Tails and the Music Maker (Pico) Playthrough - NintendoComplete

A playthrough of Sega's 1994 educational "StoryWare" game for the Sega Pico, Tails and the Music Maker.
The Sega Pico is among Sega's least known consoles released in the west, and like it's "sister" title, Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld, Tails and the Music Maker is one of the least known Sonic games ever released in the US. It's aim is to teach different concepts in music (like notes, tempo, instrument differences and uses, etc). The two most notable stages are the ones that largely based on the Genesis Sonic titles. The platforming section on page 2 is lifted from the Green Hill Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog (though it is now incredibly flat - like if the Green Hill Zone were somewhere in Kansas where you see signs that read "HILL" on the freeway), while the pinball stage on page 3 is clearly derived from the Casino Night Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Tails and the Music Maker's production values are markedly lower than those in Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld - a lot of the graphical flourishes are gone and there aren't as many things to do - but this is still a really neat novelty that most people don't seem to be aware of despite it's official US release. It's also one of the few games where Tails gets a starring role.
The system was a cool setup for sure. It opened up clamshell-style (similar to a laptop), to reveal a big touchpad, and the cartridge had a book (a small child's type book with thick rigid pages made from cardboard) mounted to it. The image at the top-right of the video frame shows which page is currently in use by the game. The area that Tails is in changes when you physically turn one of the book pages, and tapping on different parts of the picture will activate whatever element on the screen corresponds with it.
Despite its utter failure in the west, the Sega Pico was a giant success for the company in Asia for how well it wed the gaming with learning for kids. The Pico itself was basically a stripped-down Genesis deck: it had no controller ports (there was a d-pad of sorts and a single action button on the console itself) but it had a wired stylus attached to frame. It also lacked the YM2612 and the Z80 of the Genesis. If you find that the Pico sounds more like a Master System than a Genesis, that's the reason.
______
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
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[@CoolDudeClem]

I have little to no Idea what's going on here, but Tails' jump for joy at the end of each level is SO CUTE! (I love Tails)

[@lightingkid2010]

I like tails jumping at the end of each level too.

[@lightingkid2010]

the thing that's going on is that tails is making music in this game

[@lightingkid2010]

I love tails too

[@Loki_rocks]

@@lightingkid2010 me too

[@USDMXTHEPROEXPERT]

Talentless Fox

[@redblu3380]

2:36 Green Hill Bad Future)))

[@MishaGold]

Скобки? Сразу видно - русский!

[@redblu3380]

Блэт меня раскрыли!

[@reginangel_official]

Green Hill Corrupted

[@user-xw3co3xu2m]

Palmtree Panic Act 3

[@lightingkid2010]

purple hill looks good to me

[@LestertheUnlikely1]

Cartoon Tails in an official Sega game.

[@SouthwesternEagle]

LestertheUnlikely1 I like your bird character. :')

[@LestertheUnlikely1]

That’s my Sonic Forces character. Best part is that someone else made it and I didn’t even have to say anything/ask. It’s awesome.

[@DHAdArchivez]

Strange isn't it? *PINGAS*

[@lightingkid2010]

@@LestertheUnlikely1 tails is made by sega

[@lightingkid2010]

I like adventures of sonic tails in a game

[@tvs4967]

So much nostalgia from the sound alone in this game! I played a lot of Pico in the 90's and this was a frequently plugged in cartridge. Thx for the playthrough ✌️

[@lightingkid2010]

I agree, I love this game

[@trevorpetersen3891]

12:29, someone unfortunately died at the hospital.

[@Zecxrity]

Than everyone died the end

[@lightingkid2010]

@@Zecxrity no it's a good game.

[@100Darkspine]

2:36 Green Hill Zone Encore Mode

[@josephasis6478]

Something about Tails running to the Turkish March is really cute

[@omegaflowey9932]

Yes

[@aspentree9416]

This was my favourite game as a little kid. there are so many memories 🧡

[@MrSuperspeedsonic]

One of the most interesting Sonic games/spin off launched by Sega for his also interesting Sega Pico. It's sort of fun see the gameplay and how the game has classic real music. Definitely is would be one of the most exotic pieces of collection for Sonic fans. (As me)

[@lightingkid2010]

it is made by sega

[@lightingkid2010]

it is not a spin off

[@Koopa126]

So many memories of this one! This game got me introduced to Sonic the Hegdehog and the first character I saw was Tails.

