I'm finally back from my unplanned hiatus, and goodness do I have a lot in the pipeline, both here and elsewhere on the internet! In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this look back at Sonic's weird Game Gear games. I really enjoyed making this video, even if FCPX was being an absolute problem child! This video also would be impossible without the fine folks over at Infinite Frontiers. It's actually based off of an article I hard published there last month, which you can read here: www.infinitefrontiers.org.uk/retrospective-sonics-weird-sega-game-gear-games/
Sonic 2 on gamegear was my jam growing up. Honestly probably remains my favourite Sonic experience to date. For some reason sonic games just never clicked with me like that one did. That said, I was a kid when first playing it and had a lot of free time to learn all its quirks. I liked the variety. Especially among the bosses. And the hang-glider never game me any issues. There was a seal with a bunch of bouncy balls on the other hand that really bottle necked my playthrough as a kid.
Triple Trouble is my favorite Game Gear game too! Excellent choice and review. I will say that Sonic 2 is beatable with all the emeralds if you have the patience for it, including learning how to use the hang glider, but can definitely be frustrating.
"criminally overlooked" is an understatement. Game gear was a powerhouse and sonic 1 on gamegear is off the charts like you said the soundtrack is sublime!!
Sonic 1 Master System was available on the Wii Virtual Console for a number of years. That's where I played it. It should be noted that Labyrinth Zone act 2 was significantly different on the Master System version compared to the Game Gear, including the location of the emerald.
The reduction in play space for most of these side scrolling games featured here is pretty unreasonable even considering the technical concerns introduced by the platform.
*on North America Many of those are actually Master System ports that were enjoyed worldwide. The high difficulty and screen crunch is precisely because the original game was designed with the SMS in mind
James! Great video. I remember being a kid and my uncles having the Game Gear. I remember playing a few of the sonic games you mentioned but never even heard of the others until this video. Great content as always and I’m always a soundtrack kind of guy so “criminally underrated” is still an underrated statement. Can’t wait for more vids!!!
Ok, here's some info, Sonic Labyrinth wasn't actually developed by SEGA, but by a company called Minato Giken. So you should really blame THEM for the slowness. Next, the japanese version of Sonic Blast is G-Sonic, released under the Kids Gear line over there, so yeah it's boring for a reason I guess.
Man, the ending of Sonic Blast with the Eggman planet thing sinking into the sea while Sonic watches, looks suspiciously similar to the ending of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong-Quest, where the same happens to Crocodile Isle. Like, there's no excuse for it NOT being influenced by DKC2 because DKC2 released a whole year before Sonic Blast! I'm not mad about it, it's just... a weird thing I noticed.
I was a fan of Sonic Chaos in the day (and still am)...and I think the reason was primarily due to the fact that I could actually complete it, and also that Tails was able to fly. Developers shouldn't underestimate how actually being beatable can improve the experience, especially in a time before game saves, when one would have to start completely over if one got a Game Over.
It’s kinda crazy how the Mario series gave titles to Luigi, Yoshi, Peach and an entire series to Wario, while Sega is gatekeeping their fab favorite characters like Tails and Knuckles and instead gives games to Blaze(?)
I quite enjoy sonic 1 in 8 bit. The Game Gear version was easier for me. I have the master System downloaded on my Wii and the GG On my 3ds. Couldn't beat the master system version. Also really love the music to "Bridge Zone". A little disappointed tee Lopes took his version down.
PS as boring as Sonic Blast is, I still find it impressive that they managed to put pre-rendered graphics on an 8-bit system, and I will admit that the graphics do look pretty nice. Unfortunately, graphics aren’t everything in a game.......
I got all these sonic gamegear on my gamecube sonic adventure dx game i always like sonic 2 and sonic labyrinth which i use to own my gamegear back when i was 15 years old.
Sonic 2 on game gear is honestly kinda BS; I prefer the Master System version (and of course the Genesis original) any day. Also, gotta love how “Toot Toot! Sonic Warrior” made its debut in Sonic 2 on the Master System as the Green Hill Zone theme (which, weirdly enough, was the 5th level in the game while most sonic games had the grassy meadow setting as the first level)
With regards to Sonic Blast (as well as Sonic's picture in the Sonic 3 title screen and various other things), it's amazing how people went for CG renderings that looked like trash compared to actual hand-drawn raster art. Particularly for Sonic Blast, not even being a 3D game, its an idiotic choice...but the creators were simply chasing the trend...something that does not produce media that can stand the test of time.
