Maybe I'm just relieved to have a better game after the disappointment of Sonic 2 Game Gear, but I liked this game decently enough.

This is one of the most shallow Sonic games out there, honestly, there's not much to set it apart from the rest. Letting you choose between Sonic and Tails is neat, as Tails has the ability to fly, but I think only Sonic can get the Chaos Emeralds (and thus the true ending), and Tails doesn't get the rocket shoes (which is pretty much the only other defining thing about this game, and even then I think they come back in Triple Trouble?).

They must have heard the decries of Sonic 2 Game Gear's difficulty, because while that game was way more difficult than it had any right to be, this one is perhaps the easiest Sonic game ever? The only difficulty here is, if you want the Emeralds, collecting 100 rings in a level as it can't be done in every level, and the last two bosses can be tough if you don't grab any rings; they actually give rings for the bosses this time, but only in one item box and you gotta find it first, and it can be a little difficult to regrab the ring if you get hit.

Anyway, I wouldn't really say this is the most worth it game to play, but you're also not wasting much time if you do. If you don't care about the true ending, you can beat each level in less than a minute fairly easily. You could already have been through half the game if you didn't read this review, what are you doing?

sonic 1 game gear remains on top

Edit: I just read the description of this game that's on this page and omg... I know a lot of games would have the story tucked away in the manual back in the day, but geez. You're in an alternate universe? South Island is sinking? You glean none of that from the game itself lol.