Sonic CD Classic

Sonic CD Classic is a fast-paced platformer that lets you time travel in Sonic's world. It boasts beautiful game mechanics, fantastic visuals, and a stellar soundtrack. Despite some bugs and annoying ads, it offers plenty of humor and exciting gameplay that fans of the series will enjoy. However, it's not a hack and slash game, but rather a platformer at its core.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 11,333 reviews

music235 positive mentions

monetization640 negative mentions

monetization
687 mentions
6 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the excessive number of ads that interrupt gameplay, particularly after every level or action. While the game is free to play, users note that the option to remove ads for $2 does not eliminate all advertisements, especially those for other Sega products, leading to dissatisfaction among those who expected a truly ad-free experience. Overall, while some players find the ads tolerable, many feel they detract significantly from the enjoyment of the game.
- “People who pay for the 'no ads' experience are expecting no ads.”
- “The game was awesome and had no ads.”
- “Paid for no ads and still get ads.”
- “The ads are the biggest problem; they don't fit my screen so I can't skip them even if I watch them.”
- “I paid for the ad-free version and the ads were removed, but the next day the ads were back.”
- “Too many ads per level; I do not recommend this game. It's bad and some ads won't let you click off.”
music
613 mentions
38 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in Sonic CD has received mixed reviews, with many praising the engaging soundtracks, particularly the Japanese version, which is often described as superior and more atmospheric. However, the American soundtrack, especially the boss and game over themes, has been criticized for being creepy and unsettling, leading to some players expressing discomfort. Overall, the ability to switch between soundtracks is a highly appreciated feature, enhancing the gaming experience for fans of the series.
- “I absolutely love the music, it makes you really want to go fast and it is just a perfect game.”
- “The soundtrack is great both US and JP as they have their own atmosphere to them between good and bad futures; however, the past music stays the same.”
- “Sonic CD is an awesome high-speed platforming game, with a little bit of exploring as you time travel between past, present, and future through each colorful zone with two amazing soundtracks.”
- “I'm a bit disappointed that the remake couldn't give the US soundtrack unique songs for the past, but it's still great nonetheless.”
- “Another problem is that the music is straight up terrible, I hate the sound it makes when you beat the zone.. I hope they can make a better pixel Sonic game.”
- “I don't like it much because the first boss music I could not sleep; also the second level is hard. Maybe I will change the review if you make the second level easier and change the boss music.”
graphics
164 mentions
59 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and nostalgic appeal, with many users highlighting the enhanced visuals compared to the original version. However, some players have reported graphical glitches and issues on specific devices, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point of the game, contributing to its charm and enjoyment.
- “The graphics are beautiful, the music is catchy, and it's a must-have for any Sonic fan.”
- “The 16-bit graphics are wonderful and the controls are great too!”
- “Amazing graphics and music!”
- “I'm not sure if it has something to do with my phone's graphics card or what, but the game's basically unplayable now.”
- “There are some graphical errors on the title screen, presumably related to my phone's 18.5:9 aspect ratio.”
- “Among the weakest in the Sonic games, bad level design, disorienting graphics, and worst of all, lack of direction.”
gameplay
134 mentions
52 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, with many players praising the innovative time travel mechanic and nostalgic elements that enhance the experience. However, some users noted flaws such as difficult level designs, occasional audio issues, and the presence of ads that can detract from gameplay. Overall, while the game has its imperfections, it offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for fans of the Sonic franchise.
- “The gameplay is smooth and nostalgic, but I would like to see a feature where the game buttons are larger.”
- “Awesome graphics, awesome gameplay!”
- “The past/future mechanic makes for some unique gameplay.”
- “There are several flaws like jumping everywhere and weird and wacky mechanics and levels that are more like mazes which need an intense amount of strategy for example Chaos Collision Zone 3. That's most probably the reason why most people leave and hate this game, but it's mostly good, but not perfect.”
- “The graphics and sound effects are okay, but the gameplay is very repetitive and boring.”
- “You can't type in the codes and the gameplay is bad overall, horrible compared to the original version of the game.”
stability
86 mentions
5 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and audio issues that hinder gameplay. Many players express frustration over game-breaking bugs, such as freezing during critical moments and inconsistent functionality across different devices. While some users have noted improvements in stability after updates, the overall consensus remains that the game is still plagued by significant stability problems that need urgent attention.
- “It runs great and is a very high-quality mobile port of this great game!”
- “I love this game! It's fantastic—no lag, no glitches, and no issues at all.”
- “Good game, no glitches or anything.”
- “Once I'm able to play the whole game without game-breaking glitches, I'll make my review 5 stars!”
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
- “I liked it but bugs and glitches made it hard to play and I can't finish the last level because it logs me out of the game.”