4:23 that's actually wrong to say that 8bit Sonic 2 brings Tails back, since it's released months before 16bit Sonic 2🤔, so actually the 8bit title introduces him and the 16bit one brings him back, but now as a playable character P.S. Also both Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 on GameGear are ports of Master System versions, thus it would be more correct to say that "version of SMS Sonic 1 was also released on GameGear", since it was ~2months later
Didnt you know that tails doll from Sonic R is basically that tails from sonic 2's bad ending. Yeah you thought that 8bit games are dark. well sonic lore is.
@@StuffWePlay ever since iv started playing pokemon stadium on my channel RUclips been suggesting alot more people interested in the older game systems its awesome sorry for the weird rambling but truly awesome video's mate
triple trouble is fucking horrible imo special stages are some of the worst in sonic and the levels are rarely ever fun, the game lags like shit and while the previous game gear sonic games felt unique, triple trouble feels like a shitty version of the genesis games. music is decent but it's nowhere near yuzo koshiro or previous soundtracks. it's also a bit too easy at times and the bosses are pathetic. it's boring aswell and most of it is style and pandering to genesis sonic fans over actual substance. the visuals and the sunset park fight are the only saving grace along with atomic destroyer 2 (which is actually difficult and fun)
I'm finally back from my unplanned hiatus, and goodness do I have a lot in the pipeline, both here and elsewhere on the internet! In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this look back at Sonic's weird Game Gear games. I really enjoyed making this video, even if FCPX was being an absolute problem child!
This video also would be impossible without the fine folks over at Infinite Frontiers. It's actually based off of an article I hard published there last month, which you can read here:
www.infinitefrontiers.org.uk/retrospective-sonics-weird-sega-game-gear-games/
Just happy you're doing well.
Sonic 2 on gamegear was my jam growing up. Honestly probably remains my favourite Sonic experience to date. For some reason sonic games just never clicked with me like that one did. That said, I was a kid when first playing it and had a lot of free time to learn all its quirks. I liked the variety. Especially among the bosses. And the hang-glider never game me any issues.
There was a seal with a bunch of bouncy balls on the other hand that really bottle necked my playthrough as a kid.
I remember that boss! I think it was definitely the most popular of the GG Sonic games - due in part to it being included as a pack-in!
Last time I was this early, there was actually sonic games coming out yearly
I can't believe Sonic Forces was over three years ago now!
@@StuffWePlay And I actually liked it! I haven't played many 3D Sonic games, but Forces was quite fun
Triple Trouble is my favorite Game Gear game too! Excellent choice and review. I will say that Sonic 2 is beatable with all the emeralds if you have the patience for it, including learning how to use the hang glider, but can definitely be frustrating.
"criminally overlooked" is an understatement. Game gear was a powerhouse and sonic 1 on gamegear is off the charts like you said the soundtrack is sublime!!
The Game Gear deserves more love!
@@StuffWePlay we need a gamegear 2.
@@StuffWePlay is it just me, or does every NON-Nintendo handheld automatically fail
"It's not what I'd call a 'hidden gem', per se..."
I see what you did there...
Wake up babe, new stuff we play video
I hope it was worth the wait!
@@StuffWePlay yes, yes it was. east coast time zone and all
You deserve more views. I've been binging your stuff and it's great!!
Thank you so much! Best way to help it grow is just to share around - and thank you for the kind words!
Sonic 1 Master System was available on the Wii Virtual Console for a number of years. That's where I played it. It should be noted that Labyrinth Zone act 2 was significantly different on the Master System version compared to the Game Gear, including the location of the emerald.
The reduction in play space for most of these side scrolling games featured here is pretty unreasonable even considering the technical concerns introduced by the platform.
I miss renting at grocery stores and blockbuster video what s difference ❤😊
Such an amazing video, love Chaos and all the other sonic games on the GG. I still play them occasionally on my worn and torn GG.
Thank you tons!
*on North America
Many of those are actually Master System ports that were enjoyed worldwide.
The high difficulty and screen crunch is precisely because the original game was designed with the SMS in mind
James! Great video. I remember being a kid and my uncles having the Game Gear. I remember playing a few of the sonic games you mentioned but never even heard of the others until this video. Great content as always and I’m always a soundtrack kind of guy so “criminally underrated” is still an underrated statement. Can’t wait for more vids!!!
Ok, here's some info, Sonic Labyrinth wasn't actually developed by SEGA, but by a company called Minato Giken. So you should really blame THEM for the slowness. Next, the japanese version of Sonic Blast is G-Sonic, released under the Kids Gear line over there, so yeah it's boring for a reason I guess.
Man, the ending of Sonic Blast with the Eggman planet thing sinking into the sea while Sonic watches, looks suspiciously similar to the ending of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong-Quest, where the same happens to Crocodile Isle. Like, there's no excuse for it NOT being influenced by DKC2 because DKC2 released a whole year before Sonic Blast! I'm not mad about it, it's just... a weird thing I noticed.
