The IDENTITY CRISIS of Sonic CD 

This retrospective is excellent. It really highlights the issues that CD has. Every cheap spike placement or every time an opportunity to travel to the past was taken away by some random bullshit, keeps me from wanting to beat the game again. At the same time, it highlights the music... which, most of it, IS AMAZING. Great work RZ.

Thanks for putting all the part together, I'll prefer watching the video that way, in the future

Interesting retrospective. I'll be honest: After playing through all the old Sonic games to completion for the first time around a year ago, CD was the only one I came away truly loving. There are absolutely a few problematic generators, but I love that they're tied to the time-travel mechanic. In the Genesis titles, I don't feel there's a great incentive to really learn how to build up speed, or make use of the environments. Certainly it can allow you to go faster, but that's then running counter to the element of, say, playing conservatively enough to save rings for secret-stage entry, or to find them in the case of Sonic 3 & Knuckles. CD is the only game where I feel the physics puzzles, speed, and exploration all come together. To get the good ending, you need to find the generators, and to find the generators, you need to not only explore, but figure out how to use the environment to build up the necessary speed to travel to the past. It isn't perfect, but this is as close to a good marriage of all of Sonic's elements as I feel the original run ever comes. As a way of off-setting some of the more obtuse hiding spots, you're also able to enter standard bonus stages to gather the time gems for a good ending. Allowing these two possibilities does the game a world of good. It isn't perfect, but I feel this is the best outing of the lot; I'd have been interested to see the series continue closer in spirit to CD: big, explorable physics puzzles that demand mastery of Sonic's controls, rather than three-tiered racetracks at odds with other exploration-focused elements. If a sequel had cleaned up some of CD's jank, we could have gotten something truly special. I do wish, as you state in your recommendations, that the generators had been hidden in places that required specific manipulation of Sonic's physics.

Is Sonic 3 & Knuckles getting a Review? Also this review is probably one of the best Sonic cd reviews i've seen in a while

05:53 As soon as Sonic touches the spring DON'T press ANYTHING, lest you will reduce Sonic's momentum, and in turn keep hitting the wall.

I love the Bad Future Quartz Quadrant theme from the US soundtrack, quite haunting and beautiful. Sonic CD was an interesting approach at but could have been better if the timer had been left out and if the exploration didn't conflict with the haphazard level designs. A good but flawed game.

6:56 The only other way to get the good ending if that happens, is that of collecting all of the Time Stones, but you do that, then you can't break the robot generators. (locking you out of an achievenemt/trophy) It also permanently teleports you into the good future all the time with all seven.

*insert* "why isn't the full video called Quickies Don't Cut It?" *comment*

I am actually heavily _against_ a panning camera. It was an objectively _fine_ solution for 4 : 3 times (though I still subjectively disliked it even then), but we live in the era of widescreen gaming now, so it's just not necessary anymore.

Hope this new format works out for you!!! Appreciating still being able to watch the full long format!!! And OMG, you mentioning DKC throughout the analysis, PLEASE COVER THE DKC TRILOGY!!! THAT WOULD BE A DREAM!!! 😍

Great video. As for me, despite it's issues, I really like this Sonic title because of it's variety, graphics, soundtrack, the ability to save (which was a big issue I had with Sonic 1 & 2 of not being able to save as dying and starting over can be frustrating even if there is an incentive to get lives) and how playing the game is quite fun. Level design can be odd, but I don't find all of the level design bad or a mess. Only a few times did I see that. For the most part, I will admit that levels compared to other Sonic games don't stand out as much and how much power the Sega CD is capable of doing is just not showing in this game aside from the cutscenes

Miss the "Quickies Don't Cut It" subtitle, but definitely LOVE the new multi-part reviews. This is DEFINITELY a good choice from what I can tell from the consumer perspective. Great work!

