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{{Infobox video game |
{{Infobox video game |
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| − | '''''Sonic Jam''''' is a video game released for the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[Game.com]]. The Saturn version is a compilation of titles in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog series|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series originally released on the [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]]. It was released in Japan on 20 June 1997, |
+ | '''''Sonic Jam''''' is a video game released for the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[Game.com]]. The Saturn version is a compilation of titles in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog series|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series originally released on the [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]]. It was released in Japan on 20 June 1997, North America on 31 July 1997 and in Europe during the month of August 1997. |
==Content== |
==Content== |
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| − | It includes the main Mega Drive/Genesis anthology (including ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' and its lock-ons); ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball|Sonic Spinball]]'' and ''[[Sonic 3D|Sonic 3D Blast]]'' are not featured. The compilation also includes a 3D "[[Sonic World]]", which allows players to access virtual museums featuring ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' history, art, video game music and advertisements, as well as remastered and uncut animation sequences from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD|Sonic CD]]''. Sonic World functioned as both a hub for the extras and as its own game, utilizing missions such as ring-collecting, reaching markers, or finding [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]]. Completing all the missions would unlock the credits for ''Sonic Jam''. |
+ | It includes the main Mega Drive/Genesis anthology (including ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' and its lock-ons); and two spin-off games, ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball|Sonic Spinball]]'' and ''[[Sonic 3D|Sonic 3D Blast]]'' are not featured. The compilation also includes a 3D "[[Sonic World]]", which allows players to access virtual museums featuring ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' history, art, video game music and advertisements, as well as remastered and uncut animation sequences from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD|Sonic CD]]''. Sonic World functioned as both a hub for the extras and as its own game, utilizing missions such as ring-collecting, reaching markers, or finding [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]]. Completing all the missions would unlock the credits for ''Sonic Jam''. |
Games included in this collection are: |
Games included in this collection are: |
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Also implemented into ''Sonic Jam'' was the option to use Sonic's signature move, the Spin Dash, in ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (on any of the above difficulties); originally, it did not debut until ''Sonic 2''. There were also fixes of some glitches, particularly in ''Sonic 3''. The games were not simply direct emulations like in later compilations, but rather elaborate ports to utilize the Saturn hardware. |
Also implemented into ''Sonic Jam'' was the option to use Sonic's signature move, the Spin Dash, in ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (on any of the above difficulties); originally, it did not debut until ''Sonic 2''. There were also fixes of some glitches, particularly in ''Sonic 3''. The games were not simply direct emulations like in later compilations, but rather elaborate ports to utilize the Saturn hardware. |
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| + | Sonic World was originally an early build of ''Sonic Adventure'' after [[Sonic Team]] had decided to shift the development into the Sega [[Dreamcast]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://underratedretro.com/2014/10/sonic-adventures-beta/ |title=The Sonic Adventure Beta |author=LucasSaturn |date=31 October 2014 |accessdate=17 April 2018}}</ref>. |
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| − | According to the Sonic City website, Sonic World is a test level for what eventually became ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''.{{citation needed}} |
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The Game.com version is completely different. Due to space limitations, Sonic 1 is not present, and each "game" consists of 4 levels based on the first level of the respective game (Emerald Hill, Angel Island, and Mushroom Hill). Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are playable for all games, and Tails can fly, but Knuckles can't glide or climb. Curiously, this version's box art features the same render found on that of ''[[Sonic R]]''. |
The Game.com version is completely different. Due to space limitations, Sonic 1 is not present, and each "game" consists of 4 levels based on the first level of the respective game (Emerald Hill, Angel Island, and Mushroom Hill). Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are playable for all games, and Tails can fly, but Knuckles can't glide or climb. Curiously, this version's box art features the same render found on that of ''[[Sonic R]]''. |
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==Changes== |
==Changes== |
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| − | Some of the audio is presented slightly different than they originally were on their original system. This is due to the CD format. The version of ''Sonic 2'' in this compilation uses the [[ |
