3D Sonic the Hedgehog

 3DS
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 72
  3. Negative: 5 out of 72

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  1. Lokathor
    Dec 6, 2013
    7
    The game is Sonic 1, on your 3ds. That's great. What's new? There's a save/load feature (just one save state), you can use the spindash from the later games if you want, and when you start the game from the title menu there's a stage select. The music is crisp and clear, it even allows you to emulate the sounds as they were on a Genesis or Genesis 2 (though I don't know what that soundThe game is Sonic 1, on your 3ds. That's great. What's new? There's a save/load feature (just one save state), you can use the spindash from the later games if you want, and when you start the game from the title menu there's a stage select. The music is crisp and clear, it even allows you to emulate the sounds as they were on a Genesis or Genesis 2 (though I don't know what that sound difference is exactly, it seemed to be the same to me either way). The emulation is smooth, and accurate to the point where minor graphical hiccups such as with the Green Hill Zone waterfalls are replicated exactly. A completely faithful Sonic game, here's hoping that they give Sonic 2 the same treatment very soon.… Expand
  2. emendez2k4
    Dec 6, 2013
    9
    The graphics on this game are surprisingly good. The 3-D effect works well and breathes new life into a game that you probably have played a million times on a number of different systems. There are a large number of options that you can tinker with such as playing the Japanese version or the international version, changing the screen size, and choosing the 3-D effect to display using theThe graphics on this game are surprisingly good. The 3-D effect works well and breathes new life into a game that you probably have played a million times on a number of different systems. There are a large number of options that you can tinker with such as playing the Japanese version or the international version, changing the screen size, and choosing the 3-D effect to display using the foreground or the background. There are a few graphical glitches and once in a while the frame rate dips a bit. Neither of these issues really affects game play however. In short, a highly recommended download. Nintendo can learn a thing or two from the quality of this 3-D classic.… Expand
  3. funkydoodycool
    Apr 24, 2015
    10
    Sonic The Hedgehog is in itself one of my favourite games of all time, and one I go back to for a run through every few months. The graphics, music, and gameplay are all perfect examples of what made the early 90s the golden age of gaming.

    Adding 3D to the mix doesn't necessarily add anything to the experience, but here it is so well done that I usually find myself switching the 3D on    Sonic The Hedgehog is in itself one of my favourite games of all time, and one I go back to for a run through every few months. The graphics, music, and gameplay are all perfect examples of what made the early 90s the golden age of gaming.

    Adding 3D to the mix doesn't necessarily add anything to the experience, but here it is so well done that I usually find myself switching the 3D on for this game. The sense of depth with the parallax scrolling is better than many others, and it really feels like this game was made for it.

    Otherwise the game is exactly as you remember it, which is just fine with me.

    Some additions are welcome - you can select the version between Japanese and International, the game defaulting to the (some say) superior Japanese version, and I've felt no need to change it. You can also choose between the Megadrive or Megadrive 2 sound processing, which seems to affect the bass (MD2 having more). You can also turn on or off a level select screen and the spin dash as originally added to Sonic 2. Personally I have left both of these off - I get more pleasure from playing the game from the beginning and the spin dash doesn't add anything to the game. You are also able to change two aesthetic options - you can make the 3D effect "pop-out" of or "fall-in" to the screen, which work as they sound. I found pop-out to strain my eyes very quickly and to be more blurry than fall-in, which probably explains why most 3DS games tend to push the 3D into the screen rather than popping it out.

    All in all this is easily the best update I've experienced of the first Sonic game. So far beyond recommended.    … Expand
  4. KCritic
    Jan 27, 2014
    10
    Sonic the Hedgehog, exactly how you remember it being. Only now it's in 3D, which looks great. It's a shame it doesn't have all the little extras that other recent versions have had, but I have no quarrels with this game. I loved it in '91 and I still love it now.
  5. Cosmozerk
    Jun 4, 2016
    7
    Sonic The Hedgehog was pretty much THE reason of why the Sega genesis was able to compete with the SNES in one of the most epic console generations ever!, the 16-bit generation, but...how does it hold up today?.

