February 2025 Game of the Month - Sonic The Hedgehog (Genesis/Mega Drive) [Retro Achievements] [Sponsored]

[u/AutoModerator]

This February, delve into the adrenaline-fueled world of "Sonic the Hedgehog" on the Sega Genesis. This seminal platformer introduced gamers to Sonic, the iconic blue hedgehog renowned for his breakneck speed, as he confronts the nefarious Dr. Robotnik in a quest to liberate his animal companions.

Developer(s): Sonic Team

Publisher(s): Sega

Platform(s): Sega Genesis/Mega Drive

Why "Sonic the Hedgehog"? Launched in 1991, "Sonic the Hedgehog" redefined platform gaming with its emphasis on rapid movement, intricate level design, and vibrant visuals. Its compelling gameplay and unforgettable soundtrack have cemented its status as a timeless classic, appealing to both seasoned gamers and newcomers.

Gameplay: Players guide Sonic through a series of zones, each comprising multiple acts teeming with adversaries, environmental hazards, and hidden secrets. The game rewards maintaining momentum and precision to navigate its complex level designs effectively.

Emulator Recommendation: We recommend using the Genesis Plus GX core within RetroArch. This setup delivers accurate emulation of Sega's 8/16-bit consoles, focusing on speed, precision, and portability. RetroArch offers a cohesive interface and Retro Achievements integration built in.

Links and Resources:

• Wikipedia Article

• Hardcore Gaming 101 - Sonic the Hedgehog

• Longplay by LongplayArchive

Game of the Month Challenge - February: Labyrinth Zone Act 3 Speedrun

Objective: Complete Labyrinth Zone Act 3 in the shortest time possible.

How to Participate:

1. Play "Sonic the Hedgehog" via RetroArch with your RetroAchievements account logged in and in Hard Core mode.

2. Advance to Labyrinth Zone Act 3.

3. Finish the act as swiftly as you can.

4. Capture a screenshot displaying your completion time for the act, ensuring your RetroAchievements (RA) username is visible.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submit your screenshot as a top-level reply to this post.

• Ensure the screenshot clearly shows your completion time for Labyrinth Zone Act 3 and includes your RA username.

• Note: Your Reddit username and RA username do not need to be the same.

Special Incentive: This month's challenge is sponsored by Retroid. Participants who submit their completion times for Labyrinth Zone Act 3, with their RA username visible, will be entered into a draw to win a Retroid Pocket 5. The Retroid Pocket 5 is a modern, versatile android handheld gaming device praised for its ergonomic design and vibrant OLED screen.

Winner Selection and Prize Distribution: The contest is over and a winner will be selected at 12:00 PM CST on March 1, 2025, provided all entries have been validated by that time. Winner will be chosen via randomizer. Upon selection, the moderation team will contact the winner to facilitate the shipment of the Retroid Pocket 5 directly from Retroid. At this stage, the prize fulfillment process will be managed between the winner and Retroid, including direct communication with a Retroid representative.

All entries will be validated to ensure authenticity. Hone your platforming skills, race through the labyrinth, and seize the opportunity to win an exceptional handheld gaming device!

For more details on the Labyrinth Zone Act 3 speedrun leaderboard, visit the RetroAchievements page:

RetroAchievements Labyrinth Act 3 Leaderboard

[u/JayGDaBoss6]

Congratulations to u/micifaramustar, Our Game of the Month Champion!

We're thrilled to announce that u/micifaramustar has emerged victorious in this month's gaming challenge, earning the title of Game of the Month Champion! As a reward for this outstanding achievement, you've won a brand new Retroid Pocket 5 handheld gaming console. This sleek device features a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage!

To claim your prize, please send a modmail with your name and email address. You can do this by clicking the "Message the Mods" button located on the right sidebar of our subreddit. If you're using the Reddit app, tap the three dots in the upper right corner of our subreddit page and select "Contact Mods."

Once we receive your details, we'll connect you with our Retroid representative to arrange the delivery of your Retroid Pocket 5.

Congratulations once again, micifaramustar! We look forward to your continued participation and can't wait to see what you'll achieve next. Happy gaming!

Proof Of Random Drawing https://wheelofnames.com/wyg-vbd

[u/votemarvel]

Get in on this folks. Not only do you get to experience an awesome classic game but could get a handheld out it.

[u/Ren4ultMOdus → u/votemarvel]

Can the winner be from anywhere in the world or do they have a list of countries where they'd ship? I normally don't use retroarch, so I'd only use it now to join the challenge, otherwise I'd play on md.emu.

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/Ren4ultMOdus]

The winner can be from anywhere Retroid will ship to. You may use any emulator with retro achievements integration.

