Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit) is THE flagship platform video game series of Sega, developed by Ancient and released in 1991 for the Sega Master System. Not to be confused with the 16-bit version which was released on the Sega Genesis, this title is similar in style to that one, but is reduced in complexity to fit the 8-bit systems. The story is identical to the 16-bit game in where you play as the hedgehog Sonic who is on a mission to rescue imprisoned animals that has been captured by Doctor Robotnik to turn into robots.

The core gameplay of Sonic the Hedgehog is a side-scrolling platform game where you take control of the protagonist, who is a hedgehog named Sonic, as he travels the zones on a mission to set free all the animals that had been imprisoned by the game’s main antagonist, Doctor Robotnik. Move Sonic in a specific direction (either left or right) for a set amount of time, and he will begin to run. You can jump high up to collect coins in the air, and also use the jump as a mean to defeat enemies and break objects.

Along the way, you wil encounter a bunch of exciting things that will make your adventure a truly memorable one. From the nostalgic stages and backdrops like the “Green Hill” level, to the boss fights with Doctor Robotnik and his different forms. There are many interactive and interesting features throughout the game like checkpoints, funky enemies and obstacles, and you can also collect special items from televisions including an invincibility shield and speed shoes.

Moving on to the more technical side of things, Sonic the Hedgehog has really impressive graphics and visuals that are still genre-defining even to this day. The controls are fluid for the most part and the vibrant colors serve to suck you into this fantasy world. As for the sound design, the BGM is superb and the sound effects are so good and memorable that they will stay in your brain for years to come.

To sum it all up, Sonic the Hedgehog is an excellent platform game that is the perfect trip back to so many people’s childhood. Head on over to retrogames and play this one for free now.