    Now keep in mind that i'm not gonna review the 3DS port, but rather the original Genesis version, since i feel it's more legit and gives you a better idea of what this game is.    Sonic The Hedgehog was pretty much THE reason of why the Sega genesis was able to compete with the SNES in one of the most epic console generations ever!, the 16-bit generation, but...how does it hold up today?.

    Now keep in mind that i'm not gonna review the 3DS port, but rather the original Genesis version, since i feel it's more legit and gives you a better idea of what this game is.

    STORY: The evil Dr. Ivo EggMan Robotnik has kidnap all the animals and put them into robots to get all the chaos emeralds. But Sonic ain't having any of that so he goes to rescue his animal friends, get the chaos emeralds back and beat Robotnik. The story is a little bit more complex than Mario, but not by much and in a platforming game the plot is the last thing i care about.

    PRESENTATION: For a Genesis title Sonic 1 still looks pretty good. The sequels and other games like Comix Zone definitely have better graphics, but for a 1991 game it still holds up. The game has vivarate colors all over the place. The character designs have a more anime style to them, which i feel is pretty unique. The environments, for the most part, are great to look at. And the sprite work perfectly reflects their concept art.

    The sound design is also great. The sound effects are really fun to hear, like when you jump on an enemy.

    And the music...is just great. We have some classic tunes here and i can't get enough of it. The Sega genesis sound chip was never my favorite, i much prefer the most realistic and instrumental sound of the SNES, but Sonic 1 definitely uses it very well. Though some songs like Labyrinth Zone and Marble Zone have somewhat of a twang that i don't really like. The soundtrack definitely has a more mood and serious tone than its competitors, but i still like it.

    GAMEPLAY: Sonic 1 is a platforming game, duh.

    You go from act (level) to act defeating enemies, collecting stuff and at the end of the zone (world) you fight one of robotnik's creations.

    Let's start by saying one of the things that sets this game apart, the physics. While games like Super Mario always had the same control in every type of terrain, Sonic will react to the environment in a more believable way. When he goes up-hill he will go slower, when he goes down-hill he will go faster, rolling into a ball will get you even more speed, etc. For many people this is great thing, but personally i'm more ambivalent about it. While Sonic responds very well and movement for the most part is fluid, the level design often means that you will have to backtrack to get out of a specific area and Sonic's jump feel surprisingly heavy. Basic platforming can be a challenge in of itself some times and the level design often punishes you for going fast.

    Actually let's go into the level design for a little bit. There will be many occasions where you'll go fast, but if you try to fast in any other situation then an enemy will appear and hit you or a piece of terrain will break all momentum. The enemy placement can be downright unfair at times and don't even get me started on the amount of unpredictable bottomless pits there are. Some zones and acts can drag forever, especially marble zone. Not only that, but the game also has multiple pathways that are easy to miss and confusing to navigate sometimes.

    Sonic team tried to balance all of these with the ring system. Collecting 100 will give you an extra life and if you get hit they will go flying, but you'll still live. However the rings also have another purpose, entering a special stage. Collect 50 and get to the end, then jump into a giant ring, finish the bonus room and get the chaos emerald, sounds simple right? well NO.

    First of all getting into the special stage is a pain on the ***. Holding onto your rings with all the unfair stage hazards and enemy placement, not to mention the visibility problem that the game has by putting sonic in the center of the screen at all times means that you'll get hit more times that you need. If you manage to do so then the special stage will kick your *** by rotating and bumping you out of it. Getting all the Chaos emeralds doesn't do much, so there's not much reason to get them...unless you want to get a continue. Because oh yes if you die too many times you go back to the title screen making the process of beating the game for the first time a complete pain, unless you beat a special stage then you will have to play Sonic 1 from beginning to end with only 3 lives and no continues.

