Well, hey everyone. So today, I found this fairly interesting and funny (and probably very horrible) sonic the hedgehog 1 sprite hack to review. So, one real question I have actually been really wondering about this sonic 1 sprite hack is whether this hack was actually made as some kind of joke or if it was a really dedicated hack for a little badnik or for someone. Not really sure what the possible answer for that is, but, I'll go ahead and (try my best) to review this game hoping that I can find an answer to that. If not, oh well, it's a review anyways. Let's get started on the review! 

Intro: What is this Hack? What about it?

This is a fairly simple Sonic 1 sprite hack really. It is a pretty unique and strange hack too, but not so unique or strange in such a good way. So, obviously from the title of this hack and the screenshots, you can pretty much see that this hack simply replaces the original Sonic the Hedgehog with a motobug as a surprisingly playable character in this game. I actually find it somewhat impressive for a motobug to be able to be a hero in a Sonic game since he is only a small badnik after all, but then, if you actually attempt to play this sonic 1 sprite hack, you'll actually see that it isn't really so good as you possibly thought it would be. Usually, there are a few things and small changes that would make a sonic 1 sprite hack very good. Most of the time, those changes in that case would be a change in the main character replacing Sonic the Hedgehog (obviously), that main character is (or can be) your favorite character to play as, and/or that main character has some cool special moves that are original to other games or some made up cool moves (Which is usually the best parts in sonic 1 sprite hacks), however, as for this sonic 1 sprite hack, it's almost like the opposite of a good sonic 1 sprite hack and I said "almost". Well, here is why: Does this sonic 1 sprite hack replace the original Sonic the Hedgehog character? It sure does. It replaces Sonic, a very fast and cool character with..... a motobug. Does the motobug have some cool advantages or any cool things to make this sonic 1 sprite hack, "awesome"? Well, bleh.... Talk about some disadvantages and some really uncool things. If you are really wondering why, then, let us delve in to find out!

Gameplay: 6

Well, usually, the gameplay is one of the most significant parts for making a sonic game or hack, "Good". Of course, for old sonic games and hacks, we mostly care about good physics, good "runs", good "jumps", good zones... etc, but.... One really sad thing that I would pretty much hate to mention about this sonic 1 hack, is that, it lacks some of those significant things, or, in other words, it does have those significant "things" but not in such a "good" way. In a somewhat dreadful way to be honest here. Now, if you are still wondering why, then you haven't played the game yet to find out, though, this is a game review, so I am supposed to let you know. Anyways, here is why, when you play the game, you will notice something quite, terrible. It may be the first or second thing you will notice. When you attempt to actually run with the motobug, it doesn't move so fast. In fact, it moves extremely slow. It's about the same exact speed of a real motobug that sonic encounters. It doesn't even at least move in a decent speed for the game to even be a little fun. It's just way too slow that you don't even want to think about playing the game anymore, however, if you jump, the motobug's jump height is about the same as sonic's jump height, surprisingly. It is quite impressive to see a motobug to have such an ability to jump in such a height, but despite the motobug having a somewhat impressive ability of jumping for a badnik, his speed is very slow just like any ordinary motobug. It is not even a decent speed to make this sonic 1 sprite hack even very playable, however, there is actually one option to possibly stand a chance in playing this sonic 1 hack. Just like all or most other sonic games and hacks, there are of course, monitors. There can be a monitor to solve the motobug's super slow speed problem, right? Yep, you guessed it indeed. That speed shoes monitor surprisingly really helps in speeding up the motobug. In fact, his speed gets a lot faster and I really mean VERY FAST. The motobug's speed with the speed shoes is so fast to the point that it is almost uncontrollable, well, just a little hard to control, but still, it's very fun, funny, and quite impressive for the motobug to move in such a speed with the speed shoes. It looks hilarious to the motobug move that fast and it's really fun and cool, but again, the speed shoes monitor is literally the only thing that makes this game fun and playable. If you have no speed shoes and/or you can't find any speed shoes around, then you are out of luck, therefore, making the gameplay dreadful for you until you actually find speed shoes. Also, defeating bosses with the motobug is quite a challenge due to his slow speed and it can also be hard if he is extremely fast too in defeating bosses since it may be difficult to control him. So, if you were to actually compare the motobug to sonic, Sonic would be much better, of course. The only way the motobug can beat sonic is if the motobug has speed shoes and if sonic does not have speed shoes. Well, hopefully I didn't overkill the gameplay portion in my review again. That is it for the gameplay.

Graphics: 8

The graphics for this game is about nearly the same as the original, but with a few changes. Of course, you guys already know that the Sonic sprites were replaced with the motobug sprites and as you can see from the screenshots, the title screen also replaced Sonic the Hedgehog with the motobug. Though, I must really say, the motobug does not looks half bad in the title screen actually. He does looks somewhat funny, especially since he is coming out from the top of the screen with is eyes in a funny way. It does pretty much fit the way the motobug is like pretty well. Yea, also, the motobug sprites of when he is moving seems original but there are some unoriginal but somewhat well done motobug sprites too. The original motobug sprites is when he is standing and moving left or right on the ground. The unoriginal motobug sprites is when he is jumping with his wheel sticking out and when he is idle and starts wearing sun glasses and dancing. It gives me a good chuckle to see the motobug dance like that with sun glasses on and I doubt that it is an original sprite from any original Sonic games I have seen. Also, when the motobug pushes an object or pushes against the wall, he also wears sun glasses and moves up with his wheel in a somewhat funny and lousy manner, but I must say, that is a fairly well done sprite of the motobug. I wouldn't say that it is that amazing but it is not very bad either. Also, one somewhat cool and funny thing I forgot to point out is that when the motobug gets speed shoes and moves very fast, the back area where smoke comes out of him is literally like a rocket and it's so epic and funny to see a motobug move like that, except, one thing that kind of ruins the epicness is when he goes through a loop with speed shoes. He literally just goes upside down quickly and then back to normal which shows some missing sprites for the loop. Other than that, all other badniks, sprites, color palettes.... etc in this sonic 1 sprite hack is pretty much exactly the same just like the original. Well, that is about it for the graphics portion of my review, I guess.

