Gameplay: 60% of Sonic Jam is basically a collection of classic Sonic games for the Genesis, which are Sonic the hedgehog 1,2,3 and Sonic and Knuckles. (Yes, you can still do the lock-on trick with Sonic and Knuckles) The 4 games are in their complete original form, although, I did noticed a few changes. The 2D sprite graphics are somehow more colorful and brighter then they looked on their Genesis ports. Also, some of the sound effects found in the 4 games, are somehow enhanced with CD quality sound. ALSO, in Sonic 1, you can now do Spin Dash if you wanted. But other then that, everything remains the same way as before. But Sonic Jam still features a lot of extras. One, you can do Time Attack and Bonus Stage challenges for all 4 games. Two, there's a complete 3D Sonic stage for you to explore called, Sonic World. You can visit the sights, and check out museum buildings, that will give you a tour of Sonic's History and give you some interesting info. You can view character profiles, CG pictures, short movie clips, listen to music, and even see a long time line of Sonic's History. (Mainly from 1990 until early 1997, because Sonic Jam came out in the summer of 1997.) But wait, there's still more. You challenge yourself in mission mode a complete the tasks you are asked to do in Sonic World, such as collect a number of rings, finding cards or balloons, ect. If you own the 4 Sonic games for the Genesis, then Sonic Jam won't be too much of appeal to you. Still, Sonic Jam features interesting aspects worth checking out to any Sonic fan. Graphics: The 2D Graphics of the 4 classic games, are rather nice, bright and colorful, just like their Genesis ports. They perform rather well on the Saturn's hardware, although there's a bit of slowdown found in areas of the 4. The 3D graphics also work pretty well for the Saturn's hardware. The polygon count is decent, are there's rarely any pop-ups in the backgrounds. Sound: This music for the 4 classic games are in their complete original techno form like their Genesis ports. The sound effects, however, have been changed a bit for them into CD sound. The soundwork for Sonic World is just amazing. It's the kind of music I’d want if there was a full 3D Sonic action game for the Saturn. I really wish they wrote more songs for the stage. Conclusion: Any Die Hard Sonic Fan would enjoy this game, simply because of its extras and history info. I may own the 4 Classic Sonic games already for the Genesis, I still enjoy this game because of all its info and interesting aspects. Sonic Jam, in my opinion, is the most close you can get to the true 3D Sonic feel for the Saturn. (Sonic R failed that aspect quite deeply.) I wouldn't be having a great time without this game.
Sonic the Hedgehog has had a rough ride since 1994's Sonic & Knuckles. His popularity was slowing waning. Sonic 3D Blast opened to mixed reviews and Sonic X-Treme was cancelled. Sonic Team decided to make a real Sonic ga... Read Full Review
Straight up and to the point this game is without a doubt the best way to play the First 4 sonic games. Why would one make such a statement? Simple when I did side by side comparisons of each game it is obvious how mu... Read Full Review
