"When Sonic Pocket Adventure was first made, people didn't quite know what to think of it. This was the first Sonic game on a non-Sega platform. SNK needed a platformer for the Neo-Geo Pocket Color, and they developed it on their own. It's almost shocking just how well they did with Sega's little blue mascot."
Basically, this is typical Sonic. You play as Sonic the hedgehog, the world’s fastest hedgehog. As Sonic, you battle the evil Doctor Robotnik, who has a nasty habit of turning woodland creatures into robots. On top of that, Robotnik is also after the mystical Chaos Emeralds, so obviously Sonic has to stop him from getting all of those as well.
The bulk of Sonic Pocket Adventure is spent running through the fast-paced levels, and fighting Robotnik. Each level contains two acts. In each act one; you have a chance to win a Chaos Emerald by reaching the end with 50 rings, and jumping into the giant bonus ring. Said bonus ring will teleport you into a pseudo 3-D half-pipe that you must collect rings on. If you meet the number of rings asked, you get an emerald. In each act two; you have the pleasure of meeting up with Robotnik. Be ready for a fight, because this mad scientist has some powerful weapons ready for Sonic.
Most people will first notice that it looks very much like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (but with 8-Bit graphics). Don’t get confused going into this title. Sonic Pocket Adventure is not a port, or remake. All the levels are original; they just borrow the graphics style of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and most of the music from Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The graphics themselves are the highest quality I have ever seen on any 8-Bit system, especially an 8-Bit portable. The detail is extremely high, and most people will eventually forget they are using a portable while playing a portable system.
Like almost all Neo-Geo Pocket titles, Sonic Pocket Adventure takes advantage of the link cable so two player games are possible. The two player modes include racing, and ring collecting matches. It’s kind of a cool feature, but really only a distraction. Sonic Pocket Adventure is a great game, and unless you just can’t handle 8-Bit graphics anymore, definitely worth trying. The gameplay is on par with the Genesis Sonic games, and this title is packed with enough features and extras to keep any Sonic fan busy for quite a while.
Graphics: 7 out of 10
A lot of gamers may look at this, and think “That doesn’t look so good,” but this is on a portable comparable to a Gameboy Color. Keeping the platform in mind, this game looks excellent. |
Audio: 6 out of 10
This game has an enjoyable soundtrack, but the audio was all “borrowed” as well. |
Fun Factor: 6 out of 10
While this game is pretty impressive, the game engine shows it’s simplicities throughout, and the “borrowed” graphics from Sonic 2 make you feel like you have done this all before. Still fun if you already like Sonic games a lot! |
Replay Value: 8 out of 10
The hidden emblems will have you exploring for a long time to come, and the well-done 2 player mode is a lot of fun… assuming you know anyone who has another Neo-Geo Pocket Color. |
Final Rating: 7 out of 10
Despite a few short-comings, Sonic Pocket Adventure is a lot of fun for any Sonic fan, or Neo-Geo Pocket Color owner. |
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