Sonic the Hedgehog CD/Magazine articles

From Sega Retro

Mega-CD version

Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog CD.
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File Date Source Title and comments
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-01-08 Beep! MegaDrive (JP), "February 1993" as CD Sonic the Hedgehog. The game is reported as 20% complete and scheduled for release in March. It says the game was first revealed at Yuusei Sega World, where it got a great reaction. Many frames of the opening animation are shown, and it says the theme song features "the rhythmic music of Mi-Ke" (NOTE: Keiko Utoku was a member of this group). The editorial department spread the idea something like a time warp is in the game, which is verified here with some screenshots.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-01-xx Dengeki Mega Drive (JP), "February 1993" as CD Sonic the Hedgehog, and is given an unknown release date. It says the hype around Sonic 2 hasn't subsided yet, but this iteration will make perfect use of the Mega-CD hardware's functions. Every screenshot on the first page is taken from the opening animation, and it mentions that the theme song will be sung by the group Mi-Ke, who sang a vocal version of Sega music the previous year.

The second page highlights the new Time Attack Mode, which down to 1/100th of a second. Item Boxes are pointed out, but what items they contain cannot yet be confirmed. Finally, it shows off a bit of the ability to warp to the future or the past and notes this could make for an interesting story. Who the game's antagonist is is also unknown at this point.

Logo-pdf.svg 1993-01-xx Mega Drive Fan (JP), "February 1993" The game is listed as releasing in March. Few details are known, and the writer wonder if Tails or Dr. Eggman will appear. It says that the new time travel feature was planned for 2 before being repurposed here. The opening animation and theme song are also noted to exist, but Mi-Ke is called "MIKE".
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-01-21 Mega (UK), "February 1993" "Mega City: Sonic on CD"
Features screenshots from the 1992-12-04 prototype, and a note that the game will be called CD Sonic in Japan.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-0x-xx Mega Force (FR), "Février 1993"
Reprints/translations:
The game is mistakenly identified as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 CD.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-02-04 Sega Force (UK), "March 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-0x-xx Consoles + (FR), "Mars 1993" "Le Japon en Direct: CD Sonic"
Features screenshots from the 1992-12-04 prototype.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "March 1993" "CD Sonic the Hedgehog"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-02-24 Video Games (DE), "3/93"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-03-04 Sega Force (UK), "April 1993" "Gutter Talk!: Sonic CD Slips Up"
UK magazine Sega Force reports that sales of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in Japan have fallen below expectations, leading to a rethink in Sonic CD's development. No longer will it be an enhanced version of the Mega Drive game.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx GameFan (US), "Volume 1, Issue 5: April 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-0x-xx Mega Force (FR), "Mai 1993" "Mega News: CD Sonic the Hedgehog"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-0x-xx Mega Fun (DE), "05/93"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-0x-xx User (GR), "Ioúnios 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx GameFan (US), "Volume 1, Issue 7: June 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-0x-xx Megazone (AU), "June 1993" "CD Sonic - Time Attack"
Megazone mentions the cartoon animation set to takes place between levels.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "August 1993" "Interface: The Rankin Rap!"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "August 1993" "Gaming Gossip"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "August 1993" "Behind the Screens: Sega Joins the Digital Revolution"
A two-page overview of development on Sonic CD in the August 1993 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly. The article touches upon different developers and plans made for time travel in the game.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "August 1993" "Sonic CD"
A more detailed preview from later in the issue.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Hobby Consolas (ES), "Agosto 1993" "Game Preview - Sonic the Hedgehog CD"
A four-page preview of Sonic the Hedgehog CD in an August 1993 issue of the Spanish Hobby Consolas magazine.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-07-30 Mean Machines Sega (UK), "September 1993" "News: Super Speedy Sonic"
Short preview of the game, with comments about Sonic speaking, animated cutscenes and CD music.
Cover article
Logo-pdf.svg
1993-07-30 Mean Machines Sega (UK), "September 1993" "Preview: Sonic CD"
Five-page preview and cover article. Topics covered include the soundtrack, Sonic's girlfriend "Rosy", the time travel game mechanic, and all six zones. Oil slicks are visible on the Special Stage floor, which were removed before the final release. The game is estimated to be 70% complete, with an expected October release date.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-08-19 Mega (UK), "September 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-0x-xx Consoles + (FR), "Septembre 1993"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
94% Mega Hit
94
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-09-08 Beep! MegaDrive (JP), "October 1993" "BE-Mega dog race"
The game description reads "Dr. Eggman and Sonic confront each other again, now for the Time Stone that sleeps on the miracle star Little Planet. Also has a Time Attack mode."

