Sonic The Hedgehog Ring Mechanic Was A Last Minute Decision
One of Sonic The Hedgehog's most noteworthy and lifesaving gameplay mechanics was implemented two weeks before the first game launched. Players were introduced to Sega’s speedy blue mascot in 1991’s Sonic The Hedgehog, which featured the titular marsupial as he ran through colorful worlds, collected mystical gemstones called the Chaos Emeralds, and battled against the evil Dr. Robotnik. Since those humble beginnings, the Blue Blur would star in several sequels and spin-offs, build a memorable supporting cast of characters, and branch out into movies, comics, TV shows, and even the occasional Sonic The Hedgehog adult coloring book.
While the Sonic The Hedgehog franchise has evolved a great deal over the past 30 years, the core gameplay mechanics have remained largely the same. Sonic (or one of the many other playable characters the series has been host to) runs through a level to reach the goal at the end, jumping and bashing into hostile robot enemies and speeding past obstacles every step of the way. These levels are also littered with Rings, floating golden circles that serve no real narrative purpose but are nonetheless a vital commodity to Sonic. Whenever the speed-obsessed hedgehog takes damage, these Rings fly out, leaving him vulnerable to death if he suffers another hit. However, as long as Sonic has at least one of these Rings in his possession, he can’t die — and he can even gain an extra life by collecting 100 of them before a level is finished.
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Sonic The Hedgehog’s Ring mechanics have been a core element of the franchise since the very beginning, but according to original Sonic lead programmer Yuji Naka, they were actually a
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