*Tell me, who else had to settle with the Master System version of Sonic as their parents couldn't afford a Mega Drive?* Luckily, it is still a fantastic game! *Massive boo-boo in the Master System Top 10, I listed Streets of Rage II and Street Fighter II both at no. 6! Street Fighter II is 7th and My Hero is 8th!*
I had this!! Got it for Christmas 1991 with my older brother. It's genuinely a really great platfromer still. I emulated it a few times. I am also certain that myself and my brother would have had the Pal50 record in the first stage. We competed for years to get the level nailed. We would be off-screen for about 2/3 of the level cos the camera couldn't catch up.
I absolutely prefer the MS port of Sonic over the Mega Drive/Genesis. And a cool feature about it is... you keep your shield through the levels. Which is something that wasn't done again until later when S3&K dropped.
Have you ever played Spellcaster on Master System?? Unreal game. I hadn't a Billy Nocean what was happened as child, but the graphics and music were pure class. Emulated it as an adult, and the gameplay and story are fantastic!! You have probably played it, I remember it was common enough in Ireland, probably the same in the UK.
I'm glad you gave this version of sonic the praise it deserves. So many people dismiss this version without realising its qualities. I used to pour over screenshot of this in gaming magazines back in the day. It reviewed really well.
Cracking review. I had the master system back in the day but never had sonic. I've played Sonic games on the MD but never been able to finish one, completed plenty of mario games, but never a sonic game. Maybe this is the one to go for 👍.
I played these on Game Gear, and I really like them. The way chaos emeralds are hidden in the levels is pretty cool. I also loved the hang glider, and I wish it was in future games.
Last game released in North America, then according to GamePro magazine: SEGA quietly shut the door on the Master System. However, when I spoke to a SEGA game counselor his opinion was: Why did we (the consumers) quietly shut the door the Master System?
Awesome version! It was very popular here in Europe. I remember some of my friends had it, and I had Super Mario Bros 3. We had so much fun playing both. 😊
Nice review. I still feel that Castle of Illusion on master system is a better game, and another one which is completely different from the megadrive version.
IMO The 8-bit Sonic games are so much better than the 16-bit versions. Why? Because these are built like a Mario game, where exploration is rewarded. You're not pressed to keep going to the right of the screen as fast as you possibly can. The Chaos Emeralds are IN the levels themselves. If you look for them, you will find them. None of these horrible twitch-based bonus stages, where if you mess up just once, there goes you chance to get the good ending.
In the 16-bit Sonic games exploration is also rewarded (with extra lifes, different shields, posts/rings to special stages, shortcuts, different paths) and you also don't have to go right as fast as you possibly can, there are just sometimes speed sections but also a lot of platforming, and most levels, especially in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, aren't linear and can go in different directions (sometimes you have to look for the right direction). I love Sonic 1 on the Master System (my first Sonic game), Sonic 2 is ok, but the rest of the 8-bit Sonic games are pretty bad in my opinion.
@@gameshack1985 Because the Master System was never well received in the US, so if a game was really popular on the SMS in other regions, it got a GG release in the US instead.
I never had a Master System back then, although I have played a few on a friend's. So I played the Genesis game first. But this is basically the same as the Game Gear game, if I'm not mistaken. Master System version is really rare for Americans so the GG version is how we played this game. But thankfully the Master System is region free so I could buy the cheaper PAL version instead.
I knew literally one person who had a Master System. He was trying to make the case to me that I should trade my NES to him for it, because it(the Master System) was "so much better!" I responded with: If it's so much better, then why do you want to trade it to me?
I only played the Genesis version of Sonic growing up. The only time I ever played the Master System version was through Sonic Mega Collection Plus on PS2. And even then, I'll sooner stick to the Genesis version. Looking at this and then looking at the NES library, though, it's clear that the Master System was technologically superior to the NES. Thank Nintendo's exclusivity policy for the Master System bombing here in the U.S. But it still sees support down in Brazil, though, where it's still manufactured under license in 2024. Not bad for an old system.
@@gameshack1985 But isn't the Game Gear technically a portable Master System? I've seen cartridge adapters floating around that people use to play Master System cartridges on it.
@@DarDarBinks1986 It is pretty much yes. But the Sonic games have different viewable screen sizes. So if you watch a video of Sonic 1 on the MS and then compare it to the GG, you will see you see far more on the Master System version making it a much better choice to play. :)
There are areas where the Master System was absolutely not technologically superior: It's base sound hardware and it's controller design chief among them. Also, who's bright idea was it to put Pause on the console, and have it right next to Reset? What thundering moron thought that was a good idea?
@@DarDarBinks1986 They're not 1:1, because the Game Gear has a few little things the Master System doesn't, like a wider color range, but its close enough that you could easily port a game from one to the other without it taking too much effort. Though, if porting to the Game Gear, you certainly wanted to redesign the screen assets so everything didn't look super zoomed in...a thing several developers did not address, which is why people would much rather play the Master System versions of games like Master of Darkness, because you can actually see what is attacking you.
