The Sega Game Gear was Sega's first handheld console. It was their answer to the Gameboy; it had better specs all around. The Game Gear featured a color backlit screen, backwards compatibility with the Sega Master System (actually, it was a Sega Master System), and there was even a TV tuner accessory. However, it failed mainly because of battery life: the Gameboy lasted for around 10 hours on four AA batteries, while the Game Gear lasted for 3 hours on six AA batteries.
 Sonic the Hedgehog |
Released at around the same time as the Mega Drive version, the Game Gear version was completely different. For one thing, the Chaos Emeralds were scattered throughout the levels instead of in special stages. Also, even though there were a few similar levels, such as Green Hill and Scrap Brain (which has different music), there were levels in the Game Gear version not found in the Mega Drive version, such as Bridge and Jungle. |
 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 |
Sonic 2 for the Game Gear was actually released before the Mega Drive version. This game features Tails, but in a different way: Eggman has captured Tails, and Sonic has to get all of the Chaos Emeralds to rescue Tails. The Chaos Emeralds are just like they were in Sonic 1 for Game Gear: they're scattered throughout the levels instead of in special stages. Techy Note: There are many more sprites for Tails than are used in the game, including looking up and down. Maybe Tails was supposed to be playable? |
 Sonic Chaos |
Basically Sonic 3 for the Game Gear, Sonic Chaos allows you to play as either Sonic or Tails. The Chaos Emeralds are in the special stages this time, instead of being spread throughout the level. Otherwise, the gameplay is basically the same as Sonic 1 and 2 for Game Gear, except with new levels. |
 Sonic & Tails |
Sonic & Tails is simply the Japanese version of Sonic Chaos. The Game Gear didn't have enough ROM capacity to store both names and title screens in the same cartridge (as seen in Sonic 3D for the Mega Drive). Also, as far as I know, the Game Gear does not have a region lock-out code. Thus, Japanese Game Gear games can be run on an American Game Gear, and vice versa. |
 Sonic Triple Trouble |
Sonic Triple Trouble is the sequel to Sonic Chaos - in this game, you have three threats (hence the Triple Trouble): Knuckles the Echidna, who was tricked by Eggman to think that Sonic and Tails are evil; Fang the Sniper, who wants to steal the Chaos Emeralds and sell them for money, and of course, Eggman. |
 Sonic & Tails 2 |
Sonic & Tails 2 is the same as Sonic Triple Trouble, except this is the Japanese version. There is one odd difference in Sonic & Tails 2: you can select the 3D Special Stage from the main menu, while you can't do this on Sonic Triple Trouble. |
 Sonic Drift |
Sonic Drift was the predecessor to Sonic R for the Saturn and PC. Unlike Sonic R, in Sonic Drift you drive a car instead of running. Also, there are only four playable characters: Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Eggman. The courses are loosely based off of levels from Sonic 1 for the Mega Drive. Sonic Drift was only released in Japan. |
 Sonic Drift 2 |
Sonic Drift 2 was a sequel to Sonic Drift; unlike the original, it was released in the U.S. Sonic Drift 2 has seven playable characters: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Fang, Metal Sonic, and Eggman. This time, the levels are loosely based off of levels from Sonic 2 for the Mega Drive. |
 Sonic Spinball |
Sonic Spinball for the Game Gear is pretty much exactly like the Mega Drive version, except it has a lower resolution, lower graphics quality, and lower music quality. I suggest you play the Mega Drive version instead. |
 Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine |
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine for the Game Gear is just like the Mega Drive version, except it has a few extra features. First, there's a puzzle mode, where you have to solve bean puzzles. Also, there's a Gear to Gear mode, where you can play against another person using two Game Gears and a link cable. (This feature isn't needed on the Mega Drive, since it supports two players.) |
 Sonic Labyrinth |
Whoever came up with the idea for Sonic Labyrinth must've been on drugs. (Either that, or they now work in THQ.) The story is, Eggman replaced Sonic's regular shoes with a pair of lead shoes, thus removing his speed and jump abilities. Sonic has to get back his shoes. But seriously, a Sonic game without speed? That's like a Pong game without the ball! Or a copy of Microsoft Windows without the windows! Or... (20 minutes later) a solar system without planets. |
 Tails' Adventures |
No, it isn't in 3D. No, there is no liquid creature named Chaos. No, Tails didn't eat the master emerald... Tails' Adventure is basically a combination of an RPG and a platformer, featuring - you guessed it! TAILS! It's a bit interesting at first, but then it just gets boring. |
 Tails Sky Patrol |
Tails Sky Patrol not only has a dumb storyline, but the controls are nearly impossible to master. If you touch the ground at any time, you instantly die. Download the ROM for collector's purposes, but don't try playing it. |
| Sonic Blast was released at the same time that Sonic 3D Blast was released for the Mega Drive, Saturn, and PC; however, Sonic Blast is not in 3D. In fact, most people consider it Sonic & Knuckles for the Game Gear without lock-on technology. I call it a piece of crap. For one thing, the music and level designs are repetitive. The graphics are pretty bad - even though the Game Gear has a 4,096 color palette, it can only show 32 colors onscreen at once. Currently, I don't have the Game Gear version of Sonic Blast - Bock from SMS Power (http://www.smspower.org) has supposedly dumped the game, but for unknown reasons he has not uploaded it yet. |