    You can find boxes with extra lives, but they are pretty rare and with the amount of problems i just mention then good luck trying to get 100 rings.

    The bosses on the other hand are pretty fun to fight against and i feel they are very well designed.

    Sonic 1 doesn't really have any power ups. You can find invincibility boxes and...that's it

    In the end Sonic 1 is more frustrating than fun for me. Let me clarify that i don't think this is a bad game, i just find that a lot of elements are ****.    … Expand
  6. SANICHEDGE
    Jul 29, 2017
    10
    I played this in '91 and LOVED it! It was fast-paced sometimes but you also have to slow down.
    Now, on the 3DS, you can save! (Christian Whitehead did this first.)
  7. Grant_Mackin
    Sep 26, 2015
    8
    It's Sonic. With 3D Capabilities. You either like it, or you hate it. And I honestly find it's really fun, for a Sonic game I have never played before.
  8. 22gamer
    Jul 16, 2016
    7
    grate game i love sonic exept sonic 06 dis is a grate port of sonic 1 PLAYgrate game i love sonic exept sonic 06 dis is a grate port of sonic 1 PLAY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  9. Empyrancer
    Jan 24, 2019
    7
    Sonic the Hedgehog is a game that has aged poorly due to some factors, but 3D Sonic the Hedgehog improves upon most of its problems by adding the Spin Dash and the Save/Load System. The 3D effect hurts my eyes a bit but it's still nice to have.

    The reason I say this game has aged poorly is because the first level, Green Hill Zone is the perfect Sonic level. It has plenty of platforming,    Sonic the Hedgehog is a game that has aged poorly due to some factors, but 3D Sonic the Hedgehog improves upon most of its problems by adding the Spin Dash and the Save/Load System. The 3D effect hurts my eyes a bit but it's still nice to have.

    The reason I say this game has aged poorly is because the first level, Green Hill Zone is the perfect Sonic level. It has plenty of platforming, plenty of places to gain speed and overall just a fun level. There's a reason why it's still one of the most iconic levels in video game history.

    But Marble Zone is the complete opposite. A fire-themed level mainly based on precision and platforming, you have to do a lot of waiting around to progress in the level and it's overall just boring.

    Spring Yard Zone is okay, but just okay. It has a ton of slopes and places where you can gain speed and some really fun segments, but there's too many segments that require waiting around and doesn't match up to Green Hill Zone's standards.

    But there's no zone worse than Labyrinth Zone. I don't know anyone who likes Labyrinth Zone, and probably for a good reason. Labyrinth Zone is filled with several underwater sections that hamper Sonic's movements, which makes you feel like you're watching a YouTube video at x0.5 speed. There's tons of sections that require waiting around and it's just boring and tedious. Worst of all, it doesn't even feel like a labyrinth. The level is just tedious and straightfoward, but doesn't feel like a labyrinth at all. Probably for a good reason, because I wouldn't want to imagine an underwater maze because that would be extremely tedious.

    Star Light Zone is a bit of a break from all the tedious crap in Labyrinth Zone. There's a ton of sections where you can gain speed and overall pretty fun. The song is awesome, but it doesn't feel as colorful or vibrant as Green Hill Zone, but I still really enjoy this level.

    Scrap Brain Zone - perhaps not as bad as Labyrinth Zone, but of course you'd expect it to be quite difficult as it's the final stage. Scrap Brain Zone isn't a test of speed. It's more of a test of precision and timing. The entire level is filled with mechanical obstacles where you have to wait around, sometimes react quickly, be precise in platforming sections. This level is okay to a point, but the one that really gets on my nerve is Act 3, which is basically a remix of Labyrinth Zone except there's less air bubbles.

    Now let's get on to the music. The game's music was some of the best in the 16-bit era, and still sparks memories in my head. Except for Labyrinth Zone, which i feel that the music doesn't really fit in with the level and adds to the depressing mood, this game's music is still one of my favorites from the "old days".

