Weekend Showcase

by Staff Oneil

     Sonic had already made a name for himself on the Sega Genesis. However, Sega also wanted a Sonic game for another system, the Sega CD. Naturally, this became its flagship game. It was originally intended to be an enhanced version of Sonic 2, but low sales of Sonic 2 in Japan caused Sega to retool the game into a different story.

image source: Talon Marks

    Sonic the Hedgehog CD (aka Sonic CD) is a 1993 2-D side-scrolling videogame for the Sega CD. It’s an interquel that takes place between the first two Genesis games.

    The game revolves around a tiny planet properly called Little Planet, which sometimes appears over a lake. Robotnik captured the planet with a large chain and intends on using it as his new base. He’s also after the time stones, chaos emerald-like gems that can alter time.

    Naturally, Sonic goes there to stop Robotnik’s shenanigans. This time, Amy Rose, a pink hedgehog who has a crush on Sonic, comes along. Unfortunately, she gets kidnapped by Metal Sonic, an evil robot duplicate of Sonic created by Robotnik.

video source: YouTube/JarvisGanon

    In typical fashion, Sonic travels through several zones. Like the first game, the zones in this game feature three acts, with the third act serving as the boss level.

    Palmtree Panic Zone is the typical greenery beginner level. Collison Chaos Zone is similar to Spring Yard Zone. Tidal Tempest Zone is a water level similar to Labyrinth Zone.

    Quartz Quadrant Zone is similar to Hill Top Zone. Wacky Workbench has a very springy floor.

image source: sonic.fandom.com

    Stardust Speedway Zone is a fast-paced zone similar to Star Light Zone and where Sonic’s ultimate confrontation with Metal Sonic happens. Metallic Madness Zone is similar to Scrap Brain Zone and where Sonic’s final battle with Robotnik happens.

    Gameplay is identical to the Genesis games. Head from left to right while hopping on enemies and jumping over obstacles.

    This time, while Sonic has the spin dash, he must wait a moment for it to charge before zooming forward. He has a similar new move called the super peel-out, which lets Sonic zoom forward, though he’s left defenseless.

image source: The Digital Fix

    The same powerups from the first two Genesis games return; the Power Sneakers, Invincibility, shield, and checkpoint posts.

    Special stages are present and are accessed the same way as in Sonic 1; reaching the end of a stage with 50 rings will make a large ring appear near the goal sign. These stages are 3-D and feature Sonic running through an open environment to destroy several UFOs.

image source: Checkpoint’s Game

    Once the UFOs have been destroyed, Sonic obtains a time stone. Just as with the chaos emeralds in other games, obtaining every time stone unlocks the game’s true ending.

    The game introduces a new mechanic, time travel. Scattered throughout the levels are signposts that read ‘past’ and ‘future’. If Sonic runs through a post and runs for a while, sparks trail behind him. If he runs long enough, he’ll time travel to where the post read.

    Both past and future versions of levels have slightly different outlines and color pallets as compared to the present.

    In the past are certain capsules that, when destroyed, unlock a good future when the stage is complete. Destroying every capsule is an alternate way of unlocking the true ending.

video source: YouTube/FCPlaythroughs

by Staff Oneil

     Sonic’s run on the Sega Genesis continued after the success of the first three games. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was loved, but many noted its short length. The reason for this is because it’s only half a game. It was supposed to have many more levels, but they were cut due to time constraints. Instead, the rest of the levels were placed in a separate game and released months later.

image source: YouTube/RetroGame.Stream

    Sonic & Knuckles is a 1994 2-D side-scrolling videogame for the Sega Genesis. It’s the fourth main game in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and the third and final game in the “Death Egg” trilogy.

    Despite being the fourth main game, it’s actually considered Sonic the Hedgehog 3.5. It uses the exact same graphics and game engine as its predecessor and is often seen as an extension of the game. It’s similar to how Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels is often seen as an extension of the original Super Mario Bros. and not a direct sequel.

    The story takes place literally a second after the previous game. After Sonic defeats Dr. Robotnik, the repaired Death Egg crashes into a mountain, and Sonic lands in a mushroom forest. While Robotnik has Knuckles keep Sonic busy again, Robotnik turns his attention to the master emerald, which he intends on stealing to power the Death Egg.

image source: YouTube/MegaManNG

    You’ll notice that Tails isn’t mentioned. He’s not in the game…separately anyway, but more on that later. Basically, he was opted out in favor of Knuckles. Yes, Knuckles is playable this time. More on him in a bit.

    Throughout the game, Sonic must go through seven zones, and an eighth unlockable final level. He starts at Mushroom Hill Zone, which is the greenery beginner level. He then hops onboard Robotnik’s airship, Flying Battery Zone.