story
53 mentions
47 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of Sonic CD is generally praised for its engaging and somewhat dark narrative, featuring themes of time travel and a quest to save Little Planet. While some players find it familiar to previous Sonic entries, many appreciate its depth and the incorporation of characters like Tails, enhancing the overall experience. However, a few critiques mention that the plot can feel convoluted or weird at times, particularly with its time travel elements.
- “Great game and great storyline!”
- “Although it seems familiar to previous Sonic entries, Sonic CD is a game that provides engaging music and a sturdy plot that would keep the momentum going.”
- “Great music, graphics are charming, the story is deep enough to be engaging without being too complex.”
- “A classic game, but I would consider it the worst of the original games because the story is a bit weird with the whole time travel plot.”
- “Ok, it's a very good game, but there is a problem: where is Knuckles? Also, why is there no story about Tails? I just want to know more about his character!”
- “You have to do a story about Tails, like there is a story on Sonic where he starts running with Amy. Please do what I said, as many people feel the same.”
humor
34 mentions
97 % positive mentions
-6 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as twisted and often absurd, with players finding amusement in scenarios like the "wait three minutes" tip and the antics of characters like Amy Rose and Metal Sonic. While some moments are genuinely funny, others veer into the creepy or frustrating, leading to mixed reactions about the overall comedic tone. Despite its flaws, many players appreciate the humor as a highlight, contributing to the game's charm.
- “Aside from that, I appreciate how twisted the humor is behind the 'wait three minutes' tip.”
- “The game is so bad I can barely stop laughing about the fact this game is a joke because it probably was; they make it look easy but in reality, it makes you question your own existence.”
- “It's a neat Sonic game and what's funny is that Sonic CD doesn't need a CD.”
- “This is not funny anymore; please do what you did for Sonic 1 and make a no-internet update.”
- “The humor feels forced and falls flat, making the experience less enjoyable.”
- “I expected more clever jokes, but most of the humor just misses the mark.”
optimization
14 mentions
43 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally praised, with improved performance and graphics compared to the original, though some users note issues with save file updates and lack of level select options. However, it struggles with full-screen compatibility on newer devices, particularly for users with larger screens or hands, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the port runs smoothly and offers enjoyable features like soundtrack selection and functional controls.
- “The port gives the option of selecting either the US or JP soundtrack along with a spindash that actually works, and is optimized extremely well.”
- “This game is really fun and optimized well.”
- “It's a pretty good port and runs smoothly and gives me something to do when I'm done with my classwork.”
- “The game is not optimized for those with bigger thumbs or larger devices.”
- “It's also clear that this port is not optimized for full-screen on newer devices.”
- “Update the game for S9 users; the screen is too wide for the game and it lacks graphical performance because of it.”
replayability
5 mentions
80 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptionally high replayability, surpassing that of previous Sonic titles. Players appreciate the engaging sprite work and the inclusion of time stones, which encourage multiple playthroughs to achieve the best ending.
- “Extremely high replay value.”
- “The sprite work is amazing and it offers replay value with the time stones for the best ending.”
- “It loses a lot of speed, but has more replay value than any Sonic game ever.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express strong emotional reactions to Sonic CD, particularly due to the difficulty of its special stages, which have led to frustration and tears. Despite these challenges, many still appreciate the game overall, indicating a complex relationship between enjoyment and emotional distress.
- “I cried..”
- “Starburst Highway is unfair; I would give it 5 stars, but it's so unfair I cried because of how hard it was.”
- “Sonic CD is a really good game, but its special stages are hell. It made me cry and it's too hard. If this was not Sonic, I would give it a 1/100 stars.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players criticize the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and stressful, particularly highlighting the poorly designed Wacky Workbench zone and frustrating boss encounters. The experience is marred by excessive ads and elements that detract from enjoyment, leading to overwhelmingly negative feedback.
- “Main gameplay element, stressful and tedious.”
- “One star, would rate it 0 purely for absolutely awful ads and Wacky Workbench 3. Wacky Workbench is the worst designed zone in Sonic history, super annoying, tedious boss, and flashing lights that give you headaches. What was Sega thinking?”
atmosphere
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a compelling soundtrack that varies between good and bad futures, while maintaining a consistent feel for the past. Players find the levels engaging, particularly the time-traveling mechanic that adds intrigue to the gameplay, especially during the destruction of Eggman's generators. Overall, the atmosphere is highly recommended for its immersive qualities.
- “The soundtrack is great, both in the US and Japan, as they create their own unique atmospheres between good and bad futures. The past music remains consistent, and the levels are fantastic. The part where you destroy Eggman's generators in the past is both intriguing and cool, especially since you can travel through time. I would definitely recommend this.”