Sound: 9

Well, as you guys probably already know, there is of course no sound changes in this Sonic 1 sprite hack. Basically, all the background music in all zones, and all other sound effects are pretty much exactly the same like the original Sonic the Hedgehog 1, though, the purpose of this sonic 1 sprite hack I'm guessing is to be able to play as the motobug in the original Sonic 1 zones. Most other sonic 1 hacks would have the same purpose but for a different character with different special moves or cool advantages which is pretty much why the sound and the zones usually end up being unchanged in most sonic 1 sprite hacks from what I have seen so far. Though, I always love the original sounds anyways. It's pretty much high quality and very good sounds for a sega genesis. I guess there is really nothing else to say here. 

Addictiveness: 4

And now, here comes one of the real worst parts of this sonic 1 sprite hack, especially considering that addictiveness is one of the most important parts of a sonic game or hack and possibly for most other games out there too. So, considering motobug's extremely slow speed, what this sonic 1 hack be addictive? Would someone be addicted to a sonic hack that features an extremely slow character that doesn't even move at a decent speed? You obviously know that answer to that type of question. That is a big NO. When someone would even start playing this sonic hack, once they realize the motobug's slow speed, he/she would probably just shut the game in less than a minute and try some other sonic game and never wish to comeback to a sonic hack like that again. The main things that usually make sonic hacks addictive would be speed running a zone or trying out a cool special move, but the motobug lacks both the decent speed, and the special moves. Even though there is speed shoes to make the motobug move in such a great and fast speed, the one who is playing that game will probably just close the game before they even get a chance to hit a monitor from the motobug's slow speed. If someone (like me) wouldn't want to return back to play this sonic 1 hack, then how is this addictive? But still, I do somewhat sound like I'm beginning to nag about this game though what I'm saying is pretty much true, but still, I'll give a bit of credit for this sonic 1 sprite hack for being a bit interesting though. It does somewhat makes me think on why someone would make a motobug a playable character and again, still not enough to make this game addictive, however, the title and screenshots of this game is a little interesting which makes someone at least try it once for a short while. Thats about it for the addictiveness. 

Story: 6

Of course, you guys would expect a low rating like usual for the story of most classic sonic games, but, there is something I would want to point out, don't you think that the story can be a little interesting? Or at least lots of potential for an interesting story? Just think about, a motobug trying to stop Dr. Eggman's evil plans? A motobug doing that? And a motobug is also one of Dr. Eggman's creations too? That is very interesting. To think about it, why would a motobug try to defeat Dr. Eggman? Very interesting, I must say and again, they did not show or mention any story in this sonic 1 hack itself though. It's as if they made it something normal, so thats a lot of lost potential for an amazing and surprising story, but, the story isn't usually a significant part in a sonic game or hack. Thats about it for the story. 

Depth: 5

Well, it doesn't really offer much but disadvantages to the gameplay to be honest. Unlike any sonic hack, this does let you play as a badnik which is pretty cool, but the badnik has no cool moves and is very slow. There is no special options other than the level select cheat (which is pretty useful for a motobug who may not be able to play in some zones.) Also, mentioning what I have already said before in this review is cheating for word count, so thats all for the depth. 

Difficulty: 10

Oh yes. This is definitely one heck of a very challenging sonic 1 hack alright, but, not challenging in a good way. It is way too challenging since the motobug does not even move in a decent speed and you have to rely mostly on speed shoes. You can't even go through loops without speed shoes and defeating bosses with that kind of speed is way too challenging. Just imagine it and try the game yourself and you'll see what I mean.

OVERALL: 5.5

Well, not such a great sonic 1 hack, but not so bad either. Ok, it is kind of bad but it has a few ups and loads of downs. To answer the question that I brought up in the beginning of my game review and title of my review, I think this is more of a dedicated hack to be honest. I mean, would someone really waste their time to make a bad hack without reason? And, I think someone was really dedicated to see how playing as the original motobug would be like, but I must say, it was interesting.

Thank you very much for reading this review, any feedback always appreciated and have an awesome vizzed day!

mohammedroxx3 : Hey man, great looking review you have posted here and I do have to agree with one thing, a lot of people makes the craziest hacks, but hey, it's whatever floats their boat more likely.

IgorBird122 : Thanks for the feedback Igor! I'm actually pretty surprised that my review even got 1 reply in one day. Now my review doesn't feel too ignored like usual. lol. Yea, and this is indeed a fairly crazy hack. XD 

mohammedroxx3 : Great job on the review once again mohammed as usual you put alot of detail and effort into your work. I also seemed to like this review over the last one since you decided to undo what you had done before and put differences for the most part in each needed section, wish I would've seen this earlier but you know my situation already. Either way good review I'd say about a 4.7 if I had to rate it out of 5. Keep up the good work and don't stress yourself out too much by writing too much alright?