    Sonic later falls out and ends up in the desert of Sandopolis Zone. He then heads deep underground into Lava Reef Zone.

image source: YouTube/SonicJGB

    Sonic arrives at Hidden Palace Zone just as Robotnik repairs the Death Egg. After Sonic’s decisive battle with Knuckles, the two find Robotnik stealing the master emerald.

    Realizing he’s been tricked, Knuckles helps Sonic by teleporting him to the ancient flying ruins of Sky Sanctuary Zone. From the ruins, Sonic leaps onto the space station and enters Death Egg Zone.

    Sonic has a series of battles against Robotnik, which ultimately destroy the Death Egg. If Sonic has collected every chaos emerald, he enters Doomsday Zone to have one last showdown with Robotnik.

image source: MobyGames

    As mentioned before, Knuckles is playable. His story takes place after Sonic’s. A surviving Egg Robot throws a bomb at Knuckles, which angers him and causes him to chase the robot.

    Knuckles has his own moves. Besides spin dashing, he can also glide through the air. By gliding, he can attach to most walls and climb them. However, Knuckles can’t jump as high as Sonic.

    Knuckles also possesses super-strength. He can break certain walls that Sonic can’t and access different pathways throughout the zones.

image source: Pinterest

    The rest of the gameplay is identical to Sonic 3. The exact same powerups and special stages return, including the large hidden rings where chaos emeralds are. There are two new special stages for the lampposts.

    When there are orange stars, Sonic and Knuckles get transported to a slot machine level that’s a cross between Casino Night Zone and the rotating special stages from the first game.

    When there are red stars, Sonic and Knuckles get transported to a vertical stage that spins them on rotating spheres. Like the gumball special stage, players can obtain shields and extra lives.

    Now for something different.

    As mentioned before, Sonic & Knuckles is actually the rest of Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s story. Sonic 3 can lock onto S&K. This creates the ultimate experience for both games. This combined game is known as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles, and yes, that is the actual title.

image source: LaunchBox Games Database

    First off, both games can be played back-to-back. From the selection screen, Sonic 3’s save feature can now be used for S&K.

    Tails can now be played in S&K. Likewise Knuckles can now be played in Sonic 3. There are hidden paths in Sonic 3 that only Knuckles can go through and there are high areas in S&K that only Tails can reach.

    The two extra special stages in S&K are now also featured in Sonic 3. Also, Sonic 3 uses the mini boss music from S&K.

    Both games feature the chaos emeralds, which are obtained through blue sphere special stages. Here, after obtaining the emeralds from Sonic 3’s stages, things change a little.

     The energy of the master emerald transforms the chaos emeralds into super emeralds. After once more playing through S&K’s special stages and obtaining the super emeralds, the characters unlock even greater potential.

    Super Sonic becomes Hyper Sonic. He now glows with all the colors of the rainbow and is not only faster, but he has a natural double jump that flashes and destroys all normal enemies on screen.

    Knuckles, who could also become Super Knuckles with the regular emeralds, becomes Hyper Knuckles. He occasionally glows white, moves faster, and destroys every enemy on screen when he collides with a wall while gliding.

image source: sonic.fandom.com

    Tails, who originally didn’t have a super form, now becomes Super Tails. He also glows, moves faster, and has a flock of birds flying above him. These birds, known as flickies, automatically attack enemies and bosses, which makes Tails’ job much easier.

    It should be noted that these new super forms are now immune to drowning. After collecting the 14 emeralds, the remaining large rings give players an extra 50 rings. Likewise, just as with the first forms, the trio lose a ring for every second transformed.

    The lock on feature extends beyond Sonic 3. If locked on with Sonic 2, the game becomes Knuckles in Sonic 2. This allows Knuckles to be playable in Sonic 2.

image source: GameInformer

     If physically “locked on” to the first game’s cartridge, the characters will be in the background with the message ‘no way.’ However, hitting A, B, and C opens a new game called Blue Sphere, which gives access to literally millions of stages (no lie). Using any other Sega Genesis cartridge will unlock another Blue Sphere stage.

image source: Vizzed

By Staff Oneil

    Sonic the Hedgehog was having the time of his life in the early 90s. His series of video games quickly rose into one of gaming’s most recognizable franchises in history and there were no signs of him slowing down. With the first two games in the series being critically acclaimed, naturally a third game was inevitable. 

image source: Amazon.in

   Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 2-D side scrolling videogame for the Sega Genesis. It’s the third main game in the Sonic franchise and the second game in the “Death Egg” trilogy.

   The game begins immediately where the last one left off. After Sonic defeated Robotnik, the Death Egg crashed onto a flying landmass called Angel Island. Due to the space station’s weight, the island falls into the ocean.