Thank you for this! I recently subscribed because your material is excellent! I can easily spend an hour watching such a great analysis of a Sonic game. Sonic CD is my favorite classic Sonic game (with Sonic Mania now possibly coming out ahead, but most of it is still a rehash instead of all original content). Still, many of the points you make do resonate with me and I can see where you are coming from. Particularly the time travel, while making things more interesting (and I'm glad they're in there), they could have been implemented better. I appreciate you spending so much time on this! If the end product is over one hour, I can't imagine how much time and effort went in to making it! When/If you get a chance, I'd love to see a Sonic Mania analysis in the future.

Love the segment where you talked about changes you would suggest. Genius ideas for improving the game👍🏿

I really enjoyed this review of the game, you went into an enormous amount of detail on alot of it's aspects and content but you still missed out on talking about lots of the game's other features like the Time Attack mode and how if the player manages to score really low records the time attack mode eventually unlocks the special stages as time attack stages or the D.A. Garden sound test, the pencil test visual mode where you can watch the FMVs free in options, the game's hidden secret special stage with the Robotnik face and the secret sound test and level select. There are also weird pictures hidden in the game where putting special codes on the title screen unlocks them.

Oh man, I remember the metal sonic boss giving me such trouble as a kid. It's thematically super cool and memorable but wow was it difficult... Your insights into the overall gameplay and level design differences between this and previous Sonic games was awesome. Keep up the good work!

This actually made me realize why this game feels easier to play than 1 and 2 for me. It's more forgiving and it's easier to just roam freely and have fun. Pretty spot on the game's flaws too.

10:46 - Would you say it's a bit of... _Collision Chaos?_

I watched the parts each week, but I’m so happy you’re still putting them together. Thanks a bunch, RZ, you’re my favorite RU-vidr!

Great video man I couldn't wait for you to get to CD! Got to say I like the new format it makes it easier to get to specific parts of your reviews instead of having to skip through them, and if I want to watch the whole thing then it's still available as a complete video. Can't wait too see you cover sonic 3 these videos are well worth the wait!

You don't need to get all the robot generators. You can get all the time stones instead.

Glad to see this out. Great stuff as always!

The US and Japanese soundtrack imo are both great.

This was an amazing essay, I really enjoyed this! I just played the game for the first time through last night, and this was exactly the kind of video I was hoping to find after finishing it.

As someone with not a lot of time to watch the full video, I am very thankful you cut down your videos! now it is the weekend I can watch it all again In 1 video. Love the vids man! Keep up the good work.

Great idea giving the option for consuming shorter segments or the full thing in one video!

90s SEGA of America: "This Japanese OST isn't _cool_ and *_EDGY_* enough! Make it gloomier and moodier for our cool and darkly mature target audience!" The target audience: _Proceeds to set the OST to Japanese on any opportunity given to them_

After watching this, I watched your reviews of the first two Sonic games and at the end of your Sonic 2 review you said that you would cover the Taxman and Stealth remakes after your Sonic CD review. Does that mean your review of the remakes is coming up next?

41:19 Wait, you can do what? I never knew about this. Thank you.

The Metallic Madness Past completion problem was fixed in the Sonic Jems Collection version for the GameCube, and the 2011 Christian Whitehead remake. In the former, rotating platformas were added next to the ledge. In the latter, the spring just bounces you up there like it should. Apparently this was what the spring was intended to do the entire time and it was just bugged in the original. Considering that Sega CD consoles and games are expensive, I think it's safe to assume that 99% of people aren't going to run into the Metallic Madness problem as they'll be playing one of the ports.

Sweet a full review! Thanks for creating once again. What I'm REALLY waiting for though, is X8! Any idea how much longer?

I like how (iirc) KingK said it: CD's level design feels like something an amateur would throw together in Mario Maker. It's just... _stuff,_ for the sake of making a level that technically _is_ a level and exists, with no further thought to it.

I prefer the older format of your videos, honestly. Right now the parts feel so disjointed and you feel like they start in the middle of nowhere and don't really end, like if you're missing something. Full retrospectives are better in my opinion

It's interesting that you consider the bonus stages the best of the 16-bit era. A lot of people consider them the absolute worst of the franchise because Sonic is forced to attack 2D ufos on a 3D plane where it's impossible to properly judge the distance between them and Sonic and falling short would often lead him to falling in water and losing precious time.

