History YMMV / SonictheHedgehogCD

* {{Woolseyism}}: Amy is renamed Princess Sally in the North American manual, which was likely done as a way to promote the cartoon series that was airing around the time. However, it comes across as a rather half-assed change because Amy's design was not changed to match the actual Sally. The PC version's manual does away with this name change.

* {{Woolseyism}}: Amy is renamed Princess Sally in the North American manual, which was likely done as a way to promote the cartoon series that was airing around the time. However, it comes across as a rather half-assed change because Amy's design was not changed to match the actual Sally.

** As a result of its eventual ArtifactTitle status, some fans have changed what "[[UsefulNotes/CompactDisc CD]]" stands for in the 2011 remaster, such as "Completely Digital" or "Console Download" (or "Computer Download" for the UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} version). "Chrono Distortion" also sees use, tying into the TimeTravel themes.

* HypeBacklash: Back when ''Sonic CD'' was rarer and harder to find, the game was considered one of, if not ''the'' best game in the series as a whole by those who played it. Some reviewers prior to the 21st century took the superlatives even further, lifting ''Sonic CD'' as ''one of the best games ever made'' for its particular platform. But eventually, like just about everything else connected to the [[UsefulNotes/SegaCD Sega CD/Mega CD]], it ended up not aging well ''at all''. When re-releases and even a remaster allowed it to become more accessible than it originally was, the game became more divisive, with some believing that the game didn't live up to the hype, many even outright hating it.

** The ArtifactTitle of the game doesn't stop some people to (ironically) desire a "Sonic UsefulNotes/{{DVD}}", to the point that at least one FanGame has been named that.

** The Special Stages, in which the player can collect all seven Time Stones and achieve the good ending without having to destroy the teleporters, are some of the most reviled in the franchise. Meant to show off the capabilities of the CD hardware, the game tasks the player with destroying [=UFOs=] on an island in pseudo-3D (really similar to the Mode 7 of the [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]]) where touching the water will remove ten seconds off the timer. The trouble stems from its incredibly finicky 3D controls.[[note]]It's possible to slow Sonic down with the Control Pad, but this isn't communicated to the player in-game, only in the instruction manuals.[[/note]] When combined with the 2D sprites and wonky collision detection, it makes the task needlessly difficult and frustrating, especially in the later stages.

** Where the game belongs chronologically amongst the other 16-bit ''Sonic'' platformers was a contentious debate for some time. Some fans argue that it's set between ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic 1]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 Sonic 2]]'' due to Tails' notable absence, its intention as being an alternate sequel to ''Sonic 1'' during development, and the less refined Spin Dash. Others though, prefer to place it after ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'' instead, due to the presence of the Super Peel Out (which isn't present in the Genesis games) and the idea of Metal Sonic being the culmination of Eggman's attempts to replicate Sonic in robotic form after his attempts in ''2'' and ''3 & Knuckles'' (which makes sense, given his sleeker design compared to the bulkier appearances of the Mecha Sonics, and how Metal has since become the most prominent among the robotic doppelgängers). Sonic Team has [[FlipFlopOfGod been inconsistent on the subject]], but the ''Encyclo-speed-ia'' and ''Sonic Origins'' both place it between ''1'' and ''2'', confirming that as the likely canon answer.

** As a result of its eventual ArtifactTitle status, some fans have changed what "[[UsefulNotes/CompactDisc CD]]" stands for in the 2011 remaster, such as "Completely Digital" or "Console Download" (or "Computer Download" for the UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} version).

* GoddamnedBoss: Collision Chaos' boss. All you have to do to beat it is to reach the top of the pinball table, but you might take a lot of time trying to do that, as the flipper's controls are very strange (there is a minuscule delay and the physics are off). Eggman will also throw a lot of bombs that act like bumpers, to keep Sonic from reaching him.

