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.

Play Modes

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

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,340 reviews

music83 positive mentions

monetization217 negative mentions

The game features a nostalgic soundtrack and engaging gameplay, making it a great experience for fans of the original Sonic CD.
The addition of Tails as a playable character and the ability to switch between US and JP soundtracks are well-received enhancements.
The graphics and overall design of the game are praised, providing a visually appealing experience.

The game requires an internet connection to play, which frustrates players who want to enjoy it offline.
There are frequent ads that interrupt gameplay, leading to a poor user experience.
Some players report bugs, such as the game crashing or not allowing them to progress after completing certain levels.

monetization
236 mentions
7 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the frequency and intrusiveness of ads, which often appear after every action, including pausing and completing levels. While some users appreciate the option to purchase an ad-free experience, they report that even after paying, ads for Sega products still persist, leading to dissatisfaction. Overall, while the game is praised for its quality, the overwhelming presence of ads significantly detracts from the gameplay experience.
- “People who pay for the 'no ads' experience are expecting no ads.”
- “It's a great game but it doesn't allow me to play offline even if I bought the no ads.”
- “But it's so annoying that you have to pay for no ads, but overall, play it; it's a good game.”
- “The ads completely break the game.”
- “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
201 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in Sonic CD has received mixed reviews, with many praising the option to switch between the Japanese and American soundtracks, highlighting the Japanese version as superior. While the soundtracks are generally described as catchy and nostalgic, some players find the American boss music unsettling and creepy, leading to a few nightmares. Overall, the game's music is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some criticisms regarding specific tracks.
- “The soundtrack is great, both US and JP, as they have their own atmosphere between good and bad futures. However, the past music stays the same. The levels are great in my opinion, especially the part where you destroy Eggman's generators in the past. In other words, I would recommend this.”
- “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.”
- “The music is great, especially the US soundtrack.”
- “Everything from the intro, the menu screen, the sound effects, and the music all have moments where they switch back and forth from being okay to just not sounding right.”
- “The intro music track is missing some vocal layers too.”
- “I think this game is bad because when I entered a boss fight it would play creepy music in the background.”
graphics
51 mentions
57 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game receive a positive reception, with many users praising their beauty and nostalgic charm. However, some players report issues such as graphical glitches and performance problems on certain devices, which can detract from the experience. Despite these concerns, the enhanced visuals and artistic style are frequently highlighted as standout features of the game.
- “The graphics are beautiful, the music is catchy, and it's a must-have for any Sonic fan.”
- “Awesome graphics, awesome gameplay!”
- “The graphics, the soundtrack... everything is good in the game.”
- “At the time of writing, there are a few problems - I have the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. I was able to adjust the screen size of the game so that it looked better, but now that Android Pie came out, it seems as if Sonic CD's resolution natively supports it now, which has broken graphics, such as the title screen having some white over it.”
- “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.”
gameplay
41 mentions
49 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this Sonic game is generally praised for its nostalgic elements, smooth controls, and engaging mechanics, particularly the time travel feature and level design. However, some players note issues such as repetitive gameplay, challenging level layouts, and the presence of ads, which, while not intrusive, can detract from the experience. Overall, it offers a fun and accessible experience for both new and returning players, despite some flaws.
- “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 music was amazing and the past/future gameplay was fun; the opening was gorgeous and the Metal Sonic race was one of the best parts of the game.”
- “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 is most probably the reason why most people leave and hate this game, but it's mostly good, just 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.”
story
20 mentions
35 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The story of Sonic CD is generally praised for its engaging and deep plot, with many players appreciating its nostalgic elements and the time travel theme, despite some finding it a bit convoluted. While some users express a desire for additional character storylines, such as those for Tails and Knuckles, the overall narrative is considered a strong aspect of the game, complemented by its charming graphics and memorable music. However, a few critiques mention that the story can feel familiar and that certain gameplay elements, like the last zone's difficulty, detract from the experience.
- “The story is one of the best.”
- “Great music, graphics are charming, the story is deep enough to be engaging without being too complex.”
- “But I think the story is even better than the original game.”
- “Maybe a remake where you get a story like the Saturday morning cartoon where they are freedom fighters fighting a guerrilla war where they have to stay hidden... in a manner of speaking... Jaleel White please!!!”
- “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? And why is there no story about Tails?”
stability
19 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting various glitches, including freezing, graphical issues, and gameplay interruptions. Many players have experienced game-breaking bugs that hinder progress, while others noted that the ad-free version still suffers from delays and errors. Overall, the game appears to be plagued by stability issues that detract significantly from the experience.
- “I can't compare this to the Sega CD original, but there are glitches throughout (one causing Sonic to get stuck in a conveyor belt and die).”
- “The only problem is when I play, sometimes the game freezes.”
- “Still faulty and buggy at the first boss level, can't play it no matter how many times I've re-installed and then deleted it; I gave up, sorry.”
humor
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as twisted and situationally funny, particularly in moments involving character interactions, such as Amy Rose's antics and the absurdity of certain gameplay scenarios. While some players find the humor entertaining, others feel it can be overshadowed by frustrating gameplay elements, leading to mixed reactions overall.
- “Aside from that, I appreciate how twisted the humor is behind the 'wait three minutes' tip.”
- “Hahaha, spin the wheel but I got second and Sonic ran straight away from me because I was skipping; I kept running. That's so funny.”
- “Very funny! A bit too easy, but one boss fight is very hard. The Metal Sonic boss fight gets a 5 out of 5 from me.”
optimization
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally praised for its improved performance and graphics compared to the original, with features like soundtrack selection and a functional spindash. However, it suffers from issues on newer devices, particularly with full-screen display and controls for larger screens, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the lack of a completion update for save files and level select options is noted as a missed opportunity for rewarding players.
- “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.”
- “It's a pretty good port and runs smoothly and gives me something to do when I'm done with my classwork.”
- “Excellent port with better performance and graphics than the original.”
- “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.”
- “The game is not optimized for those with bigger thumbs or larger devices.”
replayability
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features impressive sprite work and offers significant replayability through the inclusion of time stones, which are necessary for achieving the best ending. Overall, players find the replay value to be extremely high.
- “The sprite work is amazing and it offers replay value with the time stones for the best ending.”
- “Extremely high replay value.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % 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, making it a recommended experience.
- “The soundtrack is great, both in the US and Japan, as they each have their own unique atmosphere that reflects good and bad futures. The music from the past 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.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is immersive, with a perfect blend of sound and visuals that draw you into its world. Each location feels distinct and alive, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The game's atmosphere is captivating, with a rich sound design that complements the stunning visuals. It creates a sense of wonder and adventure that keeps you engaged throughout.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
- “Despite some interesting visuals, the overall ambiance is dull and fails to engage the player.”
- “The game tries to create a unique atmosphere, but it ends up feeling generic and forgettable.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight significant frustration with grinding in the game, particularly criticizing the poorly designed Wacky Workbench zone, which is described as tedious and annoying. Players express dissatisfaction with the overall experience, citing excessive ads and headaches caused by flashing lights as additional negative factors.
- “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. It's super annoying, tedious, and the boss fights are frustrating. The flashing lights also give you headaches. What was Sega thinking?”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express strong emotional reactions to Sonic CD, particularly due to the frustration caused by its challenging special stages, which can lead to feelings of anger and disappointment. Despite these difficulties, some still appreciate the game overall, indicating a complex emotional experience tied to both enjoyment and frustration.
- “Sonic CD is a really good game, but its special stages are incredibly difficult. It made me cry, and if it weren't a Sonic game, I would have given it a 1/100 stars.”