but at 500MB a disc (the mcd limit), the library tends to get stored in the ether and I get the games as and when they are needed. Leaving the library in a more precarious position in terms of preservation.
My first Sonic game. Had its issues but it was the game that immediately made me fall in love with the Blue Blur.
It is very fun even nowadays! Awesome to hear it was your first Sonic game. 😁
@@RobotnikHolmes I remember some time after my 5th birthday, we bought the Master System. And it was the smaller, nicer-looking Master System that had Sonic The Hedgehog built-in. So you didn't even need the cartridge, you'd just press the power button and immediately the game would start.
There is a fan made Sonic game for Commodore 64 now. It's really good.
Oh - also I only found out about this myself a year or so ago. Every stage has an extra life box in it. If you get them all you get a bonus final one in Sky Base 3. It's why some are hidden and the one in Labyrinth 3 is so taxing!
Super secret bonus points!
Pretty cool review! remember wanting a Game Gear just for this even after playing Sonic Advance, it is a harder game but it had a lot of cool changes from the 16 Bit version, really liked the map,the new zones and ofc the music can't beat Yuzo Koshiro, it was common place for SEGA and even Nintendo at times to have versions of the same name game on old and new consoles, despite the power difference the past gen version could sometimes be the better game often thanks to another team handling it, kinda like how Sonic Unleashed has a HD version and a Dimps version, kinda miss that with something like Sonic Superstars the only difference between PS5 and Switch/PS4 is just some graphics details, if your doing Sonic 2 on Game Gear all I can say is good luck, it has ton of differences from the 16 bit version but man is it brutal, makes the Bridge Zone Boss look easy.
Cheer for your pleasant comment, matey! Made me smile. :)
Oof yeah I'm wondering how I will handle Sonic 2 8-bit and Underground Zone xD
This is one of the best 8-bit Sonic 1 reviews/documentary i've ever seen and love the fact that you threw in bonus information like the Araya fan game at the end. Very informative and very enjoyable. I can only encourage you to make more like this, oh and i;ve seen the Sonic 2 8-bit one as well, that is amazing! Would love to see more 8-bit Sonic reviews like Sonic Chaos and Sonic Triple Trouble.
What a wonderful compliment! 😊 I do my best to cover everything I can, and that includes fangames directly inspired by them!
Glad you're looking forward to the other 8-bit Sonic game vids. 😁
20:30 - it annoys me to no end that that collection games and bonus games are always the game gear version!
Sonic 1 8-bit (Master System version) was the first Sonic game I ever owned, and as a result I'm much more forgiving of it than most. xD My spicy take is that the 8-bit music from Labyrinth and Scrap Brain is better than their 16 bit counterparts!
Oh yeah they're def really good new tracks! Thanks for always checking out my vids, Scruffy matey
@@RobotnikHolmes Thanks for keeping me entertained!
I think they knew how popular the master system was in other contries and thought it was a good investment. This was actually the first sonic game I played. Still know this one better than the original.
☺ I'm starting to see that, on further looking into Game Gear games and other in that era. Surprising just how many grew up with this game!
This IS an original.
I remember seeing the game gear version shortly after launch and being absolutely stunned.
It was comparable to the moment I first saw PlayStation 3D graphics.
As a kid owning a game gear was the best thing ever (though in the UK the master system was very popular due to the NES being extortionately priced.)
Sonic is one of the best 8 bits game, it was bundled with lots of master system 2,in memory, though,this version lack the ending.the bridge level features janet jackson sample.
Sonic was the last game released in usa for ms.
I used to play this game to death. I got so good at it i could finish before going to school in the morning and i pretty much did that every morning for i dont remmeber how long. I have play it again more recently and it's not like riding a bike sadly.
4:22 - Bridge Zone or Janet Jackson? 🤣 one of my all time favourite Sonic songs 🥰
Its so catchyy! 😁
I always considered this to be the obscure alternative brother of the 16 bit version, and it seems to be more experimental, especially being released for older 8 bit consoles that were slowly losing support by then! But it deserves to be remembered! I like how it has been rereleased many times, almost as much as the 16 bit game, though it was always the Game Gear one, as they don’t really acknowledge the master system that much, though they recently released some in Yakuza as mini games. There’s even a PalmOS version! There’s also been a recent rise in rom hacks for this, and they are looking pretty good! But I always wondered, would it have been, or is it possible, to put Sonic on the SG-1000? Yes, that console! I mean, this was hard enough to make back then! Also, my theory as to why Sega don’t remake this game is because it was made by Ancient, not Sonic Team, and similarly for the other 8 bit Sonic games, being made by Aspect. But it is nice that fans have made a definitive version! And that Genesis-look rom hack is very impressive--I bet if it was a launch title for the master system, then that console would have had a much better chance of competing against the NES! It makes the Genesis look bad!
most nostalgic sonic game and the only one i play from start to end at least once a year on a screenmodded gamegear (so you can actually see what you are doing). its so ironic that this sonic game kinda starts out like the 16 bit one. and the only speed shoes and invincibility box ive ever found in the game was in the first level.
