Review: 3D Sonic the Hedgehog
Another day, another port of Sonic the Hedgehog. The proliferation of this game across modern hardware has reached something of a saturation point; we’re running out of consoles and devices where you can’t play this game in some form. Of course, each port has its own distinct quirks; whether it is loaded with features and updates like Taxman and Stealth’s remastering or a complete disaster like the GBA port, no two versions of this Sonic are the same. Now, thanks to Sega’s M2 division, the game has arrived on the Nintendo 3DS with new features and a slightly steeper price tag. Is there enough in this package to separate this port from the pack, or is your money better spent elsewhere?
3D Sonic the Hedgehog
Available on: Nintendo 3DS
Price: $5.99
As you might expect, 3D Sonic the Hedgehog is more or less defined by its new visual effects. The added 3D carries through every inch of the game’s presentation, and M2 did a great job of refining the game to take advantage of it. Sonic looks noticeably farther away as he dashes behind trees and pillars, and the backgrounds scale in depth according to their layering and parallax. Star Light Zone and Spring Yard Zone look the most striking in 3D, but the entire game benefits from this conversion. Admittedly, the 3D isn’t all that intense, but it sharpens the graphics considerably and gives you a comfortable, if conservative, sense of depth.
There’s more to it than that, though. You have the option to view the 3D in “fall-in” or “pop-out” mode; the former simply gives the backgrounds some depth, while the latter makes foreground objects and the HUD really pop off the screen. Both modes provide an experience different enough to warrant exploration; I personally preferred pop-out mode much more, but you can decide which works better for you. Finally, there’s a fun screen mode called Classic that emulates the look of a CRT TV, complete with raster lines and blending colors. Although you probably won’t play this way for very long, it’s still fun to mess around with.
There’s a few more options I should mention. Both the international and original Japanese versions of the game are included, so if you passionately prefer one over the other, they’re both here and waiting for you. Also included is the option to emulate sound from either the original Genesis or the Genesis 2. The differences are very minor and only the most hardcore fans are likely to notice them, but the choice is there. Additionally, you can map the control scheme to any buttons you want. L and R can jump. B can pause the game. Everything can be the jump button. It’s incredibly flexible.
Graphics and options aside, though, it’s still just Sonic the Hedgehog. You know how it looks. You know how it plays. There’s nothing new to say about it. That said, it’s still incredibly fun; this is a very smooth and responsive version of the game. The Spin Dash is included and activated by default, but purists can dig into the options menu and turn it off. Also included is a “special” mode that brings you right to the level select screen when you start the game. It’s a minor addition, sure, but it’s a very convenient way to get right to the levels you want to play.
All things considered, 3D Sonic the Hedgehog is another quality port of a beloved Genesis classic. The graphical effects give it its own unique twist, and your individual experience with the game is surprisingly customizable. Ultimately, it doesn’t quite scale the heights that Taxman and Stealth’s port did, so if you’re looking for what is essentially the definitive port of Sonic the Hedgehog, you should stick with that version. However, if you’re dying to experience the game in 3D, or you simply want a quality port of it on your 3DS, give this one a try. There are far worse ways to spend $5.99.
This review was originally posted, in 2D, on TSSZ News.
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The price makes me smile greatly! Such good game on great console with price. Good review.
Yay now, on 3ds, I have can buy the same game again, not for free in all its enhanced glory. 🙂
Where’s the reviews for 3D Space Harrier and 3D Super Hang-On?
Does it have debug mode?
Yes. It has everything the original versions of the games had, including the secret Japanese credits screen after the SEGA splash screen(which also enables the “PRESS START BUTTON” text on the title screen).
Haha typical, new port of classic sonic game (while I admit the 3D enhancement is GOOD) gets almost 5 stars, while decent new game : 2 stars. Sorry but that screams classic sonic fanboy.
That said I still respect your opinions and I myself look forward to getting this baby c :
In his defense he didn’t review them, Ryan Bloom does most of the reviews here.
Because Sonic 1 is ACTUALLY a good game on it’s own merits regardless of the new features, it stands the test of time and holds up to this day to be one of the greats. Most importantly the game and it’s creators KNEW what type of game they were making, it had its own identity, unlike Lost World which does the following:
1. Nothing inspiring, groundbreaking, or pushing the industry standard (like many modern Sonic games.)
2. It’s trying to be Mario. It even has typical Mario themed levels, in the SAME order!
3. Even at top speed, it isn’t fast. The Genesis games play faster!
But he’s a “classic fanboy” because he prefers a game that’s overall better designed, and complete. Hmm, the Advance series, Rush, Colors, Generations, heck even Unleashed (Werehog and all) are miles better than Lost World.
