Sonic CD - A Retrospective

[@pokepress]

I like that the good future graphic design shows technology in harmony with nature to show that technology isn’t inherently bad.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

That too! Its a good message also, especially for the time. 😁

[@etonasama]

The definitive Sonic CD retrospective if you ask me.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Bless, I wouldn't say its the best, I certainly miss out a few things, but I appreciate it! 😊

[@etonasama]

@@RobotnikHolmes oh, well, I'm not sure what else there was to talk about. 'Twas a lengthy and in-depth look.

[@MaxAbramson3]

Some believe that this is the best sonic game ever. Strange that SEGA didn't upgrade this and bring this out as a Saturn launch title.

[@SpongeyBubby]

Just when I need to fuel my Sonic CD brainrot since March 🔥👍🏻

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Happy to help indulge the brainrot, bud! 😁

[@CSS-Tails_Forever]

Sonic CD was my first ever Sonic game and it'll truly always be the best Classic Sonic game of all time! Got yourself a subscriber btw!!

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Happy to have you onboard! 😁 It certainly is a good jumping on point.

[@hyuuint]

I have to mention, I love the use of (extremely) OG Digimon adventure data cards for enemies throughout these vids. Very highly appreciated.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Digimon Adventures and other 90s anime are my favourite vibes. 😊 Happy you noticed the referecne!

[@jonathanc.5609]

Funnily enough I'm doing my own personal Sonic games marathon and just finished CD, so this was a good video to watch after that. Didn't find your channel until the Sonic 2 8-bit video, but I've been enjoying it

[@RobotnikHolmes]

That's nice to hear, thank you for the comment. And enjoy your Sonic game marathon! 😁

[@lykins8]

Man your videos are always so good

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Thank you, I appreciate it a lot! I've come a long way since only focusing on comics. 🤭

[@alexandrpeterberg390]

Another thing about Sonic CD that is worth mentioning is its naming scheme for its zone. I mean just read the names of each zone and pay attention to the first letter, the initials. Some Sonic fangames would adopt Sonic CD naming scheme like Sonic Time Twisted, Sonic Before and After the Sequel, and Sonic and the Fallen Star.

[@Oysterblade84]

Very informative, well scripted and you have a comfortable voice to narrate the video. Enjoyed this from start to finish and really appreciate all the effort you put in on all aspects of this game, from the levels, music, game play and even the badniks. Looking forward to Sonic Chaos.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Many thanks for the support! I pride myself in how much I ramble about any odd details. 😆

[@shroomologist]

Had the most mindblowing moment ever playing this as a kid since I managed to play through it once or twice without realising that there were good future variants. One day I was messing around exploring Palmtree Panic, travelled to the future and before the graphics were revealed I heard what sounded like the present music (OG soundtrack) except it sounded slightly off. I was very confused until everything appeared on screen and the realisation hit me like a ton of bricks, I suddenly had a whole games worth of new content to explore. I've never had an experience quite like that from playing any other video game. Better than Sonic 2 imo. Sure Wacky Workbench is a weak point but as long as you don't try to speedrun it, it's not at all troublesome once you understand the gimmick. Conversely I find the entire last quarter of Sonic 2 incredibly dull and annoying. Also have to appreciate how the special stages in Sonic CD aren't a memory test like the first 2 games which is nice. The games only real downside is that it's too easy.

[@jaceybella1267]

I've been following your Tumblr for years and only just realized you have a KZbin channel... Anyway, you're so pleasant to listen to and it's really fun getting your perspective on the games!

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Bless, happy to know I'm still remembered there. 🤭 Happy to have you stay onboard, bud!

[@user-fm5ju3bb4o]

Fun fact: the time traveling mechanic was meant to be in sonic 2 but it was scrapped but they used it in sonic cd and the rest is history.

[@Skystar884]

As always, I really appreciate the thorough breakdown, and I love the shout outs to the OVA and Time Twisted in particular. I always found it fascinating how much the OVA seems inspired by so many elements of CD, yet simultaneously does so much of its own thing

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Thanks a lot for the kind comment! Of course, those two are super influenced by Sonic CD so I had to give a little shout-out. Will forever simp for the Sonic OVA no matter how narmy the jokes or English dub might be perceived. 😂

[@Kitarra7]

This Sonic seems like something I would have really enjoyed. Thank you for the upload and always, great video!

