I'm gonna say it: this is better than 16-bit. The level design, aesthetics, climax, and handling of the chaos emeralds make this a much more enjoyable package overall.

Even comparing it to other 8-bit platformers, the controls are tight, the challenges are always fair, and even stages within the same world have variety.

I am of course referring to the SMS version. Sonic's missing nose in the GG version always bothered me.