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{{Short description|1994 racing game}}
{{Short description|1994 racing game}}
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{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
| title = Sonic Drift
| title = Sonic Drift
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| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
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{{nihongo foot|'''''Sonic Drift'''''|ソニックドリフト|Sonikku Dorifuto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1994 [[racing game]] game based on ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' developed and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Game Gear]]. Players control one of four characters as they race to the finish line, with levels themed after the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (1991).


⚫
{{nihongo|'''''Sonic Drift'''''|ソニックドリフト|Sonikku Dorifuto}} is a 1994 [[racing game]] based on ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' developed and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Game Gear]]. Players control one of four characters as they race to the finish line, with 18 tracks themed after levels in 1991's ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.
''Sonic Drift'' was released exclusively in Japan. The western release was cancelled due to concerns about its quality. Reception to ''Sonic Drift'' was mixed, with criticism for its similarity to ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' (1992), and the low view distance. ''[[Sonic Drift 2]]'' was released in 1995. The original ''Sonic Drift'' was released as part of ''[[Sonic Adventure DX]]'' in 2003.

Although it was designed with inspiration from Nintendo's 1992 game ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'', ''Sonic Drift'' shares gameplay similarities to "Super Scaler" games previously released by Sega. ''Sonic Drift'' was released exclusively in Japan; a western release was planned but later canceled due to concerns about its quality. ''Sonic Drift'' was later released worldwide as part of ''[[Sonic Adventure DX]]'' in 2003 and the compilation game ''[[Sonic Mega Collection|Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' in 2004. It was released again in 2023 as part of [[Sonic Origins|''Sonic Origins Plus'']].

Reception to ''Sonic Drift'' was negative, with criticism for its gameplay and lack of difficulty. A sequel, ''[[Sonic Drift 2]]'', was released in 1995.


==Gameplay and release==
==Gameplay and release==
[[File:Sonic Drift game screenshot.png|thumb|left|In-game screenshot, showing Sonic racing on a course themed after [[Green Hill Zone]].]]
[[File:Sonic Drift game screenshot.png|thumb|left|In-game screenshot, showing Sonic racing on a course themed after [[Green Hill Zone]].]]


''Sonic Drift'' is the first [[racing game]] in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' franchise.<ref name="HG101" /> Players control one of four characters―[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Tails (Sonic)|Miles "Tails" Prower]], [[Amy Rose]], and [[Dr. Robotnik]]―and race around a series of tracks, with the objective being to cross the finish line in first place.<ref name="EGM" /> 18 tracks are featured,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=International Outlook: Sonic Drift |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=57 |page=80}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=The Trackman in Japan |date=June 1994 |title=Overseas Prospects |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=59 |page=128}}</ref> based on the various zones of 1991's ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', including the [[Green Hill Zone]]. ''Drift'' is the first ''Sonic'' game to feature Amy as a playable character.<ref name="HG101" />
''Sonic Drift'' is the first [[racing game]] in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' franchise.<ref name="HG101" /> Players control one of four characters―[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Miles "Tails" Prower]], [[Amy Rose]], and [[Dr. Robotnik]]―and race around a series of tracks, with the objective being to cross the finish line in first place.<ref name="EGM" /> 18 tracks are featured,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=International Outlook: Sonic Drift |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=57 |page=80}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=The Trackman in Japan |date=June 1994 |title=Overseas Prospects |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=59 |page=128}}</ref> based on the various zones of 1991's ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', including the [[Green Hill Zone]]. ''Drift'' is the first ''Sonic'' game to feature Amy as a playable character.<ref name="HG101" />


There are three game modes: Chaos GP, a [[grand prix]] mode; Free Run, a practice mode; and Versus Mode, where players can compete with one another.<ref name="EGM" /> Chaos GP contains three separate cups of six tracks each and a points system where the goal is to earn more points than the competition.<ref name="HG101" />
There are three game modes: Chaos GP, a [[grand Prix motor racing|grand prix]] mode; Free Run, a practice mode; and Versus Mode, where players can compete with one another.<ref name="EGM" /> Chaos GP contains three separate cups of six tracks each and a points system where the goal is to earn more points than the competition.<ref name="HG101" /> Each cup is identified with a color: green, yellow, or red.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Nakamura |first=Eric |date=June 1994 |title=Global Gaming |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_65_June_1994/page/n91/mode/1up |magazine=[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|VideoGames]] |issue=65 |page=92}}</ref>