Im not saying sonic the hedgehog is a bad game, but Lost World is decent to say the least, its not a bad game at all, maybe its not perfect, I agree. Its not better than Sonic 1, I agree. But 2 stars ? If any Sonic game deserves to have that its Sonic 06 or Shadow. (or 1 xD ) And to reply to your complaints:
1. It has the properties of a Sonic game, we all know how sonic games are by now so its not gonna be something too groundbreaking since it has to stay in its formula, its like saying Super Mario Bros is great but super mario 3d world is not groundbreaking, once it stays to its formula it can be fun and bring new things but of course it wont have the impact it had when the first mario bros came around.
2. Is that really a bad thing? if you mean the gravity thing, it has been done before in sonic games way before Mario Galaxy. And the typical themes, is like you say, oh ice cap, lava reef mountain, sandopolis and say “wow thats really so Mario-like, cause its got ice, fire, desert levels.
3. At least its not boost to win, and if you do the infinite spin dash trick you can go fast.
So yeah Im not saying its perfect, but it should have 4/5 or at least 3/5. 5 Star ranking is such a bad rating system.
SOnic 06′ = 1 star
Stop shitposting you twat. It’s called an opinion.
I treated myself to this a few days ago and haven’t regretted it. Sonic 1 never looked so good! I can never decide which 3D mode looks better and end up pausing the game nearly every 40 seconds playing around with the settings.
Sadly I don’t have a mobile device to get access to the taxman port everyone’s talking about so I’ll probably never know what the fuss is about, but whatever, I can settle with this. It has all the feature’s I’d want in a modern Sonic 1 port and the 3D effect alone sells the game by the penny.
This is one of the few games on the 3DS you’d actually want to play with the 3D strictly turned up to the max.
One final thing, in the UK E-shop this game is priced at £4.09, making it the cheapest out of the 3D Sega classics so far. Definitely worth it over the insultingly overpriced Game Gear Sonic ports.
When will Sonic 2 remastered and Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed for ios and android release?…
Honestly, I bought this the moment I saw it on the eshop. I want at least one good Sonic game for my 3DS, aside from the DS Sonic games I have.
Glad to see that the two different 3D modes (!) both work well and that they still managed to add a bunch of extra features. This looks like one of the better ports of Sonic 1 and I may just pick it up after all.
Also, has anyone seen the new look for the mobile site yet? It takes a little longer to load but it looks pretty snazzy. And we no longer have to tap a button just to see the comments!
I hope Sega brings over Sonic 2,3&Knuckles, and maybe even CD to the 3DS and gives them the same treatment.
You can forget about 3 & Knuckles happening…to much legal trouble cuz of the whole Music Rights Issue
Again I ask, WHY NO CONSOLE PORT OF THE TAXMAN/STEALTH VERSION!!??
@Dabbido
But regardless you’re basing the character of someone off of an opinion from a completely different person playing a completely different game. Yeah “classic fanboy” to anyone who bashes a subpar game and says a well designed one is good. Also your “reply to my complaints” are not good arguments dude.
1. Just because something is expected doesn’t mean it can’t still bring a new standard or inspire or do something groundbreaking, Mario 3, Mario 64, Galaxy 1, and 2 disprove your statement.
2. YES THAT IS A VERY BAD THING! Mario is Mario and Sonic is Sonic. There’s Mario written all over Lost World, from the gravity, to the planetoids, to the design, the Deadly Six (the Koopalings), Sonic Team even said that they were trying to appeal to the Mario crowd…evidence is all over it my friend. Also the level themes have never been as evident to copying off of Mario as these, the standard first level, then the sand levels, then the beach, then ice, then sky, then lava…come on! The older Sonic games had multiple themes going for a single level (ex. Marble Zone – Old ruins mixed with green grass and lava, you can straight up say oh it’s a fire level.) I’ll be honest and say 3&K started leaning on the Ice, Sand, and Fire levels, but you couldn’t correlate that to Mario games at the time because they were doing unique themes with their levels too! Not the same argument.
3. Let’s be brutally honest here…can you honest to God just press the boost button in Sonic Unleashed, Colors, Colors DS, Generations, Rush, or Rush Adventure to win? If you say yes then you obviously haven’t played those games. And I’ve done the infinite dash multiple times…it isn’t fast…
As much as I agree with everything else you’re saying, you’re wrong about the infinite dash. It IS fast, and it’s more than fast ENOUGH. The awful level design is the only thing holding it back.
Not fast enough for me at least. Especially like you said when the level design doesn’t allow for it. I’m not begging for the boost back or anything, but I just wasn’t impressed by its speed.