Sonic Chaos
Encyclopedia
Sonic Chaos is a platform game
for the Sega Master System
and Sega Game Gear
, developed
by Aspect
and published
by Sega
in 1993. It was the last platform based Sonic game released for the Master System in Europe.
The Game Gear version was re-released in 2003 as a hidden game in Sonic Adventure DX for the Nintendo GameCube
and PC
and as an included game in Sonic Mega Collection Plus on the PlayStation 2
, Xbox
and PC. In 2009, the Master System version was released on the Virtual Console
.
Sonic Chaos is notable for the fact that it is the first 8-bit Sonic title to feature Tails
as a playable character, and also the first in the series to allow the player to manually control his flight. A sequel
titled Sonic Triple Trouble
(Sonic & Tails 2 in Japan) was released in 1994.
and his quest for world domination
via the use of the mysterious Chaos Emeralds to create nuclear weapons and lasers (according to the North American instruction manual).
While out on an aimless adventure, Sonic and Tails hear a troubling rumor: word has it that Dr. Eggman has returned to South Island in their absence and has managed to procure one of the Chaos Emeralds. As a result of the theft, the other five Emeralds have been thrown off-balance, scattered to all ends of the island. Without the power of all six Chaos Emeralds, South Island and its residents will sink into the ocean. With no time to lose, Sonic and Tails head for ground zero to retrieve the stolen gem.Robotnik has stolen the Red Chaos Emerald, causing the other emeralds to "lose balance" and be transported to a parallel universe. As a result, South Island is now sinking into the ocean, and it is up to Sonic and Tails to save the island and foil Robotnik's plans of world domination.
is similar to previous 8-bit Sonic games, albeit players can now play as either Sonic or Tails. For the first time in the 8-bit series, both characters are able to perform the Spin Dash introduced in the 16-bit version of Sonic 2
. By holding up and pressing buttons, Sonic can perform the Super Peel-out introduced in Sonic CD
, while Tails is able to fly, this being the first game in which he can do so. While playing as Sonic, players can collect rocket boots which allow him to fly through the air for a short time. He is also able to enter Special Stages. Tails is slower than Sonic and can't enter Special Stages or use rocket boots, but he starts the game with more lives and continues.
Unlike previous 8-bit Sonic games, the Chaos Emeralds are mostly located in Special Stages available while playing as Sonic. In order to enter a Special Stage, Sonic needs to collect 100 Rings in one act (the player also will be awarded an extra life for collecting 100 Rings). Successfully completing the Special Stage allows Sonic to collect a Chaos Emerald. Failing to complete the Special Stage will put Sonic to the next act, without the Emerald. Robotnik himself holds the sixth Chaos Emerald, and the player needs to beat him in order to win it back. Tails doesn't have the Emeralds as a concern for the player and beating the game yields the same ending, effectively making Tails an "Easy" mode.
. However, Aspect
's growing experience with the handheld console allowed Sonic and Tails to move twice as quickly as they had in Sonic the Hedgehog
and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
.
Ken Balough, Sega's associate brand manager, said that Sonic Chaos was "put in a bit of a situation" since a player seeing the 8 bit graphics after experiencing 16 bit graphics would make Sonic Chaos seem "a bit rough" to him or her. Balough added "visually and speedwise, it was just not as impressive as its Genesis brethren."
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
for the Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
and Sega Game Gear
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
, developed
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
by Aspect
Aspect (video game company)
Aspect Co. Ltd is a Japanese based video game company which was founded in March 1991. Aspect has developed for the Sega Master System, Game Gear, Pico, Genesis, Saturn, Super NES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and WonderSwan Color...
and published
Video game publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer....
by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
in 1993. It was the last platform based Sonic game released for the Master System in Europe.
The Game Gear version was re-released in 2003 as a hidden game in Sonic Adventure DX for the Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
and PC
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
and as an included game in Sonic Mega Collection Plus on the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
and PC. In 2009, the Master System version was released on the Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
.
Sonic Chaos is notable for the fact that it is the first 8-bit Sonic title to feature Tails
Miles "Tails" Prower
, better known by his nickname , is a character, as well as the main deuteragonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games, comics, animated series and film released by Sega....
as a playable character, and also the first in the series to allow the player to manually control his flight. A sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
titled Sonic Triple Trouble
Sonic Triple Trouble
Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble is a platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, for the Sega Game Gear. It was developed by Aspect and published by Sega in 1994. It is the sequel to Sonic Chaos, which was the first Sonic & Tails game in Japan...