The gameplay of ''Sonic Drift'' shares similarities with Sega's "Super Scaler"-type arcade games such as [[Out Run|''Out Run'']] and ''[[Super Monaco GP]]'', although with inspiration from Nintendo's ''[[Super Mario Kart]].'' Each character has strengths and weaknesses; for instance, Sonic has fast acceleration but poor control, while Robotnik has poor acceleration but moves at high speed. The top half of the player's screen shows the course map, while the bottom displays the player's car racing around the track. The game's driving mechanics focus on [[Drifting (motorsport)|drifting]] to steer around corners at speed. Driving into television monitors scattered around the track awards the player a [[power-up]], such as [[invincibility]]. Tracks also contain gold rings that can be collected to use a special move, which is unique for each character;<ref name="HG101" /> for example, Sonic gets a speed boost, while Tails gets a jump.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=Sonic Kart? |magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]] |issue=18 |pages=10-11}}</ref>
The gameplay of ''Sonic Drift'' shares similarities with Sega's "Super Scaler"-type arcade games such as ''[[Out Run]]'' and ''[[Super Monaco GP]]'', although with inspiration from Nintendo's ''[[Super Mario Kart]].'' Each character has strengths and weaknesses; for instance, Sonic has fast acceleration but poor control, while Robotnik has poor acceleration but moves at high speed. The top half of the player's screen shows the course map, while the bottom displays the player's car racing around the track. The game's driving mechanics focus on [[Drifting (motorsport)|drifting]] to steer around corners at speed. Driving into television monitors scattered around the track awards the player a [[power-up]], such as [[invincibility]]. Tracks also contain gold rings that can be collected to use a special move, which is unique for each character;<ref name="HG101" /> for example, Sonic gets a speed boost, while Tails gets a jump.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=Sonic Kart? |magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]] |issue=18 |pages=10–11}}</ref>


