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RetroforceGO! records episode 68 tonight: Sonic the Hedgehog with Jim Sterling photo

With the approach of what looks to be the first decent Sonic the Hedgehog game in years, we thought we may as well record an episode in honor of the speedy once-Sega mascot. We had some good times together back in the day, followed shortly thereafter by some ... well, not so good times. Really not so good.

But hey, there were good times, right? Let's talk about those. And what better way to do so than to have Jim Sterling, the Sonic Defender himself, join us on the show? He'll be completely out of his element and that can only lead to something interesting happening. Hit the comments with your questions for us all.  


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110 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:29
Topher Cantler
Boners.
ryu89's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:31
ryu89
@topher quite.

Yes, Sonic, I grew up with him, and he is awesome. Not lately, but his latest game seems ok. I want to ask you, where do you think the beggining of ridiculous began in adding new characters? Many point to sonic adventure, but I believe it started with knuckles chaotix and sonic CD. Fuck Amy, and fuck espio and all that other shit. Sonic should have stayed sonic, knuckles, and tails. THATS IT.
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:31
ParaParaKing
OMG! WHO THE FUCK IS JIM STERLING!
Zulu's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:31
Zulu
Holy shit, Jim "the jim" Sterling will be on retroforceGo!
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:32
necrozen
How many of you jumped on the Sega bandwagon back in the day and hated on mario because sonic was faster, cooler and... bluer? I'll admit it, I was one of them. I think I even said "Sega does what Nintendon't once." Ugh.
Mikey's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:32
Mikey
Dr. Robotnik? Or Eggman?
wilbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:32
wilbo
i forgot to post my question last week to ask chad

why did you have to cancel that other retroforcego on the same day as my birthday? :(

also, epic moustache plushie

Exquisitor's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:33
Exquisitor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIIagVIQEpg

Humans
Against
Genesis
craineum's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:33
craineum
Pronunciation Guide: cray knee yum

Also, so this is another series I have completely missed, since I grew up as a Nintendo only boy.

What should me and my son go back and play?

Is there anything that is more recent that isn't just brand fodder?

Also, Boobies. (I haven't finished listening to the last episode!)
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:36
pendelton21
Please tell me someone here is a fan of the amazing Sonic comic books or cartoons (excluding Sonic X, which is recycled anime shit). Do any of you know about the amazingness that is the Freedom Fighters, Princess Sally, Sonic's Uncle, Sonic's brother and sister, who are in a band with fucking sweet instruments, or (best of all) Team Chaotix? Please dedicate most (if not all) of the podcast talking about them. They need to be in a worthwhile game.

Also, when do you think was the official death of the franchise? I still love the Adventure series, but most people think that SA1 killed the Sonic we all know and love.
jackal27's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:38
jackal27
Wow! Early RFGo! this week! Good news!

The new Sonic looks ok, but it appears to be more about just watching Sonic run fast than anything. Which is cool and always has been, but that was never what made Sonic games great in the past.

I'm not a fan of the active time events either, but whatever. I don't have to play it.

I know people are going to make crap about all the newer characters as well. When did all of that really start though? I mean, if you think about it, new characters are a staple of the Sonic series since they seem to have been adding new ones ever since the second game.
Senisan82's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:38
Senisan82
Yes! Sonic 1 was my very first Sega Genesis game and thought he was such a fun character. Unlike Mario, Sonic had just a bit of attitude and was more animated. For instance if you waited a bit you would see him look at you and start tapping his foot or when he would reach a ledge he waves his arms about trying to keep his balance. Oh! and the music! so many great tunes! lol I guess this isn't a question as so much a fond recollection. Sorry, I will get to my question. Do you any of you have a favorite stage in any of the sonic games? and who amongst you have abused the shit out of the debug codes!? I know I did in Sonic 2 lol
Mikey's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:39
Mikey
Sonic!


Tails!


Knuckles!
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:39
ParaParaKing
Also a question:
Is Sonic for you more of a running to the right kind of game or do you enjoy the mixture of fast running and adventuring? I certainly enjoy the later.