+ | Some of the audio is presented slightly different than they originally were on their original system. This is due to the CD format. The version of ''Sonic 2'' in this compilation uses the [[Invincible]] tune from ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', though the VS mode does use the original game's Invincibility. The [[Power Sneakers (power-up)|speed-up]] music is also a separate track on the CD, so the game restarts the level music when that power-up is used. There are also some enhanced sound effects, particularly in ''Sonic 3'' and ''Sonic & Knuckles'' where the sound effect for explosions (from monitors and enemies) is completely different. While the graphics are replicated perfectly on the Saturn, there is one additional visual effect in ''Sonic 1''. While Sonic halts to a stop while running, he leaves behind skid marks just like in later games. This is actually not a brand new graphic. It is unused within the original game's ROM, but never implemented in the game. So far, ''Sonic Jam'' contains the only version of the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' where this lost graphic appears.<br /><br />Some of the port implemention is imperfect, however. In some moments, slowdown does occur where it did not in the original games. If too many sound effects are going on at once, the sound may glitch up and sound unnatural. If the player crashes the game in debug mode of any game, the entire CD freezes as well. Finally, there are some additional graphical errors, most notably in ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'' - if Knuckles manages to trigger Eggman as his opponent in [[Mushroom Hill Zone]], the fought character will use both Eggman and EggRobo's sprites, making the boss a weird mash of both. Despite the discrepancies in the ports, ''Sonic Jam'' is still considered one of the best ''Sonic''-themed compilations due to its wealth of extras. |
==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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| − | The original version of ''Sonic Jam'' received generally positive reviews, holding an aggregate score of 77% at ''GameRankings'', based on four reviews.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203156/http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/198697-sonic-jam/index.html</ref> The handheld Game.com version of ''Sonic Jam'', however, got poorer reception than its console counterpart by critics and fans alike, with many citing it as one of the worst ''Sonic ''games ever made. |
+ | The original version of ''Sonic Jam'' received generally positive reviews, holding an aggregate score of 77% at ''GameRankings'', based on four reviews.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203156/http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/198697-sonic-jam/index.html</ref> The handheld Game.com version of ''Sonic Jam'', however, got poorer reception than its console counterpart by critics and fans alike, with many citing it as one of the worst ''Sonic ''games ever made.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sega-16.com/2010/03/hands-on-sonic-jam-game-com/ |title=Hands-On: Sonic Jam (Game.Com) |last=Jackson |first=Doug |work=Sega-16 |date=17 March 2010 |language=English |accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref> |
==Trivia== |
==Trivia== |
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| + | *In the Japanese version, the Character House lists Sonic's age as "15〜16", but the North American and European versions list his age as simply "16". Sonic's age would be officially established as 15 as of ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''. |
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| ⚫ | *The Game.com version is currently the only official, licensed Sonic game to be presented in monochrome, without color, because the Game.com does not have a color screen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sonicstadium.org/tag/sonic-jam/ |title=Sonic Jam |last=Peal |first=Alex |date=3 July 2014 |language=English |accessyear=2018 |accessdaymonth=20 February }}</ref> |
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*This game consists of one of the few times the name "Eggman" appeared outside Japan before ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''. |
*This game consists of one of the few times the name "Eggman" appeared outside Japan before ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''. |
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**Conversely, it is the ''only'' time the original full name "Ivo Robotnik" appeared ''in'' Japan. |
**Conversely, it is the ''only'' time the original full name "Ivo Robotnik" appeared ''in'' Japan. |
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*The music that plays when you enter a virtual museum is used again in ''[[Sonic Generations]]'' and is itself a more mellow remix of the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' "File Select" theme. |
*The music that plays when you enter a virtual museum is used again in ''[[Sonic Generations]]'' and is itself a more mellow remix of the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' "File Select" theme. |
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*Unlike the Saturn version of [[Sonic 3D Blast|''Sonic 3D'']]'' ''and [[Sonic R|''Sonic R'']]'', Sonic Jam ''did not get a port to Microsoft Windows [[PC|personal computers]], making this the only Saturn ''Sonic'' game to not be released on that system. |
*Unlike the Saturn version of [[Sonic 3D Blast|''Sonic 3D'']]'' ''and [[Sonic R|''Sonic R'']]'', Sonic Jam ''did not get a port to Microsoft Windows [[PC|personal computers]], making this the only Saturn ''Sonic'' game to not be released on that system. |
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| ⚫ | *The Game.com version is currently the only official, licensed Sonic game to be presented in monochrome, without color, because the Game.com does not have a color screen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sonicstadium.org/tag/sonic-jam/ |title=Sonic Jam |last=Peal |first=Alex |date=3 July 2014 |language=English |accessyear=2018 |accessdaymonth=20 February }}</ref> |
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==Videos== |
==Videos== |
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| + | [[File:Sonic Jam Japanese commercial (Sega Saturn)|left|thumb|330x330px]] |
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| − | [[File:セガサターン ソニック ジャム CM|thumb|left|335px]]{{-}} |
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| + | {{-}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 01:08, 25 March 2020
Sonic Jam is a video game released for the Sega Saturn and Game.com. The Saturn version is a compilation of titles in the Sonic the Hedgehog series originally released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was released in Japan on 20 June 1997, North America on 31 July 1997 and in Europe during the month of August 1997.
Content
It includes the main Mega Drive/Genesis anthology (including Sonic & Knuckles and its lock-ons); and two spin-off games, Sonic Spinball and Sonic 3D Blast are not featured. The compilation also includes a 3D "Sonic World", which allows players to access virtual museums featuring Sonic the Hedgehog history, art, video game music and advertisements, as well as remastered and uncut animation sequences from Sonic CD. Sonic World functioned as both a hub for the extras and as its own game, utilizing missions such as ring-collecting, reaching markers, or finding Tails. Completing all the missions would unlock the credits for Sonic Jam.