While scores are positive, the reviews are generally made up of problems to be had with the game, particularly with its difficulty and differences from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Game beginner girl 青山ようこ says it is full of unique ideas only made possible by the Mega-CD, with an opening animation, sound that changes with each time period and its distinct Special Stage visuals, but already started losing track of where she was after the 1st stage. Foreign game user OLIX光治 says the gimmicks are more complicated than Sonic 2 which makes them more rewarding to master, but the game has too many things crammed into it and the Special Stages aren't as fun as they look. Game mania group ハイローラーズ's ロ say the large maps and different time periods make it very easy to get lost, so it's difficult to enjoy despite the backup memory and time attack additions. General game user ジャムおじさん says that the fundamental sense of speed that was in Sonic 2 is missing and this game's different development staff were less ambitious. He couldn't get invested in new characters Amy or Metal Sonic, but thinks the music is good, saying at the end it's worth getting if you think of it more as a music CD.

BE-Mega's editorial department says at the end they were surprised Sonic CD didn't do very well, with opinions very divided.

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-J 8/10   7/10   7/10   7/10
73
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-09-16 Mega (UK), "October 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-09-16 Mega (UK), "October 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-09-28 Mean Machines Sega (UK), "November 1993" "Review: Sonic CD"
Three-page review written by Tom Guise and Richard Leadbetter, detailing the game's story (including Sonic's girlfriend "Rosy"), time travel, and CD-quality soundtrack. Overall the review is positive, although the writers criticise the lack of innovation and monotonous levels. The soundtrack is received favourably, with a score of 94% for sound, and an overall score of 83%.

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 83%
83
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Todo Sega (ES), "Octubre 1993" "Novedades: CD Sonic the Hedgehog"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 92%
92
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Mega Force (FR), "Mega-CD Force: Le Supplément Spécial Mega-CD" "Preview - Sonic the Hedgehog CD"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-10-07 Sega Power (UK), "November 1993"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 88%
88
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-10-08 Mega Force (FR), "Octobre 1993" "Preview: Sonic CD"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-10-14 Sega Pro (UK), "November 1993"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 90% Yo!
90
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-10-15 Computer & Video Games (UK), "November 1993" "Review: Sonic the Hedgehog CD"
Single-page review by Deniz Ahmet and Paul Rand. The review is generally positive, although the reviewer comments that the CD-ROM is underused because of the amount of space dedicated to the audio tracks.

