Ciph’s Cabinet

Bi-Weekly Game Reviews

Christopher Curtis

Full disclaimer: I didn’t grow up with Sonic the Hedgehog, in either its 2D or 3D incarnations. The series' identity, then, isn't firmly established in my mind. But games within a long-running franchise don't need to remain stagnant, and while Sonic has often tripped and stumbled in an attempt to evolve, it hasn't been without success. 

Sonic CD, which I see as a kind of mirror image to Sonic 2, perfectly exemplifies the many forms Sonic's core ideas of speed and spectacle can take without losing that identity. It’s a deeply underappreciated gem, particularly in its modern releases, which adds multiple playable characters, allows players to choose between the original soundtrack and a (for questionable reasons) altered one, and removes the lives system that once interfered with the games sprawling, explorative level design. 

At first glance, the open levels—littered with branching paths, secrets, and signposts that allow Sonic to travel to the past or future—directly clash with the series’ emphasis on speed. In practice, though, these environments create opportunities for player-driven spectacle that feels far removed from the scripted sequences of later entries. The result is a sense of freedom that genuinely makes you feel like a heart-led, high-velocity freedom fighter. Players can gain speed quickly through mechanics like the updated Spin Dash or the Super Peel Out, but maintaining that momentum requires learning the layouts and demonstrating real platforming skill. 

The reward for this mastery is partly self-satisfaction, partly spectacle—but also time travel, which reveals more of the world of Little Planet. The mechanic is entirely optional, yet it weaves a quiet narrative about the planet’s fate. Freeing Little Planet from Eggman’s oppressive future becomes its own reward, even without the bonus ending attached.

Each area—called a “Round” in CD—contains three acts, with the final act always set in the future. If you travel to the past in Acts 1 and 2 and destroy the robot transporters—or collect the Time Stones in the bonus stages—you’ll arrive at Sonic’s “good future,” rendered in brighter colors and infused with a sense of life and freedom. Fail to do so, and Eggman’s bleak, totalitarian future takes hold instead.

Either way, you’ll likely find yourself jamming to some spectacular music—especially the original Japanese/European soundtrack, which draws heavily from underground ‘90s genres like house and techno. 

Sonic CD occasionally struggles to communicate its ideas clearly to the player. But if you find yourself drawn to its open exploratory levels, its beautiful music, and underlying personal narrative, then you may discover an experiment more successful—and more deserving of recognition—than its reputation suggests.

Sonic the Hedgehog CD was originally released for the Sega CD and later for the Nintendo Gamecube. It is also available on PC, Xbox One and Series X/S, Playstation 4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch, including Switch 2 via Sonic Origins.

Gameplay: 7/10

Writing: 7/10

Aesthetic: 9/10