Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive)/Magazine articles
From Sega Retro
Mega Drive version
- Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive).
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1990-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "August 1990" | "International Outlook: Sonic the Hedgehog" Very brief coverage from Tokyo Toy Show 1990 in issue #13 EGM. The magazine claims to be the only US video game publication covering the event. | ||||||||||||||
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1990-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "August 1990" | "Outpost Genesis: Sonic the Hedgehog" A second quick look later on in the magazine. The game is grouped with dozens of games from Summer CES 1990, but it's not thought Sonic was on display there. | ||||||||||||||
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1990-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "September 1990" | "International Outlook" More coverage from Tokyo Toy Show 1990 in issue #14 of EGM. | ||||||||||||||
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1990-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "November 1990" | "Interface: More Sonic the Hedgehog!" Colin Rey from Humber Heights, Ohio asks for more Sonic info from EGM. The magazine gladly obliges with another screenshot from Tokyo Game Toy 1990. | ||||||||||||||
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1990-11-30 | Sega Players Enjoy Club (JP), "Vol. 7 Winter" | "Music Galaxy" A feature which focuses on Dreams Come True's contribution to the game's soundtrack. | ||||||||||||||
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1990-11-30 | Sega Players Enjoy Club (JP), "Vol. 7 Winter" | More Dreams Come True and an introduction to Sonic, the character. Artwork seems to be based on the Tokyo Toy Show demo. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Génération 4 (FR), "Février 1991" | |||||||||||||||
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1991-02-01 | Mean Machines (UK), "February 1991" | "Pricks at the Speed of Sound" Brief article about the game's appearance at the Winter CES 1991 at Las Vegas. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-02-16 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "March 1991" | "Animal Magic" Paragraph about the game's appearance at the Winter CES 1991 at Las Vegas. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-03-08 | ACE (UK), "April 1991" | "Games News: Sonic the Hedgehog" Paragraph about the game's appearance at the Winter CES 1991 at Las Vegas. It mentions the rotating Special Stage, and is accompanied by a early screenshot of Marble Zone. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Sega Visions (US), "April/May 1991" | "Sega Genesis 16 Bit: Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "April 1991" | "Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-04-08 | Mega Drive Fan (JP), "May 1991" | "Coming Soon" article | ||||||||||||||
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1991-04-25 | Raze (UK), "June 1991" | "Sonic the Sega" Short paragraph about game. The writer compares Sonic's appearance to that of Tom from Tom and Jerry. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "May 1991" | "Outpost: Genesis - Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-05-01 | Mean Machines (UK), "May 1991" | "Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog" Three-page article about the upcoming game, which it states is expected in September. Gameplay is briefly described, though most of the pages are taken up by screenshots, which are from a prototype version. In particular, Spring Yard Zone on the second page is very different. Sonic the Hedgehog is also a cover article on this issue. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Sega Visions (US), "Summer 1991" | "Sonic the Hedgehog: Great Moments in Hedgehog History" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-05-11 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "June 1991"
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"Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog" Two-page article about the upcoming game, where many of the images are from an early prototype. It mistakenly says there are 15 levels split into 5 acts, even though 5 zones are shown total. The first page also mentions a power-up which gives Sonic invincibility and Speed Shoes at once, which is probably a reference to the unused S-monitor which has been found in the game. It also mentions that U.S. Gold has bought the rights to publish home computer versions. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | GamePro (US), "June 1991" | "Genesis ProReview: Sonic the Hedgehog"
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1991-0x-xx | VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US), "June 1991" | "Video Game Reviews: Sonic the Hedgehog"
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1991-0x-xx | Game Players Sega Guide! (US), "Vol. 2, No. 3: June/July 1991" | "Sonic the Hedgehog: A New Superstar" A five page preview, mentioning that Game Players Sega Genesis Strategy Guide are previewing is a preliminary version. The sunflowers of Green Hill Zone are green, but the rolling ball is still in place. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-06-07 | Video Games (DE), "2/91" | "Rescue Rings - Sonic the Hedgehog" A two page review of Sonic the Hedgehog in the February 1991 issue of the German magazine Video Games. It has a lot of sweet pictures of a prototype version of Sonic the Hedgehog. They wind up giving the game a 80% for graphics, 72% for music, 70% for sound effects, and 79% for gameplay. Amusingly, they list Virgin as a developer of the game. It may have meant that they were meant to be a distributor of the game in Germany or was simply a mistake.