Developed in-house at Sega,<ref name="HG101"/> ''Sonic Drift'' was released in Japan for the [[Game Gear]] on March 18, 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=[セガハード大百科] ゲームギア対応ソフトウェア（セガ発売） |url=http://sega.jp/archive/segahard/gg/soft.html |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601115130/http://sega.jp/archive/segahard/gg/soft.html |archive-date=1 June 2012 |access-date=4 June 2015 |publisher=[[Sega]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="BMD">{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=Be Mega Dog Race |magazine=Beep! MegaDrive |language=ja |page=21}}</ref> The western release was canceled due to concerns regarding its quality.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 1994 |title=Newsbox |magazine=Sega Magazin |language=de |issue=6 |page=4}}</ref> Sega instead released a Game Gear port of [[Sonic Spinball|''Sonic Spinball'']].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |date=June 1994 |title=First Shots |url= |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=151 |page=11}}</ref> In 2003, ''Sonic Drift'' was released as an unlockable extra in ''[[Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut]]'',<ref name="HG101" /> and was later compiled into ''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]].''<ref name="IGNPlusReview">{{cite web |last1=Goldstein |first1=Hilary |date=November 3, 2004 |title=Sonic Mega Collection Plus |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/04/sonic-mega-collection-plus |access-date=December 16, 2018 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> ''Sonic Drift'' is scheduled to be released as part of the [[Sonic Origins Plus|''Sonic Origins Plus'']] compilation on June 23, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanklin |first=Will |date=March 23, 2023 |title=‘Sonic Origins Plus’ brings the hedgehog’s Game Gear entries to modern consoles |url=https://www.engadget.com/sonic-origins-plus-brings-the-hedgehogs-game-gear-entries-to-modern-consoles-160043311.html |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=[[Engadget]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Developed in-house at Sega,<ref name="HG101"/> ''Sonic Drift'' was released in Japan for the [[Game Gear]] on March 18, 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=[セガハード大百科] ゲームギア対応ソフトウェア（セガ発売） |url=http://sega.jp/archive/segahard/gg/soft.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601115130/http://sega.jp/archive/segahard/gg/soft.html |archive-date=1 June 2012 |access-date=4 June 2015 |publisher=[[Sega]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="BMD">{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=Be Mega Dog Race |magazine=[[Beep! MegaDrive]] |language=ja |page=21}}</ref> The western release was canceled due to concerns regarding the game's quality.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 1994 |title=Newsbox |magazine=Sega Magazin |language=de |issue=6 |page=4}}</ref> Sega instead released a Game Gear port of ''[[Sonic Spinball]]''.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |date=June 1994 |title=First Shots |url= |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=151 |page=11}}</ref> ''[[Sonic Drift 2]]'', a sequel, was released worldwide for the Game Gear in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chungus |first=Apollo |date=March 12, 2019 |title=Sonic Drift 2 |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/sonic-drift-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820070920/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/sonic-drift-2 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Hardcore Gaming 101}}</ref> In 2003, ''Sonic Drift'' was released as an unlockable extra in ''[[Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut]]'',<ref name="HG101" /> and was later compiled into ''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' in 2004'',''<ref name="IGNPlusReview">{{cite web |last1=Goldstein |first1=Hilary |date=November 3, 2004 |title=Sonic Mega Collection Plus |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/04/sonic-mega-collection-plus |access-date=December 16, 2018 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623084143/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/04/sonic-mega-collection-plus |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as ''[[Sonic Origins Plus]]'' on June 23, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanklin |first=Will |date=March 23, 2023 |title='Sonic Origins Plus' brings the hedgehog's Game Gear entries to modern consoles |url=https://www.engadget.com/sonic-origins-plus-brings-the-hedgehogs-game-gear-entries-to-modern-consoles-160043311.html |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=[[Engadget]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507004340/https://www.engadget.com/sonic-origins-plus-brings-the-hedgehogs-game-gear-entries-to-modern-consoles-160043311.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
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| JXV = 13/20<ref name="JeuxVideo">{{cite web |author1=L'avis de Wolphegon |title=Test : Sonic Drift |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016413-sonic-drift-test.htm |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208042238/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016413-sonic-drift-test.htm |archive-date=8 February 2016 |language=fr |date=2 January 2012}}</ref>
| JXV = 13/20<ref name="JeuxVideo">{{cite web |author1=L'avis de Wolphegon |title=Test : Sonic Drift |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016413-sonic-drift-test.htm |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208042238/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016413-sonic-drift-test.htm |archive-date=8 February 2016 |language=fr |date=2 January 2012}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
| rev1 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
| rev1Score = 30%<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hill|first=Mark|date=December 1994|url=https://archive.org/details/sega-pro-39/page/72/mode/2up|title=Sonic Drift|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=39|page=72|accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref>
| rev1Score = 30%<ref name="SPro">{{cite magazine|last=Hill|first=Mark|date=December 1994|url=https://archive.org/details/sega-pro-39/page/72/mode/2up|title=Sonic Drift|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=39|page=72|accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''Beep! MegaDrive''
| rev2 = ''Beep! MegaDrive''
| rev2Score = 6.0/10<ref name="BMD"/>
| rev2Score = 6.0/10<ref name="BMD"/>
| MF = 65%<ref name="MF">{{cite magazine|title=Sonic Drift|magazine=Mega Fun|language=de|page=110|date=July 1994}}</ref>
| MF = 65%<ref name="MF">{{cite magazine|title=Sonic Drift|magazine=Mega Fun|language=de|page=110|date=July 1994}}</ref>
}}
}}
''Sonic Drift'' received mixed reviews. Japanese publication ''[[Famitsu]]'' heavily compared the game to ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'', feeling that the game was largely uninspired and generally lacking in content compared to Nintendo's game. They were also critical of the game's short horizon, which they claimed made it hard to see what was ahead of the player. ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' was more positive towards it in a preview, saying that the game was fast-paced and enjoyable but the flashing, choppy scrolling hampered the gameplay somewhat.<ref name="EGM">{{Cite magazine |date=May 1994 |title=Game Gear - Sonic Drift |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=58 |page=200}}</ref> ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'' in 2012 also compared the game to ''Super Mario Kart'', disliking ''Drift'' for being too simplistic and for being very easy to finish, alongside the general lack of content and poor presentation.<ref name="JeuxVideo"/> They stated: "Too simple and too fast to finish, ''Sonic Drift'' is unfortunately not a title that will fascinate the crowds."<ref name="JeuxVideo"/> Its inclusion in ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' was negatively received; ''[[GameSpy]]'' passingly labeled it as "almost unplayable",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Chris |title=Sonic Mega Collection Plus |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/sonic-mega-collection-plus/562431p2.html |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225043108/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/sonic-mega-collection-plus/562431p1.html |archive-date=25 February 2016 |pages=1–2 |date=1 November 2004}}</ref> while Tom Bramwell of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' mockingly called it "a terrible, terrible racing game whose flickering madness actually made me physically sick."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bramwell |first1=Tom |title=Sonic Mega Collection Plus |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicmegacollectionplus_ps2 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gaming Network |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016000015/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicmegacollectionplus_ps2 |archive-date=16 October 2019 |date=11 May 2005}}</ref>
''Sonic Drift'' received mixed reviews. ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' was positive towards it in a preview, saying that the game was fast-paced and enjoyable but the flashing, choppy scrolling hampered the gameplay somewhat.<ref name="EGM">{{Cite magazine |date=May 1994 |title=Game Gear - Sonic Drift |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=58 |page=200}}</ref> Three reviewers for ''[[Sega Pro]]'' gave a negative review of the game, criticizing the track designs as too similar, poor cornering controls, and low difficulty. Reviewer Mark Hill concluded his part of the review with "only a complete idiot would purchase a copy." The three reviewers were more positive about the game's graphics and sound.<ref name="SPro"/> According to Ulf Schneider of German magazine {{Interlanguage link|Mega Fun|lt=''Mega Fun''|de}}, ''Sonic Drift'' does not have the same quality of gameplay as ''Super Mario Kart'' and he criticized the lack of vision of a corner until being just before one, but he also said the game was fun and easy to master even on Hard difficulty. He also commented that the controls could be figured out within a few laps of gameplay.<ref name="MF"/>


