T5W#347-Top 5 Classic Sonic the Hedgehog Games

The fastest Hedgehog on the planet returns to theaters This Friday with his much anticipated sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2.  Judging from the fun trailers, it looks like we’re going bigger, bolder and hopefully better for this Sonic Adventure.  Not that the first film was bad, it was pretty good considering the hell it went through to get there.  I’m sure I’ll review the flick when it comes out but for now, on today’s Top 5 Wednesday we’re gonna tap into some Sonic nostalgia.  While most of his 3D existence has been…well let’s just say mixed, you’ll hardly find anyone who isn’t a genuinely big fan of Sonic’s first outings on the Sega Genesis.  So, in honor of Sonic 2 coming out, I’m counting down the Top 5 Classic Sonic the Hedgehog Games.  Focusing almost exclusively on the first few games in the pantheon on the Genesis (sorry Sonic Adventure and/or Sonic Adventure 2 fans).

 
#5-Sonic the Hedgehog

When Nintendo thought it had the video game market cornered thanks to Mario and Link, in came Sonic with a super fast and super fun first outing.  Speed was the main takeaway with his debut game, being so much faster than anything else out there on the market at the time.  Sonic himself was a breath of fresh air compared to gaming mascots of the past, being heroic, cool and overly confident in his abilities.  There was a definite attitude that oozed all over this game and gave Sega a major in to the Console Wars of the early 90s.  This was where the Sonic Legend began

 
#4-Sonic and Knuckles

Originally meant to be part of Sonic 3, Sonic and Knuckles became it’s own stand alone title.  You had two different campaigns for the titular heroes but there was an added bonus to the SnK cartridge.  Opening the top, you could plug in the cartridges for Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 and actually play as Knuckles through both game campaigns.  This was huge especially for Sonic 2, being able to go back and explore levels like never before thanks to Knuckles’ abilities.  The rest of the game is ok, made most memorable by all the Knuckles gameplay which was a nice change of pace. 
 

#3-Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Following up two hugely successful installments is tough enough but Sonic never backs down from a challenge.  This threequel saw the return of Sonic and Tails but found a brand new threat waiting for them in addition to Doctor Robotnik.  Knuckles the Echidna garnered an instant fanbase being introduced as Sonic’s rival soon turned Frenemy.  Meanwhile, 3 continued to up the Sonic spectacle with new abilities, expansive bonus levels and a booming soundtrack, one which was allegedly worked on by none other than Michael Jackson, though confirmation has never been found. 
 

#2-Sonic CD

The Sega CD expansion didn’t catch on as Sega likely hoped but that didn’t stop Sonic from giving it another flagship title.  While graphically, it looks like business as usual, Sonic CD is a much polished update for a Sonic game, it looks gorgeous.  Then you have the fully 3D bonus levels and even a special Animated introduction, in the US it is also scored to the awesome theme song “Sonic Boom”.  Also, you can alternate back between different timelines with every level, producing a couple of different outcomes for the endgame, def something Sonic hadn’t tried before til now.
 

#1-Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Now here we have not just one of the greatest sequels ever made but one of the greatest video games ever made PERIOD!!!  Sonic 2 took everything from the original game and made it bigger and better.  More vibrant and colorful worlds, a memorable soundtrack, faster gameplay with new Sonic abilities, and, of course, the ever loveable Miles Tails watching your back.  Plus you had more creative boss fights with Robotnik and the terror of Metal Sonic to contend with.  Sonic’s first game might’ve been a game changer for the gaming industry but Sonic 2 proved it wasn’t just a one hit wonder and it outshined its predecessor, and soon much of the franchise, in a way no one expected.