16. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991, Sega Master System)
A few months after Sonic the Hedgehog debuted on the Sega Genesis, Sega released a Sonic the Hedgehog for its 8-bit Master System that bears only passing resemblance to its 16-bit cousin. There are new levels, the Chaos Emeralds are just out in the open (relying on exploration to find), the special stages function as loot pinatas granting Sonic extra lives and continues, and there’s a weird world map that shows the game takes place on an island. I’m guessing the Master System Sonic had to be different from the Genesis Sonic due to the reduced capabilities of the 8-bit console, but you can still see the shared design and gameplay elements. (There’s also a cool musical cue in the Bridge level that sounds curiously similar to Janet Jackson’s “Together Again.”) The game’s not bad. It’s not as visually appealing as its 16-bit cousin, nor is the music as catchy, but it’s still a solid Sonic game.
