Sonic 3D Blast 1996
Log Status
Completed
Playing
Backlog
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Rating
Time Played
--
Days in Journal
1 day
Last played
November 4, 2023
Platforms Played
For the longest time, I've only been familiar with the Genesis version of Sonic 3D Blast, with the Saturn release being a more unknown factor. Sure, I could've changed this at any point by simply emulating it, but I can count the number of times I've thought "gee, I want to play Sonic 3D Blast" on one hand. An intrusive thought that I'd give about as much weight to as "you should start an electrical fire," it's best to disregard it entirely. Unfortunately, sanity doesn't always prevail and sometimes our hands are guided more by our inner darkness than our conscious mind.
Right out of the gate, the Saturn version of Sonic 3D Blast features a number of improvements, including a full CG intro cutscene that may not be as technically impressive as the one that opens the Genesis version, but which isn't so garbled that it can't be understood by human eyes. Levels also feature more complex surface textures and expanded color pallets, and I really love all the small background details, like monkeys climbing up trees in Green Grove Zone or tiles wobbling beneath Sonic's feet in Rusty Ruins. These touches add a lot of life and vibrancy, and not to knock the Genesis version for working within its limitations, but I think 3D Blast looks much better on the Saturn as a result.
It debatably sounds better, too. There's no question that Jun Senoue's score is filled to the brim with memorable tracks, but Richard Jacques has his own style and it's a damn good one. I'd actually compare this to Sonic CD in that they're radically different yet equally suited to the game, and I can see myself slipping into similar territory where my preference is constantly vacillating between the two. Rusty Ruins and the special stage themes have been stuck in my head all weekend.
Speaking of the special stages, the Saturn version of 3D Blast ditches the Genesis' piss-easy runways in favor of something more akin to Sonic 2, so if you can't stand dodging bombs and collecting rings along winding halfpipes (it's me, I hate it, I am referring to myself here) then I'm afraid I've got some bad news. Being fully 3D and running on more capable hardware does make these stages more manageable, but there's still plenty of instances where the track is made unreadable thanks to sharp turns and poor camera angles, so you can still expect to get blindsided by bombs pretty frequently. A lot of people seem to love these special stages, but I'm not one of them. I'm a Blue Spheres guy, not a Halfpipe guy.
The rest of the game is, regrettably, Sonic 3D Blast. I got a little more mileage out of the alternate soundtrack and improved graphics, but dealing with Sonic's unwieldy controls and awkward hitboxes makes collecting Flickies a chore no matter which console you play it on.
Right out of the gate, the Saturn version of Sonic 3D Blast features a number of improvements, including a full CG intro cutscene that may not be as technically impressive as the one that opens the Genesis version, but which isn't so garbled that it can't be understood by human eyes. Levels also feature more complex surface textures and expanded color pallets, and I really love all the small background details, like monkeys climbing up trees in Green Grove Zone or tiles wobbling beneath Sonic's feet in Rusty Ruins. These touches add a lot of life and vibrancy, and not to knock the Genesis version for working within its limitations, but I think 3D Blast looks much better on the Saturn as a result.
It debatably sounds better, too. There's no question that Jun Senoue's score is filled to the brim with memorable tracks, but Richard Jacques has his own style and it's a damn good one. I'd actually compare this to Sonic CD in that they're radically different yet equally suited to the game, and I can see myself slipping into similar territory where my preference is constantly vacillating between the two. Rusty Ruins and the special stage themes have been stuck in my head all weekend.
Speaking of the special stages, the Saturn version of 3D Blast ditches the Genesis' piss-easy runways in favor of something more akin to Sonic 2, so if you can't stand dodging bombs and collecting rings along winding halfpipes (it's me, I hate it, I am referring to myself here) then I'm afraid I've got some bad news. Being fully 3D and running on more capable hardware does make these stages more manageable, but there's still plenty of instances where the track is made unreadable thanks to sharp turns and poor camera angles, so you can still expect to get blindsided by bombs pretty frequently. A lot of people seem to love these special stages, but I'm not one of them. I'm a Blue Spheres guy, not a Halfpipe guy.
The rest of the game is, regrettably, Sonic 3D Blast. I got a little more mileage out of the alternate soundtrack and improved graphics, but dealing with Sonic's unwieldy controls and awkward hitboxes makes collecting Flickies a chore no matter which console you play it on.