    I really like the concept of a portable Sonic the Hedgehog on your 3DS and even though this game has aged poorly, it's still a good fun to play it once in a while for a bit of nostalgia. Since it only costs 6 bucks, I'd generally say it's worth it, but I'd suggest getting 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 first.

    Gameplay: 7 out of 10 (As I said before, Sonic's controls are fluid and solid, but it's hindered by some of the slower levels that "break" the potential of this game.)

    Graphics: 8.5 out of 10 (I didn't talk much about the graphics of the game, but for a 1991 game, I gotta give the graphics some credit. In 2019 now, not so much. But the 3D Graphics are quite an interesting addition to the game and I will give it a decent rating of 8.5 out of 10.

    Soundtrack: 9/10
    (The soundtrack is one of the best of the 90's era. Asides from Labyrinth Zone, the soundtrack is definitely worth it to buy this game.)

    Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10
    (An okay but not great game improved upon the 3DS. I would've given the original game a rating of 6 out of 10 but the problem fixes increases my rating to 7.5 out of 10. Even though it's a shame that the game isn't widescreen on the top screen, it's not so bad if you have a 3DS XL like me.)    … Expand
  10. Onioncreature
    Aug 14, 2020
    8
    The classic game remains enjoyable in this edition, which is enhanced substantially by stereoscopic 3D and save state functions.
  11. NoxInTheMatrix
    Apr 28, 2020
    10
    Amazing for its time, with catchy tunes and awesome speed. The hedgehog at his finest!
  12. CrispCicada
    Jun 1, 2020
    8
    Sonic the Hedgehog is an incredibly influential 2D platformer that is loveable to the extreme. That doesn't mean it comes without flaws though. When it comes to gameplay, Sonic has pretty great controls. He nails momentum-based movement and it feels great to rack up some speed. This game has a truckload of personality. All of the little animations and minigames really gives the charactersSonic the Hedgehog is an incredibly influential 2D platformer that is loveable to the extreme. That doesn't mean it comes without flaws though. When it comes to gameplay, Sonic has pretty great controls. He nails momentum-based movement and it feels great to rack up some speed. This game has a truckload of personality. All of the little animations and minigames really gives the characters their own unique charm. The music in this game is simple and iconic. Not all tunes are as great as others, but the soundtrack isn't bad by any means. Perhaps this game's biggest flaw is its game design. I don't like to call any game unfair, but there are a fair amount of cheapouts, sudden halts, and bad enemy placement. In conclusion, Sonic the Hedgehog is still a fun game, but it's a better idea to try Sonic the Hedgehog 2 or 3 because of their better level design. Have a lovely day/night, folks!… Expand
  13. grimreapersims
    Jan 19, 2022
    7
    ....................................................................................................................................................................................................blank
  14. MetalReviewer
    Mar 7, 2022
    8
    Sonic 1 is everything it's sequels failed to be. A game. Through level design that focuses on smart momentum usage instead of constant speed and slopes (thank god) and a challenge that's definitely tricky to overcome, this is the best that the 2D games get, and I stand by that.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Feb 12, 2014
    83
    Plays brilliantly, but is slightly hampered by its reliance on the original code. [Feb 2014, p.87]
  2. FNintendo
    Jan 14, 2014
    80
    As a port of a game that is well-known by millions of players, there is nothing truly surprising in 3D Sonic the Hedgehog, but it has become the definitive version of the Mega Drive classic. An almost flawless adaptation, and definitely one of the best eShop games available, despite the obvious lack of a widescreen mode.
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  3. Cubed3
    Jan 9, 2014
    80
    This new 3D version offers the same experience, only improved upon by modern additions and made to look even more incredible thanks to the excellent implementation of stereoscopic 3D, which breathes new life into a great classic. SEGA fans should certainly appreciate the effort put into this one, although a true full screen option would have been most welcome.
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