The digital delights of Sony’s scrumptious PlayStation Network service know no bounds. Aside from letting punters compete in online gaming, stream films, browse the Internet and more, its premier attraction rests in the copious supply of downloadable games ripe for the picking. From PSN exclusives to PSOne Classics, minis and plain old add-on content, Sony’s online space is chock full of goodies battling it out for your hard-earned digital dollars.
Welcome back to another installment of Inside PlayStation Network, where every Monday – Friday we’ll pluck a PSN release—be it new or old—and put it in the spotlight for a thorough dissection. Fancy getting a new PSN game but don’t know what one to plump for? Perhaps this feature will help. Didn’t realize that a game was available in your region until now? We’ve got you covered. Or, perhaps you were musing over what those lucky Japanese folk were tucking into over in the Land of the Rising Sun? You can be sure our coverage will extend to those rare regional exclusives as much as those firmly embedded on the public consciousness.
For our latest entry, we scrutinize an all-time classic: Sonic the Hedgehog.
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Developer: Sonic Team
Region(s) available: North America
Players: 1
As one of the most revered platformers to date, Sonic the Hedgehog needs no introduction. Available now on Sony’s PlayStation Network service, SEGA’s inaugural outing in its speed-tastic series is one of those gems that you simply have to get your mitts on — period. Originally launched in 1991, the spikey speedster’s debut outing went on to sell a whopping 15 million copies worldwide, spawned countless sequels, captivated a generation of gamers and popped up on numerous platforms over the years. It is, undoubtedly, the quintessential 16-bit platform romp, rivalled only by a certain plucky plumber in the SNES classic, Super Mario World.
If you haven’t yet stepped into Sonic’s trademark sneakers, you haven’t lived. ‘Nuff said. Playing as the eponymous, anthropomorphic blue hedgehog, Sonic’s polished paradigm remains as competent today as it did back in its heyday, as you dash through vibrant zones bonking badnicks on the head while attempting to save your animal chums. Sonic’s life force comes in the form of the now-infamous ring system; take a hit while carrying at least one of these items, and you’ll live to spin-dash another day. Grab 100 of the shiny objects, meanwhile, and Sonic will net an extra life to facilitate his adventure.
Zones are expertly designed and come in all shapes and sizes. Players will loop-the-loop their way through the lush Green Hill Zone, navigate the brain-aching maze of Labyrinth Zone, and blast through the neon-lit landscape of Starlight Zone among many others. Each one is made up of three acts, the final of which culminates in a face-off with big bellied baddie, Dr. Robotnick. Sonic has never been among the most cerebrally challenging of platformers, with speed taking precedence over the slower, more methodical-paced shenanigans of its contemporaries. However, each stage is chock full of variety, from environmental-based hazards to tricky jumps and perils that Sonic must navigate to make it through in one piece.
Not only that, but if you want to bag that 100% completion rate, you’ll have to gobble up all six Chaos Emeralds, which is a mammoth task in itself. The Special Stages on offer here are notoriously tricky buggers, and make its successor’s efforts seem tame by comparison. Furthermore, this PSN re-release comes equipped with full Trophy support, giving newcomers and long-time fans alike even more reason to plough through Sonic’s vertiginous-inducing classic. And the best part? The sequel will be spin-dashing its way on to PSN in the not-too-distant future.
That’s your lot for this week, folks. Tune in again Monday morning for another poke around Inside PlayStation Network.