Sonic The Hedgehog: A Legacy Of Brilliance From A Failed System - #VideoGame #Blog

Sonic maybe running around in different video game consoles, but that wasn't always the case...

These days, 'Sonic The Hedgehog' is known for the video games that have been done for such systems as, 'Playstation', or, 'Nintendo Wii', but before Sonic became mostly a secondary character on various cross-platform systems,  Sonic brought to prominence the, 'Sega Genesis', in the same way that, 'Mario' brought to prominence the, 'Nintendo'!

And speaking of that... 

Ok, so not only did Sonic help bring the, 'Sega Genesis' to prominence, but one of the other things that it did was to make Sega dominate the video game market from the early 1990s, really up to when Sony released the, 'Playstation', and Microsoft brought to the world, the, 'X-Box'! 

The Sega Genesis was so popular in the 1990s, that it gave, 'Nintendo' a run for it's money!

And yet another thing that Sonic really did kind of help do very well, was to do with merchandising and cartoons for the 90s, what Mario did for the 1980s! 

Now to speak about the series... Ok, so the fact is, is I have connected Sonic and Mario very close together, and the truth is, is that, 'Yes' they have some connection, but the truth is, is they are two very different video games and let me explain what I mean by this: 

1. Sonic is an animal in a world that has mostly animals in it. Mario is a human that was transported to a world with his brother that is sort of a mix of both humans and various animals. 

2. In the Mario games, the big bad is a dinosaur, while in Sonic The Hedgehog, the big bad is a human. 

3. In most of the Mario games, Mario and Luigi are trying to save a, 'Princess' and Sonic and Tails are trying to save the Animal populace of his world. 

Sonic & Mario have their similarities and differences, but in the end, one of the main things that they both did is to bring to prominence their respective video game systems they started off with, and the companies they came from!

Now as far as the franchise itself goes, Sonic The Hedgehog... The best things about this franchise, is that in no matter what platform the current, 'Sonic' game is under, the characters are always kid friendly, and the games are always fun for all ages... And the truth... Sega may have failed in it's video game system design, but the truth is, is Sonic will always translate to the next generation! 

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (1994) - Video Game Review

Official Score = 2 Devils

You know I will be honest and say that I was pretty sad to see the downfall of Sega's console systems, I mean I can remember a lot of years of playing games on systems like the, 'Sega Genesis' or the, 'Sega Saturn'... And so much more, and one of the games that I found that I really enjoyed is the, 'Sonic The Hedgehog' video game series, I mean you could just about basically say that Sonic was Sega's answer to, 'Mario'!

And so I thought it might be fun to talk a little bit about: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)!

Not one of the better games in the series!

Published by: Sega, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 told the story of how after Sonic defeats Dr. Robotnik at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, his space station, the Death Egg, crash-lands on a mystical floating landmass called Angel Island (or simply "the Floating Island" as it's called in the game manual). As Dr. Robotnik begins to repair the damaged station, he meets up with Knuckles the Echidna, the last surviving member of an ancient civilization of Echidnas that once inhabited the island. He is also the guardian of the Master Emerald, which grants the island its levitation powers.

Knowing Sonic and Tails will try to track him down, and realizing he can use the Master Emerald to power the ship, Dr. Robotnik dupes Knuckles into believing Sonic is trying to steal his Emerald. Shortly after, Sonic and Tails in their biplane, the Tornado, are in search of Dr. Robotnik. Sonic, possessing the emeralds from the events of Sonic 2, then turns into Super Sonic. As soon as they arrive, Knuckles ambushes Sonic from underground and knocks the Chaos Emeralds from him, returning him to normal. Knuckles steals the Emeralds and disappears inland. As Sonic and Tails travel through the levels, they encounter Knuckles in almost every level, hindering their progress.

Sonic & Tails going up against Knuckles in, 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3'!

Now you might be wondering what makes this awesome video game that was made for the Sega Genesis so great... I mean after so many games running and jumping just seem pretty customary right? Well simply put, this game was supposed to come out at the same time as Sonic & Knuckle (don't worry, that review is coming,) but due to finance issues, this game was released first, and introduced to the world, 'Knuckles'!

In the end, this game is fun, short of Knuckles showing up though, this game is not a very original one, and the graphics...

Anyway, this game is worth trying out if you haven't had the chance... And if this is your first Sonic game... Well I suspect that you will have some fun with it... Otherwise... Don't expect to much more then what you got in other Sonic games... And not much else!

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (1992) - Video Game Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

You know, there is a reason why certain video games become the 'flagship' video game of the company that the system comes from... Is it because of the graphics? No... (I mean lets be honest, no one can claim that the first Super Mario Bros. had great graphics (even by the standard when the video game first came out... But still the game was freaking awesome!) Is it because of (ease-of-game-play?) No... (Let's be honest here and say that  XBox's flagship game, 'Halo' is a hard game to learn to play if you aren't used to it... Yet the game still kicked some massive ass!) Is it because of the music/sound effects? No... Although I will admit that universally the sound effects and music for the flagship games that I have played are pretty awesome!