[@retroboy-fh1ji]

nt mega fuck you

[@SonicGamerGirl2006]

@Trey the Teenage Xarbrash MSM You cannot stop a person from using profanity, unfortunately. It IS the Internet after all... :| So, unless you ask more nicely, some won't stop. Take this from me, pal. I don't want you to get into fights. :|

[@SonicGamerGirl2006]

@Trey the Teenage Xarbrash MSM Well... still, I just though I post this to prevent any fights. :)

[@theemann7981]

8:34 MLG PRO FOOTAGE

[@hiddencateye6878]

truly one of the games of all time

[@SomariTheAdventurerJam6]

3:11 Blue Hill Zone

[@lightingkid2010]

it is actually ice hill zone

[@lightingkid2010]

also, why did you call this game a nightmare?

[@jeremyriley1238]

And the funny thing is, the book did blue-armed Sonic long before Sonic Boom.

[@lukenarnoldxxmlgxx3211]

sanic boom comes out after modern sonic

[@skinnyweenie8679]

@Kirito Kirigaya yeah blue arms sonic from the 90s was in some gamble machine I seen in a Cybershell video and a manga cover. Also his legs were tan for some reason in Knuckles Chaotix So yeah miscolored sonic was a thing

[@lightingkid2010]

who cares about blue armed sonic!!!

[@whoeverest_the_whateverest]

Did where? Sonic's arms are pale here

[@simplyluke1584]

@@lightingkid2010 REALLY FUCKING REPLYING TO EVERY COMMENT AREN'T YOU?

[@ricespoon2746]

I really enjoyed watching this game,as I can't afford the device to play it so I'll rewatch this video every time i feel nostalgia for it.

[@kiwibro6454]

1:57 its sonic the hedgehog except the slow version...since some people cant handle the BLAST PROCESSING like in the original sonic the hedgehog

[@lightingkid2010]

it's not slow, its how the game works.

[@pdbferox2635]

This game is just adorable.

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree

[@lightingkid2010]

tails: welcome to tails and the music maker! just click on one of the icons to start playing! me: ok, (clicks on the frog icon), this game is actually pretty fun!

[@4arms4life]

Give us a HD remaster on Switch with the Nintendo Labo keyboard SEGA!

[@gregorsamsa79420]

Tails Looks Kinda Cute When He Flies, Like If You Agree

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree

[@NintendoComplete]

It's definitely meant for the kiddie crowd, but this Pico title starring Tails, like the other couple Sonic educational titles, is a pretty neat, really obscure novelty.

[@spunkybandy7418]

Any more Pico games after this? Also, is there an emulator for the system too?

[@NintendoComplete]

SpunkyBandy PicoDrive runs them well and emulates the book/tablet controls. I'm not sure yet if I'll do any others, but I did already do the Sonic game. Did you see that? It's linked in the card links.

[@spunkybandy7418]

There's been a number of TV tie ins like Richard Scarry and a Berenstain Bears one. OH! And like what he said before, there was an officially licensed Pokemon game released on the Pico in Japan.

[@lucasmr3215]

aaaaaaarghhhh my ears!

[@xpdev0]

Delta Ray Studios, they should Remake this game

[@SouthwesternEagle]

I can imagine this driving parents crazy. XD

[@lightingkid2010]

it wont

[@Soinc.]

I like how Tails looks in this game.

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree

[@eliusbenjamin3414]

ye i think they like putted in more detail on tails to the point were they made him just like the cartage and the old cartoons

[@yoshkabosh7979]

That musical chairs game was actually pretty nerve-racking

[@lightingkid2010]

for me its fun

[@ry-lazer4328]

5:20 introducing TAILS SPINNBALL available for the game gear and master system!

[@jirodestroyer899]

Remember Tails Spinnball? Do you want a crappy GBA remake? No? Well here you have one anyways! No way to save or use the flippers, broken physics, and being able to go out of bounds on the loading screen! All for the "reasonable" price of $999.99!