The same-name-different-game thing would actually play into how the Master System was marketed in certain situations. In the US we had something called the "Sears Wish Book", basically a "Buy me this for Christmas!" catalog. I remember shortly after Genesis came out, there was a two page Sega-centric spread. On one side you had the Genesis featuring some games from it's launch year. On the other side, you had the now discounted Master System being sold as the budget option, with all those same-named games listed. Of course they didn't go out of their way to explain the games were different. IE, Golden Axe with it's single character, single player etc.
@@gameshack1985 Yeah and its not like we had a wealth of media to tell us about the games. Even gaming magazines were a pretty rare quantity in a lot of places. For instance: I didn't know that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the NES was not a port of the arcade game until it was too late! My chore money was already spent by the time I found out.
Technically, if you had a Genesis, you had a Master System. Sega built the Master System's hardware into the Genesis. All you needed was the Power Base converter to play your Master System games on it. I have a Model 1 Genesis with a 32X but not the Power Base converter, not even any Master System games.
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*Tell me, who else had to settle with the Master System version of Sonic as their parents couldn't afford a Mega Drive?*
Luckily, it is still a fantastic game!
*Massive boo-boo in the Master System Top 10, I listed Streets of Rage II and Street Fighter II both at no. 6! Street Fighter II is 7th and My Hero is 8th!*
There was no "settling". It was the first Sonic game I played and it was good, to say "had to settle" is an insult!
@zoa1-99....... That's probably not quite how
I meant that to be interpreted, but there's no denying it's still great even now!
@@gameshack1985 Course, I feel it's a great intro to the franchise.
I don't think my parents knew the difference and just up picked up the cheaper one. Such a great console in this region. Some absolute crackers on it.
I had this!! Got it for Christmas 1991 with my older brother.
It's genuinely a really great platfromer still. I emulated it a few times.
I am also certain that myself and my brother would have had the Pal50 record in the first stage. We competed for years to get the level nailed. We would be off-screen for about 2/3 of the level cos the camera couldn't catch up.
@vinnyfanneran3116 yeah, me too, down the ramp, boom, end of level! 😂
I absolutely prefer the MS port of Sonic over the Mega Drive/Genesis. And a cool feature about it is... you keep your shield through the levels. Which is something that wasn't done again until later when S3&K dropped.
I prefer no shield as then you have no flicker! 😂
Have you ever played Spellcaster on Master System?? Unreal game. I hadn't a Billy Nocean what was happened as child, but the graphics and music were pure class. Emulated it as an adult, and the gameplay and story are fantastic!! You have probably played it, I remember it was common enough in Ireland, probably the same in the UK.
@@vinnyfanneran3116 it's one Master System game I've never played!!
@@gameshack1985 It is outstanding. And well worth playing :-)
Totally agree with your review! A very under rated game and i personally prefer it to Sonic 1 on the MD
At the time of its release, I really wanted a Mega Drive and the 'real' Sonic 1....but looking back I think this game is a better overall game!
I'm glad you gave this version of sonic the praise it deserves. So many people dismiss this version without realising its qualities. I used to pour over screenshot of this in gaming magazines back in the day. It reviewed really well.
It fully deserves its praise and I'm now really looking forward to reviewing the rest of the 8 bit Sonic games!
I ♥ the 8-BIT Sonic's! Sonic 1 is awesome and Sonic 2 is super unique!
Fully agree!
Cracking review. I had the master system back in the day but never had sonic. I've played Sonic games on the MD but never been able to finish one, completed plenty of mario games, but never a sonic game. Maybe this is the one to go for 👍.
Do it! Well worth it!
I played these on Game Gear, and I really like them. The way chaos emeralds are hidden in the levels is pretty cool. I also loved the hang glider, and I wish it was in future games.
Last game released in North America, then according to GamePro magazine: SEGA quietly shut the door on the Master System. However, when I spoke to a SEGA game counselor his opinion was: Why did we (the consumers) quietly shut the door the Master System?
Regardless, it's a great game!
@@gameshack1985 no doubt, but was not enough to save the Master System.
Awesome version! It was very popular here in Europe. I remember some of my friends had it, and I had Super Mario Bros 3. We had so much fun playing both. 😊
That really is a top-class pairing of games!
Gr8 review m8
Thank you!
Probably my favourite sonic game
5:45 Twister Ice Lollies anyone?
Nice review. I still feel that Castle of Illusion on master system is a better game, and another one which is completely different from the megadrive version.
I'll be covering that very soon!
IMO The 8-bit Sonic games are so much better than the 16-bit versions. Why? Because these are built like a Mario game, where exploration is rewarded. You're not pressed to keep going to the right of the screen as fast as you possibly can. The Chaos Emeralds are IN the levels themselves. If you look for them, you will find them. None of these horrible twitch-based bonus stages, where if you mess up just once, there goes you chance to get the good ending.