** Depending on the region, gamers were treated to one of two different soundtracks, each kick-ass in its own way ([[AwesomeMusic/SonicTheHedgehog as expected from this series]]). The Japanese soundtrack,[[note]] also used in the original European release[[/note]] composed by Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata, has that familiar Sonic sound with a dash of J-pop complete with bits and pieces of sampling (notably, Xavier's "Work That Sucker to Death" is used for the boss music); while the American soundtrack, composed by Spencer Nilsen and David J. Young, is more atmospheric and rock-oriented.
** While debates in regards to the Japanese/European and the American soundtrack tend to get [[BrokenBase heated]], one thing both sides of the debate can agree on, is that the past tracks (which remain the same regardless of region) are bops. Standouts include the relaxing [[https://youtu.be/07M1W2vm7E0 Palmtree Panic]], the energetic [[https://youtu.be/nwcVOXb3wXY Wacky Workbench]], the jazzy [[https://youtu.be/FaFq86KE9zk Stardust Speedway]], and the peaceful [[https://youtu.be/w4Sr8fdda58 Quartz Quadrant]].
** While not technically part of the game proper, the 20th anniversary album features completely new rearrangements of both [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPW1EVe06m4 Sonic Boom]] and the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbiL0jglqkA American Stardust Speedway Present]] by none other than Jun Senoue, (and his band Music/Crush40 for Sonic Boom) and Music/CashCash. Unsurprisingly, they are incredible takes on the tracks that gives them a bit more of a Modern Sonic twist.

** The American soundtrack vs. the Japanese soundtrack, in terms of "superiority". {{Flame War}}s are not uncommon. This is a particular BerserkButton for Europeans, especially the Brits, who just tend to get whichever region is convenient. They originally got the Japanese soundtrack, yet when both the PC version and ''Gems Collection'' came out, the port was based off the PC version which was region-locked to the U.S., and since the ''Gems Collection'' version used the PC port, all countries with that game got the soundtrack. Many a European gamer were ''not'' happy about the sudden change. The later [=PS3=], 360 and iOS ports mitigate this by having both soundtracks as options. Though people who like both are not unheard of, fans still debate on which one is better.

* GoddamnedBoss: Collision Chaos' boss. All you have to do to beat it is to reach the top of the pinball table, but you might take a lot of time trying to do that, as the flipper's controls are very strange (there is a minuscule delay and the physics are off). Robotnik/Eggman will also throw a lot of bombs that act like bumpers, to keep Sonic from reaching him.
* GoodBadBugs:

** For the game itself, many play it essentially for [[SugarWiki/AwesomeArt the intros]], [[BestLevelEver Stardust Speedway]] and [[BestBossEver the Metal Sonic race]], while creepypasta lovers will play the game to find the "Fun is infinite" EasterEgg and for the American Game Over music.

** The JP/EU version of the Stardust Speedway Bad Future theme will often elicit a "HURHUEHUEHUE" or variations thereof when it shows up on Website/YouTube.[[labelnote:Explanation]]The "Hey hey" sample getting used was likely misheard as evil laughter, hence the spelling.[[/labelnote]]
** The JP[=/=]EU's stage clear[=/=]ending theme also gives us the rather odd shout of "TELEPORTATION YEAH!"

** Some of the JP music, like the Stardust Speedway and boss themes, can be kind of silly, but no less catchy:

*** The robotic voice in the Japanese Bad Future music for Metallic Madness sounds like the Software Automatic Mouth and is basically saying the opposite of the lyrics of that version's theme song, but the song in general (especially the instrumentation) doesn't refrain from [[PlayerPunch reminding you that you]] [[BadFuture screwed up]]:

*** Even the Japanese GameOver music has this effect. It may not be as horrible as the infamous OminousPipeOrgan of the American version, but the music gives the impression that the game is collapsing after your failure, and the distorted "Toot-Toot Sonic Warrior...", being a DarkReprise of the aforementioned intro song, makes a good job at [[TheComputerShallTauntYou mocking you]] [[PlayerPunch for your failure]] by subverting an otherwise cheerful tune. Also, having a MockingSingSong as a Game Over theme fits well a villain like [[PsychopathicManchild Eggman]].
** On the other hand, the infamous American boss and GameOver themes, despite being [[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore over-the-top]], still do a great job at raising tension before and keeping it when fighting Eggman for the former, and frustrating the player after they lost all their lives for the latter. Considering the game is DarkerAndEdgier than other 2D ''Sonic'' games, they may fit better than their funky Japanese equivalents.

