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Sonic CD

Sonic CD Game Cover
88%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
grinding, stability
88% User Score Based on 3,666 reviews

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Sonic CD Game Cover

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Sonic CD is a single player action game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Blit Software and was released on January 18, 2012. It received positive reviews from players.

Sonic CD is a classic platformer game where Sonic the Hedgehog races to stop Dr. Robotnik from controlling Little Planet and reshaping time. Players can travel between past, present, and future versions of levels by reaching signposts and collecting CDs. With its fast-paced gameplay and time-travel mechanic, Sonic CD offers a unique experience in the Sonic franchise.

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88%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,666 reviews
music588 positive mentions
grinding23 negative mentions
  • The game features an amazing soundtrack with both Japanese and American versions, each offering unique and enjoyable tracks.
  • Sonic CD introduces a unique time travel mechanic that encourages exploration and adds depth to the gameplay.
  • The remastered version includes quality of life improvements, such as widescreen support and the ability to play as Tails.
  • The level design can be confusing and frustrating, often hindering the fast-paced gameplay that Sonic is known for.
  • The time travel mechanic is not well-implemented, making it difficult to navigate levels and achieve the good ending.
  • The bosses are generally easy and lack the challenge found in other classic Sonic games.
  • music
    1,432 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in Sonic CD is widely praised, with both the Japanese and American soundtracks receiving acclaim for their distinct styles. Many players prefer the upbeat and energetic Japanese soundtrack, while others appreciate the atmospheric qualities of the American version. The ability to switch between these soundtracks enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in the Sonic franchise, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The soundtrack shifts between invigorating and mesmerizing.”
    • “The music perfectly complements each zone, immersing players in an unforgettable sonic experience.”
    • “What really makes this game is the soundtrack; both the Japanese and American soundtracks have some of the most quintessential Sonic songs ever made.”
    • “The only criticism is some of the music is jarring.”
    • “The music is foul, not pleasant, nothing memorable, and the music was meant to be the best part of it considering it was CD-based; it is a shame about the music, nothing like Green Hill, Starlight, Casino, or even the latest pop music they use for Sonic, just a mess.”
    • “The music is one of the worst in the series.”
  • gameplay
    555 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Sonic CD is characterized by its classic 2D platforming mechanics, enhanced by a unique time travel feature that allows players to explore different versions of each level. While many players appreciate the depth and exploration this mechanic adds, others find it cumbersome and poorly integrated, often hindering the fast-paced gameplay typical of the Sonic series. Overall, the game is praised for its vibrant visuals and exceptional soundtrack, but the level design and execution of the time travel mechanic receive mixed reviews, with some players feeling it detracts from the core experience.

    • “The gameplay is classic Sonic, with a unique twist: time travel. It adds depth and replayability to the experience.”
    • “Great gameplay with the time travel gimmick adding to a lot of replayability, it has amazing music, creative boss fights; it's definitely one of the quintessential Sonic games.”
    • “The time travel mechanic allows you to go back to the past in order to prevent enemies from spawning in the future, making the gameplay challenging without being unfair.”
    • “The core mechanic asks you to go fast to time travel—but the levels are filled with obstacles that kill your speed instantly.”
    • “The level design is terrible and the time travel mechanic ironically slows the game to a crawl when attempting to actually make use of it.”
    • “The gameplay just doesn't feel right.”
  • graphics
    258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Sonic CD are widely praised for their vibrant and colorful aesthetic, showcasing impressive visuals that were ahead of their time, particularly with the unique time travel mechanic that alters the appearance of levels. While some reviews note that the graphics can feel cluttered or overwhelming, many appreciate the detailed sprite work and the overall artistic direction, which remains appealing even in modern contexts. However, there are criticisms regarding the clarity of visuals during fast-paced gameplay, with some players finding it challenging to navigate due to the busy backgrounds.

    • “What makes Sonic CD stand out among the other classics is the fact that you can time-travel, so every stage is actually 4 in 1: there are slight changes on the map and completely different visuals and soundtrack for each point in time, which makes the game super dynamic and fun to explore.”
    • “From the lush greenery of Palmtree Panic to the futuristic vistas of Stardust Speedway, the graphical fidelity of Sonic CD was impressive for its time.”
    • “The graphics are bright and vibrant; however, the levels can be a bit too flashy.”
    • “From the eye-gougingly bad graphics to the abysmal level design, to the absolute joke boss fights, to the terrible implementation of exploration, Sonic CD plays like the absolute worst-of-the-worst ROM hacks you'd find circa 2007 on SonicRetro.”
    • “Graphically, it looks no different either, which is disappointing since this game was originally released for the Sega CD but hardly justifies ever owning that expansion, let alone any other game for it.”
    • “The visuals are so muddy and stretched out that it's hard to see what's around you most of the time, even when you're not moving at top speed.”
  • story
    119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Sonic CD is generally regarded as simple yet charming, revolving around Sonic's quest to thwart Dr. Robotnik and save Amy Rose while introducing time travel mechanics that allow players to influence the future. While some players appreciate the narrative's themes of technology and nature coexisting, others find it straightforward and lacking depth, typical of classic Sonic games. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging cutscenes and the introduction of key characters, though some critiques highlight its occasional confusion and reliance on external resources for understanding the plot.

