Sonic the Hedgehog Retrospective

[@PANICBLADE]

Gf heard me watching this and said, "Turn that incredibly velvety voice off for a minute and decide where you want to eat."

[@gabrieltorres6633]

PANICBLADE tfw no gf smh gonna kms

[@browsertab]

Is Gf Internet slang for "yo momma"?

[@schlimetime4938]

hahahaha

[@xcidgaf]

''let's tune in to KingK's Dm's folks''

[@SirCash.]

thejobloshow no

[@GeekCritique]

Yep, I pretty much completely agree with what you said, and this is coming from someone who played Sonic 1 as his second mainline Sonic game. What I think it proves more than anything else is that Sonic's level design is, contrary to popular "hold right to win" opinion, rather difficult to get RIGHT. The team spent way longer on Green Hill Zone than they did anything else, and it shows. Aside from Marble Zone though, I don't really think the rest of the game is BAD, it's just spotty. I even like Labyrinth more than a lot of people. But the rest of the zones certainly don't showcase the potential of the gameplay that Green Hill did, and Sonic never would have been the hit that it was without that spectacular first level.

[@benox50]

Both of you know how to review sonic properly, I love you

[@train4292]

Hey josh where's prime2!?

[@edgarromero6484]

I read this with your voice. I feel like I got a mini review from it. Love it.

[@casedistorted]

Sonic 1 was my first game as I saw it as a kid right after it came out. Blew my goddamn mind after playing Mario on Nintendo...

[@Okla_Soft]

Sonic 1 blew my mind as a 6 year-old and it was the reason I was a genesis owner long before I ever got a super nes.

[@zayray4283]

Gotta admit that Labyrinth zones music is freaking great lol

[@tveye363]

Isaiah Mack all of it is amazing. As dull as Marble Zone is I love the theme.

[@dvirarazi7351]

Isaiah Mack As much as I don't like Marble Zone's level design, it's ironically my second favorite zone in the game just because of the music

[@Torthrodhel]

It's pretty nice, though I do prefer Spring Yard, one of my favourites out of all the games. Actually I think the music I like the least in Sonic 1 is Green Hill, but yeah the way the level is (as a starter level) absolutely makes up for it.

[@BraveSirRobin-hx2eq]

Labyrinths is absolutely catchy, but I adore Scrap Brain's theme the most. Love the stage too.

[@kimifur]

To me, the music for Labyrinth IS Sonic music. Like, it's the piece I think of when I think of Sonic music. That, and of course the "iconic" levels of Green Hill (Sonic 1) and Emerald Hill (Sonic 2).

[@relaxalax]

As usual, I agree with most of your points. I've always disliked this Classic Sonic game the most but understand why it had it's appeal. All I'm saying is thank goodness Green Hill's appeal was so good that it basically carried the series to a sequel, Sonic 3 and so on. And I love me some Sonic 3 so I'm excited for your thoughts once you get there!

[@BreezeEase]

RelaxAlax hey alax wanna play smash 3ds

[@SuperHns]

Classic Sonic are the bomb.

[@train4292]

It's the guy I soobed too!

[@train4292]

Who wants a 2.5D classic sonic game?!

[@diceLibrarian]

RelaxAlax Hey Alax

[@ZioBlader]

For me Marble Zone was a training ground where I learned to carefully handle Sonic's momentum while jumping. It was a strict learning experience but nowadays I have no problems judging his jumps by his speed and my own button imputs. Labyrinth Zone nails this to player's head by making you figure out these challenges with different kind of gravity and acceleration (you also have an underwater time limit). These are not fun levels to play and they are outright chores even when you have mastered them. But they teach elements of Sonic-controls that other levels don't capitalize, challenges other levels don't really punish you that harshly or force you to focus on and actually learn well. I want to think that my struggles in Marble Zone helped me in the long run and gave me a reason to not just "go" in every single level but learn to appreciate the skill ceiling of Sonic's movement. I want to think that hellhole helped me to control Sonic's jump better, waiting and block pushing aside.

[@jacobmonks3722]

That's a rather unique perspective. It's interesting to think that Marble Zone, of all things, was what taught people how to properly control Sonic. But that still doesn't excuse Scrap Brain Zone Act 3.

[@bityoshii]

That was kinda similar to my experience, Marble Zone made me learn Sonic’s controls and made my fingers move a control stick with much more ease, back when I was 8 I always had to look at my 3DS circle pad (which is what I had at the time) now I never even look at the circle pad (leftstick/rightstick) and movement in video games is like riding a bike, I was terrible at controlling the player character but Marble Zone made me much better at it

[@McCoy-00]

I always thought both zones were so jarring when compared. I think people don’t like it because the levels are so different. That’s just my opinion though, say what you will

[@lizardrancher]

This is an incredibly hot take but I'd agree. The biggest issues with this game I think are just the devs, like he said, not reallly knowing what was up yet besides going for a faster better mario. I can't trash on sonic 1 that much even if it doesn't hold up.

