This article contains information on the manuals that were included with copies of Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit).
English[]
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 with the Super Sonic Spin Attack. Speed down rolling hills and leap over dangerous booby traps. Then splash through the chilling waters in an underground cavern. And if you're lucky, you can warp to the Special Stage where you jump from springs and bounce off bumpers as if you're in a real pinball machine! Your greatest challenge lurks in a flying blimp where you come face to face with Dr. Robotnik himself!
- Spin 'til you're dizzy, save the animals and become the super hero. Be Sonic! Be Atomic!
Zone descriptions[]
| Zone | Description |
|---|---|
| Green Hill | Tumble down rolling hills and splash through the chilling waters in an underground cavern. Bounce on springboards but not on spikes. Ouch! |
| Bridge | Quickly cross the bridges before they crumble, or else you'll end up in the bottom the the lake! Jump from seesaws to reach high cliffs. Good timing is the key to success. |
| Jungle | Wild flowers and exotic plants surround you in the damp, dark jungle. When you reach the turbulent waterfall, watch your step! One false move and you're gone for good! |
| Labyrinth | 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. |
| Scrap Brain | Soar past shimmering city lights. Then dash into a metal labyrinth that's full of dangerous booby traps. the conveyor belts are slippery — watch out! |
| Sky Base | Fend off deadly laser beams and lethal missile shots. Now you've reached Dr. Robotnik's hideout — the blimp. Face him and erase him! |
Gallery[]
| Gallery |
|---|
 Page 1  Pages 2-3  Pages 4-5  Pages 6-7  Pages 8-9  Pages 10-11  Pages 12-13  Pages 14-15  Page 16 |
Japanese[]
The Japanese story prologue found in the original Japanese manuals:
- South Island, where Sonic lives with the Animals, is a paradise blessed with abundant nature. It is a treasure trove of jewels and ruins as well, and it is also said to be the island where the mysterious "Chaos Emeralds" sleep. The Chaos Emeralds are a super-material that gives energy to all living things. They can also be used to create nuclear and laser weapons through science and technology.
- One day, Doctor Eggman, aiming for the Chaos Emeralds, invades the island. He then encapsulates the Animals on the island and sends his robots to do his bidding.
- "Now, the island is your enemy. The world will be mine."
- This is terrible! Go, Sonic the Hedgehog. Everyone is waiting for your help.
Zone descriptions[]
| Zone | Description |
|---|---|
| Green Hill | The land is filled with palm trees and tropical flowers in bloom. After proceeding through the gentle hills, you will find the entrance to the cave... Sonic must go through the cave where water flows. |
| Bridge | There are many small islands on the lake. The suspension bridges that connect the islands are broken in pieces, making them dangerous! Even Sonic will be in trouble if he falls into the deep lake. |
| Jungle | At the foot of a rocky mountain is a jungle with thick trees. A particularly large waterfall blocks the way, but you won't be able to reach Eggman if you don't climb from here. |
| Labyrinth | A creepy cave... Actually, it's a labyrinth. Sonic, who isn't good at swimming, cannot move fast underwater. A countdown will start when you're almost out of breath. |
| Scrap Brain | Finally, the entrance to Doctor Eggman's base. The traps are more radical than anything that was before. Memorize the paths and don't go around in circles! |
| Sky Base | Eggman sets off in the smog in the sky. What on earth is in there? Sonic bravely jumps into the thunders and the roaring clouds. |
Gallery[]
| Gallery |
|---|
 Page 1  Pages 2-3  Pages 4-5  Pages 6-7  Pages 8-9  Pages 10-11  Pages 12-13  Pages 14-15  Pages 16-17  Pages 18-19  Pages 20-21  Pages 22-23  Pages 24-25  Pages 26-27  Page 28 |
| Playable characters | Sonic | |
| Non-playable characters | Eggman · Animals (Flicky, Pocky, Pecky, Cucky, Ricky, Picky, Rocky) | |
| Zones | Green Hill Zone · Bridge Zone · Jungle Zone · Labyrinth Zone · Scrap Brain Zone · Sky Base Zone · Special Stages | |
| Enemies | Ball Hog · Bomb · Burrobot · Buzz Bomber · Caterkiller · Chopper · Crabmeat · Jaws · Moto Bug · Newtron · Orbinaut (Uni Uni, Unidasu) · Spikes | |
| Bosses | Green Hill Zone boss · Bridge Zone boss · Jungle Zone boss · Labyrinth Zone boss · Sky Base Zone boss | |
| Moves/techniques | Crouch · Spin Attack · Spin Jump | |
| Gimmicks and obstacles | Bomb · Bumper · Capsule · Conveyor Belt · Crusher · Electrical emitter · Fireball · Flipper · Giant spear · Goal Plate · Iron ball · Seesaw · Spikes · Spring · Switch | |
| Items | Air bubble · Chaos Emerald · Item Box (1-Up, Continue Monitor, Marker, Invincible, Shield, Super Ring, Power Sneakers) · Ring | |
| Other | Continue · Egg Mobile · Game Over · Life · South Island · Time Over · Teleporter · Totem pole · Water | |