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 85%
85
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-10-20 MegaTech (UK), "November 1993"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 83%
83
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-10-21 GamesMaster (UK), "November 1993"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 83%
83
[Info]
Cover article
Logo-pdf.svg
1993-10-27 Video Games (DE), "11/93" "Warpzone: Sonic the Hedgehog CD"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-10-28 Sega Zone (UK), "November 1993"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 91%
91
[Info]
Freak 13 IL Sega News.jpg 1993-xx-xx Freak (IL), "11/93"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Computer + Video Giochi (IT), "Novembre 1993"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-J 89%
89
[Info]
"Sonic CD"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-U Unknown system! ("") Unknown code! () Unknown code! ()
??
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "November 1993" "Special Feature!: Sonic the Hedgehog CD"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx 576 KByte (HU), "December 1993"
Freak 14 IL Mega Drive.jpg 1993-xx-xx Freak (IL), "12/93"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx GamePro (US), "December 1993" "Sega CD PreView: Sonic CD"
1994-xx-xx Joker (SI), "December 1993"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-1x-xx Mega Play (US), "December 1993"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-U 89%   90%
90
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-xx-xx Sega Visions (US), "December/January 1993/1994" "Sega Game Feature: Sega CD - Sonic CD"
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-12-10 Sega Magazine (UK), "January 1994" "Review: Sonic CD"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 87%
87
[Info]
1993-12-11 Sonic the Comic (UK), "December 11th 1993" "Review Zone"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 90%
90
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-12-19 Video Games (DE), "1/94" "ROM Test: Sonic CD"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 81% Classic
81
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-12-23 Sega Zone (UK), "January 1994" "Skill Zone"
A six-page guide to the bosses and the Special Stage.
Logo-pdf.svg 1993-12-29 Megazone (AU), "January 1994" A two-page review of Sonic CD in the January 1994 issue of the gaming magazine Megazone. It was given a 9 for graphics, 9 for sonics, 8 for playability, 8 for staying power, and 91 for the overall score.
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 91%
91
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 199x-xx-xx GamePro (US), "January 1994" "Sega CD ProReview: Sonic The Hedgehog CD"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-U
Graphics: 5 Sound: 5 Gameplay: 5 FunFactor: 5
100
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 199x-xx-xx Micromanía (segunda época) (ES), "Enero 1994" "Sonic CD"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 92%
92
[Info]
1994-xx-xx Freak (IL), "1/94"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
93%
93
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-xx-xx 576 KByte (HU), "Január 1994"
Logo-pdf.svg 199x-xx-xx Hyper (AU), "January 1994"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
89%
89
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 199x-xx-xx VideoGames (US), "January 1994"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-U 7/10
70
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 199x-xx-xx Game Informer (US), "January/February 1994"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-U 8.5/10
83
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 199x-xx-xx Electronic Gaming Monthly (US), "February 1994" "Tricks of the Trade: Sonic CD"
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-xx-xx 576 KByte (HU), "Február 1994" Tips
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-01-26 Power Unlimited (NL), "Jaargang 2, Nummer 2, Februari 1994"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
8.8/10
88
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-01-28 Mean Machines Sega (UK), "March 1994"
Reprints/translations:
"Mega-CD Tips: Sonic CD"
Short paragraph describing the level select code.
1994-xx-xx The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Yearbook (1994) (UK), "" "Sega Reviews"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
PAL 88%
88
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-03-15 Computer & Video Games (UK), "April 1994" "Cheat Mode: Sonic CD"
Short paragraph describing the level select code.
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-04-15 Computer & Video Games (UK), "May 1994" "Game Tips: Sonic CD"
Short article describing the level select code, which also mentions the sound test.
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-06-15 Computer & Video Games (UK), "July 1994" "Help!: Sonic CD"
Paragraph describing how to access the level select.
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-06-29 Video Games (DE), "7/94" "Interface: Sonic CD"
1994-xx-xx Joypad (HU), "2/1994"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
90%
90
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1994-xx-xx Game Players (US), "Vol. 7 No. 10 October 1994" "Game Players 94010: Sonic CD"
1994-xx-xx Joypad (HU), "3/1994" Tips
Logo-pdf.svg 1995-08-08 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP), "September 1995" "Beep! MegaDrive readers final rating"
It continued up until then in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP).

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
NTSC-J 8.1831/10
82
[Info]
1995-xx-xx Tricks (RU), "1/95" Tips
Cover article
Logo-pdf.svg
1995-06-xx Alaab Alcomputtar (SA), "" "Review - Sonic the Hedgehog CD"
A four-page review of Sonic the Hedgehog CD by Middle Eastern video game magazine Alaab Alcomputtar in their first issue. The game received a 91 percent ranking by the staff. The game is also called in some pages "Sonic 3".
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
91%
91
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1996-1x-xx Sega News (CZ), "Listopad 1996"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
100%
HIT
100
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1996-1x-xx Sega News (CZ), "Listopad 1996" Tips

PC version

Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog CD.
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File Date Source Title and comments
1996-03-01 Secret Service (PL), "Marzec 1996"

Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
90%
90
[Info]
1996-03-06 LeveL (CZ), "Březen 1996"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
5/5
Super
100
[Info]
1996-03-14 Score (CZ), "Březen 1996" As Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
7/10
70
[Info]
Gambler 30 PL Sonic PC.png 1996-xx-xx Gambler (PL), "5/1996" As Sonic the Hedgehog.
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
75%

  • graphics-75%
  • sound-85%
  • playability-70%
  • idea-50%
75
[Info]
1996-xx-xx Hacker (HR), "05/1996"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
73%

  • sound-76%
  • graphics-82%
  • gameplay-69%
73
[Info]
Logo-pdf.svg 1996-1x-xx PC Game Parade (IT), "Novembre 1996"
Review
Version Rating Awards Calculated score
92% Unknown code! (pcgp)
92
[Info]
1996-xx-xx CD-Action (PL), "7/96"
1997-02-15 Riki (SK), "Februar 1997"

References


Sonic the Hedgehog CD

Scd titlescreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Credits | Hidden content | Bugs | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Technical information


Books: Sonic the Hedgehog CD Guide Book (1993) | Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Official Super-Sonic Tips for SegaManiacs! (1994) | The Complete Sonic CD Guide (199x)
Music: Sonic the Hedgehog Boom (1994) | Sonic the Hedgehog - Remix (1994) | Sonic the Hedgehog CD Original Soundtrack 20th Anniversary Edition (2011) | Sonic CD (2019)

Windows PC
Prototypes: 1995-09-07 | 09-14