[@GeekCritique]

...welp, that'll be my Retro Studios season delayed by another 23 minutes and 39 seconds! :D I already know I'm gonna love this. Thank you!

[@nibot2101]

Hi the geek critique

[@browsertab]

I'll repeat this because it highlights how Sonic is not necessarily about finishing the level as quickly as possible: Sonic's speed was originally implemented as a means of speeding up repeat playthroughs. Sonic came out when very few games featured a save system so Sonic Team designed the game so that return players can quickly race through early stages and the reach the complicated stages sooner. You were never meant to blindly push right to win until you were familiar with these levels. This comes straight from interviews with the original dev team.

[@train4292]

That maybe true but does anyone really want too Go through Marble zone and Especially Labyrinth zone over and over and over again?

[@browsertab]

That's exactly my point. This is also why the level select cheat is easy to perform in Sonic 1 but difficult in Sonic 3 (when a save system was introduced).

[@train4292]

Craig Adams Keep in mind this comment was 2 years ago

[@Im2lazy4thisCrit]

Yeah, a lot of people don’t understand that Memorization is a huge part of Sonic Games. You can’t just play a Sonic game for the first time and expect to be good at it/like it.

[@vonmeanshope98]

It's sad how many people think every sonic game sucks, or that it was never good. It's definitely had its rough patches, but I still love the great titles in the series.

[@Haedox]

Agreed 100%

[@vonmeanshope98]

Haedox Almost as underrated as Garfield Kart

[@kirbywordy]

agreed, haedox can you plz make a video on disability and gaming? i have cerebral palsy

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

As a child, I always enjoyed Marble Zone and Labyrinth Zone. As an adult, I have been diagnosed with several disturbing mental conditions. I believe the two are related. But seriously, Sonic 1 caught my interest for reasons other than "gotta go fast". I'd never even heard of it, or the Genesis, but one day it was on a playable display at an electronics store, and it drew me in on a purely artistic level; the looks, the sounds, the style. So, when I got to Marble Zone, and it was soooo much different than "that first place that was so cool", I was just floored. I didn't even have to keep playing to know I *needed* this game. That's right, the reason I begged my parents to get me a Genesis for Christmas was the first screen of Marble Zone. The crusher hit boxes are strange? More like *absolutely horrifying*. The three terrors of classic Sonic: Drowning, The Abyss, and Crushers. I wasn't kidding about Labyrinth, though, but again that's probably because of my odd approach as a child. I liked whenever a water level or an ice level showed up in a game. It always gave me that feeling like I had really gained an understanding of how to move as the game character and how to master the terrain, only to be faced with an entirely new challenge that questions all of that. Honestly, I'm thinking of doing a video about my weird enjoyment of the things in this game that everyone else is put off by. Like the special stage! I was so genuinely surprised to find out that people dislike it. I understand and agree with the complaints about there not being enough access to the thing, but actually playing it has always been a literal hobby for me. Well, at least we can all agree that the spike bug is a thorn in our collective side. Eh? Eeeeeh? :D

[@TheBeird]

It's odd; sitting alongside my parents, my brother and my sister, this game is among the earliest memories I can recall. I suppose that's why Mania actually made me a bit emotional. Nice review

[@smugshrug]

for a game from 1991 and the first iteration of sonic this is a pretty harsh retrospective. although it's impossible to look at this game without the perspective we have on the evolution of sonic and platforming in general, it's still a very important game and was a solid and groundbreaking game for its time.

[@jonmayer]

It what happens when you started with Sonic and Knuckles. There is a lack of history with the analysis.

[@Speedojesus]

If a game isn't that great it isn't that great. Doesn't matter how innovative it was, sure they were great, but you have to recognize I'm talking in past tense, just because something was good for the time, it doesn't mean it is now. It's like Guitar Hero, the first and second were considered ground breaking and were like nothing else, but now are dwarfed in comparison to every other game that's come afterwards, just like Pokemon Red and Blue and Super Mario Bros 1. These WERE great games, but playing them once you have access to much better things starts to show you the cracks.

[@jmac79ers]

Agreed, retrospective reviews could go one of two ways it seems. Depends on which side of the metaphorical coin you were born on. Wait .....what did I just say?

[@rooty]

All his retrospectives are complaining that the Model T Ford doesn't have satnav, aircon, and electric windows.

[@jacobmonks3722]

@@rooty That's false. He complains even about newer games like Breath of the Wild and Metroid Prime that do have a lot of modern standards. Granted, he has a good reason to complain since these games do lack in some areas, at least in his opinion.

[@Haedox]

23:00 You're stupid. Okay, no... this was a really good and entertaining analysis. Your bit about the fact that Green Hill Zone is so iconic is one of the reasons it gets on people's nerves when they see it is something I haven't thought of. Keep it up!

[@tootsie_]

Hey look it's that other guy who made Sonic videos after Mania!

[@sleepiv1]

oh shit look it's Haedox!