[@maryannecoolgamer4623]

Boring! Tails spinball was not created!😡😡

[@lightingkid2010]

sega pico actually, and musical pinball and you choose tails.

[@konkarbadger5975]

Wow! The Kindergartners and Prekindergartens would have Loved this! Tails is cool and a good influence for the kids.

[@lightingkid2010]

it doesn't teach

[@its_4life]

You guys have no idea how long I've been searching to find this game, or this console for that matter! I've been playing this before I even went to school. More than 10 years ago, I havent played it since and I dont know where the console is. It makes me so happy to finally find such a nostalgic game that I freaking loved as a baby again! Took me forever, but I found it!

[@NintendoComplete]

I'm glad you finally did :) I hate it when I dent recall something like that

[@Power-Consumer]

@@lightingkid2010 It don't matter.

[@Power-Consumer]

@@lightingkid2010 And since you like to point out spelling errors, you also forgot a ' when you said don't.

[@lightingkid2010]

@@Power-Consumer for some reason, on my computer, they removed the key you are talking about.

[@Power-Consumer]

@@lightingkid2010 Do you have autocorrect?

[@kbaker2105]

I played this game as a kid! I haven't thought about it in decades, and then suddenly I remembered it this morning and dug around to find the title. Thanks for uploading this!

[@PhirePhlame]

I think the Wii U VC is a bit of a missed opportunity for Pico rereleases. It seems like a system that would be well suited to the task.

[@butcherax]

At the start it looks like Tails is behind the background from Green Hill Zone… pretty cool

[@lightingkid2010]

I agree

[@lightingkid2010]

It dosent look like he's behind the background

[@lightingkid2010]

I edited my comment

[@mbernal321]

8:34 *_PREDICTED OUR FUTURE HYPER POTIONS_*

[@lightingkid2010]

who drunk a hyper poition?

[@grimcardenas321]

The first Sonic game I’ve ever played.

[@lightingkid2010]

Ok

[@lightingkid2010]

I found this game in 2020, bc my little brother showed this vid to me

[@YUKILOID39]

0:40 panic attacks in game form

[@peepusonionmeepus]

Soul i8iii

[@lightingkid2010]

no

[@BingoRock16]

I remember playing that game a lot, how did my parents let me is beyond me, it’s sounds like the apocalypse!

[@Goat0423]

Tails: Says he’s never seen Green Hill Me:

[@lightingkid2010]

he has seen green hill

[@dreamcastdazia4753]

My favorite sonic game

[@lightingkid2010]

this is my favorite sonic game too

[@buddycomehere]

11:50 sounds like mario/luigi running running sound from Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)

[@MissILoveMovies]

Honestly this was my favorite Sega Pico game and I played it the most out of all the ones I had

[@lightingkid2010]

this is my favorite game too, and I also play it every day.

[@Power-Consumer]

Looks very simple and cute.

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree

[@android-cd3tk]

Tails is a nice teacher

[@lo8274]

sonic 8

[@abcdefgun6112]

sonic 9

[@lightingkid2010]

he is nice, but this game dosent teach

[@logan_cadfgs]

Loved my Pico as a tyke! Planning on doing any more Pico playthroughs? I'd love to take a stroll down memory lane!

[@NintendoComplete]

geoflcl It was pretty neat. Did you see the Sonic game in the card links? :)

[@garffeels]

THAT IS SOO CUUTTEE i need it

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree, and i have a rom of it

[@lightingkid2010]

on the sega pico they made the characters talk in the games, I would love to hear tails talk in this game

[@dukew.bravewolf1661]

This is so cute!

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree

[@Googlesucksballs]

Still a better game than Sonic 06. lol I remember getting a Pico when I was a kid and they had a Lion King game on it that was great. It even had a short side scrolling platformer game on it too.

