Eras UPDATE: Classic

ALL about the classic era!

Era: Classic

Main Years: 1991-1994

Gameplay Type: 2-D Platform, side-scrolling games featuring gimmicks like rings and power-ups via item boxes.

Character Designs and Personalities: Sonic characters were typically "short" and round, with attitude. Sonic was kept very cool while Tails was a cuter sidekick. Knuckles, Sonic's first rival, was designed with a Jamaican theme in mind. 

NA/EU often used a darker airbrush effect to seem edgy while JP kept a cute, "softer" look. In western media Sonic was often shown with one line of spikes down his back (rather than layers). This "mohawk" style was based on box art and used in cartoons/comics. 

"Eggman" (JP) was shaped like an egg but with thin legs. Meanwhile "Robotnik" (NA/EU) was often shown as fat all-over. Robotnik also had a beard in the cover of Sonic 2. 

Story Type: While fairly basic, most of the plots stick to Sonic saving the world from Robotnik. This would often include saving animals, saving other characters (Tails, Amy, etc), collecting magic gemstones, and making a long journey.  

Visuals: The graphics mainly are remembered as 16-bit, though several GameGear releases (8-bit) were made. 

Often the levels would include a far away but similar-themed background with a "cut-in-half" (can see the ground or hidden paths) foreground. 

Sonic CD is unique for having several different designs for the same setting (seen via time travel). Common locations include hills, tropics, casinos, under-water passageways, and factories.    

Music: The game's music is generally pop with a retro twist. Possibly due to the limitations, a lot of songs sound a lot like an 80s keyboard solo. The first two games have a happier, pop sound. The following games have some inspiration from hip hop. The focus was on an encouraging pace with some elements of the setting worked in. 

Sonic CD was notable for being a much higher quality sound experience. The original OST heavily used samples and artificial effects for a party-techno vibe, while the NA version used guitar and live vocals for an atmospheric-rock effect.     

Voice Cast: While Sonic did not officially have a voice, the groups of VAs from the DiC cartoons are often associated with the characters of this time. Sonic was voiced by Jaleel White. Tails had several young boy actors. Robotnik, depending on character preference, is remembered for his AoStH voice, Long John Baldry (origin of the "Pingas" meme) or Jim Cummings ("darker"). Kath Souchie provided the voice for what is often portrayed as Sonic's girlfriend in 90s western media, Sally Acorn.     

Main Voice (Sonic): Jaleel White

Memorable Theme Song (for Sonic): "Sonic Boom" (from Sonic CD) 

Memorable Catchphrases (Sonic):  "I'm outta' here." (Sonic CD)

"I'm waiting," "Up, over, and gone," "Let's do it to it," and "Way past cool." (cartoons)

Cartoons and other Appearances: Adventure of Sonic the Hedgehog ("AoStH"), and Sonic the Hedgehog ("Sat Am") aired in the early 90s, around the time of Sonic 3. While released much later, Sonic Underground is often mixed in with the two because of similarities. 

The Archie comics began its' run in this era, incorporating elements of AoStH and the games, but mostly being based upon the plot and characters of Sat Am (Sally, Bunnie, etc). This time also saw the start of "Sonic the Comic," the UK's own "British Sonic." Sonic starred in several Japanese comics (Mangas) as well. 

Sonic 3 OST Review

Summary

Sonic the Hedgehog 3's OST is perhaps best known for it's input from Michael Jackson. Though he went uncredited for various rumored reasons (MJ didn't like the sound quality, Sega did not like the bad publicity following the allegations against him, etc). 

Instead of only one song per zone, Sonic 3 created two similar tracks for each act. Generally Act 1 seems to be a happier introduction while Act 2 is more serious. This game also featured 2 bosses per act, and the soundtrack made the first act's boss into a funky challenge while making the second (with Robotnik) more like a fight to survive. 

Best Song: Ice Cap Act 1

Runner-Up (s): Hyrdocity Acts 1/2, Angel Island Acts 1/2, Launch Base Act 1, Special Stage, Final boss, File Select, Competition, Endless Mine

This synth-driven beat runs into such beautiful, icy sounds and effects that add to the ensemble. It perfectly fits the cold setting and has that Sonic-y, speed-though a whole new world feel. Easily the best in the game (with Act 2 at its heals). Arguably one of the best songs in the series.  

