Sonic 1 on the Game Gear is a nice start to what would be a mixed bag of games on the system. It's got some nice fun zones like Jungle zone but it does sadly falter in some areas.
One interesting thing about the game for me is that the platforming feels like a different take on the series, like because it was so early on it felt like Ancient didn't fully know what made Sonic level design the way it is. Like there is even a auto scrolling level that doesn't involve the tornado, I don't think that concept was ever done again until Lost World on Wii U.
One thing to give credit to this version is they did compensate for the smaller screen by giving Sonic a smaller sprite, adding warning signs in the first zone and even different bosses from the SMS version. Though speaking of bosses they are pretty poorly designed especially the first two. The only boss I actually die on is the one in Jungle zone and that's just because I suck.
Chaos emeralds having to be found in stages is also a good idea but sadly I feel like they aren't well placed, one's even in the open in Labyrinth zone. You don't even really get much of an ending for getting them all either. At least you get more points for getting them all. There are still special stages but they basically are just there to help you get more lives or even get continues.
One last thing I was to mention because I doubt most people know about it is 1-up monitors. While they do exactly what they did in the Mega Drive game, there is actually one in every single level. If you happen to get every single one, a 1-up monitor will actually show up before you fight the final boss and I think that's really neat.
Overall, its a good game with flaws of it being so early in the series but it still is very enjoyable and it's definitely one of the better games on this handheld. Play it if you ever get the chance!
One interesting thing about the game for me is that the platforming feels like a different take on the series, like because it was so early on it felt like Ancient didn't fully know what made Sonic level design the way it is. Like there is even a auto scrolling level that doesn't involve the tornado, I don't think that concept was ever done again until Lost World on Wii U.
One thing to give credit to this version is they did compensate for the smaller screen by giving Sonic a smaller sprite, adding warning signs in the first zone and even different bosses from the SMS version. Though speaking of bosses they are pretty poorly designed especially the first two. The only boss I actually die on is the one in Jungle zone and that's just because I suck.
Chaos emeralds having to be found in stages is also a good idea but sadly I feel like they aren't well placed, one's even in the open in Labyrinth zone. You don't even really get much of an ending for getting them all either. At least you get more points for getting them all. There are still special stages but they basically are just there to help you get more lives or even get continues.
One last thing I was to mention because I doubt most people know about it is 1-up monitors. While they do exactly what they did in the Mega Drive game, there is actually one in every single level. If you happen to get every single one, a 1-up monitor will actually show up before you fight the final boss and I think that's really neat.
Overall, its a good game with flaws of it being so early in the series but it still is very enjoyable and it's definitely one of the better games on this handheld. Play it if you ever get the chance!