No, in this case I believe that what makes a video game a, 'flagship' game is not just how awesome, but how universally it is accepted as being one of the better video games to have come out from that company during it's run!

Now I have mentioned the flagship games for, 'Nintendo' and, 'Microsoft', but there is a game that is still the flagship of it's company (even though the company no longer makes systems...) That is Sonic The Hedgehog!

[caption id="attachment_3411" align="aligncenter" width="479"] The flagship game for, 'SEGA.'[/caption]

Now this game is freaking awesome... I mean it definitely ran on the heels of the success of Nintendo's 'Super Mario Bros.'... But in and of itself, it is a blast! Well I won't bore you with the details from that game, 'Click here:' if you want to read more on that game...

In this case I wanted to talk about, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (1992)!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="304"] A worthy successor tot he original![/caption]

This game, which was also released for the Sega Genesis, told of the continuing story of, 'Sonic' and his war to stop Doctor Robotnik from turning his home in to a cyborg haven!

One thing that I thought should be mentioned here is the fact that this game, which maintained just about all of the elements of what made the first one great, also melded it with brand new levels, and some brand new bad guys, but where as, 'Mario' had, 'Luigi', Sonic would also get his own partner when they introduced, 'Tails' in tot he mix!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Mario may have Luigi, but Sonic now has Tails![/caption]

In the end this game is a blast... The only problem that I had with this one, is that like it's predecessor, it doesn't have that, (I have to play it over and over again appeal to it that I find to be one of the better aspects to video games!

Regardless though, this game is fun, and if you get a chance to try it, do so, I liked it, and you might like it as well!

http://youtu.be/RGWtYB08flc

5 Great Video Game Series That Got Their Starts A Generation Ago

That's right folks, with all of the modern games that are coming out at such a rapid rate, that we some times forget where some of these staple franchises have come from, and so I thought that I would remind some of us out there where these modern games got their start:

At number 5: Castlevania.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2' (2014), and 'Castlevania' (1986):

http://youtu.be/ENSDrPpFp-Y

http://youtu.be/pJk-zhp8aA0

At number 4: Contra.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Hard Corps Uprising' (2011), and 'Contra' (1987):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzQKF9LUQ90

http://youtu.be/ZDOrp_TMGfA

At number 3: Mega Man.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Mega Man 10' (2010), and 'Mega Man' (1987):

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnGfx0dfi7g&w=420&h=315]

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaS1c-16frU&w=560&h=315]

At number 2: Sonic The Hedgehog.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Sonic Boom' (2014), and 'Sonic The Hedgehog' (1991):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAhNkZWvZJ4

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ny0Pr09S8&w=420&h=315]

At number 1: Street Fighter.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Street Fighter X Tekken' (2012), and 'Street Fighter' (1987):

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_dM7SWLBTQ&w=420&h=315]

http://youtu.be/KLQ1aCOSQos

Sonic: The Hedgehog (1991) - Video Game Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

I have to admit that I was pretty sad to see Sega stop making consoles, I mean for decades their consoles were truly a total blast, and a lot of the video games for those systems were a lot of fun!

The one that I particularly enjoyed was the, 'Sega Masters System'... Or, 'Sega Genesis' in the United States... This may not have been the first of their video game systems that I have ever played, but it is for me, (probably more so then any other video game system out there to date), is one of the most memorable video game systems that I have ever played!

I mean besides the fact that I had a lot of fun playing video games on this system with my friends, I also found that I really enjoyed playing the video games on this system! Rather it be, 'Golden Axe' (1989), 'Space Harrier 2' (1988) or heck even, 'Sonic: The Hedgehog' (1991)!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="706"] Sonic The Hedgehog Versus Doctor Robotnik in, 'Sonic: The Hedgehog' (1991)[/caption]

Developed by the, 'Sonic Team' for the original Sega Genesis, and first released in 1991, this amazing game told the story of how in his attempt to steal 6 chaos emeralds, Dr. Robotnik has imprisoned a lot of the inhabitants of South Island in to various prisons and cybernetic shells, and it will be up to the player (who plays as, 'Sonic') to stop Dr. Robotnik before his devious plan can be put in to motion!

In the end, this game's gameplay is very similar to the original, 'Super Mario Bros.' and thus is really easy to play... And the graphics are great, the music is fun... In my opinion, the true test of a great video game is its capacity for long term play either in a single day or repetitively over several days... And for me, the main problem with this game, is that it doesn't have that.