[@kirbywordy]

hey look its an irrelevant reply plz check out my channel lolz miiverse is dying

[@megatronman2783]

youre're

[@marioandluigiplushgang6333]

Haedox you're my favorite KZbin channel to watch. :)

[@AnkfordPlays]

I think the music of Marble Zone being so good is what made it never bother me much, though I do admit it can get very annoying if you're antsy and just want a free hour of nonsense gaming fun

[@doomexe]

The Sonic 2 special stages are some of my favorite bonus stages in any game, especially the music. I don't know if growing up with a Super NES instead of a Genesis impacts what aspects of Sonic games I like or dislike but Sonic 2's special stage song is right up there with the bonus game song from Super Mario World for me.

[@Time_Fire199]

Sonic fan: So, KingK, how do you feel about the original Sonic the Hedgehog? KingK: I like Green Hill Zone.

[@GarArtStudios]

People think it's weird to dislike Sonic 1, or not prefer it? That's weird, I feel like most Sonic fans agree that it's iconic but the most rusty of all the 2D Sonic games. Imo Sonic 2 massively improved on Sonic 1 and 3&K is the pinnacle of Sonic 2D games and honestly probably even 2D platformers overall. Great video, man. Subscribed; I really dig the points you made here. It actually helped me realize exactly what bugged me about these games that I wasn't even aware of. Well done, dude! Also I like your voice.

[@Epsilonsama]

Sonic 1 while flawed is certainly not a bad game. On the time of it's release it was a revolutionary game. While it's not my favorite Classic Sonic game I can still beat it with all Chaos Emeralds and no game overs.

[@DrMadd]

Just for the lols I watched a good chunk of the video post labyrinth zone in 0.5 speed. It was surreal.

[@noahmadera2258]

Me too.

[@epicesteban123]

Boy I took it to the next step and put it on .25 speed and it’s fucking Nirvana

[@hsproject1339]

Noah Madera i

[@dmas7749]

1-up'd you by watching entire vid in 0.5x speed

[@SnoozeYaLose]

I feel that if Marble Zone was designed more like Aquatic Ruin, where slowing the player down was used as a punishment (perhaps using the waiting-based platforming only when a player falls from a higher path) it would be a lot better. The waiting-based platforming itself is not the issue, but the fact that there is no faster route to take hurts the level immensely.

[@WritingOnGames]

Love this good video from the Burger King Himself

[@KingKlonoa]

+Writing on Games what are you on about

[@VanArtic]

there's a revision of the genesis version that fixes the spike bug; so yeah it is indeed a bug

[@RoadStuffUK]

I was under the impression that it was a deliberate choice the devs made, and then they changed their minds about it.

[@ApocalypticSalad]

That revision of the game was created for the emulated console collections of the 2000's, though the spike behaviour had previously been changed for Sonic Jam on Saturn. In terms of the original development of the games, the "spike bug" remained until midway through the development of Sonic 2, so it seems like it was intentional for whatever reason.

[@jap6676]

@@ApocalypticSalad I think the mega drive version doesn't have it.

[@electricmastro]

6:17 I've never understood why some people think that Sonic always has to be about running and shouldn't have platforming and exploration. If it were like that, then it would likely resemble those endless runner games for iPhone like Temple Run. If anything ,the parts leaving you wanting to go faster build up anticipation and makes it all the more satisfying when you do go faster. A pace breaker, yes, but a necessary one for the sake of inclining one to appreciate the faster parts more.

[@KingKlonoa]

electricmastro I've argued this very notion in the video, is that what you're responding to I'm unclear lol

[@electricmastro]

Lol, no, I was just expanding upon what I had thought done in the comments despite you elaborating it on the video. Sorry if I had seemed like I was repeating what you said verbatim. That wasn't my intention.

[@SuperGamer61499]

I think it's that whole mentality of, "Sonic just being a game where you go fast and that's it" without a 2nd thought or consideration for the other 2 big design pillars of Sonic. In fact, the classic games were far from that mentality. Yes, you can go fast and speed is a risk vs reward system in the classics but it's like saying in Mario all you do is jump on enemies. Sure, it's not wrong technically but it doesn't 100% accurately describe the game nor tell you anything beyond surface level. I think what makes the Classics still good is that Speed is not just something given to you but rather you have to earn it through skillful play and through understanding Sonic's mechanics.

[@KingKlonoa]

electricmastro no no, I thought you were implying that I held that viewpoint which is why I was confused. Now I'm on the same page lol

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Sonic Mania pretty much adds the genius of Green Hill's level design to all the levels.

[@JonGon005]

I'm waiting for a Steam release of Sonic 1 and 2 just as eagerly as you are King. If the drastic improvements you and ExoParadigmGamer were that impactful on those two game, just imagine how much closer to perfection S3&K would be, especially if they give you the versatile options and customizations Sonic 3 Complete has.

[@dvirarazi7351]

Sonic 3 Complete is amazing! A modern remake on Retro Engine for Steam would be a dream come true

[@GIR177]

I can play Sonic 1 and 2 on my HDTV with Amazon Fire, controller support and all. It is weird they hadn't gotten Steam releases like Sonic CD though.