New subscriber. Your reviews are very informative and helpful. Don't know why you don't have more subscribers. Keep making these videos.

Mate, stardust speedway is my favorite level in sonic CD, the music and visuals are amazing... Even in sonic mania...

1 and 2 aren’t really trial and error based, plus the rings helped solved that problem. CD has great levels.

This new format for laying out the game reviews is very well done, and think that it can fit this channel very nicely. However the audience is one thing; the bigger question is how did YOU feel with this new format? If it’s still enjoyable then power to ya, keep on with it. If you think that making it into parts makes the content lose its charm, then maybe there’s another solution. The audience seems to be met with universal praise, but how did you feel when doing it this way? I digress a bit; I really enjoyed the review RZ. Everything is as well scripted and all the aspects well analyzed as always. I do believe there is a lot of validity in you’re idea about scrapping the time travel gimmick and having that centered around the three acts to a zone. I think what also would’ve been better is if the bad and good future bosses were different to their time periods respectively. Anyway, all and all a very solid review! Keep up the great work!

Your Sonic videos are the best I've watched. Very entertaining. Great insight.

If I remember correctly, it was posible to make the Quartz Quadrant boss go by faster by using the dash/super peel out.

The US OST kinda just sounds like 90s TV show background music to me. Can totally see US Collision Chaos (Bad Future) play for a scene of Uncle Jesse being a bad boy out in the city at night (and of course Danny would scold him in the morning and then Uncle Jesse gets hugged by the girls and will have learned a valuable life lesson).

Not trying to hate or complain to much, but was there always this many ads on your videos? Other than that I love this format and watch your reviews at least 3 times (especially when its sonic related) I'm sure I can speak for all of your followers, that we appreciate all your hard work!

This game would become emblematic of what games Naoto Ohshima's own company, Artoon/Arzest, would turn out: nice collections of great ideas with gameplay execution not taken seriously enough in time for shipping. One idea I have for mechanical improvement is to have Past and Future signs be able to warp you right when you touch them if you're already going fast enough. It'd allow for consistent destinations which can be used to ensure Sonic will be fairly safe coming out of a warp and would make the future takes of the levels more like traps when the capsules are intact and more accessible as rewards after destroying the capsules.

I think the time travel would work better if they worked like the special stages portals in Sonic 2. You run past a sign post, the sparkles appear over it and you can jump in if you want. That or make them like Sonic 3 with the giant ring, have 2 past portals and 2 future portals hidden somewhere the level and it's up to you to find them. Or, if you are completely married to the speed idea, allow someone to use the same post multiple times. Let them keep trying until they get it.

Great review, great game imo, too bad Naka couldn't participate in develoment but at the same time it's impressive what they managaged to achieve with the Sonic 1 engine. If this game had been made nowadays and it rounded everything better, maybe make it a less vertical while keeping the insane focus on replay value (the combination of this + only 7 levels was a genius decision, really this game feels sometimes even more replayable than S3&K, likely an effect of the considerable amount of time the devs had before release) it would be game of the year candidate, there's just nothing like it and I'm not even talking about the quirky level design which I mostly like because it feels more Sonic 1 than Sonic 2 (the bottomless pits in Sonic 2 didn't added anything to the game except in a few spots).

My favourite classic game, the level design is so good. It’s fast, and yes, the game has a lot of gimmicks. But the gimmicks don’t ruin the pase.

I think modern Sonic games have the rings figured out quite well; lose rings on hit, but _not all_ of them. Basically like a numeric health bar. Would've worked for CD and your ideas for it too, I feel.

You forgot to mention that you can also get the good ending by collecting all 7 time zones (which is a much easier method if im honest) at least in the 2011 remaster, which is the best way to play this game IMO. Also while i enjoy your reviews i was suprised at the amount of negative things you pointed out about this game. I never noticed alot of bugs or gliches when i played, but again maybe thats to do with the remastered version i was playing.

Love your videos. Keep up the good work.

You van literally see the tube in Wacky Workbench one and its the only one in that stage. If you learn the trick you can exploit it in Wacky Workbench 2 for other secrets.

