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[Gunstar Ikari]

I revisited 1, 2, and bits of 3&K because of this thread, and this...

Green Hill Zone is really the only level correctly designed for Sonic's mechanics. Every time I replay the game, I get bored at Marble Zone, it's an incredibly tedious level, and level design is spectacularly uneven in the whole game, without any unity.

...rings more true than ever IMO. Genesis Sonic's momentum-based handling is not good for precision platforming at all. The stuff that a lot of people claim makes Sonic what it is, like pinball physics and "speed as a reward", are showcased in less than half of the stages in Sonic 1. It is plodding platforming segment after plodding platforming segment with a character that controls like a brick half of the time.

Sonic 2 is the perfect showcase of Classic Sonic's unique qualities, and 3&K adds expansive level design. I just don't know what the S1>everything crowd sees in the game.

 

[Silvawuff]

I think Sonic 1 and its sequels are a brilliant display of progressive game design. If Sonic 1 is too slow for you, I'd recommend giving 2, 3, and S&K a go to see how that design changes.

Sonic 1 is more of you versus the environment -- Sonic 2 onward introduces using level mechanics to your advantage, often with a "catch." Example: Hilltop Zone fireball seesaws.

 

[professor denim]

I love Sonic 1 on the 3ds, don't find it that slow..

 

[JinjoUnchained]

It was early in the generation and Sega had only scratched the surface of Blast Processing's potential. As usual with consoles, the developers figured out how to use it better over time.

 

[gimmmick]

Here's a video on the subject that's definitely worth watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW-nMRZGpgA

Thanks for posting the video.

 

[Crayon]

Sonic at it's best is about as good as Earthworm Jim. Not that good.

I'd say it's not better than the third tier of side scrollers from that era. Sonic 1-3 were equally good and really better than the vast bulk of competition, but hardly worthy of mentioning among the best.

 

[Daingurse]

It's the most platformer heavy game out of the original 2-D games, and without the spin-dash all speed has to be earned using the momentum based mechanics. Consequently, it has always been my least favorite classic title, lol. Prefer Sonic 2 (in my top 3 GOAT) infinitely more, same with Sonic 3&K. I've had this opinion since I was a kid too, been pretty consistent. I just can't appreciate that 1st game.

Sonic 2 also happens to be the first videogame I ever played, and I think it fucked Sonic 1 for me honestly.

 

[Gunstar Ikari]

Sonic at it's best is about as good as Earthworm Jim. Not that good.

I'd say it's not better than the third tier of side scrollers from that era. Sonic 1-3 were equally good and really better than the vast bulk of competition, but hardly worthy of mentioning among the best.

If there were such a thing as a wrong opinion, this would be one. Classic Sonic is an achievement in platforming physics, while Earthworm Jim 1 & 2 are case studies in how not to design platformers. (Or video games in general in 2's case.)

 

[nns3d]

Sonic at it's best is about as good as Earthworm Jim. Not that good.

I'd say it's not better than the third tier of side scrollers from that era. Sonic 1-3 were equally good and really better than the vast bulk of competition, but hardly worthy of mentioning among the best.

edgy

back on the subject tho sonic 1 is probably my most played game of the franchise.

 

[Arc Christelle]

Sonic at it's best is about as good as Earthworm Jim. Not that good.

I'd say it's not better than the third tier of side scrollers from that era. Sonic 1-3 were equally good and really better than the vast bulk of competition, but hardly worthy of mentioning among the best.

I bet that sounded right as you typed it.

Spoiler

Too bad it's wrong.

 

[Solid SOAP]

Genesis Sonic's momentum-based handling is not good for precision platforming at all. The stuff that a lot of people claim makes Sonic what it is, like pinball physics and "speed as a reward", are showcased in less than half of the stages in Sonic 1. It is plodding platforming segment after plodding platforming segment with a character that controls like a brick half of the time.

Agreed 100%. Sonic controls wonderfully in the first stage, it's a playground of sorts for you to roll and jump around, giving you lots of space to take advantage of the game's unique physics engine. When you leave GHZ though, holy shit, the level design might as well be from a Mario game, just with multiple paths and the odd loop or slope.

Sonic 1 is difficult, but Sonic himself doesn't feel like he belongs after the first level.

Sonic 2 is the perfect showcase of Classic Sonic's unique qualities, and 3&K adds expansive level design. I just don't know what the S1>everything crowd sees in the game.

I think CD is the greatest showcase of the classic Sonic concept. Every level is like Green Hill Zone, almost to a fault if you're looking for a game that's difficult to get from point A to point B, but one that takes full advantage of the game's physics and functions as a gigantic playground for you to explore. Plus, it ain't easy to complete if you go for 100%. One of, if not my absolute favorite Sonic game of all time.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

Plus Sonic 1 has that awful turn the screen minigame for the chaos emeralds. Still think Sonic 2's chaos stages are the best in the series, another plus it has over the other games. I loved running through those 3d tunnels, getting rings and avoiding the bombs.