[@SuperHns]

ehm there is the Sega Mega Drive collection, which plays via steam and is epic. You and Exopara gamer are a bunch of noobs, there is nothing wrong with Sonic 1 and 2,

[@KuraIthys]

Having had the recent chance to compare Sonic 2 from the Mega Drive collection on steam vs Sonic 2 on an actual mega drive, I can tell you that the emulated versions... Are kind of a pain in places. They're just less... Responsive than the real thing. Everything feels more finicky. Less precise. Less... Predictable. The emulation process introduces at least a frame's worth of additional latency, and it really shows sometimes.

[@ChazzzyF]

You've just articulated what I've felt about Sonic 1 for years, right down to the mobile port being a straight upgrade from the original, even with the touch controls.

[@MariusUrucu]

The mobile port of Sonic 1 made me appreciate the game more and classic Sonic as a whole for that matter. :)

[@SuperGamer61499]

To be fair, if you're gonna play any version of Sonic 1, the Christian Whitehead port might as well be the one you play.

[@jordyjohnathan5123]

I cannot begin to tell you how happy and excited I am to see your analysis and thoughts on the classic Sonic games!

[@EvilCoffeeInc]

Great video! I've been working on one of these for the original five games myself, and it's reassuring to see that you identified the same issues with Sonic 1 as I did. Your explanation of why Green Hill is a good stage puts a finger on a lot of things I hadn't considered.

[@Topplethepyramid]

Not the REAL Sonic the Hedgehog what you're playing here. The original didn't have the spin dash in it.

[@Harrinsain]

He does bring that up when talking about the mobile port

[@Dredhawk10]

I have the REAL Sonic the Hedgehog with a Console to play it on same goes for Sonic 2 3 and knuckles. Last I checked I still have my Saves from Sonic 3 and Knuckles. With Hyper Sonic,Hyper Knuckles and Super Tales. with all chaos emeralds and Super Emeralds. Some time I miss being a Kid.

[@rileyk5228]

Ok good, I'm not the only one who was confused there

[@shonen_x_trash2488]

I groaned when I saw he was playing the steam port... such awful controls I wondered "was it always this bad?" I booted up "sonic mega collection" on PS2 and no... that's just a shit port.

[@johnsother2440]

This was definitely a sharp video. I would also like to note that a factor I believe helped in your added enjoyment in Sonic 1 mobile would be the remastered physics/controls; Sonic now has a flow to match his odd weight, and this is accentuated with the removal of the speed cap. I know for a fact that was a big reason I started loving the port, so just wanted to point it out.

[@Furluge]

4:41 Note for anyone who has not noticed it the original has no spin dash so doing that is a bit trickier.

[@McCoy-00]

KingK sounds drunk and high if you play the video at 0.5 or 0.25. It’s pretty funny to listen to.

[@ChubbspringleExtra]

Very in-depth analysis! I always love watching how you analyze games and break them down from each individual level. The break-down for Green Hill is one of the best I've ever seen. You really brought to life some of the things great about Sonic level design, while also using those points to criticize Sonic 1.

[@moetthepoet]

I actually loved the Marble Zone, and I definitely prefer the special bonus stagss from Sonic 1 over Sonic 2. I use to be able to get all the chaos emeralds when I was a teenager.

[@karkrash81]

You articulate your thoughts so well about sonic 1. I feel almost exactly the same way. Well done!

[@lizardrancher]

this was the first game i ever played and the thing that saves this game and gets me to replay it decades later is that even the worst levels like labyrinth have killer music

[@GamerWho]

I assume we all know about the early alternate route in Scrap Brain Act 3, that essentially lets you skip most of the level?

[@StiffAftermath]

5:39 - finally, someone who shares my sentiments. Technically, this is my fave stage in ANY game. I think it is mechanically, artistically, audibly perfect. And Classic Sonic is my fave character design ever! I am jealous, being an artist and intermediary game designer. 26 years later, and I'm still striving for that kind of emotional fidelity and design! BTW, I love the intentional slow pickup speed that Sonic exhibits. Good for platforming on small footholds.

[@Diablokiller999]

I think I'm the only one on the planet that actually likes Marble Zone and even Labyrinth Zone. But maybe it has something to do with the feeling of exploring this game as a kid and the achievement I felt everytime I beat a level. The best thing is also the music, damn is the star light zone theme catchy!

[@HubPie3]

While watching this video, I couldn't help but think back to a previous conversation I had with an old friend. We were talking about the Classic Sonic games, and he said that he thought Sonic 1 was a bad game. I was kinda shocked when I heard him say that, if only because it's an opinion that I rarely see. After that conversation, I started to think about Sonic 1, the Genesis version anyway. I have played the mobile port, and while it is the definitive version of Sonic 1, the touch controls never stuck with me. I thought back to my original few playthroughs of Sonic 1 back in 2009 and 2010, when I was first exposed to the series outside of one episode of Sonic X. I remember those playthroughs having some serious ups and downs and all arounds. The best way I could metaphorically describe Sonic 1, is that it's a roller coaster of emotions. For every high point (Green Hill, Spring Yard, Star Light, etc), there's always a low point, most of which comes down to the linear one-track mind of the other 3 Zones and the questionable enemy placement. I won't say that Sonic 1 is bad; I think it's fairly decent, but if you were to ask me if Sonic 1 is a good starting point... I would say "no." Yes, the mobile version does solve most if not all the problems of the original Genesis version, but I'd personally recommend Sonic 2 to start out with, if only because it takes everything Sonic 1 tried to do, and does it a lot better. Sonic 1 is a decent game overall, but it's a bit of a hard sell, since I think all the Classic games (sans Sonic 4) are better than Sonic 1.