** While the US version is infamous for its creepy boss music, [[SoundtrackDissonance it doesn't suit the boss fights themselves]], which are just as ridiculous as they were in the original Japanese version. It can be difficult to take the {{Evil Laugh}}ing seriously when it's accompanied by a mini-mecha with bumpers for arms, a pinball machine, and a bubble shield. The FinalBoss may be an exception, given it accompanies Eggman's [[FaceFramedInShadow shadowed face]] and the ominous rattling of the machine -- to that end, the Japanese version has a special, more serious theme for said boss.
** The "Fun Is Infinite" EasterEgg is significantly more creepy with the US version's boss music. In the Japanese version, which uses that version's groovy boss music, it comes across much goofier, which was likely the intention.

* PolishedPort: The 2011 port for the Xbox 360, [=PlayStation=] 3, Steam, and mobile devices is considered by most to be ''the'' definitive version of the game. Due to the addition of widescreen, improved framerate and collision detection, the addition of the more loved Spin Dash from ''Sonic 2'' (with the option to switch to the game's original Spin Dash if you dislike the change), Tails as a playable character, a revamped save feature and the option to switch between the two soundtracks at any point. The port was so well done that Sega would hire Christian Whitehead to remaster the previous [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 two]] [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 games]] in the same way alongside Stealth (which were also considered the best versions of those respective games) and then eventually, a [[VideoGame/SonicMania brand new 2D]] ''[[VideoGame/SonicMania Sonic]]'' [[VideoGame/SonicMania game entirely]]. The only true downside to the port is the removal of the vocals from the Japanese opening and ending themes (which was due to [[ScrewedByTheLawyers legal issues]]), however, if you have the PC or Android versions, you can easily mod them in, mitigating this. The ''Sonic Origins'' version, which is based on this port, fixes this issue as well as adding the Drop Dash and remastered [=FMVs=], and aside from a handful of subtle bugs and downgrades, retains most of the same polish, and the ''Plus'' version releasing on 23 June 2023 makes [[DamselOutOfDistress Amy]] and Knuckles playable.
* RefrainFromAssuming: "Sonic - You Can Do Anything", the opening theme song from the JP version, is often incorrectly cited as "Toot Toot Sonic Warrior" after part of the chorus, despite "you can do anything" actually being in the lyrics.

** The Special Stages, in which the player can collect all seven Time Stones and achieve the good ending without having to destroy the teleporters, are some of the most reviled in the franchise. Meant to show off the capabilities of the CD hardware, the game tasks the player with destroying [=UFOs=] on an island in pseudo-3D (really similar to the Mode 7 of the [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem Super Nintendo]]) where touching the water will remove ten seconds off the timer. The trouble stems from its incredibly finicky 3D controls.[[note]]It's possible to slow Sonic down with the D-Pad, but this isn't communicated to the player in-game.[[/note]] When combined with the 2D sprites and wonky collision detection, it makes the task needlessly difficult and frustrating, especially in the later stages.
** The Windows 95 port can only run if your system's color setting is in 256 color mode. The main reason for the game needing 256 color mode is that said mode is palette-based as opposed to the other newer modes, which makes all the colors available from the get-go. This allows the game to lazily alter the color palette to create a sense of animation instead of redrawing the object on the screen, which uses less CPU cycles and allowing the game to run more smoothly. However, instead of requesting Windows go into 256 color mode and then exiting with an error if Windows declines, it just outright refuses to run if the display isn't in 256 color mode.[[note]]This is actually a common problem with several games released in the era. Many Broderbund edutainment titles also has this flaw.[[/note]] Thankfully, the newer port that's available on Steam exists and does not have this issue.

** Depending what's harder for you, destroying the Time Capsules or getting the Time Stones can be this, as doing only one of them is necessary to reach the GoldenEnding. Even better (or worse), you can actually do ''both'' if you don't collect the 7th time stone before Metallic Madness Zone 2 (and manage to get it)[[labelnote:Explanation]]If you collect all the Time Stones after Quartz Quadrant Zone 1 and have destroyed all Time Capsules prior to that, the game will effectively create a paradox: Wacky Workbench Zone 3 will be in the BadFuture and the game will crash when loading Stardust Speedway Zone 3. The only solution is to erase your file and to start over[[/labelnote]].

