

#Sonic gems collection upgrade
While Sonic CD has more detailed graphics than the Genesis is capable of alone, the upgrade is not compelling. Sonic CD also provides good examples of why Nintendo shied away from its own SNES CD attachment. Finally, the boss battles against Robotnik are thoroughly simplistic, leaving one to wonder how he could even pose a threat. Maintaining speed for the Time Warp can be difficult in more congested areas, and I could swear one of the last levels has a dead-end in the past. At times the level design lacks cohesion, causing confusion and frustration, and it tends to suffer from blind-spike syndrome more frequently than the average Sonic game. Sonic CD is a good game, but it is not the masterpiece some have proclaimed it to be. The special stage has a time limit, which is diminished when Sonic steps in water and (sometimes) extended when he destroys a UFO. The floor contains traps, water pools, and other details to use as reference points as the player guides Sonic through the open environment, chasing down and destroying UFOs traveling on predefined paths. The special stage takes place in an arena slightly resembling a Super Mario Kart battle stage. Wait, don't cringe yet! Thanks to the Sega CD's extra memory and power, players can actually judge distances fairly well. It is a shame Sega could not make the time-travel transition less distracting back on the Sega CD (it abruptly triggers a stock animation and loading screen).Īs one would expect, Sonic CD also contains a pseudo-3D bonus stage. There are even two variations on the future-if Sonic destroys the pod generating enemies in the past, he will instantly destroy the level's enemies and create a good future. Some of the levels minimally vary among the time periods, but even so the variations certainly add longevity. By touching signs tagged "Past" or "Future" and then running fast for a prolonged period of time, Sonic will blast into another time period. Sonic must travel through time using the Time Warp in order to uproot Eggman's operations. Robotnik has invaded the mysterious Little Planet and plots to use the world's time stones to manipulate history in his favor. The big new feature in Sonic CD is time travel. On the positive side, Sonic turns around much faster in Sonic CD to facilitate the levels' slower-paced, more precise platforming. Perhaps they should not have balanced the controls, because releasing the Spin Dash too early and going nowhere quickly gets annoying. The Spin Dash takes a few seconds to charge-a change likely introduced when the developers realized how useless the peelout maneuver otherwise would have been. Sonic fans may notice that the hedgehog handles slightly differently from the Genesis classics in Sonic CD. In addition to running fast, Sonic can perform a Spin Dash (down + A) or rev up on his feet with the Super Peelout move (up + A). Sonic CD includes familiar Sonic platforming with controls and level design somewhere between Sonic 1 and Sonic 2.
#Sonic gems collection windows
Sonic CD in SGC is actually a conversion of the Windows 95/98 edition re-release, which is identical except for a friendlier menu interface. Sonic CD is known for its anime intro and ending sequences and for introducing both Metal Sonic and Sonic's sort-of-sweetheart, Amy.

Sonic CD came out on the ill-fated Sega CD attachment for the Sega Genesis, using the system's additional resources to produce more varied backgrounds and a rich Red Book audio soundtrack. Sonic CD is easily the most anticipated game on this compilation and was originally expected to appear in Sonic Mega Collection. Writing one review for this collection is impractical and unfair, so instead I present a parade of mini-reviews: Unlike Sonic Mega Collection, where the flagship titles shared much in common, Sonic Gems collection is a grab-bag of games widely varying in gameplay and quality. Sonic Gems is visibly scraping the bottom of the barrel, though, testing the limits of character fandom. Sonic Mega Collection, the Sonic Adventure ports, and Sonic Heroes were so successful commercially that the company would be crazy not to run the ell dry. With Sonic Gems Collection, Sega has ensured that almost every game featuring the blue hedgehog can be found on the GameCube.