[@dustynvega]

I love your content. You provide amazing analysis paired with in-depth explanations and reasoning. Keep up the good work!

[@AlexTCGProYT]

Amazing video, can't wait for your Sonic 2 retrospective

[@supermariosonicadventures3927]

AlexTCGPro sONIC 2 BONUS VIDEO

[@johnmraz4332]

I subbed because of the mass effect joke. Couldn't help but laugh at that one. Stumbled onto your channel at random and I love the original 3 sonics. They were my childhood.

[@zayray4283]

Your analysis is so in depth that i might just use this topic as a fun debate in my debate class lol

[@smeagle3295]

Definitely an emulated version. There is no speed dash in Sonic 1.

[@alexstone5410]

I believe one of the hallmarks of a truly excellent retrospective is being able to disagree with the author on specific points without considering them “wrong.” You may not fully agree, but the points are well thought out and expertly backed. Your retrospectives are all that and more. Appreciate the point of view.

[@EeveeEuphoria]

As a long time Sonic fan (that loves the classics to death), I've always questioned why everyone latched onto Sonic 1. I've always known it as just the first game that needed to be ironed out with a sequel or two. Glad to see someone else shares a somewhat similar opinion.

[@happyspaceinvader508]

Well, I can't really fault anything you say in the video, EXCEPT: Well, all your criticisms feel a bit weak to anyone who was there in 1991 (I was 19) playing this game for the first time. Widescreen displays simply weren't a thing - we were used to the field of view. We played video games in spite of (sometimes deliberately for) those painful and unfair difficulty levels. Bouncing off an enemy onto spikes and starting again, or falling to a bottomless pit we couldn't possibly have seen, just kept us coming back for more. Playing most video games from the late 70s to early 90s was an exercise in memorising levels and enemy patterns. For the hardcore, it was the entire point and both what we expected and demanded. And, good grief, if you'd been brought up on the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, games like Sonic were a breeze! Green Hill Zone was only ever a "training level" to introduce you to Sonic's unique momentum based controls. After that, the real game begins. Marble Hill Zone, to me, felt like a welcome change of style and pace. I love the Labyrinth Zone because it was the first game to use (what felt like) realistic water physics. And that swirly effect in the background, and the clever palette swapping! You probably take that kind of thing for granted these days. And it just felt that the graphics kept getting better, all the way to the end. Yes, though, that final rehash of Labyrinth with purple water... that was poor. Also, why is the mechanic of pushing a block onto a switch introduced once, only to never be used again? It's important to note that when Sonic 2 was released, it was absolutely lambasted and ridiculed for being "dumbed down for the masses"; way too easy and short (I particularly remember the Gamesmaster episode that completely trashed it, saying it could be completed in just over an hour). But, great video... it's brilliant to see someone take the time to do such an in-depth analysis and, as I said initially, I can't really disagree with any of your points.

[@TheWeedLorax]

I really like marble zone. It's never taken me longer than 5 minutes or so to beat, and the music is pretty good too (maybe it's just nostalgia)

[@Mdurham6890]

So, what I am hearing is I want sonic to be fast and don't like running into enemies. But I don't want it to be too easy. "I wish it was more like Mario."

[@remarkablezeal9568]

There's something charming about listening to KingK's Sonic Retrospectives at 2.0 speed, then turning it to 0.5 to laugh hysterically while he bashes Labyrinth Zone.

[@blealleal7676]

In all actuality, the whole idea about the nonlinear platforms that are more natural is for level contrast, as the more the game goes on, the flatter the geometry gets. Do you know why this is? Because of the fact that the further you get, the more technological it gets

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I knew something was fishy when I saw Sonic doing a spin dash in Sonic 1.

[@BrokenAce1295]

I can understand the critique about levels like Marble zone being a pace breaker, but I still didn't mind Marble or Labyrinth zone. Those two levels are simply a change of pace meant to make it clear that you can't always go mindlessly fast in this game. That's one of the main things about the classics where first and foremost, they're platformers. Sonic's focus is on platforming and exploration, not speed. There are moments where you're free to utilize the game's momentum-based physics and pull off crazy stunts in Green Hill, Spring Yard and Starlight zone (my personal favorite stage), but there are other moments where you need to slow down like in Marble, Labyrinth and Scrap Brain zone. This is the case for all platformers after all where you have stages where you need to slow down and not make careless mistakes. Sonic is no different. It's pretty much why I personally like Sonic 1 a bit more than Sonic 2. Sonic 1 doesn't allow you to simply speed-run or have all the levels after Green Hill zone be easy to speed through. It's mostly a slow-paced, platforming focused game unlike Sonic 2. If all the levels were simply Green Hill zone where you're easily able to run through the level with not much difficulty, it would get stale and be too easy if you ask me. That's probably why Yuji Naka thought pace breakers like Marble zone were a good idea to begin with and I support that design choice. Nevertheless, I respect your thoughts and really enjoyed this retrospective video. I look forward to your future ones, KingK.