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Always a pleasure, Kitarra! Thank you for taking the time to watch me drone on about it for so long. 😊

[@OsartDamian]

In Collision Chaos the top part is not a mirror effect, is actually the earth, because Collision Chaos is supposed to be the most close part of Little to the earth Or I see it like that

[@RobotnikHolmes]

I suppose that makes sense! I imagine that would be quite a neat effect, if touched up a little. 🤭

[@johndavidhemby714]

I really loved this video, probably my favorite Sonic CD discussion video. This is one of my favorite Sonic games to play through for fun and wow the aesthetics are absolutely amazing nobody ever talks about Sonic CD’s aesthetics which is a shame because I love it, the detail is really nice, especially the special stage backgrounds and the music is just way too good. Personally I grew up with the US soundtrack and it’s grown on me, fun thing to check out btw is that there’s an album called Sonic Boom which has Sonic CD US Tracks but enhanced It’s pretty cool. Great presentation like always man and your editing is hilarious XD. Nice work buddy :)

[@RobotnikHolmes]

😊 Your comments make me smile! It is certainly the Sonic game with the most style so far, I also appreciate its aesthetics and personality that shows in the music and visuals. I did discover some songs from that album I believe, they are a little longer than the original tracks too! Happy you enjoy the vid, bud. ✨

[@luhyzi5012]

From its debut to now, this game has always been been awesome and unforgettable

[@jamestheredenginefan5268]

Palmtree Panic's Past theme closely resembles the song Lambada by Koama which released in 1989. The theme for me always reminded me of the ocean as I lived near south padre island when I was a kid and would often go there on school break.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Such a nice memory and awesome that the songs connect you to it! 😊

[@SujakuuClips]

Wow this is such a great retrospective for Sonic CD. I just finished it again recently and wanted to hear people talk about it but the others I watched definitely weren't as detailed nor as thorough as this one.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Thank you very much for the kind comment, and for enjoying the vid 😊 I pride myself in covering just about everything I can!

[@OsartDamian]

My favorite sonic game ❤

[@SonicntZane]

holy shit i had no idea the zones were called rounds in this game. that's a pretty clear inspiration for ristar, then. makes me wonder if that was a common naming scheme in japan.

[@PhilipMurphy8Extra]

Sonic CD retrospective is a interesting video

[@KISSArmygroupie]

Fantastic video! Over the years, I've learned to appreciate Sonic CD more for all of the risks that it took. And I hope to get the soundtrack on vinyl at some point! If I can find it for a reasonable price. 😅

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Many thanks! I agree, the game is truly unique and took a lot of risks that really paid off. 😁 Fingers crossed on vinyls being cheaper for ya!

[@fireballstardraco]

Very very good and wonderful facts here, I love how detailed you go into them and best part you explain clearly into them, and you did such an awesome look in to my top favourite Sonic game too, bravo Funny enough I was playing this the other month back and had been trying to get good futures for all of the characters, but looking back at the Sega CD's era of this it was something that blew me away, music was one of the biggest things that hit me with this

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Thanks a lot! It was a fun game to go in depth on. 😁

[@fireballstardraco]

@@RobotnikHolmes Anytime and it is a fun game, even though some may say about level design and time mechanics being a bad idea, which I can understand, but personally I love those ideas :D

[@ChristopherJohnDurbin]

Great stuff. Looking forward to sonic chaos!

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Thanks a lot! I'm looking forward to talking about it. 😊

[@jonathanaust8688]

I remember getting this game when I was about 12 or 13. I had finally got a mega cd. The mega cd 2 pack with road avenger when it came down in price. Always looked a bit odd having it attached to a mega drive 1. I played sonic CD loads completing it loads. One thing you didn’t mention if you do the time attack mode under a certain time (not sure how quick) you unlocked a mode when you can view the planet where you can rotate it and zoom in etc. it looks like the loading screen from the PC port you showed takes an image from that.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Awesome you had the original Sonic CD! My bad on missing out the requirements for unlocking the DA Garden (sound test), though I did show that feature from the iOS version at least. 😁

[@Infindox]

I I did the Big E to play Sonic CD for the first time and I had legit nightmares about the boss theme in the US version. I was convinced I got a bad version!

