SEGA's Blue mascot's 8-bit debut is now on the Virtual Console!
Sonic on the Master System is lot different from the Genesis/Mega Drive version, due to the Master Systems capabilities, but the Master System version is still a solid platformer and a great game.
Sonic 8-bit is a graphically impressive game. The art style uses mostly soft colors such as light blues, pinks, yellows, and greens. Sonic him self is well detailed and the sprite actually has the swirls in his feet when he runs, but must of the enemies are smaller then the way the are on the 16-bit system. Like many of the 8-bit game Sonic 8-bit does has slow down/lag when you get the barrier.
The stage layout for Sonic 8-bit focuses more on platforming than it does on speed. There are also some unique platformer stages in this game like the scrolling stage in the Bridge Zone, and the vertical climbing stage in the Forest zone. The vertical climbing stage also rather difficult, because when you jump to a higher platform the screen rises and if you fall it's an automatic death, just like in the game Kid Icarus.
Unlike the 16-bit game, the Chaos Emeralds are locked in one of the first two acts of each level, and the Special Stages are only used to gain extra lives.
Due the the limitations of the Mater System when Sonic is hit you lose all your rings and you can't recover any of them. Also during the boss fights you can't get any rings, so battling Dr. Robotnick (Dr. Eggman) becomes a more of a challenge.One problem I had with the rings, is when you get 100 of them it read 00 and if you take a hit you automatically die and lose the extra life you just earned. Also there are a few stages where there is less than 100 rings in that stage.
Sonic 8-bit has a great soundtrack, and hearing the 8-bit Green Hill Zone theme is great.
Sonic's 8-bit debut was a great one and well worth buying if your looking for a cheap (only 500 Wii Points) platformer, or even if your just curious in this game.