[@Mauricio_Magus]

Fantastic video, I hope that with Sonic Mania being a success we finally get Sonic 1,2,CD, and 3&K on PC/consoles with the mobile port quality. It would be beyond amazing.

[@tommyjones1357]

Bro, you complain about the challenges that made the old games good and unlike modern games. Imagine a day where you were stuck with that cartridge and you couldnt just download games. You had to appreciate every challenge and it felt good to beat it. Thanks for the video

[@derflerp538]

I have been playing Sonic games since my toddler hands were capable of holding a controller, and you and I have a startlingly similar take on just about every Sonic game. It's really cool, honestly.

[@RosySquiggle]

Nicely put together here KingK. I remember playing the Sonic Mega Collection years ago, enjoying everything about Sonic 2 and 3, I rarely go back to the first one. Every so often just for those select stages to scratch that itch.

[@Ehal256]

If I remember correctly, the spike bug might only be in an early version.

[@Kuzamer]

Fantastic analysis, dude. Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the first games I've played. It's an extremely archaic game, but it did a great job laying down the ground work for it's future Sonic's three sequels (Sonic 3 & Knuckles is still the GOAT, imo) and is a fun game in it's own right.

[@MegaReedX]

Monkey D. "Straw Hat" Luffy I agree I'm hoping mania 2 has nothing but original stages then sonic 3 and knuckles may be surpassed

[@Kuzamer]

American Burger Gamer Agreed big time.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

I started with Sonic 2 which I still love to this day, but no matter how many times I try the original it just doesn't click with me. :/

[@ocha-time]

Awesome retrospective, really enjoyed your points of view. For me, I found enjoyment in Labyrinth with the tunes and the tension; it was underwater, the air supply was tight and it was a challenge. It always ate my continues when I'd play at a friend's house and it'd piss me off, but leaving it behind felt glorious. Even the worst stages in the original games stay with me better than the better stages from modern games (Mania aside, that was a pretty tight experience and I loved the boss touch-ups and re-tooling)

[@TheProphetMusico]

Ah, one of the few KZbin masters has blessed us with his analysis yet again. 👍

[@Nay089]

Great video as always and this time all criticism was extremely fair. I'm a little surprised you didn't touch on the music outside of Green Hill. Labyrinth Zone might be a miserable time but that is one of the funkiest Genesis beats!

[@cozyshiro]

I loved this retrospective.... I love your rather calm voice even more!!

[@wileecoyotegenius5955]

Sonic 1 has always been pretty nostalgic for me. I grew up with Heroes and Adventure 2 as my introduction to this series, and my first contact with the classics was via the Mega Collection. Since Sonic 1 was the first game on the list, it was the first one I played. It was the first time I saw Sonic's shorter, chubbier design, and the old art style, and the twangy Genesis music. I think it was also the first game I played where you couldn't save your progress. I remember using a level select code from Nintendo Power as a makeshift save system. I remember speeding forward in Green Hill and always dying at the same parts. I remember how mysterious and unattainable the Chaos Emeralds were, and how hard Labyrinth Zone was, and how immersive, dark and imposing the atmosphere of the game was. I don't remember much of Sonic 1, but the memories I do have are quite strong. Sonic 1 was certainly not the perfect incarnation of the Classic Sonic formula, but I've always had a fondness for this game despite its flawed design choices. Even at its worst it's a solid platformer, and at its best its a damn good time. I'll always cherish it as the introduction to one of my all-time favorite series of 2D platformers.

[@benox50]

Sonic 1 is just sad Your toned down voice moments are simply amazing: "unexciting" "difficult "welcome"

[@colefitzpatrick8431]

I always thought Scarp Brain Zone was well designed, unlike Marble and Labyrinth, because it was a typical "Super Hard Final Level" that was so common in retro games like this. It's not supposed to be "fun", it's supposed to be tense and ominous, hence the intense percussion used in the music. Sonic's design philosophy is opposed to waiting challenges, as you said, but given the worrying nature of being in Robotnik's lair, the last stand, it works here to have the player wait though difficult level portions when it feels like their heart is about to burst out of their chests. It's not above the occasional cheap shot here and there, unfortunately, but overall it does a good job at testing the player's ability to control Sonic through winding and sprawling conveyor belts and giant buzzsaws. I would argue that the Final Boss, however, is a bit of a disappointment, especially with the Spin Dash added. It's too easy, you have plenty of reaction time to get away from a slow moving crushing platform, when Sonic has the ability to run out of the way at such a high speed. Bar Labyrinth, every boss takes 8 hits to defeat, the Final Zone should have upped it to 10 or 12, given how much bigger it is than the other bosses. Also, in the beginning of Scrap Brain Zone Act 3, try running off the first platform with the pillars for a SUPER handy shortcut that bypasses what feels like 60% of the level, if you really can't stand it that much.

