Sonic the Hedgehog (Wii)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Greg Kasavin
• Reviewed on: 11/19/2006
• Released on: 11/19/2006
• Originally published on GameSpot: Sonic the Hedgehog (Wii) Review

Back in the early '90s, the battle for the video game market wasn't like today's three-way bloodbath between Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft; it was a one-on-one showdown between Nintendo and Sega. As the two companies fought head-on for the hearts and wallets of millions of game players worldwide, one of Nintendo's clear-cut advantages was an understated little plumber named Mario. Sega needed a response to the fantastic Super Mario Bros. series, and so Sonic the Hedgehog was born. Sega's 1991 take on the side-scrolling 2D platformer was fast, colorful, challenging, and filled with personality. Packed with big, challenging levels and featuring finely tuned, deceptively simple gameplay, Sonic the Hedgehog was a breath of fresh air and an instant hit. The original game is now available as part of the Wii's Virtual Console service, marking a rather surreal occasion for longtime fans of both Nintendo's and Sega's classic titles. Platformers have come a long way since Sonic's first appearance, but the game is still highly playable and plenty charming.

This is a spot-on, no-frills emulation of Sonic the Hedgehog, starting with the digitized, harmonized "Sega!" declamation leading up to the title screen. As Sonic, you must traverse a series of levels, divided up into multiple stages, while rescuing innocent animals from the clutches of the sinister Dr. Robotnik. You can control the action just fine using the Wii Remote, though a GameCube controller or the Classic Controller might feel better. The action is fast and responsive; few games of the era moved as quickly as Sonic, and while there's occasional slowdown when enemies are all about, it's still pretty impressive to see the little guy tearing through a level, going through loop-de-loops, and bouncing around like a pinball at breakneck speeds.

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