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1991-06-18 | Mega Force (FR), "Juillet/Août 1991" | "Zapping: Sonic" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-06-27 | New Computer Express (UK), "29th June 1991" | |||||||||||||||
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1991-06-27 | Raze (UK), "August 1991" | "Sega City" Two-page article about the game. The writer describes the demo cart they played as consisting of only three zones - Green Hill, "Marble World" and "Star City". They also mention the finished game will be on an 8Mb cart (1 megabyte); the final game was actually released on a 4Mb cart. Several of the screenshots are from earlier versions of the game. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-06-29 | Mean Machines (UK), "July 1991" | "Review: Sonic the Hedgehog" Three-page review of the game. The reviewers praise the game's graphics, with its large sprites and detailed backgrounds, as well as its speed and gameplay. Overall they give Sonic a glowing review with a score of 92%.
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1991-06-29 | Mean Machines (UK), "July 1991" | "Sonic Clampdown" Short article describing Sega's efforts to prevent American copies of Sonic the Hedgehog being sold in Europe, before the game's official European launch. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-07-xx | Mega (TH), "Vol. 127, Jul 1991" | |||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Player One (FR), "Juillet/Août 1991" | "Mega D.: Sonic the Hedgehog" A four page review of the game. It received favorable scores in all areas and got an overall score of 96.
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1991-07-xx | Supergame (BR), "Julho 1991" | "Superjogos" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "July 1991" | "Review Crew: Sonic the Hedgehog" Review scores: 9/10, 9/10, 9/10, 9/10
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1991-xx-xx | Video Game (BR), "Julho 1991" | "Sistema Sega Mega Drive: Sonic the Hedgehog" Brazillian magazine VideoGame reviews what is seemingly a prototype version of the game, awarding it five stars.
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1991-07-08 | ACE (UK), "August 1991" | "Screentest: Sonic the Hedgehog" Three-page review of the game. The reviewer compares it favourably to the recent Super Mario World, praising the game's graphics and speed, as well as the level design and overall size. Scrap Brain Zone is referred to as "Clockwork Zone", its working title before the game was finished.
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1991-07-15 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "August 1991" | "CVG Hit: Sonic the Hedgehog" Four-page review of the game. The article is poorly written, as incorrect names are used and there is even an upside down image in between pages 3 and 4. They give the game a 96 for graphics, 93 for sounds, 94 for playability, and 91 for "lastability", with a 94 for the overall score.
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1991-08-xx | Ação Games (BR), "Agosto 1991" | "Select: Sonic the Hedgehog"
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1991-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "August 1991" | "Tricks of the Trade: Sonic the Hedgehog" (continues on page 96) | ||||||||||||||
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1991-07-25 | Raze (UK), "September 1991"
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"Rave: Sonic the Hedgehog" Three-page review of the game. The reviewer praises the size and complexity of the levels, and the detailed graphics. He compares the game favourably to Nintendo's Super Mario World, though stops short of saying which is better, and speculates it will sell well.
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1991-0x-xx | Game Players Sega Guide! (US), "Vol. 2, No. 4: August/September 1991" | "Strategy Feature: Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-0x-xx | User (GR), "Septémvrios 1991" | |||||||||||||||
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1991-08-08 | ACE (UK), "September 1991" | "It's Sonic, Guy!" Letter regarding the Sonic the Hedgehog review in ACE #47. The writer points out the "Clockwork Zone" error, and suggests Sonic has better graphics than Super Mario World. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-08-15 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "September 1991" | "Cheat Mode: Sonic the Hedgehog" Brief description of the level select code. Two screenshots show a prototype Scrap Brain Zone and Green Hill Zone, which also has a functioning debug mode (not mentioned in the text). | ||||||||||||||
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1991-08-29 | Raze (UK), "October 1991" | "Sonic the Hedgehog: The Hidden Rooms" Four-page guide for the game, consisting mainly of the locations of hidden items and rooms in the first five zones (up to Star Light Zone), and a large map of Green Hill Zone Act 2. The level select code is also described, with an accompanying screenshot. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Computer + Video Giochi (IT), "Settembre 1991" | "CVG Hit: Sonic the Hedgehog" Two page review from the Italian Computer + Video Giochi.