Games included in this collection are:
Furthermore, by selecting Sonic & Knuckles, the player can use the "lock-on technology" from its original cartridge version in order to link up to the other three games in the collection, making the following games also playable:
Sonic Jam also included customized versions of the games, with redesigned levels with varying levels of difficulty. When played in "Original" mode, the games are identical to their original Mega Drive/Genesis releases. "Normal" difficulty adds extra rings and alters other aspects of the design to remove some of the challenge (these versions of the levels are used when playing Sonic Jam's Time Attack feature). "Easy" difficulty removes certain stages entirely, making the game much easier to complete.
Also implemented into Sonic Jam was the option to use Sonic's signature move, the Spin Dash, in Sonic the Hedgehog (on any of the above difficulties); originally, it did not debut until Sonic 2. There were also fixes of some glitches, particularly in Sonic 3. The games were not simply direct emulations like in later compilations, but rather elaborate ports to utilize the Saturn hardware.
Sonic World was originally an early build of Sonic Adventure after Sonic Team had decided to shift the development into the Sega Dreamcast[1].
The Game.com version is completely different. Due to space limitations, Sonic 1 is not present, and each "game" consists of 4 levels based on the first level of the respective game (Emerald Hill, Angel Island, and Mushroom Hill). Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are playable for all games, and Tails can fly, but Knuckles can't glide or climb. Curiously, this version's box art features the same render found on that of Sonic R.
Changes
Some of the audio is presented slightly different than they originally were on their original system. This is due to the CD format. The version of Sonic 2 in this compilation uses the Invincible tune from Sonic the Hedgehog, though the VS mode does use the original game's Invincibility. The speed-up music is also a separate track on the CD, so the game restarts the level music when that power-up is used. There are also some enhanced sound effects, particularly in Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles where the sound effect for explosions (from monitors and enemies) is completely different. While the graphics are replicated perfectly on the Saturn, there is one additional visual effect in Sonic 1. While Sonic halts to a stop while running, he leaves behind skid marks just like in later games. This is actually not a brand new graphic. It is unused within the original game's ROM, but never implemented in the game. So far, Sonic Jam contains the only version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog where this lost graphic appears.
Some of the port implemention is imperfect, however. In some moments, slowdown does occur where it did not in the original games. If too many sound effects are going on at once, the sound may glitch up and sound unnatural. If the player crashes the game in debug mode of any game, the entire CD freezes as well. Finally, there are some additional graphical errors, most notably in Sonic 3 & Knuckles - if Knuckles manages to trigger Eggman as his opponent in Mushroom Hill Zone, the fought character will use both Eggman and EggRobo's sprites, making the boss a weird mash of both. Despite the discrepancies in the ports, Sonic Jam is still considered one of the best Sonic-themed compilations due to its wealth of extras.
Reception
The original version of Sonic Jam received generally positive reviews, holding an aggregate score of 77% at GameRankings, based on four reviews.[2] The handheld Game.com version of Sonic Jam, however, got poorer reception than its console counterpart by critics and fans alike, with many citing it as one of the worst Sonic games ever made.[3]
Trivia
- In the Japanese version, the Character House lists Sonic's age as "15〜16", but the North American and European versions list his age as simply "16". Sonic's age would be officially established as 15 as of Sonic Adventure.
- An out-of-bounds glitch is present in Sonic World, where the player can find their way out of the stage and find endless land stretching in front of them.
- This game consists of one of the few times the name "Eggman" appeared outside Japan before Sonic Adventure.
- Conversely, it is the only time the original full name "Ivo Robotnik" appeared in Japan.
- All of the games in this compilation have been featured together again in later compilations, all of them were in Sonic Mega Collection and its PS2 remake, Sonic Mega Collection Plus, the games minus the Sonic & Knuckles add-ons were in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, and all of them except Blue Sphere were in Sonic Classic Collection.
- The music that plays when you enter a virtual museum is used again in Sonic Generations and is itself a more mellow remix of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 "File Select" theme.
- Unlike the Saturn version of Sonic 3D and Sonic R, Sonic Jam did not get a port to Microsoft Windows personal computers, making this the only Saturn Sonic game to not be released on that system.
- The Game.com version is the first Sonic game to be released on a non-Sega console.
- The Game.com version is currently the only official, licensed Sonic game to be presented in monochrome, without color, because the Game.com does not have a color screen.[4]
- The Game.com version's cover artwork is of Sonic R 's cover art, rather than Sonic Jam's.
- Interestingly, the Game.com version uses unused sprites from Sonic 3. These include Sonic falling asleep and whistling.
- Knuckles cannot glide in the Game.com version.
Videos
Sonic Jam Japanese commercial (Sega Saturn)
References
- ↑ LucasSaturn (31 October 2014). The Sonic Adventure Beta. Retrieved on 17 April 2018.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203156/http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/198697-sonic-jam/index.html
- ↑ Jackson, Doug (17 March 2010). Hands-On: Sonic Jam (Game.Com) (English). Sega-16. Retrieved on 25 April 2018.
- ↑ Peal, Alex (3 July 2014). Sonic Jam (English). Retrieved on 20 February 2018.