So I've noticed your new video format, where you construct a multipart review that can be turned into one flowing video, honestly I don't feel this new method is very great as it requires alot more effort and it isn't a very efficient way to gain traction. I liked you're longer videos but obviously not everyone has time for that, I get structuring it as both a multi parter and a long video pleases both but I don't think it'll increase the channel's growth, longer videos can be successful but what you need to know before making a long video on something is how relevant it is, a long video about Jak and Daxter isn't going to get many views because Jak and Daxter isn't very relevant while as something like megaman is still pretty relevant today. That 2 hour video criticising super Mario odyssey did well because when it came out super Mario odyssey was relevant. I'm not suggesting you only make videos on relevant games, I mean what if you have how relevant the topic is, play into how long the video is, now obviously that won't be the only reason but it could be one reason out of many. People will stick longer for things that are relevant and vice versa but hey that's just my suggestion.Change or not I still enjoy the content you put out!

Sonic CD and Chaotix are like entry level sonic games, they're nice for people who are in the mood for something easier, though it can leave some bored.

Eagerly awaiting your video on Sonic 1 for mobile :)

Any plans covering Sonic Mania and Sonic 4 in the future?

1:12 it's jarring how it starts with Collision Chaos JP then it suddenly goes to Palmtree Panic US

Hey, did I miss anything about the mobile versions, which let you switch between the American or Japanese/European soundtrack?

5:03 Are you kidding me? At the very beginning of the stage, you find out that those do not crush you and instead send you through a tube.

Does anyone know the name of the song/theme that starts playing at 4:40? I have to know its so familiar!

I finally realize exactly what Sonic CD's level design reminds me of. The broken "farlands" biome from Minecraft.

In my opinion, sonic CD beats out sonic 1s lack of speed, and sonic 2s bullshit deaths and speed traps. Sonic 3 is still king, but CD holds a special place in my heart!

I have played this so many times and never knew you can slow down in special stages by pressing down.

Staggering amounts of this game's level design just make me wonder: "... why is this here? Why was this designed this way? I don't get it."

Personally I prefer the North American Soundtrack. It is atmospheric and beautiful while the Japanese one is a bit chaotic. Having the Japanese versions past Themes play in the North American Soundtrack is a good thing to me as I like the music to sound very different in each time period. Almost all of the Future Themes in the North American Version sounds completely different than their Present counterpart. The Japanese Good Futures almost always sound like the Present Music but not as good and the Bad Futures are the most chaotic messes in the whole soundtrack! I think the North American version fits the levels better, is more consistent in quality, and is more soothing to listen too.

A decent but flawed game; it doesn't stack up to Sonic 1, 2, and 3 but it's still fun to play.

You forgot to mention the bad ending. In the Japanese version, This epic, dark and catchy music playing in the bad future of metallic madness implying that: "You failed. There's no way to save little planet now and a dark ending awaits you." Only for the bad ending to give you a slap on the wrist. Story wise, Eggman's basically giving Sonic a second chance to fix his mistakes and foil his (eggman's) plans. If that's not a moment killer, then i don't know what is.

The stars atop the future or past signs is an option of time travel in sonic 2 cd remix by pacca

Will you be unlisting the individual parts of the videos now? It seems a tad silly to have everything on the channel twice.

13:45 This actually also works with the European version of the game!

21:17 I didn't even know that was how it worked wtf

So, where's that review of the Taxman remakes that was promised years ago?

Cool vid man, but I was wondering if you had your hands on the Whitehead Remake. Seems to me that it’s done the game justice

imo hands down the JPN soundtrack is Ballin

Great review, shame it doesn't have more views. I think the game's a mess personally but hey. Also saying 'Stardust Shitway' at 57:35 seems a little out of place. I didn't get the sense that you disliked the level that much.