Also what is the best Sonic BGM?
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:39
pendelton21
@Ryu:

Read the comics. Team Chaotix is the shit.
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:41
ParaParaKing
BTW: Let Jim do some Double Dribble speech! Please. Thank you.
jackal27's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:42
jackal27
Sonic needs blast processing again...
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:43
Tubatic
Pronunciation guide: Too Bat Ick

In honor of Jim, lets all play Brilliant or Rubbish!

Brilliant or Rubbish:

- The Knuckles connection cartridge that let you play Knuckles in the older games

- Having a "real Ending" by completing the stupid Crystal minigames

_ Losing all ring collection from being hit once.

- Sonic CD. All of it.

- The new Sonic RPG

- A hypothetical Guest appearance by Sonic the Hedgehog in BonerQuest
verdigris's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:43
verdigris
(ver-duh-gris)

First RetroforceGO! question from me EVAR! Yay!

First off, shame on Chad, Stella, and Colette for not getting Topher's 'Bobby's World' joke. Shame, indeed.

Now, on to the good stuff...

Which Sonic 'buddy' would you not mind seeing brutally murdered in front of his/her own family? I personally wouldn't mind seeing Shadow bite the big one, or maybe Big...

Furthermore, why do these 'buddies' even exist? Sonic had a perfectly good thing going for him until the developers went "ZOMG! Mario has cool friends so Sonic must have COOLER friends cause he is so much COOLER!!!"
randombullseye's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:44
randombullseye
Sonic 2 is the best Sonic The Hedgehog game. Please validate my opinion by saying you agree with me on the internet. Also boners. *cough* quest *cough*

Which Sonic game do you think has been the worst? Sonic adventure? Sonic heroes? Shadow The Hedgehog? Sonic 2006? With so many to choose from, good luck. I feel the series went downhill at Sonic 3. So many animal bullshit buddies.

Brings me to my next topic. What do you guys think of the fan base of Sonic The Hedgehog on the internet? The ones who have sexual feelings for him and his bullshit buddies?

How great would it be if SEGA released 2D Sonic games again? Not on a hand held, but on a TV console. Mega Man 9 did pretty well for itself, why not a new Sonic that takes out his bullshit buddies.

One last question, do you guys collect the chaos emeralds when you play Sonic or not? I know people that ALWAYS go for all the emeralds and I never really care. I'm happy enough just to spin around killing enemies.

Also a big thanks to Chad for helping me with something. He is amazing. Five out of five Dolphins!
AudioTerror's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:50
AudioTerror
Why do you think Sonic has lost his luster over so many years? Example: Mario has aged well and kept up with the times but why hasn't Sonic?

Also I love Retroforce GO! (and this is my first question I've posted for you) If it weren't for your wondeful Podcast I would not have been able to survive working 9am-1am every night for two weeks straight (damn crunch time for projects).

If Retroforce GO! was going to get shot I would be the one to dramatically throw myself in front of the bullet. You guys are that awesome.
grafkhun's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:51
grafkhun
Will there ever be a good 3d Sonic game?
ReturnofJaffa's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 14:55
ReturnofJaffa
hey guys -

I've been listening to the show since the early days.

Last week my girlfriend listened for the first time because she was interested in the topic. Overall she really enjoyed it but I don't know if she'll be back soon. She was a little pissed about the Zelda banter (ie. should Zelda have her own game) overlooking the fact that Zelda can turn into Shiek. Just saying!

Anyway: Do you guys prefer to play as Sonic or Tails?
ChunkyB's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:01
ChunkyB
Did any of you ever play the original games in co-op mode (Sonic 2, Sonic & Knuckles, maybe others). My friend had a genesis, and we'd switch off playing as sonic and tails. That was so freaking fun, especially since tails couldn't really die, so you'd just go full steam at everyone. If you kill them, that's fine. If you don't, that's fine too.
Palidi's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:01
Palidi
(Pal-ih-die)

I almost wanted to request to be on this episode myself as a person who started his gaming career with Sonic, and has been a loyal fan since the beginning, but A) didn't expect this episode until next week when the 360(&PS3?) version came out, and B) you guys to record 2 days earlier than usual.