Retrospective feedback has been negative. The game's inclusion in ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' was negatively received; Chris Baker of ''[[GameSpy]]'' labeled it as "almost unplayable",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Chris |date=1 November 2004 |title=Sonic Mega Collection Plus |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/sonic-mega-collection-plus/562431p2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225043108/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/sonic-mega-collection-plus/562431p1.html |archive-date=25 February 2016 |access-date=1 March 2020 |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[IGN]] |pages=1–2}}</ref> while Tom Bramwell of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' called it "a terrible, terrible racing game whose flickering madness actually made me physically sick."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bramwell |first1=Tom |title=Sonic Mega Collection Plus |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicmegacollectionplus_ps2 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gaming Network |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016000015/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicmegacollectionplus_ps2 |archive-date=16 October 2019 |date=11 May 2005}}</ref> A reviewer for ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'' in 2012 compared ''Sonic Drift'' to ''Super Mario Kart'', disliking ''Drift'' for being too simplistic and very easy to finish, alongside the general lack of content and poor presentation. The reviewer stated, "Too simple and too fast to finish, ''Sonic Drift'' is unfortunately not a title that will fascinate the crowds."<ref name="JeuxVideo" /> The staff of ''USgamer'' identified ''Sonic Drift''<nowiki/>'s use of half the Game Gear's screen for the course map as an issue, and called the game "a poor man's ''Out Run''".<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2020 |title=Gotta Go Fast: Ranking All of The Sonic The Hedgehog Games |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gotta-go-fast-ranking-all-of-the-sonic-the-hedgehog-games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825025119/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gotta-go-fast-ranking-all-of-the-sonic-the-hedgehog-games |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2020 |website=[[USgamer]]}}</ref> Apollo Chungus of ''[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]'' said that the gameplay itself was decent and solid, but felt that it was greatly lacking in content and variety. He criticized the track design in particular for being generally boring, lacking in presentation, and for the stage themes being purely cosmetic instead of affecting the track designs themselves. Chungus concluded his review by stating "the small amount of content mean that it's a racer only a small number of people will dedicate themselves to."<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Chungus |first1=Apollo |date=12 March 2019 |title=Sonic Drift |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/sonic-drift/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820055711/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/sonic-drift/ |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=29 February 2020 |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]}}</ref> ''[[GamesTM]]'' described the title as a "lazy and cynical cash-in", saying that it did not understand what made ''Super Mario Kart'' so successful.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2018-11-04 |title=8 Other Games Inspired by Mario Kart |url=https://archive.org/details/GamesTMThe25GreatestNintendoGames/page/n25/mode/2up |magazine=[[GamesTM]]: The 25 Greatest Nintendo Games |pages=27 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>
Retrospectively in 2019, Apollo Changes of ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' said that the gameplay itself was decent and solid, but felt that it was greatly lacking in content and variety.<ref name="HG101"/> He criticized the track design in particular for being generally boring, lacking in presentation, and for the stage themes being purely cosmetic instead of affecting the track designs themselves.<ref name="HG101"/> ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' argued that the "controversial" short horizon was easy to become used to, and said that it didn't have that negative of an effect on the game itself.<ref name="HG101"/> They concluded their review with: "''Sonic Drift'' is a decent enough racer, but the lack of variety in track design (both visually and thematically) and the small amount of content mean that it’s a racer only a small number of people will dedicate themselves to."<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Chungus |first1=Apollo |title=Sonic Drift |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/sonic-drift/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820055711/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/sonic-drift/ |archive-date=20 August 2019 |date=12 March 2019}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
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==External links==
==External links==


