I'm a child of the 16-bit era, I popped my video-game cherry on the Mega Drive (Or Genesis for you Americans) with such games such as Road Rash, Desert Strike and Altered Beast (Kids, go ask your parents for a history lesson), but my all time favourite game of the 16-bit years was Sonic the Hedgehog.
Ah Sonic, how modern times have screwed you over (but that's a rant for another day)
Sonic was, and still is, a very simple game. It was about a Hedgehog called Sonic, who wore red trainers, ran at March 5, collected rings, discovered emeralds, freed woodland animals from their robot exoskeletons and defeated a mad scientist who had a love of eggs bordering on the erotic...
I said it was simple, not that it made sense.
It wasn't a relatively new concept, Hell, Mario had been rescuing princesses for a good 6 years before Sonic sped by, but it was the speed of the game, the intricate levels, the memorable characters and amazing graphics (for it's time) that drew me in.
I loved it, I bought the games, wore the clothes, watched the cartoons *shudder* and generally loved that little blue speed freak.
But as with any relationship, there's usually one thing the other person does that just annoys the living hell out of you.
For me and Sonic, it was the water levels.
Ah Sonic, how modern times have screwed you over (but that's a rant for another day)
Sonic was, and still is, a very simple game. It was about a Hedgehog called Sonic, who wore red trainers, ran at March 5, collected rings, discovered emeralds, freed woodland animals from their robot exoskeletons and defeated a mad scientist who had a love of eggs bordering on the erotic...
I said it was simple, not that it made sense.
It wasn't a relatively new concept, Hell, Mario had been rescuing princesses for a good 6 years before Sonic sped by, but it was the speed of the game, the intricate levels, the memorable characters and amazing graphics (for it's time) that drew me in.
I loved it, I bought the games, wore the clothes, watched the cartoons *shudder* and generally loved that little blue speed freak.
But as with any relationship, there's usually one thing the other person does that just annoys the living hell out of you.
For me and Sonic, it was the water levels.
"WHERE'S THE BUBBLE, WHERE'S THE BUBBLE, C'MON ONLY 2 SECONDS LEFTC'MON, C'MON , THERE IT- OH YOU SONOVA BITCH!!"
I hated these levels, I still hate these levels to this day. You're slower, you can't jump as high, the bad guys are faster then you and you can also drown... YOU CAN EFF'IN DROWN!!
Apparently, as Sonic was learning to run faster then an F-15 can fly, he forgot to learn how to hold his breath under water. DAMMIT Sonic, even that fat Italian stereotype can hold his breath for a measly few seconds, why can't you?
These levels always infuriated me, there was never enough Air bubble things (the bubbles help sonic breathe... obviously) when you need them, if you miss a platform you're certainly going to have to go find another air pocket before you can try again because you'll run out of time other wise, and then when you do run out of time there's the countdown music...
Apparently, as Sonic was learning to run faster then an F-15 can fly, he forgot to learn how to hold his breath under water. DAMMIT Sonic, even that fat Italian stereotype can hold his breath for a measly few seconds, why can't you?
These levels always infuriated me, there was never enough Air bubble things (the bubbles help sonic breathe... obviously) when you need them, if you miss a platform you're certainly going to have to go find another air pocket before you can try again because you'll run out of time other wise, and then when you do run out of time there's the countdown music...
Have a listen.
Follow that link and then come back.
Follow that link and then come back.
THAT DOES NOT HELP! Christ, that music scared the crap out of me when I played this game, a game like this should not scare people... especially young children with over active imaginations. Hell, I'm surprised that I could take a bath without hearing that music in my head.
The water levels were not fun, they freaked me out and I'm sure they freaked out a lot of other people too, they are unsatisfying to play and just make me want to kill the game with a hammer.
I love Sonic. Sonic to me means childhood... but when I get to a water level, you can sure as hell bet I'll be breaking a few controllers in anger.
The water levels were not fun, they freaked me out and I'm sure they freaked out a lot of other people too, they are unsatisfying to play and just make me want to kill the game with a hammer.
I love Sonic. Sonic to me means childhood... but when I get to a water level, you can sure as hell bet I'll be breaking a few controllers in anger.
2 comments:
There's something about the phrase "I popped my video-game cherry on the Mega Drive" that makes me ever so slightly uncomfortable, lol. Ah, you crack me up.
I completely agree. I can't stand the water levels. This is in present tense because i still occasionally play the game. Gotta love winning the game though.
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