Anyhow, questions. I guess I have some...

Have any of you gotten to play the beta or alpha versions of Sonic 2? Do you like the role that Sonic Team eventually gave Tails, or would you have rather seen him as the guardian of the master emerald(which was the original idea for Sonic 2? Do you guys ever wonder how Sonic 2 might have been different if it included the 6 levels scrapped from the final version(like Hidden Palace Zone, Wood Zone, and Genocide city)?

Sonic 2's unused crash animation(Sonic would fall down if he ran into a wall too fast), super-awesome-shoulda-been-used or glad it wasn't?

Sonic 3 and storytelling: discuss why its a high point for general game story telling(or at least, storytelling in the Sonic series).Argh, i would love to be in a discussion about this point

If Sega announced a fully open world Sonic game(like Elder Scrolls), how do you think it would fare?

I'm sure I have more, but they're not at the top of my head.
funran's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:06
funran
How much money would it cost to make out with the whole cast of Retroforcego? I figure if I start saving now....

Also, Tell Jim he is awesome, and I've always wanted to hear him on Retroforcego, please make him a permanent addition. Although, he might have too much hate to keep Chad from exploding.
mr spooky's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:07
mr spooky
1. Who is your favorite character in the sonic series?
2. Has anyone beaten any Sonic game from beginning to end?
3. Who is your favorite character Sonic or Mario/Luigi?
4. Did anyone like Knuckles than Sonic.
5. Do you guys think any other playable will be in Sonic Unleashed?
6. Was Miles "Tails" Prower an annoying character in Sonic 2.
7. Who owned Sega Genesis console?
Tascar's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:14
Tascar
I like the first few Sonic games alot and I am embarassed to admit that I have liked the two original Sonic animated series more than I probably should. However, there was always something slightly off about Sonic that makes it less memorable and good than Mario, Metroid, etc and sadly I couldn't quite put my finger on the reason. However, listening to the discussion on the recent Sonic episode of the retrogaming podcast Retronauts, I think I have gained a few ideas in my head which I would like to throw out for consideration.

Sonic in his very definition and design revolves around speed and going fast. The design of the first zone of the first game, Green Hill Zone, seems to perfectly complement this idea and is in every way designed to show off Sonic's speed and allow players to explore the sensation of speed.

However, subsequent stages do not seem to fare as well. Gameplay in Marble Zone doesn't quite feel as fun because the gameplay suddenly switches to a platformer style, which Sonic really doesn't do very well (he has some weird jumping mechanics that are pretty awkward in comparison to Mario). This gets even worse in the Labyrinth Zone where you combine a character that doesn't seem to play well in a slow environment with the much-disliked water level.

So in other words, I guess what I am asking is, either Sonic is a very limiting character from a gameplay standpoint (because in his retro-incarnation he only seems to really work at high-speed) or has level-designers failed to complete up with lots of compelling stages that are suitable for his character? Or is it a combination of both.
SetoChaos's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:15
SetoChaos
If Yuji Naka were to come back to Sega what Sonic game do you think he would make?

Thanks for answering my emails by the way and yay for early RFGO :)
MatCD's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:16
MatCD
You know, I thought that Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past was the first game I played. But now that I think about it, it might have actually been playing as Tails in Sonic 2 while my older brother played Sonic. Since Tails was unkillable, he'd have me take on the bosses while he avoided dieing.

How great is it to have a game mode that a 3 year old can play, but still have some legitimate challenge to the difficulty?

also
http://updownleftrightholdapushstart.ytmnd.com/
I didn't know about this code, but I am now wary of it's implications.
Cube's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:17
Cube
Humm I own at least 1 copy of every sonic game ever made and yet cant think of anything to say.


