Various background elements were altered as well, such as the color of the mountains and the flower animations (which are closer to the Genesis version). Warning signs were added near spike pits and cliffs in Green Hill in the Game Gear version.Most stages have altered layouts, from simply moving a few rings around to completely removing or replacing entire chunks of levels.The sprites for Sonic, invincibility, and shields were all redrawn to be smaller, to account for the reduced screen size.The smog clouds above Scrap Brain on the map screen were redrawn.This was done because the Game Gear doesn't have a logo screen incorporated into the BIOS, unlike the Master System. A white Sega splash screen with an animated Sonic and the trademark 'Sega!' voice clip was added.The 8-bit versions of Sonic 1 are mostly identical, but besides the resolution there are some differences in the Game Gear version: This section is WIP: add more detail, elaboration, screenshots, etc. The Master System version also holds the distinction of being the last game released for the console in North America. The Game Gear's smaller screen also meant that things had to be scaled down, resulting in the Green Hill boss being laughably easy.

Given the limitations, it isn't too bad.Īlthough they're mostly the same content-wise, the Game Gear version has some unused sprites the Master System version doesn't, and vice-versa. The 8-bit ports of Sonic the Hedgehog scaled down the Genesis game and included the all-new Bridge, Jungle, and Sky Base (not to be confused with Sky Chase) Zones. This game has hidden development-related text. Released in EU: October 25, 1991 (Master System), December 1991 (Game Gear) Released in US: October 25, 1991 (Master System), December 1991 (Game Gear)

Sonic 1 title screen sprite