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Experiences like that really make you think things like Sonic.EXE could actually happen. 😂

[@trzy]

I first played this game with the US sound track in 1996 (the PC version), so I generally prefer it. Having listened to both, I think it wins overall. Sonic Boom > Toot Toot (ugh) Sonic Warrior (bleh). I do prefer the Japanese Palm Panic music. Quartz Quadrant, Tidal Tempest, and Quartz Quadrant in the US version are particularly good.

[@P5dfsf64g36]

32:58 it's also presumed that GamePro is just trying to cash in the import business as from what I heard their parent company is an import company, I don't know the accuracy of this rumor but it would make sense as endorsing the Japanese Sonic CD would boost their company's revenue, also from what I recalled they seem to failed to mentioned that the PAL release share the same OST as the JP one which doubles down on the import revenue they're going for. What doesn't help for me is that most fans only think of the boss theme and the game over theme when they think of the US ost.

[@cinnamondan4984]

As an American I am nostalgic for the US OST, but I prefer the original soundtrack overall as it has Sonic Adventure vibes.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

It certainly fits more in line with the rest of the series' musical library!

[@Flare8295]

How do you do the Super Peel Out?

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Oh right, should have mentioned that. 😅 Instead of the down button and jump, its the up button to do it!

[@Flare8295]

@@RobotnikHolmes So similar to the Spindash only up instead of down?

[@RobotnikHolmes]

@@Flare8295 Yep! Though you can only do it in certain games like this one. Happy gaming! 🙂

[@Flare8295]

@@RobotnikHolmes Ight thanks for the info bro

[@mattyboy2024]

Sorry but I played this one for the 1st time the other month & disliked it on multiple levels. But still found this a quite interesting retrospective. & If we all had the same opinions a boring world it would certainly be ha

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Everyone has different outlooks and experiences! I appreciate your comment and for being open to other's opinions on video games. 😁

[@saladplainzone]

23:50 called what.........

[@RobotnikHolmes]

SALAD PLAIN REAL ✨

[@danielmm8842]

I ve alawys thought (since the 90s) Sonic CD is clearly before Sonic 2. No Tails, no spin dash, no 7 chaos emeralds and very similar to Sonic 1. So yeah in this case Sega got the chronology right.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

I believe so too! Still kinda funny that Dr. Robotnik dabbles in time travel so early in the series chronologically. 😂

[@richardwithanarr]

all those words, yet not one mention of castle dracula, the titular cd. I remember playing symphony of the night and figuring that out. loading hallways, I also figured out. the no music cd room where songs changed. very clever. (I think I stumbled into the wrong retro series video.)

[@RobotnikHolmes]

I believe so. 😂 My thanks for the SegaCD knowledge though!

[@garethLLB]

I don't hate the US soundtrack per se, but they kept the past soundtracks from the Japanese version so it's no longer as seamless in style. Luckily in the UK we got the original soundtrack.

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Wonder if someday someone writes original songs for the US soundtrack's past themes... 🤭

[@garethLLB]

@@RobotnikHolmes That would be really interesting. I understand why they couldn't change the past music when the game was originally released as it was hard coded into the game, as opposed to the rest of the soundtrack which was CD audio. Although I have seen a very early Japanese Sonic CD beta where the past music was CD audio too.

[@Flare8295]

16:11 Hilarious

[@RobotnikHolmes]

One of my favourite edits. 😁 Hope you enjoy later one!

[@Yousef77077]

Cute avatar

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Thank you! I've had 'im for a while. 😁

[@Turai12]

No matter how many times I try I just can't get into this game 😢

[@RobotnikHolmes]

Don't worry, not every game is for everyone. 😂

[@rudygrullon7915]

1st

[@RobotnikHolmes]

🤓