    • “Cd's story is a beautiful telling of how selfish humanity can be, and the idea that technology and nature don't have to be opposites, they can work together to create a good future ”
    • “The music is incredible, the visuals are vibrant and colorful, the story is set out simply and effectively with amazingly animated 2D cutscenes.”
    • “With its unique time-travel mechanics and rich storyline, Sonic CD is a must-play for fans of the blue blur and newcomers alike.”
    • “The story is mediocre, which you would expect from a Sonic game; not really much to talk about, just stop Eggman from taking over an inhabited planet - the end, really not that much to expect.”
    • “I kind of figured it out after reading about it online, but it still doesn't really make sense with the information provided to us by the intro video or any other storytelling cues.”
    • “The story is what you would come to expect from a Sonic game.”
  • replayability
    75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Sonic CD is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its unique time travel mechanic, multiple pathways, and various achievements. Players appreciate the exploration aspect and the ability to experience different versions of levels, which enhances the game's longevity despite its relatively short length. Overall, the combination of engaging level design, unlockable content, and the inclusion of a second playable character contributes to its status as one of the most replayable titles in the classic Sonic series.

    • “Sonic CD is, in my opinion, a top-tier classic Sonic game. It's very replayable, has no real bad zones, and has the best soundtrack as long as you're using the US version.”
    • “The game has great replayability; you can replay it in various ways with different time travel routes, and the story isn't long enough to make replaying tedious.”
    • “Finding the robot generator in the past and then going to the future you just helped create, all while the triumphant good future theme plays, is the most rewarding part of the game. The vast number of alternate levels and themes caused by this gives the game immense replay value, even more so than the other classic games.”
    • “It's pretty short, so don't come in expecting a huge amount of replay value.”
    • “The game has multiple endings which are supposed to give it replayability, but multiple endings only really work when the game has a plot.”
    • “O Sonic CD's replay value allows you to replay each level again in a time challenge - you also have the choice to replay the game through different paths using the time signs, but other than that, there really isn't much you can do in the game post-game wise.”
  • atmosphere
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Sonic CD is highly praised, with reviewers noting the impressive soundtracks—both the groovier Japanese version and the more atmospheric American version—that enhance the game's environments and narrative. The visuals and music work together to create a vivid and immersive experience, effectively contrasting the serene past with the dystopian future. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out as a defining feature, contributing significantly to its unique identity within the Sonic franchise.

    • “In stark contrast, the US soundtrack takes more focus on the state of the world around our protagonist and is designed to build atmosphere, which it does pretty well.”
    • “The graphics are bright and flashy, atmospheric, and basically everything you want from a Sonic game.”
    • “The game lets you choose between the more atmospheric and moody US soundtrack or the upbeat and peppy JP soundtrack.”
    • “Every bad future has an intense atmosphere of why Eggman winning leads to the complete destruction of all life.”
    • “While it nails atmosphere and aesthetic, the level design is just as bad as people make it out to be.”
    • “By default, the past is an ancient, primal form of the stage and the future is when the stage has been taken over by Robotnik and the atmosphere is very much dystopian.”
  • grinding
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding certain levels and mechanics tedious and frustrating, particularly the time travel and backtracking elements. While some appreciate the replayability and unique boss designs, the overall level design often detracts from the experience, leading to feelings of frustration and a sense of meandering rather than fast-paced gameplay. Players suggest that while the game has enjoyable elements, the grinding required for completion can be a chore, especially when hunting for collectibles and navigating complex level layouts.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Only about two of the zones are any good, much like Sonic 1, and the rest feel quite tedious.”
    • “The level design is based less around speed and more around exploring, which is all well and good, but looking for the 'past' sign, gaining enough speed to go there, searching for the robot-making machine, and destroying it in every single level to get the good ending can be extremely tedious at times.”
    • “And lastly, overall level design is meandering and tedious, with abrupt stop-and-go platforming and stages so big and non-descript that you are essentially guaranteed to get lost on your first playthrough, only adding to your frustration as the level drags on.”
  • humor
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of light-hearted and situational comedy, often evoking nostalgia and laughter through clever design choices and character interactions. Players appreciate the amusing challenges and easy-to-defeat bosses, while some find the humor to be hit-or-miss, with a few jokes landing better than others. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging gameplay, making it a fun experience for many.

