Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic
Sega Master System · Platformer / Action
Sonic the Hedgehog
Certified classic
| System | Sega Master System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 |
| Genre | Platformer, Action |
| Developer | Ancient |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Sonic |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 24 |
Sonic the Hedgehog is a platformer released in 1991 for the Sega Master System, developed by Ancient and published by SEGA. It blends platformer and action elements.
It landed about 5 years into the Master System's life. Other notable Master System releases from 1991 include Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, Golden Axe Warrior and Asterix. Among the 66 Master System platformers in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.
It is part of the Sonic series; on the Master System you can also try Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Chaos and Sonic Blast. The series also appears on other systems with Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis). Ancient also made Streets of Rage for the Master System.
Sonic the Hedgehog is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the Master System's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Sonic the Hedgehog is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Sonic the Hedgehog cheats & codes
42 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Infinite Rings | 00D2-AA98 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Lives | 00D2-4609 |
| Be Turbo Sonic | 00D4-1105 |
| Level Modifier | 00D2-3EXX |
| Infinite Time | 00D2-CF00 |
Sonic the Hedgehog walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Sonic the Hedgehog.
If you like Sonic the Hedgehog, the Matrix also picks…
Sonic Blast Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Classic
Sonic Chaos Classic
Alex Kidd in Miracle World Classic
Sonic Labyrinth Classic
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World Classic
Playing Master System games today
The Master System library is full of colorful arcade-style games that are easy to pick up. Many titles also appear in Sega's official compilations.
Sonic the Hedgehog FAQ
When did Sonic the Hedgehog come out on the Master System?
Sonic the Hedgehog was released for the Sega Master System in 1991.
Who made Sonic the Hedgehog?
It was developed by Ancient and published by SEGA.
Is Sonic the Hedgehog multiplayer?
No. Sonic the Hedgehog is a single-player game.
How long does Sonic the Hedgehog take to play?
As a platformer, Sonic the Hedgehog typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Sonic the Hedgehog on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.