[@radissquadmember3799]

Tails is cute

[@konkarbadger5975]

@RADIS SQUAD MEMBER He is cute in the classic versions because he's just 8. But in the Modern Games and Sonic Boom the TV Series when he turned 11, he didn't like being called Cute. I think he matured at age 11 for his age. But whenever you think about the Old Stories of the Kitsune Fox from Ancient Japan... "THE KITSUNE": A Spiritual Fox with Shapeshifting Fox Magic Abilities who uses it's magic only to scare away attackers "Grows an extra Tail every 1000 Years" as a symbol of twice its knowledge." This is Tails, but without the Magic, so he makes up for it with his knowledge, which I think is really cool for a little guy his age. Sonic's Pal Influence was why Tails matured so fast. I like Sonic Boom the TV Series more, since he had a crush on Zoey the Vixen. Zoey was a real cutie, and I see why he had a big crush on her. He'd begin to smile at her face, and start daydreaming just standing there. That was the next Adorableness Tails had. ☺😊 But this... I believe he was a very good influence on the Kids. I think Sega should have made a Mathematics Game where Tails made Math really fun for Pre K, Kindergarten, and First Graders. The kids would've really loved it in those days, and I believe Tails would've made it fun.

[@lightingkid2010]

@@konkarbadger5975 adventures of sonic tails is better.

[@N0rlight]

I used to have this game along with Busy Town(I think that's the name.)

[@francozaccaria2219]

wait a minute in the title scren is shoes is red but while you play is purple

[@lightingkid2010]

Maybe Sega wants to be cute

[@Darisfaw]

0:08 Wow tails lay off the chili dogs and mint candy.

[@lightingkid2010]

he looks ok

[@16-bit-Sonic]

a lot of classic music 🎧

[@roninpros1239]

how are you playing if you cant see the screen?

[@DSLink]

Why are tail’s shoes purple and white instead of red and white? Is it a palette error?

[@lightingkid2010]

no, and he looks cuter in purple shoes anyway.

[@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505]

I need a hug

[@TGVBT640]

easily the game of all time 🔥

[@normamohdnor7569]

From how the two screens look, it's kinda like a DS.

[@julienjeon77]

Why It Was Released As Unou Kaihatsu Series 7 In Japan?

[@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505]

Awwww hugs

[@lightingkid2010]

maybe tails wants to give you a hug

[@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505]

@@lightingkid2010 hugs

[@lightingkid2010]

@@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505 tails wants to hug you

[@MoreDingowrath]

Green hill to purple hill to blue hill to green hill again

[@jamesborlan2850]

Jeez this sonic game has so many Easter eggs way before the sonic colors era with its overuse of nostalgia Easter eggs Even back then sega really likes using green hill zone for sonic I like to also point out that the games sprites that are used featured the American design of tails alongside the Japanese design of robotnik (eggman) pretty interesting if you ask me

[@NyuniTheMotacilla]

It's a Tails game.

[@lightingkid2010]

@@NyuniTheMotacilla tails game with 1 easter egg

[@155chipmunkz]

I kind of want Sonic’s Game World even though I’m 25. It looks fun.

[@lightingkid2010]

tails and the music maker is better.

[@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505]

Tears

[@juanbogard4022]

Peter like this video Thanks NintendoComplete

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree

[@lightingkid2010]

also, i don't like peter, because he's was mean to tails and the music maker

[@peppa454]

My god this game 😄

[@laurettehowe6804]

I LIKE IT

[@lightingkid2010]

i agree

[@BunnyTPerson]

Great, Tails has 2 puzzle games and a musical game -_-

[@frogtossing6449]

i mean i don't know what's going on but it's okay,, I'm watching this for tails

[@lightingkid2010]

ok

[@lightingkid2010]

i bet tails likes you now

[@lightingkid2010]

and the thing that's going on is that tails is making music in this game

[@azzyiseternal4745]

Is this what happens when you choose Sonic solo in S3&K?

[@lightingkid2010]

No

[@errrdt2ys66f]

2:03 is that RUSH E

[@spider-boy1962]

I recently discovered this existed lmao

[@manoelfelenon]

I love it's tails

[@kyochan6113]

SAND HILL!

[@lightingkid2010]

at the end of the game

[@TheeRustBucket]

But can you make your own songs or levels?

[@lightingkid2010]

not on this one

[@lightingkid2010]

You set it to share clips?

[@NintendoComplete]

Yeah, it should be all set.

[@lightingkid2010]

@@NintendoComplete ok, there is one game you forgot in this game, it was the lasso the notes, you hit the flying music notes on page 2

[@vectiahody]

Classique

[@velleursal816]

It was a bit crazy in 6:01

[@maxhemenway]

5:18 Pinball

[@lightingkid2010]

Yeah

[@lightingkid2010]

And, why?