(Sonic & Tails 2 in Japan) was released in 1994.
Storyline
The storyline to Sonic Chaos revolves around Dr. RobotnikDoctor Eggman
, also known by his alias , is a fictional video game character, the main antagonist of the Sonic the Hedgehog series created by Sega. Dr. Eggman is a rotund, mad scientist with an IQ of 300 who plans to conquer the world in order to build his Eggman Empire and is the archenemy of Sonic the Hedgehog...
and his quest for world domination
Hegemony
Hegemony is an indirect form of imperial dominance in which the hegemon rules sub-ordinate states by the implied means of power rather than direct military force. In Ancient Greece , hegemony denoted the politico–military dominance of a city-state over other city-states...
via the use of the mysterious Chaos Emeralds to create nuclear weapons and lasers (according to the North American instruction manual).
While out on an aimless adventure, Sonic and Tails hear a troubling rumor: word has it that Dr. Eggman has returned to South Island in their absence and has managed to procure one of the Chaos Emeralds. As a result of the theft, the other five Emeralds have been thrown off-balance, scattered to all ends of the island. Without the power of all six Chaos Emeralds, South Island and its residents will sink into the ocean. With no time to lose, Sonic and Tails head for ground zero to retrieve the stolen gem.Robotnik has stolen the Red Chaos Emerald, causing the other emeralds to "lose balance" and be transported to a parallel universe. As a result, South Island is now sinking into the ocean, and it is up to Sonic and Tails to save the island and foil Robotnik's plans of world domination.
Gameplay
Overall, the gameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
is similar to previous 8-bit Sonic games, albeit players can now play as either Sonic or Tails. For the first time in the 8-bit series, both characters are able to perform the Spin Dash introduced in the 16-bit version of Sonic 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 16-bit 1992 platform video game that was developed by Sonic Team members working at the Sega Technical Institute, and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992...
. By holding up and pressing buttons, Sonic can perform the Super Peel-out introduced in Sonic CD
Sonic the Hedgehog CD
, or Sonic CD, is a critically acclaimed 1993 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by Sonic Team for the Mega-CD/Sega CD. It marked the first official appearance of the characters Metal Sonic and Amy Rose...
, while Tails is able to fly, this being the first game in which he can do so. While playing as Sonic, players can collect rocket boots which allow him to fly through the air for a short time. He is also able to enter Special Stages. Tails is slower than Sonic and can't enter Special Stages or use rocket boots, but he starts the game with more lives and continues.
Unlike previous 8-bit Sonic games, the Chaos Emeralds are mostly located in Special Stages available while playing as Sonic. In order to enter a Special Stage, Sonic needs to collect 100 Rings in one act (the player also will be awarded an extra life for collecting 100 Rings). Successfully completing the Special Stage allows Sonic to collect a Chaos Emerald. Failing to complete the Special Stage will put Sonic to the next act, without the Emerald. Robotnik himself holds the sixth Chaos Emerald, and the player needs to beat him in order to win it back. Tails doesn't have the Emeralds as a concern for the player and beating the game yields the same ending, effectively making Tails an "Easy" mode.
Development
Sonic Chaoss stages were largely based on those of Sonic the Hedgehog 2Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 8-bit 1992 side-scrolling platform handheld console video game developed by Aspect Co., Ltd. and released by Sega for their Master System and Game Gear formats. The Master System version was released in Europe on October 16, 1992...
. However, Aspect
Aspect (video game company)
Aspect Co. Ltd is a Japanese based video game company which was founded in March 1991. Aspect has developed for the Sega Master System, Game Gear, Pico, Genesis, Saturn, Super NES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and WonderSwan Color...
's growing experience with the handheld console allowed Sonic and Tails to move twice as quickly as they had in Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
The game's soundtrack was composed by chiptune musician Yuzo Koshiro. He adapted several pieces of music from the original 16-bit version, while the rest of the soundtrack consisted of his own original music. One of his original pieces, the "Bridge Zone" theme, was later sampled in Janet Jackson's...
and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Reception
Sonic Chaos was awarded Best Game Gear Game of 1993 by Electronic Gaming MonthlyElectronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
.
Ken Balough, Sega's associate brand manager, said that Sonic Chaos was "put in a bit of a situation" since a player seeing the 8 bit graphics after experiencing 16 bit graphics would make Sonic Chaos seem "a bit rough" to him or her. Balough added "visually and speedwise, it was just not as impressive as its Genesis brethren."
External links
- Sonic Chaos (Sonic and Tails) page at The GHZ