Android version out now at Gamestop. All other versions coming in December.
So I figured with the re-release of Sonic CD coming soon, it might be time to split discussion from the Sonic Generations topic. If you haven't been keeping up, this port of Sonic CD is balls to ass fantastic. It is NOT emulation - Sega hired Taxman, from Sonic Retro, to handle the port himself. He has completely rewritten the game engine, subbing in his fantastic Retro Engine (which, if you've been paying attention, you might know from
Sonic Nexus, which has thus been cancelled), and it sports a load of improvements, including:
1) TRUE widescreen 15:9 support
2) Improved 60 fps framerate (plus new animations for several objects to take advantage of this, such as including additional frames of spinning for the rings, taken from Knuckles Chaotix)
3) Even higher quality opening and closing animation than seen in Sonic Mega Collection
4) Ability to select between classic Sonic CD and Sonic 2 physics
5) Ability to select between classic Sonic CD spindash or the Sonic 2-Knuckles spindash
6) Ability to play as Tails
7) Per-pixel touch up of all the sprites to replace dithering effect with true, new color blends
8) True alpha blending in several locations
9) Much improved scaling on the special stages
And a load of other surprises which haven't been revealed yet.
Earlier today, someone snapped video of Sonic CD at Gamestop showing off the new menus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIbGZFbYWJo&feature=player_embedded
Sega has pretty much comitted to giving us a downloadable Sonic game every year from here on out, and this enhanced port of Sonic CD is this year's offering (with Sonic 4 episode 1 being last years). Sega has said they'll be watching the reception to Sonic CD closely, implying that its performance could influence the direction of Sonic 4 Episode 2. I can't recommend enough that people pick this port up, because it's NOT the usual lazy emulation people are used to seeing. This will be, without a doubt, the definitive version of Sonic CD when it's all said and done.
Official trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35gmCp8dnw
Video Taxman used to pitch the game to Sega:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJa-4tMqVNc
EDIT: Oh yeah, and I should mention that the Android version of the game supports external bluetooth controllers.
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Not gonna be included due to licensing issues. JPN soundtrack only.
However, Sega is gauging interest in having the US soundtrack becoming DLC, essentially passing the license directly onto the end user.
Then again Sega has the luxury of having two soundtracks for Sonic CD.
Well, the soundtrack for Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 actually isn't used very often. Green Hill zone has been used a few times, but outside of Sonic Generations, when's the last time you can remember a bunch of Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 music being used?
Sega paid a lot of licensing to use the music in generations.
EDIT: That, in fact, is the reason the Sonic 3 total screen music is always used over the sonic 1 and 2 total screen music.
Well, it's been in the many, MANY re-releases of Sonic 1 and 2 over the last couple of generations, as well as three tracks in Smash Bros Brawl.
Re-releases don't count, sega is free to rerelease the games without having to relicense the music. If they did a port of Sonic 1 or Sonic 2 the same way they're doing this Sonic CD port, however, they'd have to relicense the music.
Nintendo licensed the music for Smash Bros Brawl, though.
There's also the invincibilty music.
All his abilities from Sonic 3.
There are other secrets which haven't been revealed yet.
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JPN/EU soundtrack is a nice incentive.
I'll just leave this here...
SEGA are really going above and beyond to make this the most definitive version of Sonic CD ever released. Which is good, as it's the most underrated Sonic game in my opinion.
I don't know what universe Sonic CD is underrated in. It is always spoken very highly of.
The only good thing about the American soundtrack is Sonic Boom. The Japanese soundtrack is superior in every other way. I also really like Toot Toot Sonic Warrior, but I prefer Sonic Boom.
Underrated is the wrong word, but it's always seemed like SEGA themselves are so reluctant to re-release Sonic CD, despite constantly re-releasing all the other Genesis-era Sonic games. I even seem to recall the Sonic Gems Collection became very hard to get a hold of after a while (although I am in the UK, so that might have something to do with it).
And outside of a small circle of Sonic fans who've gotten a hold of and played it, people aren't as familiar with Sonic CD as other Sonic games.
Underrated is definitely the wrong word.
Personally, I don't hate it, but like it more as an alternative option.
I prefer the U.S. Stardust Speedway music, the future in particular, and the boss music. The latter is especially creepy with some of the unlockables...
"Underexposed," perhaps?
Like Mega Man Legends? Then check out my story, Legends of the Halcyon Era - An Adventure in the World of Mega Man Legends on TMMN and AO3!
So yeah, I'll be surprised if it gets delayed for every other device.
US Stardust Speedway Present/Bad Future makes me hope that you can switch soundtracks while in gameplay. Stardust speedway without those songs playing feels wrong. (Also, Bad Future is the only acceptable place to fight Metal Sonic)
Pictures taken from sonicstadium.org:
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Also, both soundtracks are in the game.
My Backloggery