** The American boss theme sounds a lot like "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kHfNDSYJvg Pressure Road]]" from ''VideoGame/{{Ys}} II''. The resemblance is one thing, but they both have the distinction of being nightmarish, cacophonous, and incredibly out of place in series that usually have upbeat music.
** The Japanese Collision Chaos Present theme sounds similar to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGFITl5mFvs "Trampled Under Foot"]] by Led Zeppelin.
** The Japanese Stardust Speedway tracks have an incredibly similar chord progression to Shakatak's 1988 song, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPtg9xOsJ40&list=LL&index=4 Walk the Walk]]".
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf0qEBwQP4Y Japanese D.A. Garden theme]] is a soundalike of 808 State's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLxDRePUwEY "Pacific State"]].

** Much of the American soundtrack, despite its reputation. Having a playlist of the soundtrack, or better yet the officially extended CD. Nearly the whole soundtrack is ambient folk crossed with alternative rock and extensive vocal harmonies, making it very soothing to listen to as a stand-alone product.

* SweetnessAversion: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbGLPqs9SeQ Japanese Palmtree Panic present theme]] is so happy (including cheering kids) that it's kind of over-the-top, although it does serve to make the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXCQYdqdD4A bad future version]] [[MoodWhiplash more disturbing by comparison]].

** The bad ending. After you manage to beat the game, without all seven Time Stones or not having destroyed every generator in the past, Little Planet will reappear, once again chained up. That creepy laughter by Eggman certainly doesn't help.

** Metal Sonic. There's a lot of obstacles in the way, not to mention awkward jump timing, and if you miss any of these, the quirky physics of the game will slow you right down, meaning you need to have near-perfect platforming if you want to keep up with him. Even more so if you're going for the Heavy Metal achievement/trophy in the HD port, which requires you to beat him without taking any damage.

** Special Stages 5 to 7 are way harder than the ones that came before. Not only does the level design make falling into water and wasting precious time easier, but the [=UFOs=] fly around much more erratically. At least there's a blue UFO in the center that grants more time when hit and spawns once the limit is under 20 seconds, but hitting it consistently is far from guaranteed.

** The American soundtrack got a lot of flak from fans and critics alike for replacing the Japanese soundtrack. ''[=GameFan=]'' even rated the North American version [[https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume2Issue02January1994ALT2/page/n17 lower than]] the Japanese version ''for this very reason'' as they gave the Japanese version [[https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume1Issue12/page/n21 a perfect score of 100%]]. That said, [[BrokenBase it has its fair share of fans, some of which even prefer it to the Japanese soundtrack]].

** The version of the 2011 port in ''Sonic Origins'' removes all of the voice clips from the original release, such as Amy's giggle and Sonic's "I'm Outta Here" line (which was likely done to maintain consistency with the other games and the portrayal of the classic incarnations of the cast being {{Heroic Mime}}s, which outside of comics, has been their standard portrayal since ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''). Fans did not take well to the removal of these clips, as it suggests that the game takes place in the classic universe instead of the desired main continuity. The way the sounds are stubbed out is also rather amateurish, as the values of the removed sounds still exists in the sound test (with the Time Stone sound being duplicated as a result). It also loses the attractive pixel art menu interface the 2011 port had (with its remnants only being used for certain extra menus), and it instead uses an odd mish-mash of the original Sega CD one and a bland one from the collection's own UI/UX.
* UnderusedGameMechanic: There's basically no reason to go into the futures in the first two acts of the zones, other than out of curiosity. In the BadFuture, it's too late to change anything, whereas in the good future, you've already fixed the timeline, and can get the good future just by completing the act in the past, without any further time travel required. The only thing that matters is going to the past to destroy the Robot Generator. Once that's done, the player just has to head to the goal.

* VindicatedByHistory: The dislike the American soundtrack received is proportionate to the amount of appreciation it's had retroactively. While the Japanese pop soundtrack is as loved as ever, the rise in abstract, reverb-heavy funk and electronica in internet culture has made many a fan come back to the music with newfound appreciation. The NightmareFuel reputation of the soundtrack has also died down as the level themes have been reappraised beyond the infamous boss theme.

