Categories #Community, Features

Dreadknux’s Diaries: The False Move

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Author Dreadknux

This is a series of personal blogs written by Dreadknux during the formative years of The Sonic Stadium. It chronicles significant events in the website’s early life.

Greed had a part to play in this one. For the ‘new’ look, I needed a server that was bigger than Angelfire’s 50MB. This was where I started to get greedy, and set off to look for servers that had unlimited web space, but without the annoying ad banners. Pop Ups would be OK though. I found many solutions, but they would not offer space for MP3 files which cheesed me off big time.

Then I found it – the biggest mistake of my life. Continue reading Dreadknux’s Diaries: The False Move

Categories #SEGA, Features, Opinion

OPINION: Dreamcast Dead?

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Author Dreadknux

Heard a rumour that the Dreamcast is dead? At first glance this may all seem like some sort of self-destructive pattern on Sega’s part , and that may make you lose your faith in the company as a fan. But, as this massive news special will soon explain, the odds are all in the favour of the Dreamcasters. First off, let’s address the rumours and stories and whatnot (that sounds SO English. Wait, I AM English).
Continue reading OPINION: Dreamcast Dead?

Categories #Community, Features

Dreadknux’s Diaries: The Beginning of the Future…

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Author Dreadknux

This is a series of personal blogs written by Dreadknux during the formative years of The Sonic Stadium. It chronicles significant events in the website’s early life.

If you recall back to December 2000 (or simply look at my ‘dairy entries’ for that month) you’ll notice that the Sonic Stadium got a fair few visitors to start off with, and then it all started going downhill. Worse, no-one appeared at the Message Board, no-one was listening to the guff-sounding ‘Sonic Groove Choons FM’ (can’t blame them), and I was designing a new look site in the hope that it may bring back visitors. Continue reading Dreadknux’s Diaries: The Beginning of the Future…

Categories #Community, Features, Previews & Reviews

Fan Game Review: Sonanoid

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Author Dreadknux

Sonanoid is based on the simple concept of Arkanoid. Wow. Use a ‘bat’ and ‘ball’ to hit blocks etc in the air. How… Fun… Zzzzzzzzz… I’m being a jerk obviously – actually Sonanoid is quite addictive, and H Hog has produced a rather fun game with a lovely Sonic twist. Gone are the usual blocks from other brick-busting games, and in come original Sonic items. Continue reading Fan Game Review: Sonanoid

Categories #Community, Features

Dreadknux’s Diaries: The Year 2000 Recap

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Author Dreadknux

This is a series of personal blogs written by Dreadknux during the formative years of The Sonic Stadium. It chronicles significant events in the website’s early life.

15th June 2000: Pre-Launch Prelude: I have always been a fan of Sonic. Always. Ever since the very first Sega home console, the Master System, which I bought instead of a Mega Drive. As the PlayStation started to take over, ‘Sonic mania’ died down. I got a Sega Saturn and N64, and enjoyed them both, but the love for Sonic slowly started to dwindle as I grew up. As an early teenager, Sonic’s image started to became too… childish. Continue reading Dreadknux’s Diaries: The Year 2000 Recap

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

The Road to Sonic Adventure 2: What We Know So Far

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Author Dreadknux

Sonic Adventure 2, eh? Probably the most anticipated Sonic game to date. And you know why? If you don’t, you’ll find out right about now! Details on the story and the plot itself are rather scarce, but what we do know at the moment is exciting everyone, especially the old ‘Dreadknuxster’ here! Least of all because Sonic’s 10th Anniversary is drawing nigh, and Sonic Team are beavering away to ensure a worldwide release date and to make this the BEST Sonic game to date!!! Continue reading The Road to Sonic Adventure 2: What We Know So Far

Categories #SEGA, Features

Site-Seeing: I’m Dreaming of a White (Dreamcast) Christmas…

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Author Dreadknux

Yes, it’s ‘Happy Crimbo’ again to your auntie, but what are you gonna spend your hard earned cash on for YOURSELF this Christmas, with the ever-increasing presents to buy? Solution: The online Dreamcast shops! Some of the best shops around on the net! Continue reading Site-Seeing: I’m Dreaming of a White (Dreamcast) Christmas…

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Adventure

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Author Dreadknux

Well, Sonic Adventure sees Sonic and Tails once again journeying to defeat Eggman, only the plot is much more epic this time. Sonic is seen chilling out in Station Square when a commotion in the street invites him to face off against a strange enemy made of water. When the creature is defeated, Sonic runs into Tails, who discovered a Chaos Emerald on his travels. The duo go to the Mystic Ruins. On the way they meet Eggman, who introduces the two to ‘Chaos’, the water monster Sonic fought earlier. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Adventure