Oh dang, I never knew you could "screenmod" games until now! I will have to make a mention of that in my next Master System/Game Gear vid. Thank you for the comment! 😁
Now that you mention it, those two power-ups only really appear there, though I think I did see one in Labyrinth Zone somewhere too? 🤔
@@RobotnikHolmes its not so much so a screenmod to the game, its moreso a modern lcd replacing the old screen in the gamegear itself, although if you really wanted better draw distance, the game gear can also play master system games through a converter you plug into the gamegear, or you can just everdrive it :)
8 Bit version has better songs and a more threatening atmosphere which increases the feel of challenge, especially on water labyrinth
Agreed! Its got a lot of elements that make for a more engaging (if sweat-inducing) playthrough 😁
At the time the 8-bit Sonic version came out, everyone in Europe was still playing on the NES or Master System. I'm rather sad I sold my Master System before I could play Sonic 2 on it.
I'm learning so much about the play history from the fans' perspective! I'm sorry to hear you had sold your old Master System. 😥
my master system console came pre-installed with this game
Bridge is still one of my favourite Sonic level themes. I get the feeling Janet Jackson was also a fan
I thought that in more recent years, that but of sampling was well known, but I was surprised that it wasn't mentioned at all.
The Game Gear Sonic 1 is a lot harder than the SMS due to the screen crunch
Loved the video! I've always wanted to play this version of the game, and seeing you talking about this game is really good! :D
Many thanks for your kind comment! 😁
Eye opening. Thank you for your effort and time :)
Thank YOU for liking it! 😁
It's weird this video just came up I just past 1 and 2 on my Master System I like the change up in the 8 bit one's . I just got to Sonic3 and I was happy that I could save only to find out that the memory chip died was lucky to find one on ebay Sonic3 had a Advanced save chip for the time.
I'm happy you enjoyed 1 and 2, and sorry to hear about the memory chip shorting out. 😥
I could have bought a new Sonic3 for the price I paid for the chip but that was my og game.
9:56 actually, you’re supposed to get an invincibility power up to get this emerald but yeah this one is weird
It was worth the risk 😎
R.I.P. Greg Marting 🥺😭
17:58 Choppers are in Jungle too
Dang, must have missed that out. 😂 Thank you for pointing that out!
@@RobotnikHolmes no problem 👍 great video!
I absolutely LOVE this game !! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
If you lived in England it was a different story as the Master System dominated over the NES
Noted! I didn't grow up with the console but am happy to be enlightened on its history thanks to comments like these. 😁
Great video, I learned alot watching this video to say the least also o love your humor in these videos.
Thank you for the kind words ^.^ Glad to have taught you stuff too!
I remember going to buy this with my father and it was sold out...
for weeks they even had to hire security because some parents became aggressive...
like in that arnold schwarzenegger movie "Jingle All the Way" i remember i was once almost pushed down the escalator because of it...
I'm glad you came out unscathed! The rush for Sonic certainly was BIG 😅
@@RobotnikHolmes nothing compared to the rental stores...those were the times...
Sms way better than the genesis version
Yes I had a Master System and didn't have a NES, couldn't afford it. Sonic 1 (8-Bit) was a great. I like the review but it's a 2024 set of eyes and standards it's unfair. It's BONUS stages not special stages. Here in the UK, the MS was a budget friendly approach and it was great, we didn't pick apart the frame rate or difficulty it was hard as the style at the time.
Thank you for the insight! Yeah, these retrospectives are from my experiences with the games, so its more a 2001 set of eyes, really. I am thankful for the comments because I'm learning so much about everyone else's experience with the games at the time. 🙂
Intriguing as always
Thank you for thinking so, Ariel!
Sonic 8bit is best sonic
Cool channel, I'm in. Praying no lefty talk pops up like every time I find a cool new channel lol
Thank you for checking it out! 😁
@@RobotnikHolmes Thanks for making it, bro!
Great game
I'm 41 and actually prefer 1&2 on the master system
❤❤❤
Love the shining force music
Dude, the Shining Force II OST is the goat!
I absolutely adore Sonic 1 MS... but cannot stand any of the other 8 bit games. The first one just, understands its limitations and makes a solid game that I honestly struggle to fault. Sonic 2 GG onwards though - meh. Broken gameS
It gets either harder or more bland, but I'm positive there's things to appreciate from the other 8-bit games too!
I'm not sure why your calling StH gimmicky. I suppose it's not proper legit game design like Super Mario World. Which is authentic game design and not gimmicky, I have to assume, by association, is what you meant.
4:25 Despite it's origin's as an 8bit port. I'm assuming you made that up.
Just went with what I researched online. 🙂 I will be sure to triple check my sources next time in case anything is incorrect!
@@RobotnikHolmes not sure where you found Sonic the Hedgehog is a gimmick game. You are probably using Nintendo forums.
I dug up this video where someone has redrawn and coloured the stages to be more like the 16bit version. ruclips.net/video/mTDYpkK0nis/видео.html
Nice find! Slogra's romhack can be all the more appreciated with this side-by-side comparison. 😁
Jesus loves you!
Does Jesus own Sonic the Hedgehog for the SEGA Master System and/or Game Gear? 🤔
poor kids needed sonic too