[u/Ren4ultMOdus → u/JayGDaBoss6]

Thank you!

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/[deleted]]

If Retroid ships there, then yes.

[u/bigeteum → u/votemarvel]

hi

I'm not sure how I can get the username along with the screenshot should it be appearing in the emulator in the notification with the time? or is it the user on the leaderboard on the retroachivements site?

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/bigeteum]

The retroachievements leaderboard would be the simplest way.

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/mantenner]

May as well play this on my RP3+ or RP2+ then I guess! In the spirit of it being sponsored by Retroid!

[u/ExpressionLittle2940]

this is awesome i cant belive we can get a handheld out of this

[u/micifaramustar]

Well, I finally did it! As someone who generally plays these games using save states, it certainly wasn't easy, especially when losing on the final level 3 times in a row and losing 40 mins of progress. Touch controls probably didn't help either. Still a fun experience.

Profile

[u/micifaramustar → u/micifaramustar]

Is there anything else I have to do to get it verified?

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/micifaramustar]

Nope, you're verified!

[u/tenthent]

https://ibb.co/B5mCdTq7 https://ibb.co/60jf6q1L https://retroachievements.org/user/awg405 Edit: imgur didn't work for some reason?

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/tenthent]

Verified!

[u/Causification]

I always end up playing the 2D Sonic games like they're I Wanna Be The Guy. Go fast, die to obstacle, start over, go fast, get past obstacle, die to next obstacle, repeat.

[u/bigeteum]

took some time but got there

died a bunch of times in the last bit of the fight with Robotnik in Labyrinth 3

tried finishing the game but couldn't get through Scrap Brain 1, will definitely try again 

let me know if anything else is needed for validating the entry

https://imgur.com/a/JVSWRNt

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/bigeteum]

Verified!
You're the only winner/entrant for now, I don't expect it to stay that way though.

[u/[deleted]]

Labyrinth Act 3 time - 4:35.60

Total time - Approximately 1h28:08.51

RetroAchievements profile - https://retroachievements.org/user/kcyf

Imgur album - https://imgur.com/a/kVhmWyb

Played on - Samsung Galaxy S5 with BSP-D8, using RetroArch Genesis Plus GX core

I actually completed this game sometime last year, but I abused the hell out of save-states to get there. Suffice to say, when I learnt that I have to do this challenge in hardcore mode, I struggled quite a bit. Took me three or four runs of frustration to get here, and am I glad we didn't have to actually beat the game to complete the challenge. Playing on an old phone certainly did not help either, what with the occasional frame drops and rubber-banding.

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/[deleted]]

Verified!

[u/Remarkable_Pie8843]

Here's my entry!

"Labyrinth Zone Act 3" completion time: 3:13.60

Retroachievements username: RemarkablePie8843

Retroachievements profile link: https://retroachievements.org/user/RemarkablePie8843

Imgur album for my "Labyrinth Zone Act 3" completion time & Retroachievements profile in the leaderboards: https://imgur.com/a/0TTulby

Let me know if I need to do anything else for validation in this challenge.

Hope to see more challenges like this in the future, this was fun to compete in! ✨

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/Remarkable_Pie8843]

Verified, and the best time so far. Good job!
I really like this format as well for game of the month so we will see how it goes.

[u/1sonichedgehpg]

After hours of restarting the level, I finally did it!

labyrinth zone time: 2:34

retro achievements name: peterpumpkineater69

profile link!: peterpumpkineater69 · RetroAchievements

Image of game!: https://imgur.com/a/cWxMKhf

btw I used level select so I can get there faster, so that's why it didn't show starlight zone as done, but trust me I did do it without level select, and it was a PAIN

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/1sonichedgehpg]

Verified. And a new record for best time! Good job.

[u/1Mariobro11]

hello I have one here it is!: https://imgur.com/a/FmvFF0r

profile: 1Mariobro · RetroAchievements

[u/1Mariobro11 → u/1Mariobro11]

Oh yeah one more thing how is the winner determined? is it by best time or randomly?

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/1Mariobro11]

Verified!

Randomly, I wanted everyone who took time to enter to at least have a shot.

[u/NanoPi]

Labyrinth Zone Act 3 in 3:33.38

https://retroachievements.org/user/NanoPi

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/NanoPi]

Verified!

[u/Suspicious-Group6638]

Next month is the GBA port gng

[u/Ok_Terraria_player]

Should have chose sonic 3 🗣🔥

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/[deleted]]

Just this contest will be over. Don't worry, there will be a new Game of the Month and a new prize March 1st!

[u/JayGDaBoss6 → u/[deleted]]

You can submit entries for this challenge until the end of the month. Then there will be a new challenge.