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| 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.
