10 Rare Versions Of Video Games You Didn't Know Exist

Sega didn’t just compete with Nintendo in the early 1990s for the home console market, it saw them go after handhelds too. Releasing the 8-bit Game Gear in 1990, it was equally powered with the Master System, Mega Drive’s predecessor, and Sega were understandably keen to push sales with software.

One title that came from this was Sonic the Hedgehog. Preparing to release this as their big title for the 16-bit Mega Drive, Sega composer Yuzo Koshiro was given a new development team, Ancient, to bring this new mascot to Game Gear.

Finding themselves unable to port the game to an 8-bit system, Koshiro instead opted to create a new version from scratch, retaining the story and major mechanics but creating new levels whilst broadly matching the zone themes.

Released at the end of 1991 across Game Gear and Master System, it was widely acclaimed and proved a faithful reimagining of its 16-bit version. Inspiring further sequels on the Game Gear, a lot of these handheld Sonic titles fell into obscurity as Sega prioritised focus on the home console releases.

These 8-bit titles gained new recognition back in the mid-2000s, seeing re-releases within Sonic Adventure DX, Sonic Mega Collection and Sonic Gems Collection. More modern Sega compilations have focused on Sonic's more prominent Mega Drive entries however, so any fans looking to play these obscure entries are best suited to these options.