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This article contains information on the manuals that were included with copies of the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog (1991).

North American/European[]

The English story prologue found in the original North American and European manuals:

Crush Dr. Robotnik!
Dr. Ivo Robotnik, the mad scientist, is snatching innocent animals and turning them into evil robots! Only one tough dude can put an end to the demented scientist's fiendish scheme. It's Sonic, the real cool hedgehog with the spiked haircut and power sneakers that give him super speed.
Help Sonic fight hordes of metal maniacs and do the loop with the Super Sonic Spin Attack. Speed down twisting tunnels and swing over dangerous booby traps. Leap across lava pits and dodge burning rocks. Then splash through the chilling waters in an underground cavern. And if you're lucky, you can warp to the secret zone where you spin around in a floating maze! Your greatest challenge lurks in a secret lab where you come face to face with Dr. Robotnik himself!
Spin through space, loop 'til you're dizzy, save the animals and become the super hero. Be Sonic! Be atomic!

Revisions[]

Certain pages of the North American manual are edited in subsequent scans featured in re-releases. In the original release, the fifteenth page features a phone number which at the time of the game's release could be called for assistance, and a disclosure about the game's limited warranty. In Sonic Jam and Sonic Mega Collection, the page is edited to remove the phone number (likely due to it no longer being in use), with the latter release also removing the warranty statement. However, in the Sonic Origins re-release, the warranty statement and some text relating to the phone number are added back in, although the phone number itself is blanked out. The sixteenth page, which continued the warranty statement, was also removed in Sonic Mega Collection, but was added back in Sonic Origins without alteration.

The back cover of the North American manual also features an ad for Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse on the Sega Mega Drive. Sonic Mega Collection removes this page from its scan of the manual, although it can still be found as an unused asset in the game's code. Sonic Origins adds the page back in, although the majority of it is blanked out, presumably for legal reasons.

Zone descriptions[]

Zone Description
Green Hill Zone Go around the giant loop, tumble down tunnels, and jump over crumbling cliffs before you get a chance to blink. Bounce on Springboards but not on spikes. Ouch!
Marble Zone Leap across pools of red-hot lava and shifting islands. Then find the way to the underground palace where massive weights and flying balls of fire block your path.
Spring Yard Zone Jump from springs and bounce off bumpers as if you're in a real pinball machine.
Labyrinth Zone Explore an intricate maze filled with water. A countdown begins to let you know when you are running out of oxygen. Breathing in air bubbles keeps you from drowning.
Star Light Zone Speed through the stars like a roller coaster in a world that twists like a corkscrew.
Scrap Brain Zone Slippery metal floors, razor-sharp saws and grinding wheels — now you're one step away from Dr. Robotnik's hideout!

Gallery[]

North American[]

Gallery

European[]

Gallery

Japanese[]

A translation of the story prologue from the Japanese manual:

The evil genius scientist Doctor Eggman has embraced his evil schemes again.
"Sonic... that annoying, cocky hedgehog. Thanks to him, my great plans are always ruined. Oh, but this time, I'm going to crush him with the power of my science! Ha ha ha..."
South Island is a treasure trove of gems and ancient ruins. It's also said to be the island where the mystical "Chaos Emeralds" lay dormant. The Chaos Emeralds are a super substance that give energy to all living beings. Also, though science and technology, they can be used for nuclear and laser weapons. But nobody knows how to get them. This is because South Island is a moving island, and the Chaos Emeralds exist within the distortions created by the island.
One day, crisis came upon the island. Doctor Eggman and his crew have landed on the island.
"Huh. I'll make sure to find the Chaos Emeralds, even if I'll have to dig up the whole island."
Doctor Eggman built a huge fortress on one corner of the island and embarked on his plan.
"Eggman. You still haven't had enough?!"
Sonic rushed over after he heard the rumors. Doctor Eggman's harassment is a regular occurence. He has been dealt with every time so far. Doctor Eggman seems to consider Sonic his sworn enemy, but he was never any match for Sonic.
But, oh my... something is amiss.
"Look, Sonic! This time it's different. I turned the Animals on the island into robots."
"E...Everyone!"
"All of these guys move in accordance to my orders. In other words, the whole island is your enemy! Gya ha ha ha ha ha ha... cough cough. This time, the world will be all mine."
This is terrible! Go! Sonic the Hedgehog. Everyone is waiting for your help.