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1991-09-13 | Mega Force (FR), "Septembre/Octobre 1991" | "MegaDrive: Sonic the Hedgehog" A 22 page walkthrough in the September/October 1991 issue of the French magazine Mega Force. The issue has a hand-drawn map of Green Hill Zone. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-0x-xx | The Games Machine (IT), "Settembre 1991" | "Sonic the Hedgehog"
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1991-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "September 1991" | "Behind the Scenes at Sega of Japan: The Making of Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | User (GR), "Októvrios 1991" | |||||||||||||||
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1991-09-15 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "October 1991" | "Cheat Mode: Sonic the Hedgehog" Several paragraphs explaining how to beat all six bosses. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Hobby Consolas (ES), "Octubre 1991" | "Lo Más Nuevo: Sonic"
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1991-xx-xx | Micromanía (segunda época) (ES), "Octubre 1991" |
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199x-10-xx | Ação Games (BR), "Outubro 1991" | "Superestratégia Mega Drive: Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "October 1991" | "U.S. National Video Game Team's Super Play: Sonic the Hedgehog" A four page strategy guide in the October 1991 issue of the US magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly. It features a walkthrough for the first two levels, Green Hill Zone and Marble Zone. | ||||||||||||||
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199x-xx-xx | Game Players Sega Guide! (US), "Vol. 2, No. 5" | "Free Sonic?" It explains how there were two different Genesis pack-in games, Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog. The Altered Beast package comes with a coupon for a free Sonic 1 game. The bottom letter contains a silly mock-up. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-10-08 | ACE (UK), "November 1991" | "Reviews Directory: Sonic the Hedgehog" Short recap of the review from ACE #47. The previous score of 94% is rounded up to 5 stars out of 5.
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1991-10-08 | ACE (UK), "The Classic Tricks 'n' Tactics Supplement" | "Tricks 'n' Tactics: Sonic the Hedgehog" Three-page guide of the game, explaining how to deal with the features of each zone and going into detail about Scrap Brain Zone. One page is dedicated to tips for beating all the bosses in the game. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-10-08 | Game Zone (UK), "November 1991" | "PG Tips: Sonic the Hedgehog" Brief section explaining how to access the Level Select and Sound Test. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-10-08 | Game Zone (UK), "November 1991" | "Console Countdown: Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-10-15 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "November 1991" | "Cheat Mode: Sonic the Hedgehog" Paragraph describing an exploit to get all six Chaos Emeralds by repeatedly entering the Special Stage via the level select menu. | ||||||||||||||
| 1991-xx-xx | Pixel (GR), "Noémvrios 1991" | ||||||||||||||||
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1991-11-15 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "December 1991" | "Cheat Mode: Sonic the Hedgehog" Short article explaining the code for, and how to use, debug mode. The code given is protracted, with additional inputs that aren't actually required. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | GamePro (US), "December 1991" | "S.W.A.T.: Sonic the Hedgehog" This clip explains how to enable the debug mode. Note the "GP" written with Springs. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-12-06 | MegaTech (UK), "Xmas 1991" | "RoboCod Review: Alternatives - Sonic the Hedgehog" During MegaTech's review of James Pond II: Codename RoboCod, they offer Sonic the Hedgehog as an alternative, and rate it 92%. MegaTech did not exist when Sonic debuted earlier in the year, so this also acts as a quick catch-up.
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1991-12-06 | MegaTech (UK), "Xmas 1991" | "Technique Zone: Sonic the Hedgehog" Later in the issue, a half-page spread for Sonic tips and cheats. | ||||||||||||||
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199x-12-xx | Ação Games (BR), "Dezembro 1991" | "Especial Top Secret" | ||||||||||||||
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1991-1x-xx | User (GR), "Dekémvrios 1991" | |||||||||||||||
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1991-12-27 | Mean Machines (UK), "January 1992" | "Tips: Sonic the Hedgehog" Article explaining the debug mode and how to access it. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-12-18 | Game Zone (UK), "January 1992" | "PG Tips: Sonic the Hedgehog" Brief section explaining the debug mode and how to access it. | ||||||||||||||
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1992-11-04 | Megablast (DE), "Joker Extra Nr. 1" | "Sonic the Hedgehog"
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1992-0x-xx | User (GR), "Mártios 1992" | |||||||||||||||
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1992-03-08 | ACE (UK), "April 1992" | "Tricks 'n' Tactics: Sonic the Hedgehog" Short article explaining how to access the level select and debug mode. | ||||||||||||||
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1992-04-15 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "May 1992" | "Sonic the Hedgehog Special" Four-page pullout consisting of cheat codes and tips for beating all the bosses. The sequel is mentioned, as well as a Mega-CD Sonic game. | ||||||||||||||