I never took to CD. Too much stop and start for my liking. The other games had slow downs too and yeah, I often didn't like it there either. The time travel here though I get it, why they did it. If it were say a pathway or something it would be too easy to choose the time zones and achieve the ending you want. If the gameplay didn't like to pull you to halt all the time I'd be O.K with it and like it more. The seven time stones also get you the good ending, so you have a choice in how you want to get it. If you don't like exploration it doesn't matter, go for the time stones. If you don't like the special stages, then go for the robot generators. However if you don't like either method....oh well, pick the lesser evil, if you can reason which one that would be if you care about the good ending. The special stages were nice I thought, janky yeah. The time wasting water (should just slow you down I think) and only being able to hit the UFO's at the top of your jump arc otherwise you just clip though them is annoying but I think the stages were neat. I like them better than the main game, which I never do for any other Sonic game. The music though? Yeah I don't really care....American or Japanese soundtrack, I can take or leave it.

Saying "Quartz Quadrant" is a mouth full

@Retropolis Zone Why did you not just use the more easily accessible Christian Whitehead remaster ot at least have a section of the video dedicated to it?

If you read this: Do you intend to do this kind of critical analysis to games like Freedom Planet, Sonic Mania, Sonic Rush, the Mega Man Zero series or Castlevania the Adventure ReBirth?

I feel like you should've mentioned how Mania actually made Sanic STD levels fun

The 2011 rerelease solves the bug problem

Sonic CD is actually one of my top 5 video games. (I own the Gems Collection version) My apologies your experience wasn't as smooth as my own play throughs.

Just Saw your entire Quickies line up here for the first time.

Wow, the hole in the crusher is such a cool idea (although criticism taken).

Quartz quadrant is my favourite zone

Dude, this game came in 1993. Don't expect it to be like a modern game. At least it has a save option it was not implemented in the other classics until Sonic 3 came out. The only thing I agree is they could've fixed the collisions and used the physics better for exploration like the other classics did.

Will you be doing 3&knuckles?

Twenty-five seconds on Emerald Hill Act 1? Record times? Stop and move over, for your nineteen seconds overlord has arrived. Get a load of - _this!_ ... in reality I am, and have been for the past few years, infernally frustrated over being roughly one second away from world record time. I. Just. Can't. Eek. Out. That. *_One._*_ Freaking. _*_Second._* xD

Sonic CD is my favourite Sonic game, faults and all.

Sonic CD's special stages reappeared in Sonic Mania

So what thoughts on white head's version

I died at stardust shitway

The starting over from the beggining is wrong, you can restart a level, even in the original game.

Take a shot everytime he says "Robot Generator"

Sonic cd. The one game where you can say "sonic has become the DeLorean"

Ah yes, definitely prefer it like this, thank you!

A good video man.

The entire game has an emphasis on exploration. The final level requires you to explore a maze. Complains that the final test of the game requires too much explorarion. Blud, literally just wants to go fast and picked the wrong game.

4:21 YOU CAN SLOW DOWN????

....Did you say behind the helmet?

Hello sorry I love your content but was quickie don't cut it to Retropolis Zone a rebrand or a channel pass on because the voices sound completely different from your current videos and this one.

The easiest way to fix time travel as a problem in CD is to remove goal posts all together. All time periods should be labeled in a little dial in the corner of the screen (akin to how Heroes' team members are always shown to you) and the shoulder buttons should allow the player to switch between where they want to go; -Past -Present -Future When starting a level, the dial will be defaulted to the time period you're in, so present at the start of a new level. hitting L when present is selected will make past be selected, R will select future and from there it's only a matter of getting the speed necessary. The goalposts were always pointless and felt extremely arbitrary. The punishment of having to find another goal post for the time period you want to go to is just to pad out level length and it's frustrating more than anything. Having the dial set on the time period you're currently in will disable the ability to time travel, so that you don't accidentally do it when you don't want to. and obviously, the future you'll go to will depend on whether you've destroyed the generator or not in the past. Then there's the jank that comes with attempting to keep the speed long enough to time travel. I think that the speed keeping mechanic is good in concept, but handled poorly as losing even a tiny amount of speed can sometimes lead to losing the ability. I think it should be changed to be closer to Boost Mode from advance 2, where, as long as you don't come to a complete stop once it's activated, you will maintain it.