[@SmashinAbe]

I got his late even for an 8-bit educational tool it's got some pretty good Renditions of songs made by Mozart

[@RWL2012]

the Pico is actually a 16-bit system with the same 68000 CPU as the Mega Drive / Genesis, just that the YM2612 FM sound chip is missing so the sound is PSG or so-called "8-bit" sound (and an NEC PCM chip which can be heard in the pinball game).

[@lightingkid2010]

it is 16 bit not 8 bit.

[@lightingkid2010]

i liked it

[@liammcallister726]

Pico: Go pico yeah yeah go pico yeah Go pico yeah yeah go pico yeah Bf: Go pico yeah yeah go pico yeah Go pico yeah yeah go pico yeah

[@lightingkid2010]

sega pico

[@lightingkid2010]

@@zionsanchez7480 this game wont teach

[@lightingkid2010]

@@zionsanchez7480 don't always listen to what it claims, because tails and the music maker won't teach kids anything

[@zionsanchez7480]

@@lightingkid2010 I know

[@lightingkid2010]

@@zionsanchez7480 ok

[@vinisytshow1180]

2:09 Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca

[@lightingkid2010]

turkish march

[@lorddalek]

SATAM/AOSTH/Pre-1998 Archie Tails in his only game appearance.

[@bluecoolboy4755]

The lemmings version on master system of rondo alla turca is even better

[@lightingkid2010]

i like tails and the music maker

[@BagelNosed3DSuser]

What’s the music that plays when tails runs?

[@lightingkid2010]

turkish march

[@bradhedgehog12]

Interesting

[@ScalsAnimWorkshop]

5:18 My favorite part :>

[@lightingkid2010]

musical pinball and you choose tails.

[@lightingkid2010]

and the reason why it is musical pinball is that there is music everywhere, and you choose tails in musical pinball

[@Jhon-fe3qq]

It has been forever since I have played this I found it in a closet and I wondered what it was the pages were a little dirty and the system itself was dirty because it was used before and then I played it. It was a hand me down. I have no idea where it is now.

[@ahmadgames2011]

Tails Get His Own Games The Music Maker and Adventure

[@chromxrobinandcorrinxcamil9031]

N i c e .

[@eduardocarvalho1136]

What Is The music? 2:12

[@lightingkid2010]

Turkish march

[@latonveas8726]

1:04 nuu frogeeeeeee

[@lightingkid2010]

you forgot the lasso the notes game

[@hanchiman]

Edutainments! :D when softwares try to make computers as an education tool to teach kids thru "media"

[@silverXI22]

it's me

[@retroboy-fh1ji]

tails the fox hi!

[@silverXI22]

Fabricio M Vega hi

[@garffeels]

hi

[@silverXI22]

hello

[@maryannecoolgamer4623]

Hi Tails!

[@PNWMyoubugBR]

11:16 smb3

[@djnena5373]

P speed sound

[@lightingkid2010]

it is a sega game

[@PNWMyoubugBR]

i didnt know i commented this xD lol

[@lightingkid2010]

@@PNWMyoubugBR ok

[@lightingkid2010]

@@PNWMyoubugBR and this game is sega, not mario, I hate mario.

[@pepperman_real23]

0:08 now available THE WEIRD TAILS AND THE EARRAPE MACHINE

[@lightingkid2010]

No earape machine just music machine

[@charmeleonevolves5553]

8:37 Ez mode E AW E AW E AW EEEEE

[@MegaJohnnytv]

This is the third tails game beside tails sky patrol and tails adventure

[@bluecoolboy4755]

Run music : rondo alla turca

[@lightingkid2010]

turkish march

[@MemeMorto]

The right title is: Tails and The Earrape Maker

[@guillermogazanol8972]

Robotnik and the pingas maker

[@somerandomboy3571]

Now thats right 😂😂😂

[@MemeMorto]

@@lightingkid2010 what?

[@MemeMorto]

@@lightingkid2010 no wayyyy

[@MemeMorto]

@@lightingkid2010 Bro, i made that joke 3 years ago, calm down my boy

[@alysparky205]

*SHIT MY PICO CRASHED*