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic R

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Author Dreadknux

Sonic R is exactly what it says on the tin – a racing game. Only… the ‘Racing’ is abbreviated with an ‘R’ and it’s not in a tin. It sees you take a whole cast of Sonic Team characters out on a racing revolution! A competition is being held on Sonic’s home grounds, and the blue blur just can’t help but notice it. Sonic can’t turn something like this down. Tails joins him in signing up for the competition, however it they soon find out that it was all just a ploy set out by Dr Robotnik to trap the blue hedgehog. The swine. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic R

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Blast / G Sonic

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Author Dreadknux

This is the final Sonic game for the Game Gear, and boy did Sonic go out with a bang with this title! Everything has been enhanced and redesigned in order to make it a game similar in fashion to Sonic & Knuckles. The plot of the game is as you would expect from your average Sonic game – the exact details escape me. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Blast / G Sonic

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic 3D Flickies’ Island

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Author Dreadknux

Here’s the final Sonic game released on the Mega Drive, before the blue blur moved on to the Sega Saturn. On a similar note, but on a different whistle, this game marks Sonic’s debut on Sega’s 32-bit powerhouse. A totally new ploy has been devised by Eggman, involving Flickies. These strange birds live in another dimension and can warp anywhere via large rings. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic 3D Flickies’ Island

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Labyrinth

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Author Dreadknux

Another try at making Sonic more than just a platform game, this time for the Game Gear, and we must say that it is pretty addictive. And slow. The basic plot is that Sonic’s speed shoes have been stolen and replaced with super slow sneakers… essentially, some confusing tripe trying to convince us that Sonic needed to be put in a puzzle game. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Labyrinth

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Tails Adventure

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Author Dreadknux

A Sonic game, with only Tails in it. In fact, you could say this is a Tails game, because that’s who stars it. No Sonic. No Knuckles. Be proud, Tails fans! Yep, good ol’ Miles runs the show alright, and it all starts off in his home in the forest, where our two-tailed friend is having a kip in the woods. When suddenly, the forest is set on fire. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Tails Adventure

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Tails Sky Patrol

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Author Dreadknux

Another game that stars Tails and Tails alone, only this game really doesn’t have the same appeal as Tails Adventure. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an OK game, but there’s something about it that just… annoys me. Now, the story is… well, I don’t know really. I haven’t really had more of a pleasure than playing it, I never owned it. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Tails Sky Patrol

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Drift 2

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Author Dreadknux

Well, here’s the sequel to the popular Japanese Sonic Drift, released on Game Gear a year or two before this game. The difference is, it actually came out in the West! It seems the old Sonic Drift story is back – the Chaos Emeralds are under threat by Dr Eggman and his cronies, and the only way to grab the Emeralds before the lardmeister does is to take off in the Sonic Drift races and win them at the end of each Championship Race. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Drift 2

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Triple Trouble / Sonic & Tails 2

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Author Dreadknux

This was named Sonic & Tails 2 in Japan, just like Sonic Chaos was called Sonic & Tails there. The story involves yet another world domination plan by Eggman, only this time (like in Sonic 3), he has the help of Knuckles, that god-darn red fool! That ‘trusty’ echidna nabbed all the Chaos Emeralds and has legged it. Sonic, not too happy, chases after Knuckles, with Tails close behind. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Triple Trouble / Sonic & Tails 2

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Spinball (8-Bit)

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Author Dreadknux

Released some time after its Mega Drive counterpart, Sonic Spinball arrived on Master Systems and Game Gears during ’94 and ’95. Everything is in pretty much the same style as the 16-Bit console versions… but… hmmm… well. There are a few differences that make this game different from other versions of the game, and these are explained below, along with a verdict. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Spinball (8-Bit)

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Drift

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Author Dreadknux

Here’s the first Sonic Drift – a game that never made it out of Japan. Shame that, as it’s pretty darn good (although Sonic Drift 2’s better ^_^). Well, by the looks of things, it seems that the Chaos Emeralds are once again under threat by Dr. Robotnik. The only way to stop him is to win the Chaos Emeralds in… The Sonic Drift Racing Championship! Or something. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Drift

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine

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Author Dreadknux

This is a rather unusual ‘Sonic’ game. Firstly because it’s actually Puyo Puyo in disguise, and secondly because although it features Sonic characters (Robotnik for example), the blue blur himself is nowhere to be seen. Our favourite belligerent scientist can no longer stand the happiness of Beanville, so he intends to use his new invention, the ‘Mean Bean Steaming Machine’ to transform the village’s bean-shaped inhabitants into slaves. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Spinball

