Computer and Video Games, 1995
It’s 1995. Another one of our friends is talking games. Gone was Sonic the Comic; this friend and I swapped Computer and Video Games, the monthly magazine covering everything in gaming. I read that thing cover to cover. Demo disks weren’t really a thing yet, so the magazine was our main way of seeing what was coming and getting advice on which games were worth our time and parents money.
On this particular day, the conversation turned to Sonic.
My friend had Sonic & Knuckles, and when you locked on the other Sonic games, you got more Sonic. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested — of course I was — but the gaming landscape was changing, and thanks to that magazine, we both knew it.
Console generation shifts in the 90s and early 00s weren’t small. Today, a new PlayStation or Xbox might make things look a little sharper. Back then, the changes were seismic. We were entering the 3D era.
So, back to Sonic Origins. This was my first proper opportunity to play Sonic 3 & Knuckles — the complete Sonic 3 experience, the lock‑on cartridge my friend had talked about back then. It was also my chance to finally play Sonic CD.
Sonic Reactions
Retro Reaction isn’t really a review thread. It’s more about how replaying these old games made me feel. I’m sure each of these will get their own reaction blog in the future, but to sum it up:
Sonic the Hedgehog
Revisiting this felt like catching up with an old friend. Through muscle memory, the first two zones were easy enough. Labyrinth Zone, though, was a different story. Thankfully, modern save states help. I said I liked old games — never that I was any good at them.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
I found a new appreciation for this one. I finally get what the fuss was about. I was stuck for ages in Chemical Plant where the water rises. Once again, never claimed to be a master at these.
Sonic CD
I liked finally being able to play this. But was it the classic people made it out to be? I found it closer to Sonic 1 than Sonic 2. Definitely one to explore in more detail another time. I did enjoy the boss race against Metal Sonic, though.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
I’d played this before via a DS collection, but it ran a bit slow there. Here, all together in one package, the game is tied with Sonic 2 for me.
Meanwhile, in 1995
In that same magazine, I remember looking over an advert for FIFA that used photos. I wondered aloud: when would graphics get so good you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference?
“That’s easy,” my friend replied. “When the Sega Saturn comes out.”
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.