* {{MobyGames|20897}}
* {{MobyGames|/20897}}
* {{IAg|id=gg_Sonic_Drift_1994SegaJPen}}
{{Sonic the Hedgehog}}
{{Sonic the Hedgehog}}


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[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Naofumi Hataya]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Naofumi Hataya]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]

Latest revision as of 15:56, 13 October 2024

Sonic Drift
Developer(s)Sega
Publisher(s)Sega
Director(s)Katsuhiro Hasegawa
Producer(s)Hiroshi Aso
Composer(s)Masayuki Nagao
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)Game Gear
Release
  • JP: March 18, 1994
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Sonic Drift (ソニックドリフト, Sonikku Dorifuto) is a 1994 racing game based on Sonic the Hedgehog developed and published by Sega for the Game Gear. Players control one of four characters as they race to the finish line, with 18 tracks themed after levels in 1991's Sonic the Hedgehog.

Although it was designed with inspiration from Nintendo's 1992 game Super Mario Kart, Sonic Drift shares gameplay similarities to "Super Scaler" games previously released by Sega. Sonic Drift was released exclusively in Japan; a western release was planned but later canceled due to concerns about its quality. Sonic Drift was later released worldwide as part of Sonic Adventure DX in 2003 and the compilation game Sonic Mega Collection Plus in 2004. It was released again in 2023 as part of Sonic Origins Plus.

Reception to Sonic Drift was negative, with criticism for its gameplay and lack of difficulty. A sequel, Sonic Drift 2, was released in 1995.

Gameplay and release

[edit]
In-game screenshot, showing Sonic racing on a course themed after Green Hill Zone.

Sonic Drift is the first racing game in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.[1] Players control one of four characters―Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Amy Rose, and Dr. Robotnik―and race around a series of tracks, with the objective being to cross the finish line in first place.[2] 18 tracks are featured,[3][4] based on the various zones of 1991's Sonic the Hedgehog, including the Green Hill Zone. Drift is the first Sonic game to feature Amy as a playable character.[1]

There are three game modes: Chaos GP, a grand prix mode; Free Run, a practice mode; and Versus Mode, where players can compete with one another.[2] Chaos GP contains three separate cups of six tracks each and a points system where the goal is to earn more points than the competition.[1] Each cup is identified with a color: green, yellow, or red.[5]

The gameplay of Sonic Drift shares similarities with Sega's "Super Scaler"-type arcade games such as Out Run and Super Monaco GP, although with inspiration from Nintendo's Super Mario Kart. Each character has strengths and weaknesses; for instance, Sonic has fast acceleration but poor control, while Robotnik has poor acceleration but moves at high speed. The top half of the player's screen shows the course map, while the bottom displays the player's car racing around the track. The game's driving mechanics focus on drifting to steer around corners at speed. Driving into television monitors scattered around the track awards the player a power-up, such as invincibility. Tracks also contain gold rings that can be collected to use a special move, which is unique for each character;[1] for example, Sonic gets a speed boost, while Tails gets a jump.[6]

Developed in-house at Sega,[1] Sonic Drift was released in Japan for the Game Gear on March 18, 1994.[7][8] The western release was canceled due to concerns regarding the game's quality.[9][10] Sega instead released a Game Gear port of Sonic Spinball.[9] Sonic Drift 2, a sequel, was released worldwide for the Game Gear in 1995.[11] In 2003, Sonic Drift was released as an unlockable extra in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut,[1] and was later compiled into Sonic Mega Collection Plus in 2004,[12] as well as Sonic Origins Plus on June 23, 2023.[13]