[@maforo85]

Lol some of the criticism is totally unnecessary. Its the only Sonic game that balances well speed and platforming. Its very pure in its gameplay. The level design was great, had aspects of exploration. I never, and still dont, complained about this game or the difficulty back in the 90s. Its a very memorable game overal.

[@shellder_gaming]

Fun fact: The level progression in Sonic 1 was completely different before being changed to the current version. It would have started at the tropical coast of Green Hill, to the underwater ruins of Labyrinth, to the castle/temples of Marble, to the highways of Star Light, to the city of Spring Yard, and to the factories of Scrap Brain. It was supposed to go from 0% technological to 100% technological. But the team realized that Labyrinth zone was way too hard for a second level. So they changed the level order to the one we know today.

[@Lune525]

I never could get past Labyrinth as a kid, but for some reason that makes me like it cause of the nostalgic. Also the special stage rings didn't appear in scrap brain cause of memory limitations with the game.

[@seanclark6438]

Zones like Marble Zone get very frustrating like that bit in Chemical Plant 2 where you have to race the liquid up the moving blocks

[@e-122psi3]

I will say that Scrap Brain Zone 3 is actually a much brisker and better designed take on Labyrinth, since it has a variation of routes and areas, and an experienced player can actually breeze through the level very quickly, only having to suffer water for a short amount of time. It's ironically a lot more like a labyrinth in terms of design, while Labyrinth itself is usually pretty linear outside the occasional extra route.

[@PigeonLord21]

Super late here, but I love that you address the fact that Sonic is about going as fast as possible ALL THE TIME. That attitude has landed us in the overuse of the boost formula we are in now. While fun at first, it just feels soulless to just be blasting along with nothing hindering you.

[@charlesboucher2370]

When I was 6 my step grandfather came to visit us and gave me and my brother our first console, A Sega Genesis, and the first 3 Sonic games. It was amazing

[@Dibdab9303]

Marble zone sucks but the music is popping. Edit: Actually, all the bad areas have great music in the first sonic. Huh.

[@5688gamble]

Spike thing in Marble slowing you down? Don't want to wait? Jump into the spikes and the damage boost will let you get up without waiting and lord knows it's worth dropping the shield to get up quicker, just don't rush to the finale!

[@CasperDahl]

As a 7 year old when I first played this game on the Megadrive, it was awesome. Even now with all the gaming systems we have, I still love playing this on the old Megadrive.

[@MystycCheez]

Labyrinth Zone is my favorite music in the game

[@WhoIsSirChasm]

Are you avoiding boss analyses for this retrospective? I understand that Sonic 1 may not be the pinnacle in that regard (iconic as it is, no one really likes the wrecking ball boss, as far as I know), but it's still a fairly integral part of the series, and disregarding it entirely will eliminate arguably the best part of Sonic CD.

[@KingKlonoa]

WhoIsSirChasm Patience young padawan. In seriousness, I don't talk about the bosses here because I have next to nothing meaningful to say about them. "They exist" is about as good as you'll get. I might talk about them super briefly in Sonic 2

[@WhoIsSirChasm]

Good to hear! To be frank, I would've stuck a mention of Final Zone in this video, if only because it's the game's sole challenge that doesn't offer any rings as a saving grace, but it's not a big deal.

[@coolman5242]

WhoIsSirChasm Honestly this. Final Zone's boss may not have been interesting by design, but the ringless platforming to dodge the obstacles did provide an unique learning curve to it.

[@Junior4466]

Marble Zone is my favourite level and Labyrinth Zone has my favourite music. You complain when the difficulty is easy but then complain for all the harder parts. Like Labyrinth Zone is a labyrinth. You have to REMEMBER enemy sequences and time air bubbles.

[@ZeldaboyOG]

When I played Sonic on the Genesis, I always just stared at the waterfalls in the background.

[@andrewanderson7674]

Say what you will about Marble Zone, but that level has the most sublime music I've ever heard in a 16-bit game.

[@brandensandberg5992]

I think the deal they wanted to do was introduce "Hey this is our fast new character, here is how he plays!" With Green Hill Zone, and then the rest of the game was all challenges, by mixing how to you play this game style in a traditional platforming setting, an how to you increase the challenge in a level much like the first? Which, in that respect, definitely makes it feel like an experiment, which it was to see how they could work. Thanks to their remarkable marketing, they were able to ensure the franchise's success.

[@PrettyObvious7]

I've never really considered what truly separates green hill from marble and the other later zones. I've always just taken it for granted that green hill is obviously more fun to play through, but never WHY that is. You've spelled out perfectly how marble and the other zone's structures completely turn away from the good design that green hill and a little bit of spring yard and starlight follow. Unless you are sticking to exclusively the level design for this series, it'd be nice to hear your thoughts on the bosses from the later games in your future videos. Other than that this was a great analysis!