They are a fair bit different to the Mega Drive/Genesis Sonic games and better for it!
@@gameshack1985 I really dig the first two SMS/GG ones.
In the 16-bit Sonic games exploration is also rewarded (with extra lifes, different shields, posts/rings to special stages, shortcuts, different paths) and you also don't have to go right as fast as you possibly can, there are just sometimes speed sections but also a lot of platforming, and most levels, especially in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, aren't linear and can go in different directions (sometimes you have to look for the right direction). I love Sonic 1 on the Master System (my first Sonic game), Sonic 2 is ok, but the rest of the 8-bit Sonic games are pretty bad in my opinion.
Awesome video man give you a like and full watch time keep it up
In my childhood, I said to my friend that Sonic from the Master System was better because it had a world map 👀
That's a great point!
The Master system version of Sonic The Hedgehog is excellent and rare. 😀👍🎮
It's still a great game and the PAL version is super common! But I am aware the US version goes for a crazy amount due to a sticker barcode, correct??
@@gameshack1985 you got that right. 😀👍🎮
@@gameshack1985 Because the Master System was never well received in the US, so if a game was really popular on the SMS in other regions, it got a GG release in the US instead.
I never had a Master System back then, although I have played a few on a friend's. So I played the Genesis game first. But this is basically the same as the Game Gear game, if I'm not mistaken.
Master System version is really rare for Americans so the GG version is how we played this game. But thankfully the Master System is region free so I could buy the cheaper PAL version instead.
Yes, they are the same with the exception the Master System has a far larger viewable screen area.
I knew literally one person who had a Master System. He was trying to make the case to me that I should trade my NES to him for it, because it(the Master System) was "so much better!" I responded with: If it's so much better, then why do you want to trade it to me?
@@SomeOrangeCat I guess it depends on where you're from....here in Europe no-one with a Master System would want to trade for a NES! lol
@@gameshack1985 For me it was mainly about the game library.
I only played the Genesis version of Sonic growing up. The only time I ever played the Master System version was through Sonic Mega Collection Plus on PS2. And even then, I'll sooner stick to the Genesis version.
Looking at this and then looking at the NES library, though, it's clear that the Master System was technologically superior to the NES. Thank Nintendo's exclusivity policy for the Master System bombing here in the U.S. But it still sees support down in Brazil, though, where it's still manufactured under license in 2024. Not bad for an old system.
If I'm not mistaken, the Sonic games on the PS2 Sonic collection were the Game Gear versions meaning you had a lot of screen crop.
@@gameshack1985 But isn't the Game Gear technically a portable Master System? I've seen cartridge adapters floating around that people use to play Master System cartridges on it.
@@DarDarBinks1986 It is pretty much yes. But the Sonic games have different viewable screen sizes. So if you watch a video of Sonic 1 on the MS and then compare it to the GG, you will see you see far more on the Master System version making it a much better choice to play. :)
There are areas where the Master System was absolutely not technologically superior: It's base sound hardware and it's controller design chief among them. Also, who's bright idea was it to put Pause on the console, and have it right next to Reset? What thundering moron thought that was a good idea?
@@DarDarBinks1986 They're not 1:1, because the Game Gear has a few little things the Master System doesn't, like a wider color range, but its close enough that you could easily port a game from one to the other without it taking too much effort. Though, if porting to the Game Gear, you certainly wanted to redesign the screen assets so everything didn't look super zoomed in...a thing several developers did not address, which is why people would much rather play the Master System versions of games like Master of Darkness, because you can actually see what is attacking you.
Sonic in NTSC doesn't play fast, It's plays like Normal
NTSC games run at 60hz, PAL at 50hz.
The same-name-different-game thing would actually play into how the Master System was marketed in certain situations. In the US we had something called the "Sears Wish Book", basically a "Buy me this for Christmas!" catalog. I remember shortly after Genesis came out, there was a two page Sega-centric spread. On one side you had the Genesis featuring some games from it's launch year. On the other side, you had the now discounted Master System being sold as the budget option, with all those same-named games listed. Of course they didn't go out of their way to explain the games were different. IE, Golden Axe with it's single character, single player etc.
Ahhh, Golden Axe! I'll be covering that at some point for sure!
@@gameshack1985 In at least one instance the Wish Book erroneously listed the Master System version as "One or Two Players".
@@SomeOrangeCat imagine the disappointment if you got it expecting 2 player co-op....😭
@@gameshack1985 Yeah and its not like we had a wealth of media to tell us about the games. Even gaming magazines were a pretty rare quantity in a lot of places. For instance: I didn't know that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the NES was not a port of the arcade game until it was too late! My chore money was already spent by the time I found out.
Technically, if you had a Genesis, you had a Master System. Sega built the Master System's hardware into the Genesis. All you needed was the Power Base converter to play your Master System games on it. I have a Model 1 Genesis with a 32X but not the Power Base converter, not even any Master System games.