Game review: Sonic The Hedgehog CD

Sonic CD enjoys a re-release on multiple formats, and even after all these years it still manages to stand up to the competition.

In this edition, the ruthless Metal Sonic has kidnapped love interest Amy Rose, and is holding her hostage. It’s up to Sonic to speed across the world and through time to win her back. Throughout each of the colourful and insanely fast stages, Sonic will encounter speed gates labelled Past, Present and Future. Hitting these gates at maximum speed will cause Sonic to time travel to decayed and polluted future interpretations of each level, while going back into the past adds bizarre plant life and a fossilised prehistoric version. It’s a neat mechanic that sees each level changing up on the fly, and it always manages to keep you on edge as you try to smash your best level times.

Special mention must be made of the stellar music arrangements that have a neat retro vibe, as well as superb bonus stages that see Sonic running around 3D worlds chasing down UFOs. By completing these stages you can earn Good Future ratings for each stage, and reach the good ending. It’s a tough challenge, but it’ll keep you coming back for more.

Sonic The Hedgehog CD

£7.99 (Xbox Live version), PlayStation Network/Xbox Live/iPhone/Android