Other than

lets talk about sega sonic the arcade game, I got the arcade machines main board and only played it once, I cant find a good trackball that works with the mahcine to rebuild it and i need 3 of them.
infinity's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:17
infinity
sonic 2/3 debug codes were the greatest thing ever. discuss.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:17
Sharpless
This will, in all likelihood, be the greatest thing ever known to man. Sterling + Retroforce =

Zagieman's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:19
Zagieman
Does anyone else think Sonic 1 for Master System is the greatest Sonic game ever?
Cube's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:19
Cube
Sonic Cd had a better Debug mode, and tons of hidden strange picture.


They are only in the real sega CD version though not the lame PC and sonic gems collection versions.
ryanrab1's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:22
ryanrab1
Why that 3-D Sonic has failed so far?

Is it the Developers fault, or is the games basis just hard to translate into 3-D?
snotrocket's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:24
snotrocket
Will Jim be performing any retro songs, the absence of lyrics should not stop the singing magician known as Jim Sterling.
Majora's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:24
Majora
Hey, amazing show premise for tonigh ^_^

Anyways...

1.What are your fave BGM and levels?

2.Have any of your got any of the Remixs of a sonic songs? - Chemical plant zone by entertainment system is awesome among others

3.Fave boss?

4.Fave special stage?

5.did anyone have trouble with the red and white barrel room in carnival night on sonic 3? lots of my friends did, i just did it by accident by going up and down?

Yay !!
Stella Wong's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:24
Stella Wong
Tails is the best :D
Happy Chainsaw Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:27
Happy Chainsaw Man
Finally! Singstar Superstar Sterling is here for the Almighty Fap Chorus!

And as the only Sonic I've played is the first one, I have nothing else to contribute!
heyricochet's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:30
heyricochet
Who is the best rocker in Sonic Underground? Sonic, Sonia, or Maniac? And, has Sonic jumped the shark?
Brian Keljore's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:34
Brian Keljore
This may be the last Retroforce in a while I can make a post in the pre-show thread on (thanks a lot crazy work hours). Sad Face.

Anyways, There is only one question that needs to be asked, who is the most annoying Sonic character? Charmy is high on my list... but I am not sure who number one is.
tsunamikitsune's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:35
tsunamikitsune
YES! This is awesome.

Have any of you seen the Sonic the Hedgehog anime movie? If so, what did you think? Also, favorite Sonic cartoon series?

Can't wait for this episode! :D
Batthink's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:38
Batthink
I loved the last podcast as I did the rest of the ones I listen to. :O)

Since you gave lists of good example of female characters, I would like to know who are your top five negative examples of male heroes in video games (i.e. Duke Nukem for his sheer action hero/chauvinist streak, etc).
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:40
pendelton21
@heyricochet:

Easy. Maniac.
Tablet's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:43
Tablet
Should SEGA do a Capcom and make a classic style "16-bit" Sonic game?

And is it just me or is the AI for Tails in sonic 2 better than most of the AI you get in games today?
Codysseus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:47
Codysseus
Were you guys as disappointed by Sonic in SSBB as I was? I was so excited for him, but when I finally unlocked him I thought he kind of played like butt.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 15:48
eternalplayer2345
Do you think they could have made more games that took advantage of the lock-on technology in S&K.

Were any of you hardcore Anti-sonic or Mario back in the day because the console "wars" if so at what point did you stop being a fanboy(or girl!) and start playing both?

What makes adding new characters now seem so abysmal, when every main sonic game has always done this. Tails,knuckles and even amy got their own game introduction but now if sega even tries to change one thing fanboys get up in arms.

Do sonic fans know what they want? Or is sega in a no win situation.

Do any of you like the flicky game as much as I do

Sonic 3D blast...........WTF?

Do you think the only place sonic could go and still seem fresh is something like a wiiware game a la mega man 9?

Does anyone else feel sad that the sonic advance games are ignored despite being some of the best.

Sonic riders was a fun racing game that was brutally hard, what did sega get right with this sonic spin-off

How badly do you want to murder shadow?

I know most of us hate all the new sonic characters but I can you hate this?

[img]http://www.absoluteanime.com/sonic_x/cream.jpg/img]

What is your favorite track from sonic 1, 2 , 3&k

Sorry for all the questions, I love you all.
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