The classic the hedgehog Sonic titles are still considered some of, if not the best platform games ever. These games introduced players to Blue Blur, his friend Tails, and the fast-paced Knuckles and defined the 16-bit era, drawing the attention of Nintendo and its annoying plumber. There is one entrance in the classic console Sonic games that are more controversial than most, namely in terms of their place in the series’ canon.
Sonic CD was quite different from the other home console games in the series before it, namely due to its use of time travel as a gameplay mechanic. As a result, many players have quarreled about when on the timeline it takes place. The coming Sonic Origins compilation has finally answered this thriving question and it makes a lot of sense given the evolution of Sonic CD.
Why do fans quarrel over when Sonic CD takes place?
Many fans say so Sonic CD must take place after the first the hedgehog Sonic but before Sonic the Hedgehog 2. This is due to the absence of Tails and the concept of Super Sonic, although the latter has more to do with the lack of Chaos Emeralds in the game. There’s also the new location of Little Planet, which has never really been seen again, other than through new versions of the Stardust Speedway stage in later games. While this is a sensible argument, it is somewhat debatable given the game’s secondary villain: Metal Sonic. This robotic doppelganger of the steadfast hedgehog is one of his most iconic enemies, but he is not the only mechanical version of Sonic that Dr. Robotnik has created.
The handheld version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduced the metallic Silver Sonic, while the console version included Mecha Sonic, which was much larger than Sonic itself. A new version of Mecha Sonic appeared in Sonic & Knuckleswhich took place immediately after Sonic the Hedgehog 3. However, this version had a much stronger resemblance to Metal Sonic, and thus also Sonic itself. The original version had a more simplified look and thus came out as a prototype for Metal Sonic, where the other Mecha Sonic was a kind of fusion of the two. It is now confirmed that this is most likely not the case, given when Sonic CD has been confirmed to have happened.
Sonic CD is the first sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog
A menu image from Sonic Origins shows the classic five games in chronological order Sonic 1, Sonic CD, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. Thus, the debate is finally settled, with Sonic CD is the first true sequel to Sonic’s maiden voyage. Despite Metal Sonic, this makes a lot of sense from a production standpoint. Sonic CD was built on the basis of the original game and avoided many of the mechanics introduced in the simultaneously developed Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Actually the time travel aspect of Sonic CD was intended to be used in Sonic 2as seen in the design of levels like the Casino Night Zone and the dropped Wood Zone.
To be much more a development of Sonic 1 than the other game that came after, Sonic CD is one of the most unique items in the classic series. This is due to both the time travel aspects and other gameplay mechanics, such as Sonic’s Super Peel Out features. The game also ends with a message saying, “See you next game!”, Accompanied by a picture of none other than Tails. An artist for Sonic CDwho was also working on the second game, noted that this would make players believe it takes place sooner Sonic 2.
Now, Sega has apparently confirmed that this is the case, putting fan debates to rest once and for all. Of course, this raises the question of what happened to Amy Rose during the events of the next three classics Sonic games, though it’s unlikely that Sega will ever solve this. Nevertheless, players who buy Sonic Origins can now enjoy the classic series in its intended order, and see how the franchise brought a sonic boom in a different direction with its Sega CD title.
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