Zone descriptions[]

Zone Description
Green Hill Zone A field blessed with greenery and water. It's characterized by undulating terrain such as loops, sloping cliffs, and S-shaped tunnels. Let's run well with speed and timing.
Marble Zone Traverse the underground path to an underground temple with swirling lava. The temple is teeming with traps. Watch out for chained ceilings with sharp spikes, up-and-down weights and the sets of spikes that pop out.
Spring Yard Zone A city at sunset with exotic buildings. By jumping on Bobbins, Sonic can fly like a pinball. If you accelerate, you can even run up very steep areas.
Labyrinth Zone You cannot get out of this labyrinth without going through the water first. However, Sonic can't swim. Proceed by breathing from big bubbles. A countdown will begin when you're almost out of breath.
Star Light Zone Sonic runs against the backdrop and a view of a glittering night sky. He'll be pretty busy moving though elevators, being pushed back by the wind of electric fans, and using seesaws well to jump.
Scrap Brain Zone We've passed through the polluted city and arrived at Doctor Eggman's secret base. Gears, saws, and automatic hammers attack. There's also a submerged cave underneath the base.

Revisions[]

Certain pages of the Japanese manual are edited in subsequent scans featured in re-releases. In the original physical manual, the final page contains artwork of Sonic, along with four phone numbers to call for customer support. In the Sonic Jam manual browser, the phone numbers are removed (likely due to them no longer being in use), along with some of the Japanese text. In the Sonic Mega Collection manual browser, the final page is entirely blanked, while the scan of the manual featured in Sonic Origins re-adds the final page, but still removes the phone numbers and some of the other Japanese text associated with them. The back cover of the manual is also edited slightly in Sonic Origins to add a "©SEGA" line, which is not present in any other release of the manual.

Gallery[]

Gallery

Portuguese[]

A translation of the story prologue from the Portuguese manual:

Defeat the Dr. Robotnik!
Dr. Ivo Robotnik, a mad scientist, is abducting innocent animals and turning them into evil robots. Only a very brave guy can put an end to your devilish plan. It’s Sonic, the super cool porcupine, with his bristly hair and magical sneakers that give him incredible speed.
Help Sonic fight the band of metallic maniacs and make his Supersonic Spin Attack. Run at full speed through winding tunnels and dangerous traps. Jump over puddles of lava and dodge burning rocks. Then dive into the icy waters of an underground cave.
And if you are lucky enough you can enter the secret zone, where you fly through a floating maze. Your biggest challenge hides in a secret laboratory, where you meet face to face with Dr. Robotnik himself!
From turns in space, spin until dizzy, save the animals and become a superhero. Be Sonic! Be atomic!

Zone descriptions[]

Zone Description
Green Mountain Zone Spin around the Ferris wheel, somersault in tunnels, and jump over crumbling cliffs before you can catch your breath. Jump on trampolines, but beware of thorns!! Oh!
Marble Zone Jump through pools of glowing lava and moving islands. Then find your way to the subterranean palace, where huge weights and flying fireballs block your way.
Spring Zone Jump springs and ricochet as if you were in a real "Pinball" machine.
Labyrinth Zone Explore a tricky maze full of water. A countdown tells you when your oxygen is running low. Breathing the air bubbles makes you avoid drowning.
Star Zone Fly through the stars like a roller coaster in a universe that spins like a corkscrew.
Danger Zone Slippery metal floors, razor-sharp saws and grinding wheels are now one step away from Dr. Robotnik’s hideout!

Gallery[]

Gallery

References[]


Main article (Blue Sphere) · Staff · Manuals · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Pre-releases (prototype) · Re-releases (2001, 2005, mobile, GBA, iPod, 2013, 3D, Sega Ages)
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