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1992-xx-xx | Sega Visions (US), "May/June 1992" | "Reviews-Genesis: Sonic the Hedgehog" A two page feature of Sonic the Hedgehog in a 1992 issue of Sega Visions magazine. The strategy guide gives tips on how to find secrets or pass certain parts of the game. For some reason the first page calls it a review even though no scores are given. | ||||||||||||||
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1992-05-20 | MegaTech (UK), "June 1992" |
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| 1992-xx-xx | Pixel (GR), "Októvrios 1992" | ||||||||||||||||
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1992-09-17 | Mega (UK), "October 1992" | "Top 100: Sonic the Hedgehog" Mega says Sonic the Hedgehog is the third best Mega Drive game available in the UK. | ||||||||||||||
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1992-12-10 | Sega Pro (UK), "Christmas 1992" |
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199x-xx-xx | Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "1993 Video Game Buyer's Guide" | "U.S. National Game Team's Super Play: Sonic the Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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1993-xx-xx | GamePro (US), "April 1993" | "S.W.A.T.Pro: Game Genie Codes! Sonic The Hedgehog (Genesis)" A few Game Genie codes which affect jumping ability. | ||||||||||||||
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1993-06-30 | Mean Machines Sega (UK), "August 1993" | "Lookback: Sonic the Hedgehog" Half-page review, referencing a previous review in Mean Machines #10 (where the game was given a score of 92%). The writers now say the game is too easy, and has aged poorly in comparison to the newer Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
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1995-02-28 | Mean Machines Sega (UK), "April 1995" | "The Complete Sonic Tips Guide" Single paragraph explaining the level select code. Part of a retrospective of codes on Mega Drive Sonic games. | ||||||||||||||
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1991-xx-xx | Wiz (IL), "9/91" | "Sonic vs Mario" | ||||||||||||||
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1992-xx-xx | Wiz (IL), "6/92" | |||||||||||||||
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1992-xx-xx | Wiz (IL), "10/92" | |||||||||||||||
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1993-04-10 | Excalibur (CZ), "" |
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1993-xx-xx | 576 KByte (HU), "Július-Augusztus 1993" | |||||||||||||||
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1993-07-15 | HiScore (DK), "15 Juli - 15 September" |
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1993-xx-xx | 576 KByte (HU), "November 1993" | |||||||||||||||
| 1994-xx-xx | Guru (HU), "1994-07" | Tips | |||||||||||||||
| 1994-03-21 | Video-Ace Dendy (RU), "xxxx xxxx" | ||||||||||||||||
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1995-xx-xx | 576 KByte (HU), "Március 1995" | Tips | ||||||||||||||
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1995-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Styczeń 1995" | Tips | ||||||||||||||
| 1995-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Luty 1995" | Tips | |||||||||||||||
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1995-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Marzec 1995" | Tips | ||||||||||||||
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1995-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Maj 1995" | Tips | ||||||||||||||
| 1995-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Czerwiec 1995" | Tips | |||||||||||||||
| 1995-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Sierpień 1995" | Tips | |||||||||||||||
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1995-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Wrzesień 1995" | Tips | ||||||||||||||
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1995-08-14 | Velikiy Drakon (RU), "xxxx xxxx" | Tips | ||||||||||||||
| 1996-07-01 | Velikiy Drakon (RU), "xxxx xxxx" | Tips | |||||||||||||||
| 1996-xx-xx | Top Secret (PL), "Marzec 1996" | Tips | |||||||||||||||
| 1996-12-01 | Velikiy Drakon (RU), "xxxx xxxx" | ||||||||||||||||
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1996-10-01 | Secret Service (PL), "Październik 1996" | |||||||||||||||
| 1998-02-03 | Velikiy Drakon (RU), "xxxx xxxx" | ||||||||||||||||
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1999-12-15 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "January 2000" | "100 Greatest Games of All Time" Sonic the Hedgehog is placed as the 5th best game of all time. | ||||||||||||||
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2001-08-09 | Edge (UK), "September 2001" | "The making of... Sonic The Hedgehog" | ||||||||||||||
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2001-10-25 | Computer & Video Games (UK), "November 2001" | "100 Best Games Ever: Sonic the Hedgehog" Short paragraph placing the game as the 17th best ever. | ||||||||||||||
Arcade version
- Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive).
| File | Date | Source | Title and comments | |||
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1991-04-25 | Raze (UK), "June 1991" | "Sega City" Short article in Raze #8, mentioning a conversion of the Mega Drive game to arcades. Presumably this refers to Sonic the Hedgehog on Mega-Tech or Mega Play. | |||
Mega-CD version
- Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive).
| File | Date | Source | Title and comments | |||
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1992-0x-xx | Mega Play (US), "August 1992" | "Sonic the Hedgehog" | |||