The Uncommon Geek

By request of a fan, today I present a review and video playthrough of an oft-overlooked game in the Sonic universe: Sonic CD!

Sonic the Hedgehog again makes his way into a feature here on The Uncommon Geek, and this time he’s traveling to us at 88 miles per hour in Sonic CD. This game released on the Sega CD (Mega CD in Europe) in 1993, after the launch of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. However, this game’s story, as far as I’m concerned, takes place between the first and second Sonic titles. CD uses the same graphics and animations as the original game, and from what I understand was supposed to have released sooner, but was delayed at least in part due to being a Sega CD title.

I adore this game, and just short of Sonic 3 & Knuckles, it is my favorite Sonic game. A big feature of this game is the expanded soundtrack, and it does not disappoint. The CD format allowed for far higher quality of sound effects and music than what was possible on cartridge, and Sega really took advantage of it. I’m probably in the minority in that I prefer the U.S. soundtrack over the Japanese version, but either way you go Sonic CD is aurally awesome.

Time travel is another aspect that sets Sonic CD apart from the other titles in the Hedgehog’s canon. Though Sega has tried to use time travel as a gimmick in other Sonic games, such as Sonic Generations, it’s never been as effective as in Sonic CD. Each level in CD has a past, present, good future, and bad future version, offering different level design, aesthetics, and music with each era of time Sonic travels to. Even the badniks can be in a state of disrepair in the present or future, indicating that they’ve been in action since the distant past. The little details like that really make Sonic CD feel distinct from other games in the canon. Sonic and Robotnik are locked in a struggle over the fate of Little Planet, which is either a moon or a free-roaming planetary body of some sort that has found its way to Sonic’s world. Sonic and Robotnik battle for control of the Time Stones, which hold the key to either Little Planet’s future salvation, or damnation. Also worth noting is that this game marks the first appearances of Amy Rose (the tiny pink hedgehog with a huge crush on Sonic) and Metal Sonic, who harasses our hero and challenges him to an all-time classic boss race.

Though similar in a first impression to other Sonic games, Sonic CD is a unique, inventive, challenging entry in the Sonic canon that is fresh, fun, and well worth the money. The updated port on modern systems offers a choice of soundtrack, fun achievements/trophies, and the ability to play as Tails. It’s a worthy addition to any action/adventure or platform game fan collection.

Check out my Youtube video review for more thoughts, impressions, and analysis of the game, and to see what time traveling shenanigans I can get myself into.

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