Wii Warm Up: An aural discussion
by Jason Wishnov 
{ Jun 7th 2007 at 9:00AM }
The ESRB website typically reveals upcoming titles for the Virtual Console, and though it's by no means any sort of surprise, it looks like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will soon be coming to a Wii near you. This prompted some discussion among the staff, of course, and after several fingers were dislocated and a kidney stolen in the night, we reached no definite conclusion. Which of the four major Sonic titles of the 16-bit era was the best? Some say Sonic 3 (and what charming, handsome fellows they must be), but others say Sonic and Knuckles (the more crude, surly members of the staff, certainly).
I mean, we already totally know what the right answer is, but do you guys agree? Which of the three remaining are you most excited for?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jayenkai @ Jun 7th 2007 9:06AM
Sonic 2.
Honestly, I don't know why, it just feels "Right"..
Sonic 3's fine, but Sonic 2's just a couple of notches better. (or maybe I'm just more used to 2 than 3?)
McHoffa @ Jun 7th 2007 9:24AM
Don't forget Sonic CD!! that one is the best 16 bit... best music by far, deeper story line which gives the gameplay more depth (alternate futures, past and present for each level!)
Second would have to be sonic 2, then sonic 1... sonic 3 is when the series started changing, in my opinion, but it was still fun...
samfish @ Jun 7th 2007 9:28AM
Sonic CD is the best, but I guess that technically wasn't a 16-bit game.
So I'mma go with Sonic & Knuckles. It was the best looking/most artistic game of the series.
Cam @ Jun 7th 2007 9:35AM
sonic 2 was the best, for sure.
McHoffa @ Jun 7th 2007 9:40AM
sonic cd was 16 bit, just cd based so it had way more content... the only games that were not 16 bit were the ones that used the 32X adapter...
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 7th 2007 9:55AM
Although Sonic 3 & Knuckles had the best graphics and most power ups, I do feel Sonic 2 was best. The music was timeless and all of the stages were awesome , except for that stupid oil ocean garbage.
I never really played Sonic CD for more than 10 minutes so I have no opinion.
Does Sonic Spinball count, btw?
Jared @ Jun 7th 2007 10:01AM
I'd also say Sonic 2. Sonic 1 seemed a little rough, but awesome. I felt like Sonic 2 hit all of the right chords that Sonic 1 didn't hit, but also stayed very good and true to what we all first experienced as Sonic the Hedgehog.
Has the fact that we're talking about Sonic on a Nintendo forum lost all of it's irony for all of you yet? I can still remember the bitter rivalry that played out over the late 80s to mid-90s very, very well. No amount of Nintendo released Sonic games can erase memories of schoolyard spats that occurred between the kids who had Nintendos and the kids who had Genesis(es) {or is it Genesi?}, or the hilarious commercials. It's almost as ironic and odd as seeing Crash Bandicoot games on Nintendo systems.
Smoke @ Jun 7th 2007 10:18AM
The answer is simple: Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The way the game was intended to be, considering it was only split up in order to meet deadlines. It's something a lot of other companies wouldn't have done. Aso, S3&K has the best music in the series, especially in Lava Reef.
Herby @ Jun 7th 2007 10:48AM
Sonic CD was the best of the series - but Sonic 2 was my favorite of the four cartridges.
That said I have a real soft spot for Sonic Spinball as well - underrated gem of the series IMHO.
McHoffa @ Jun 7th 2007 10:56AM
i played spinball all the time... until i got to the end and died within seconds of beating it...
it was a very fun game, if only it had the look and feel of the other sonic games...
B-Ry @ Jun 7th 2007 10:56AM
Tough question. I'm gonna go with sonic3 and knuckles together as originally inteded simply because knuckles is the man.
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LandoX @ Jun 7th 2007 11:38AM
Ha! I have an answer to please everyone! Knuckles in Sonic 2!
Nah, just kidding. I guess I like both the same for different reasons. Sonic 2 upholds everything that feels classic about the Sonic franchise. The addition of that cute little two-tailed fox character simply sweetened the deal. I like Sonic 3 & Knuckles because, let's face it, most old-school platformers are not that long. The graphics and music are great in both, so they share an equal place in my heart.
Ryan M @ Jun 7th 2007 11:21AM
Sonic 3 & Knuckles, no doubt.
Hopefully they'll release that for download, instead of the original Sonic 3 or Sonic & Knuckles.
ianC @ Jun 7th 2007 12:08PM
Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
Ive been playing it recently (via Sonic Mega Collection) - it still holds up today.
Plus The Doomsday Zone = the best final level in a sonic game ever. Shame you can only do that level as Sonic, not Tails or Knuckles.
Will @ Jun 7th 2007 12:12PM
Sonic 2 was the best! And now that I've finally played Sonic CD on the Sega's Gamecube release of the Sonic Gems Collection I'll just pretend Sonic 3 never happened.
Billy_McBong @ Jun 7th 2007 12:13PM
sonic 2 FTW!!!!!
sonic & knuckles would be my next favorite( i love playing as knuckles)
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Jon @ Jun 8th 2007 5:57PM
Sonic 2 is my favorite. But only playing with SONIC ALONE. Tails is a MASSIVE pain in the rear. I can't count how many would-be perfect games that little pest ruined.
Charles @ Jun 9th 2007 9:48AM
If Sonic 3 & Knuckles counts, then that.
If not, then Sonic 2.
However, the bigger question for me is, what will they do about the connectivity with Sonic & Knuckles (as relates to the VC)?
Should be interesting.