Worst Song: Marble Garden Act 2

Runner Up (s): Marble Garden Act 1, Carnival Night Act 2, Azure Lake, Balloon Park, Glowball, Slot Machine, Invincible, Credits 

This level is boring as heck. As Tails it's okay. But for Sonic it's a lot of running and climbing and weird spinning disks. If only there was some good music to help get through it...seriously. 

Act 2 actually tricks you into thinking it might be better than act 1, and then it winds up worse. Harsh and annoying, this isn't complete torture, but close to it. It's basically the Hill Top of Sonic 3.  

Final Ranking: C

The OST is mostly good, but overrated. True, the likes of Ice Cap and Hyrdocity are Sonic classics for a reason. But how often do you hear Marble Garden or Azure Lake? Half of these songs are really good and, as hard as it is for me to admit, out do Sonic 2. But the other half is pretty average and falls somewhere below Sonic 1.  

Sonic 3 Review

Rank @ end

Summary 

Sonic and Tails gear up for another adventure...but is it superior to others of the "classic" era?

Gameplay and Controls

The simple controls from the previous games are the same. Added is the fast insta-shield, which isn't much but useful on rare occasions. 2-P Tails can now pick Sonic up and fly him, though it's a bit more time consuming than just using Tails.

Added advantages: Tails can fly and swim, but Sonic can still use the emeralds to become Super Sonic. Sonic can also use the shields for various moves and purposes, which is a nice improvement.

2-Player mode is smaller and more annoying than Sonic 2, but it's better than nothing.

Level Design and Visuals

Angel Island is a nice break from the Hill Zone start. I like the tradition, but too much of it and it gets to be the same thing. Still tropical with palms, it set itself apart with the fire later in the level.

I'm not that enthusiastic about Hydrocity. There are a lot of moving platforms and a lot of waiting around, trying get into certain spots. With the exception of a few areas, it's just not a speedy level. Along those lines, Marble Garden is annoyingly long as well as bulky in design, making it my least favorite.

Carnival Night, and Launch Base are better, though, visually and in length while Ice Cap Zone is wonderful--possibly the best.   

Blue Spheres can be infuriating. However it's unique and "3-D."

I don't like Sonic's darker, chunkier sprite.

Story and Characters 

Sonic and Tails haven't changed much, but they are faced with a new enemy: Knuckles. Knuckles...Design wise is a bit odd. His dreds make him look like a girl, and even his species is just more obscure than a fox or hedgehog. Despite the regional differences, neither manual really expands on how Knuckles was tricked. Obviously he was pretty isolated and naive, I guess, but I'm still wondering what made the big fat man with a bunch of animal-enslaved robots trust worthy.

Since he just taunts the player, Knuckles isn't much to brag about. The only memorable quality: punching the lights out of Super Sonic. His strength became an emphasis, and it became a contrast to Sonic's speed. So while still an enemy more so than a rival in this game, Knuckle had a hint of potential.

The Japanese plot is a bit long/excessive for the game's more simplistic nature. The American one is simplified, but it mistakenly refers to the Chaos Emeralds as the Floating Island's power source (not the Master Emerald, which would become more prominent in the future). 

Music and Sound Effects

Notorious for having work done by Micheal Jackson, the music is memorable. Ice Cap, Hydrocity, and Angel Island are all at a nice pace and fit the location while ones like Carnival Night and Launch base brought a unique, new sound to the table. Sound effects are fine though a few like the drilling robot can be kind of loud and disruptive.

Final Thoughts

• The biggest improvement in my eyes is the addition of a save file, which is a big deal. Playing through lets it act as a level select, which is also a fine addition. 
• Nice to give Tails some other advantages.  
• Knuckles first appearance seems over-hyped.  
• The timer in Launch Base does not stop for the "cutscene," which can be annoying.

Total Rank (S best, E worst): A

It's a good Sonic game, but seems longer and more tedious compared to it's predecessors. There were some attempts to make the game more unique, but it didn't make the game better.