    • “Haha, funny Sonic goes 'past' and 'future'.”
    • “It's abundantly clear that this is supposed to be Dr. Robotnik laughing at us.”
    • “I strongly recommend this game for a fast-paced addictive platforming experience with great visuals, amazing music, and stages that range from hilarious to flat-out challenging.”
    • “This is not funny.”
  • emotional
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply impactful, particularly through its time travel mechanic, which allows them to witness the transformation of vibrant zones into desolate futures, evoking a sense of heartbreak and urgency to achieve good endings. The atmospheric soundtrack enhances this emotional experience, with some players feeling a profound connection to the game's themes, despite mixed feelings about character depth and the overall tone. The juxtaposition of beautiful pasts and grim futures creates a compelling narrative that resonates with players, making the emotional journey a significant part of the gameplay experience.

    • “The time travel is also good; seeing all these wonderful zones in the present, past, bad future, and good future is amazing. It also gives the player a motive to get the good ending because seeing the wonderful zones being turned into nothing but dust is heartbreaking.”
    • “I tried to like it, but as soon as I reached Collision Chaos, I felt something no soundtrack has ever made me feel.”
    • “Very atmospheric progressive rock music that is kind of emotionally ambiguous... until you get to the bad future.”
  • stability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the stability of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report a smooth experience with minimal glitches and improved performance on modern systems, others have encountered bugs, particularly towards the end of the game. The remaster has successfully eliminated many issues from the original version, but some users still experience occasional clipping and other minor glitches.

    • “It runs great; no CD loading slows it down.”
    • “I have found no glitches, and everything works great.”
    • “Very good port; runs great on my setup.”
    • “But they just had to take it all down to help sell their overpriced collection of subpar buggy remasters.”
    • “It's super buggy, not really optimized for Steam/PC.”
    • “If you take the game at a slower pace, you'll find some glitches with clipping.”
  • optimization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing it for being buggy and not well-suited for PC, particularly in terms of frame rate and aspect ratio. However, others appreciate the improvements in widescreen support and performance tweaks, noting that it runs smoothly at 60 fps on modern systems. Overall, while there are optimization issues, the game can still provide an enjoyable experience when approached with the right expectations.

    • “Widescreen support with modern resolutions, Japanese and American OST options, performance tweaks for the 2.5 special stages, and small touches and new features like the Sonic 2 spin-dash and Tails as a playable character make this the definitive version.”
    • “I have played this game plenty of times on console and it plays, runs smoothly like it does on console.”
    • “Runs smoothly at 60 fps.”
    • “It's super buggy, not really optimized for Steam/PC.”
    • “This release of Sonic CD is seemingly the same one you'll be getting in the upcoming Sonic Origins collection, hopefully with the frame rate optimized to support monitors over 60Hz and the aspect ratio being in proper widescreen unlike this release's weird in-between.”
    • “Generally expands on Sonic 1, although controversial for its unoptimized level design, it can still be really fun and certainly is at least on par, if not greater than Sonic 1.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model for the mobile ports of classic games has drawn criticism for relying on ad revenue, which detracts from the gaming experience. In contrast, the 2011 remaster of Sonic CD offers an ad-free experience for a one-time upfront payment, making it a more favorable option for players who prefer to avoid in-game advertisements. Overall, while some free versions exist, they come with the trade-off of intrusive ads.

    • “I'd recommend this release of the 2011 remaster of Sonic CD over the mobile version because while you do have to pay for this upfront, there are no ads.”
    • “[*][b][u]In-game purchases[/u][/b]: none”
    • “It's not like you didn't already make a bank and a half from these classics; now you expect people to play the mobile ports and watch ads every time they start the game?”
    • “I have gifted this game to friends with no regrets, and if you want to try it for free, there's always the Android version with ads.”
    • “In-game purchases: none”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is highlighted by impressive designs, particularly for characters like Amy and Metal Sonic, who are noted for their cool aesthetics and memorable boss encounters. The attention to detail in animations and the overall character design contributes to a visually engaging experience, enhancing the game's appeal despite its challenging levels.

    • “Amy and Metal Sonic have pretty cool character designs, and Metal has one of the series' best bosses dedicated to him.”
    • “Every little detail has about 12 billion frames of animation, the enemy and character designs are simple but pleasing, not to mention the parallax scrolling, which is done incredibly well within the game, giving a great sense of depth.”
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9h Median play time
7h Average play time
2h Main story
6h Completionist
4-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Sonic CD is a action game with science fiction theme.

Sonic CD is available on iPhone, Windows, PC, Phone and others.

The main story can be completed in around 2 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 6 hours to finish. On average players spend around 7 hours playing Sonic CD.

Sonic CD was released on January 18, 2012.

Sonic CD was developed by Blit Software.

Sonic CD has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its grinding.

Sonic CD is a single player game.

Similar games include Sonic CD, Sonic Generations, Sonic Mania, SONIC SUPERSTARS, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II and others.