I quite enjoy Sonic 1 8bit and Triple Trouble.
Both of those are a ton of fun!
I was a fan of Sonic Chaos in the day (and still am)...and I think the reason was primarily due to the fact that I could actually complete it, and also that Tails was able to fly. Developers shouldn't underestimate how actually being beatable can improve the experience, especially in a time before game saves, when one would have to start completely over if one got a Game Over.
Sonic The Hedgehog on Game Gear is honestly Fantastic. The soundtrack is one of the best.
*Talks about Tails for 30 minutes then..* "This game is about a titular fox & his adventures" lmao
Tails having two games of his own is not because of his luck
He definitely deserves even more
He is not only a sidekick
It’s kinda crazy how the Mario series gave titles to Luigi, Yoshi, Peach and an entire series to Wario, while Sega is gatekeeping their fab favorite characters like Tails and Knuckles and instead gives games to Blaze(?)
I quite enjoy sonic 1 in 8 bit. The Game Gear version was easier for me. I have the master System downloaded on my Wii and the GG On my 3ds.
Couldn't beat the master system version. Also really love the music to "Bridge Zone". A little disappointed tee Lopes took his version down.
That's a shame he took his version down! He's a talented dude, and Bridge Zone is a great track!
Great vid! So happy to see some love to for the Gamegear. Do you have a fav GG game you go back to?
It's always Triple Trouble for me!
@@StuffWePlay I like Shinobi or Streets of Rage 2
PS as boring as Sonic Blast is, I still find it impressive that they managed to put pre-rendered graphics on an 8-bit system, and I will admit that the graphics do look pretty nice. Unfortunately, graphics aren’t everything in a game.......
I got all these sonic gamegear on my gamecube sonic adventure dx game i always like sonic 2 and sonic labyrinth which i use to own my gamegear back when i was 15 years old.
Sonic 2 on game gear is honestly kinda BS; I prefer the Master System version (and of course the Genesis original) any day. Also, gotta love how “Toot Toot! Sonic Warrior” made its debut in Sonic 2 on the Master System as the Green Hill Zone theme (which, weirdly enough, was the 5th level in the game while most sonic games had the grassy meadow setting as the first level)
Sonic the hedgehog was segas mascot plus he had games on the Sega master system Sega game gear Sega Genesis and Sega dream cast
With regards to Sonic Blast (as well as Sonic's picture in the Sonic 3 title screen and various other things), it's amazing how people went for CG renderings that looked like trash compared to actual hand-drawn raster art. Particularly for Sonic Blast, not even being a 3D game, its an idiotic choice...but the creators were simply chasing the trend...something that does not produce media that can stand the test of time.
I actually really enjoyed Sonic Labyrinth quite a bit.
4:23 that's actually wrong to say that 8bit Sonic 2 brings Tails back, since it's released months before 16bit Sonic 2🤔, so actually the 8bit title introduces him and the 16bit one brings him back, but now as a playable character
P.S. Also both Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 on GameGear are ports of Master System versions, thus it would be more correct to say that "version of SMS Sonic 1 was also released on GameGear", since it was ~2months later
You know how much people love ignoring the Master System’s existence. That console as a whole is criminally overlooked even by video game historians.
How you gonna dislike sonic 2 or sonic drift 2? Those games kicked ass
Didnt you know that tails doll from Sonic R is basically that tails from sonic 2's bad ending.
Yeah you thought that 8bit games are dark. well sonic lore is.
I kinda like Sonic Labyrinth. I don't think its as bad as people say.
Brilliant video :D
Thank you tons!
@@StuffWePlay ever since iv started playing pokemon stadium on my channel RUclips been suggesting alot more people interested in the older game systems its awesome sorry for the weird rambling but truly awesome video's mate
I finished sonic spinball once and i absolutely loath that title
What took you so long?
Lots of personal stuff happened, but I'm glad to be back!
Sonic 2 for the game gear is my least favorite sonic game and I have played moat of them.
I honestly forgot that i subbed to you
Awesome!!!!
SONIC DR MARIO?!
#DimpsForSonic
Triple trouble
Hello 👋
Sweet
Not first!
Hell yeah!
@@StuffWePlay Nah, not now. Sorry to disappoint.
triple trouble is fucking horrible imo
special stages are some of the worst in sonic and the levels are rarely ever fun, the game lags like shit and while the previous game gear sonic games felt unique, triple trouble feels like a shitty version of the genesis games. music is decent but it's nowhere near yuzo koshiro or previous soundtracks. it's also a bit too easy at times and the bosses are pathetic. it's boring aswell and most of it is style and pandering to genesis sonic fans over actual substance. the visuals and the sunset park fight are the only saving grace along with atomic destroyer 2 (which is actually difficult and fun)