   Sonic and Tails use their personal plane, the Tornado, to fly to the island. Sonic turns into Super Sonic and flies to shore. He’s immediately greeted by a newcomer, Knuckles the Echidna, who knocks the emeralds out of Super Sonic and laughs as he steals them (not chuckle).

image source: anchel.com

   Knuckles is a member of a guardian tribe who protects Angel Island, specifically the master emerald that allows the island to float in the sky. After landing on the island, Robotnik tricked Knuckles into believing Sonic and Tails were evil, which is why he attacked Sonic.

   As Knuckles keeps Sonic and Tails busy, Robotnik spends his time repairing the Death Egg. Once more, he sends robots powered by living animals to help stall Sonic and Tails.

   This game doesn’t have as many zones as its predecessor, now with only six. Once more, they have just two acts. Angel Island Zone is the beginner greenery level that eases you into the game. Hydrocity Zone is an underwater city filled with fast pipes and propellers.

   Marble Garden Zone is similar to Marble Zone and Aquatic Ruin Zone from previous games, though this one features quicksand. Carnival Night Zone is a carnival-theme zone slightly similar to Casino Night Zone and Spring Yard Zone.

image source: YouTube/SonicJGB

   Icecap Zone is filled with snowy landscapes and frozen caverns. The last zone is Launch Base Zone, a giant shipyard where Robotnik is working on the Death Egg.

   The way the levels are designed allow Sonic and Tails to flow through them at blinding speeds. Going down slopes using the spin dash is smooth and intense to watch. Once more, this game also incorporates 3-D technology that allows Sonic and Tails to zoom through twisted slopes and spirals.

   Graphic-wise, Sonic has been slightly redesigned to have a smaller, more detailed sprite. The game in general is much more detailed than its predecessors, especially with bright, solid colors.

image source: medium.com

   The gameplay has been slightly tweaked and enhanced. Sonic has a new move called the insta-shield, which can briefly make Sonic invincible. This can also extend Sonic’s hitbox to make attacking shielded enemies easier.

   “Tails” returns as Sonic’s sidekick. Just as last time, Tails can be played both in single player and with a second controller. Tails’ flying ability can now be done freely. When done underwater, Tails instead swims. Tails can also use his flying ability to lift Sonic. It’s not infinite, as Tails will eventually get tired and fall back down.

   The classic powerups return: Power Sneakers, Invincibility, and lamppost checkpoints. The shield returns but is much more expanded upon.

   Instead of one, there are now three different elemental shields: fire, bubble, and electric. Fire shields protect from fire attacks and hazards. Bubble shields grant infinite air underwater. Electric shields protect from electric hazards and acts as a magnet for rings.

   The shields also protect against enemy projectiles. However, when Sonic has a shield, they grant him additional abilities that replace the insta-shield. The fire shield grants Sonic a rocketing blast attack. The bubble shield causes Sonic to bounce. The electric shield grants Sonic a double jump. Only Sonic has access to these abilities.

   Just as before, at the end of act 2 Sonic and Tails must fight a boss. Robotnik has gone back to using a standard Egg-O-Matic with various weapon attachments. However, they must also fight mini bosses at the end of Act 1.

image source: sonic.fandom.com

   Special stages return, though there are different kinds.

   The first kind can be accessed by collecting 50 rings and passing by a lamppost. Stars will appear and jumping into them takes Sonic and Tails to the special stage. This stage is a giant gumball machine where Sonic and Tails can obtain elemental shields and extra lives.

   The second kind holds the chaos emeralds. Scattered throughout the levels are hidden rooms that contain giant rings. When Sonic and Tails jumps through them, they are transported to the special stage.

   In these 3-D stages, Sonic and Tails must collect every blue colored sphere while avoiding the reds. Once all blue spheres are obtained, they obtain a chaos emerald. Just as before, collecting every emerald unlocks Super Sonic.

   But why does Sonic get a super form and Tails doesn’t? Mild spoiler, the next game goes into more detail about this.

   On a minor note, many are unaware that Michael Jackson himself helped work on the game’s soundtrack. While unknown at the time of the game’s release, various sources confirmed that the King of Pop indeed had an uncredited roll in adding to the game’s music.

   Another thing, two-player races return. Now, there are five exclusive levels just for this mode that aren’t featured in the main game.

Just released earlier tonight, another ALL-NEW episode!

Meet Kyler. She’s into romance movies and sociology, and has a *lot* of opinions to share on relationships. She’s also another new regular addition to the team.

In her first episode with us, Thurgood warms up with frustrations on #pikmin3 #nintendo #switch missed opportunities, then Kyler steps in with a viral video channel featuring #polygraph #liedetector fails by #cheating significant others. Finally, #TopTopic has Donn and Timothy breaking down a #TikTok challenge for #GameStop employees that was recently cancelled after public backlash… but has the damage already been done?