In the end though, if you haven't tried it yet, then I would recommend doing so, it is worth it!

http://youtu.be/XAhNkZWvZJ4

My Thoughts On Why 'Sonic The Hedgehog' And 'Super Mario Bros.' Didn't Transfer Well To TV

[caption id="attachment_2401" align="aligncenter" width="594"] 'Sonic The Hedgehog' & 'The Super Mario Bros. Super Show'... Both came from historically relevant video games, neither cartoon did well at all![/caption]

You know what? One of the great things about my job of writing for Hellinspace is that I get to translate the cartoons or video games to the rest of the world of horror and science fiction and show how they are completely applicable even to modern day horror and science fiction!

And I will admit that I have chosen a few duds (I am not proud to say... But unfortunately that is one of the blander side effects of reviewing anything, is that to be truly objective, you have to be objective about the stuff that you do like and review that, and you have to be objective and some times review the garbage you really can't stand... (A great example of this as far as cartoons go, is, 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'.)

But there are two that I will be absolutely honest with you guys  and say that I genuinely thought would have done better then I thought they did... And that is, 'Sonic The Hedgehog' and, 'Super Mario Bros.'!

[caption id="attachment_2402" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Neither, 'The Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog' or, 'The Super Mario Bros. Super Show' were very great...[/caption]

The truth is, is I don't want to give to much away, (I suspect at some point I will be going to review both of them at great length), never the less, you would think that with a video game that is 2 parts animated series to start off with,  and 2 parts video game, that they would do well... Right?

Well here is the biggest issue that I have with the 1993 version of, 'Sonic The Hedgehog'... First of all I agree with the slightly more slapstick nature of the Chilidog loving hero, but there was a lot of this mentality of, 'No seriousness', when there really needed to be at least some!

I also have to admit that I was not a huge fan of how they depicted, 'Dr. Robotnik'... As more of a demented, 'Imp' and less of a, 'mad scientist'...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Not my fav...[/caption]

Other then that, the characters were pretty well drawn... It is just sad to see a show that I enjoyed as a kid, one that did not translate well in to adulthood!

Really the main problem that I had with the, 'Super Mario Bros. Super Show' (The Super Mario Bros. TV Program that first aired in 1989), is the format... Don't get me wrong, the animation side of the show was great, but I just was unhappy with how they tried to combine animation along with live action... In the end it just didn't jell well with me!

In the end though, the truth is, is the greatest sign of any TV show is how well it translates for men and women of all ages... Where as I think both shows would be good enough for kids, I also don't think either of them translate very well for adults!

http://youtu.be/Z5imH0-hOvA

http://youtu.be/4x2NbK8IOpQ

Dr. Wiley Vs. Dr. Robotnik: Who's Better?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Dr. Wiley Vs. Dr. Robotnik... Who is better?[/caption]

In this next phase in the, 'Who's Better' series, I thought that I would expand beyond movies, and start off the new phase of this with doing 2 classic video game characters from a couple of video game series of yore, and that is, 'Dr. WIley' from the, 'Mega Man' series and, 'Dr. Robotnik' from the, 'Sonic The Hedgehog' series...

Now you might be wondering why I am mentioning these 2 villains... I mean after all Dr. Robotnik and Dr. Wiley are both from 2 different series that have mostly to do with 2 different heroes (one being a robot, and the other being a hedgehog)... Well simply put, they both have to do with evil mad scientists that create robots in an effort to try to take over their respective worlds! For Dr. Wiley, he just builds straight robots, and Dr. Robotnik has captured Sonic's friends and defends the capsules that he has captured them in using robots!

Now for what is great about Dr. Wiley:

1. I have to admit that the Robots that he builds are pretty cool!

2. I also have to admit that I do like that the look as being more like an animated human then an actual robot is pretty cool as well!

3, I also like the overall story line of how Dr. Wiley became the mad scientist that he is!

The bad parts about Dr. Wiley:

1. Primarily the fact that despite the fact the robots that he obviously creates, and the bosses that you play are from him, the only problem when you play him as the final boss at the end of most of the games, just is not as cool as the bosses that you play before hand!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Mega Man Vs. Dr. Wiley![/caption]

Now as for the good things about Dr. Robotnik:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Dr. Robotnik battling Sonic![/caption]

1. You know the levels that you play in Sonic the Hedgehog you would assume the bad guys that you fight you would assume are the same robots that are being sent by Dr. Robotnik, and those are usually pretty fun!

2. Robotnik himself is usually a fun bad guy to do battle with at the end of the game!

As for the bad side of Dr. Robotnik:

1. Oddly enough, the characters in Sonic The Hedgehog are pretty well created... Except for Dr. Robotnik...

2. And as for the bosses at the end of each level, they just aren't as much fun!

In the end, you would have to make up your own mind, but for me I have to admit that my favorite is Dr.Wiley!

http://youtu.be/hpqaE22S6hw

http://youtu.be/5A54A2OoNoo