Reception

[edit]

Sonic Drift received mixed reviews. Electronic Gaming Monthly was positive towards it in a preview, saying that the game was fast-paced and enjoyable but the flashing, choppy scrolling hampered the gameplay somewhat.[2] Three reviewers for Sega Pro gave a negative review of the game, criticizing the track designs as too similar, poor cornering controls, and low difficulty. Reviewer Mark Hill concluded his part of the review with "only a complete idiot would purchase a copy." The three reviewers were more positive about the game's graphics and sound.[16] According to Ulf Schneider of German magazine Mega Fun [de], Sonic Drift does not have the same quality of gameplay as Super Mario Kart and he criticized the lack of vision of a corner until being just before one, but he also said the game was fun and easy to master even on Hard difficulty. He also commented that the controls could be figured out within a few laps of gameplay.[17]

Retrospective feedback has been negative. The game's inclusion in Sonic Mega Collection was negatively received; Chris Baker of GameSpy labeled it as "almost unplayable",[18] while Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer called it "a terrible, terrible racing game whose flickering madness actually made me physically sick."[19] A reviewer for Jeuxvideo.com in 2012 compared Sonic Drift to Super Mario Kart, disliking Drift for being too simplistic and very easy to finish, alongside the general lack of content and poor presentation. The reviewer stated, "Too simple and too fast to finish, Sonic Drift is unfortunately not a title that will fascinate the crowds."[15] The staff of USgamer identified Sonic Drift's use of half the Game Gear's screen for the course map as an issue, and called the game "a poor man's Out Run".[20] Apollo Chungus of Hardcore Gaming 101 said that the gameplay itself was decent and solid, but felt that it was greatly lacking in content and variety. He criticized the track design in particular for being generally boring, lacking in presentation, and for the stage themes being purely cosmetic instead of affecting the track designs themselves. Chungus concluded his review by stating "the small amount of content mean that it's a racer only a small number of people will dedicate themselves to."[1] GamesTM described the title as a "lazy and cynical cash-in", saying that it did not understand what made Super Mario Kart so successful.[21]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Chungus, Apollo (March 12, 2019). "Sonic Drift". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Game Gear - Sonic Drift". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 58. May 1994. p. 200.
  3. ^ "International Outlook: Sonic Drift". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 57. April 1994. p. 80.
  4. ^ The Trackman in Japan (June 1994). "Overseas Prospects". GamePro. No. 59. p. 128.
  5. ^ Nakamura, Eric (June 1994). "Global Gaming". VideoGames. No. 65. p. 92.
  6. ^ "Sonic Kart?". Mean Machines Sega. No. 18. April 1994. pp. 10–11.
  7. ^ "[セガハード大百科] ゲームギア対応ソフトウェア（セガ発売）" (in Japanese). Sega. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Be Mega Dog Race". Beep! MegaDrive (in Japanese). April 1994. p. 21.
  9. ^ a b "First Shots". Computer and Video Games (151). Future plc: 11. June 1994.
  10. ^ "Newsbox". Sega Magazin (in German). No. 6. May 1994. p. 4.
  11. ^ Chungus, Apollo (March 12, 2019). "Sonic Drift 2". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  12. ^ Goldstein, Hilary (November 3, 2004). "Sonic Mega Collection Plus". IGN. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  13. ^ Shanklin, Will (March 23, 2023). "'Sonic Origins Plus' brings the hedgehog's Game Gear entries to modern consoles". Engadget. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  14. ^ "ソニックドリフト (GG)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  15. ^ a b L'avis de Wolphegon (January 2, 2012). "Test : Sonic Drift". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Archived from the original on February 8, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Hill, Mark (December 1994). "Sonic Drift". Sega Pro. No. 39. p. 72. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Sonic Drift". Mega Fun (in German). July 1994. p. 110.
  18. ^ Baker, Chris (November 1, 2004). "Sonic Mega Collection Plus". GameSpy. IGN. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  19. ^ Bramwell, Tom (May 11, 2005). "Sonic Mega Collection Plus". Eurogamer. Gaming Network. Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. ^ "Gotta Go Fast: Ranking All of The Sonic The Hedgehog Games". USgamer. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "8 Other Games Inspired by Mario Kart". GamesTM: The 25 Greatest Nintendo Games. November 4, 2018. p. 27 – via Internet Archive.
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