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Name:
Sonic Drift - Japan
Other Names (Nicknames): N/A
Release Dates:
March 18th, 1994 - Japan
Quality: 8-Bit Racer
Game System(s): Sega Game
Gear
Also released on:
Gamecube - Sonic Adventure DX
PC - Sonic Adventure DX
Playstation 2/X-Box - Sonic Mega Collection PLUS
Developer(s): Sega of
Japan
Character Introductions: N/A
Region Game Takes Place On: Chaos
Grand Prix.
Concept Introductions: Sonic
Drift is basically a primitive, 8-bit racing game. Like many Game Gear
titles, its inspiration was a rivaling game of similar "spin-offness."
And that game? None other than Mario Kart. So basically, the primary
concept introduction here, other than the fact that the characters get
their own cars, is the gameplay style, which itself is no more than
a typical old racing game where the main focus is to just, well, stay
on the freakin' track and turn when necessary. Don't veer out of the
road's bounds, though — it slows you down dramatically. And many
objects will hinder your race to victory as well, but in the end, the
game is pretty easy. But luckily, they still managed to maintain many
of the required flavors to make it an obvious Sonic game such as rings
and all of the racing courses are based off of the zones from Sonic
the Hedgehog on the Genesis.
Concept Deductions: A lot of things: no special
stages, no Chaos Emerald collecting, no running, no nothing from the
traditional Sonic gameplay style.
Storyline(s)
After turning
several parts of the zones of South Island into raceways, Dr. Eggman
challenges Sonic, Tails and Amy to a race to determine who gets the
Chaos Emeralds, and so began the first Chaos Grand Prix!
Personal Criticism/Opinion:
Sonic
Drift is the first Game Gear title that was released only in Japan.
However, getting Sonic Drift is actually easier than getting Tails'
Sky Patrol. So like Tails' Sky Patrol, American and European Sonic hustlers
only had ROMs to feel the magic until Sonic Adventure DX was released.
And some magic it was… kidding. Sonic Drift isn't so bad, but
its sequel is obviously nothing short of better.
Like many Game
Gear titles, Sonic Drift was another spin-off game, except this time,
trying to spoof the acclaimed Mario Kart. They might as well had just
called it Sonic Kart instead, or hell, Mario Kart except with Sonic
Characters should've been the name, since this game oozes
Mario Kart down to its very graphics.
It's rather boring
to play, like any classic racing game, since you just hold the action
button and turn when you see the road suddenly change direction. Let's
face it, racing games are meant for 3D graphics engines. It's kind of
as if you're playing a Tiger handheld racing game, except with color
and better graphics. The player selection isn't all that fascinating
for a racing game. It marked the first Sonic game where Eggman was a
playable character. The same goes for Amy. So I guess that's a plus.
Each character has their own unique ups and downs. Naturally, Sonic
has high speed and poor handling, Tails is always the medium, Amy has
low speed but good handling and acceleration, and Eggman has good handling
but poor acceleration.
Let's see some GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay value? Play it, beat it, put it down.
Graphics and Layout? Not bad, actually. Although, the tracks
themselves don't have a lot of detail, the backgrounds and character/car
sprites are pretty well done, especially the large ones that are shown
when you win a race or the grand prix. The graphics for Sonic Drift
are very well done.
Music & Sound Effects? Generic for a Sonic Game Gear title.
The music takes a little longer to loop like it would for any racing
game, and the tunes are more slow and soothing to contribute the racing
premise of the game.
Storyline? Run-of-the-mill for a racing game, to put it simply.
I like how they explained that Robotnik modified the South Island zones
instead of just saying nothing about it. Good way for them to avoid
a plothole.
OVERALL RATING? I rate Sonic Drift as a 6/10