[@jacoblipkestudios7621]

I got all the emeralds and beat the game one time and my brother and I were just freaking out because we both knew I had been trying to do that since I was young, and I got close too, as I kid I got 5 emeralds but I thought I had gotten 6 so I go to beat the game and I see that there’s one chaos emerald left. The image of Robotnik juggling that last grey emerald saying “try again” will never be forgotten, and I just started crying lmao.

[@TheGlasgowGamer]

Everything you said is on point KingK. Sonic 1 is the first game in the series, and it really shows. It lacks the balance that it's sequels managed to encompass. Speed, exploration and platforming tends to be the best kind of balance for 2D Sonic. I think Sonic Mania has finally struck that perfect balance. I can't wait for your take on Sonic 2, CD, and 3&K. I'm sure it will be intriguing to see if your experiences of these games have improved since playing Mania!

[@spider-ham7140]

Why ppl hate on the Sonic 2 special stages? I always thought they were great

[@Gurpwnder]

16:9 60FPS does so much for Sonic, it's unbelievable. Can't wait for the mobile ports to come to Steam.

[@spacerat0n]

I really wonder if Marble Zone was perhaps left over from a more Mario-like platformer game that got scrapped and had its development resources redirected to Sonic. That feels like a more plausible explanation for its design than just wanting to mix up the pacing of the game.

[@ethendorreviews975]

I'm glad someone feels the same way I do about Sonic 1, I almost never replay it just because of Labryinth Zone

[@paulhannah4030]

Fantastic video, you've earned a subscriber. I agreed with you on most points but I might be the only one to disagree with your thoughts on Labyrinth Zone. This Zone was the first water level I ever played in a videogame (Sonic 1 was my first videogame) and I adored how different it was from the other stages. I know people hate the pace, enemy placement, those damn spikes, those awful spear traps and most of all the air mechanic but I love it all. It is quite the difficulty curve for sure and it's completely the opposite of what makes Sonic games so good (Green Hill) but it's that difference I enjoyed so much and still do. It was almost like playing a totally different game for one zone. Ever since my enjoyment with Labyrinth Zone I've enjoyed all water levels in almost every game (yes, I even genuinely enjoy the Water Temple in OoT). I might be the only one on planet Earth going by your comments but I can't help but love the sudden challenge and the difference water levels bring to videogames. Oh and Hydrocity is the best zone in Sonic 3 - fight me.

[@mustachemiss1983]

I think Sonic 1 serves as an interesting point in gaming history. It's fascinating to examine it as an artefact and it deserves at least 1 playthrough for that purpose. However, as a game in its own right, I think there's very little point to it in the modern day. It's clunky, it's short, and everything it does right is done way better in 2, 3&K, and Mania. To me, the game is a reminder more than anything; a landmark in gaming history, marking the origins of the Blue Blur, as well as where the industry was at the time. Developers were still trying to figure out game design principles we take for granted today, and the biggest players in the today's industry were still clawing their way up to the top. It's for that reason that I think Sonic 1 still deserves recognition and respect for what it is.

[@DiddlyDiPotatoes]

I've played through Sonic 1 enough times that I actually enjoy playing through Labyrinth and Scrap Brain, though with "Scrap Brain" Act 3 you need to take the secret path at the start that makes it less then 50 seconds long.

[@shehzaanaabdulla3047]

I was playing the 3DS port by M2 earlier today and have, all these years later, discovered a style of play that makes the Special Stages manageble (I can normally get them all the first time now. Though the 4th emerald sometimes takes a couple attempts). The trick is to understand that the stages are split into forked segments (one fork kicks you out of the stage, the other progress you to the next fork). If you hug the walls and slowly progress you can peek at which fork is which. This simply requires patience so that you are always moving upwards (NEVER freefall unless you are trying to get at a Chaos Emerald). It's a slow, methodical way to work (I use the verb 'work' here instead of 'play' intentionally) through the stages, but I'm finding it a reliable strategy given there's no time limit. Does knowing this make these stages good? Not really. But it makes them possible.

[@wurst1284]

The hell are you playing? There was no spindash in sonic 1.

[@paperluigis2m371]

Mobile port.

[@Painguino]

Great review, excited for the sa2 review since i know you are a fan too. I've seen several reviews for it on youtube with the reviewers repeating the normal negative stuff that is constantly thrown around today about it even when they like the game. Hoping this one will be slightly different but it's all about what you want to do. Will look forward to it nonetheless.

[@Steelcat1000]

Would love to see a retrospective of Sonic Adventure 2 Battle and Sonic Heroes. Those were two of my favorite GC titles growing up. Love your insight keep up the awesome work!

[@BrooksterMax]

My enduring memory even to this day all these years later is Up, down, left, right A+Start For the level select cheat.

[@dlmx13]

Great analysis. I played Sonic 2 as my first Sonic game and Sonic 1 always felt SO clunky in comparison, not just because of the lack of a spindash but the less polished level design, as you describe.