** The FinalBoss fight, though contested due to being regarded as an AntiClimaxBoss, has the blades on Eggman's ship spin smoothly in the Taxman & Stealth ports, rather than having the janky LimitedAnimation from before.

** The NightmareFace Sonic from the "Fun is Infinite" Easter egg is often referred to as "Majin" (the Japanese word for "devil" or "demon god") by fans, due to that being the only other text on the screen. This was popularized by the "Vs. Majin" mod for ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin''. As it turns out, "Majin" is the nickname of the programmer who created that screen, Masato Nishimura -- he prefers to spell it "Mazin".

* UnderusedGameMechanic: There's basically no reason to go into the futures in the first two acts of the zones, other than out of curiosity. In the BadFuture, it's too late to change anything, whereas in the good future, you've already fixed the timeline, and can get the good future just by completing the act in the past, without any further time travel required.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: The overall state of the Bad Futures. Does it show that the Eggman Empire is destined to fall due to its own failings or does Eggman just not care what the planet looks like as long as he's the one in charge? The cartoons put forth the latter interpretation before, but this marks the first time we see something like it in the games. Later entries in the series - primarily ''VideoGame/SonicForces'', where we do get a glimpse of Eggman ruling the world and how far he'd go to keep it - seem to suggest all he cares about in the end is having the world under his control.

** The American soundtrack vs. the Japanese soundtrack, in terms of "superiority". {{Flame War}}s are not uncommon. This is a particular BerserkButton for Europeans, especially the Brits, who just tend to get whichever region is convenient. They originally got the Japanese soundtrack, yet when both the PC version and ''Gems Collection'' came out, the port was based off the PC version which was region-locked to the U.S., and since the ''Gems Collection'' version used the PC port, all countries with that game got the soundtrack. Many a European gamer were ''not'' happy about the sudden change. The later [=PS3=], 360 and iOS ports mitigate this by having both soundtracks as options, but to this day, fans still debate on which one is better.

* PolishedPort: The 2011 port for the Xbox 360, [=PlayStation=] 3, Steam, and mobile devices is considered by most to be ''the'' definitive version of the game. Due to the addition of widescreen, improved framerate and collision detection, the addition of the more loved Spin Dash from ''Sonic 2'' (with the option to switch to the game's original Spin Dash if you dislike the change), Tails as a playable character, a revamped save feature and the option to switch between the two soundtracks at any point. The port was so well done that Sega would hire Christian Whitehead to remaster the previous [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 two]] [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 games]] in the same way alongside Stealth (which were also considered the best versions of those respective games) and then eventually, a [[VideoGame/SonicMania brand new 2D]] ''[[VideoGame/SonicMania Sonic]]'' [[VideoGame/SonicMania game entirely]]. The only true downside to the port is the removal of the vocals from the Japanese opening and ending themes (which was due to [[ScrewedByTheLawyers legal issues]]), however, if you have the PC or Android versions, you can easily mod them in, mitigating this. The ''Sonic Origins'' version, which is based on this port, fixes this issue as well as adding the Drop Dash and remastered [=FMVs=], and aside from a handful of subtle bugs and downgrades, retains most of the same polish, and the ''Plus'' version releasing on 23 June 2023 will make Amy and Knuckles playable.

** Depending what's harder for you, destroying the Time Capsules or getting the Time Stones can be this, as doing only one of them is necessary to reach the GoldenEnding. Even better (or worse), you can actually do ''both'' if you don't collect the 7th time stone before Metallic Madness Zone 2 (and manage to get it)[[labelnote:Explanation]]If you collect all the Time Stones after Quartz Quadrant Zone 1 and have destroyed all Time Capsules prior to that, the game will create a paradox: Wacky Workbench Zone 3 will be in the BadFuture and the game will crash when loading Stardust Speedway Zone 3. The only solution is to erase your file and to start over[[/labelnote]].

** Even though Metal Sonic is an intimidating foe, there's something hilaripus about the way he lifeless imitates Sonic's impatient foot-tapping and finger-wagging at the beginning of the race. The end of the race is just as funny: he runs headfirst into the closing door at the end and mimics Sonic's death animation.