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Author Dreadknux

Sonic Spinball sees Sonic thrown into a world of pinball objects. While you might think that’s quite a basic premise, the game actually feels pretty unique. It’s not your average pinball table… The story? Well, Sonic’s gotten himself in trouble again, isn’t he? After an airborne encounter against Eggman on the Tornado, the blue blur is flung into the sea and into Mount Robotnik’s sewage duct. At least Sonic can begin his counter-attack in earnest. Just watch the smell. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Spinball

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic Chaos / Sonic & Tails

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Author Dreadknux

Like the Mega Drive, this third instalment in the Master System/Game Gear series has totally renewed graphics and offers the ability to play as either Sonic or (at last) Tails as you attempt to foil Eggman’s plans. Robotnik has gone on another ‘take over the world’ bender, and has created a new fortress: the Electric Egg Zone. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic Chaos / Sonic & Tails

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic CD

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Author Dreadknux

This game was the first Sonic game to use Time travel – they scrapped the idea on Mega Drive. Bookended with fab Sonic anime intro and outro sequences, Sonic CD’s story sees you rescuing Amy Rose from the clutches of Metal Sonic, Eggman’s newest creation built to eradicate Sonic and the world. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic CD

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic 3 & Knuckles

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Author Dreadknux

When Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are locked together, they produce one of the greatest Sonic the Hedgehog games ever made. This page largely focuses on the changes between playing the games together compared to playing them individually.

Our extensive guide starts off with when Sonic and Tails defeat Eggman at Launch Base. You don’t fight Big Arms from Sonic 3 in this extended version, which is nice. You are then moved on to S&K’s Mushroom Hill Zone, but SEGA have added an extra scene to the beginning of it. It features Knuckles being very sneaky and hiding something. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic 2 & Knuckles

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Author Dreadknux

Well, here we are with Sonic 2 & Knuckles. It’s Sonic 2, only you play as Knuckles! Still with us? Cool. Graphically speaking, obviously if Knuckles from S&K was just plastered onto Sonic 2, then he’d look weird, so SEGA has done a good job recreating Knuckles so that he doesn’t look out of place. The only downside is, unfortunately, this is still Sonic 2 – you’re just playing as a different character, so no points on the originality side there. But who cares if you’ve got S&K with Sonic 3, right? Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic 2 & Knuckles

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic 1 & Knuckles (Blue Sphere)

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Author Dreadknux

OK then. I’m not going into great depth with this one, but basically Sonic and Knuckles, when linked with Sonic 1, gets you this monstrous mini-game thing. You can play as either Sonic or Knuckles, through literally millions of Sonic 3 Special Stages. Sounds fun eh? Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic 1 & Knuckles (Blue Sphere)

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic & Knuckles

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Author Dreadknux

Sonic & Knuckles arrived in the form of a very clever lock-on format cartridge, so that SEGA could continue their massive Sonic 3 saga. To get the most out of S&K, you of course need Sonic 3 but if you don’t have it, SEGA has made it compatible with Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 as well. But on its own, S&K makes for a decent game too… Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic & Knuckles

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic 3

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Author Dreadknux

A new character, Knuckles the Echidna, is the guardian of a very special Emerald. This is called the Master Emerald, and it is even more precious and powerful than all of the seven Chaos Emeralds. The Master Emerald is situated on the Floating Island, and Knuckles has sworn to protect it – no matter what. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic 3

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

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Author Dreadknux

Unlike most sequels, the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is actually BETTER than its predecessor. Featuring a new character, Miles ‘Tails’ Prower, and a new two player mode, there’s a lot to keep you occupied. Robotnik starts terrorizing the planet again by capturing all of Sonic’s furry friends and turning them into robots. But now he also has something more sinister in mind. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog

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Author Dreadknux

This was Sonic’s first appearance on the Sega Mega Drive, or the Genesis as our friends in America like to call it. The aim of the game is simple – Dr. ‘Eggman’ Robotnik plans to threaten all of Mobius with his mechanic monsters, which are powered by cute furry animals. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-Bit)

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Author Dreadknux

The Master System and Game Gear counterparts of Sonic 2 sees you play as Sonic and Sonic alone. You must rescue Miles ‘Tails’ Prower from the vile clutches of Burger Boy (ahem, I mean Dr. Robotnik ^_^) as he plans to rule all of the planet. Luckily for Sonic, ‘Eggman’ appears to have lost the Chaos Emeralds. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-Bit)

Categories #Games, Features, Previews & Reviews

TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog (8-Bit)

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Author Dreadknux

This was Sega’s first Sonic game on the Master System and the Game Gear. The objective? The classic – Dr. Ivo Robotnik wants the cute little animals to turn into mega metal monster machines. With the help of these machines, Robotnik (more commonly known as “Eggman”) plans to rule all of Mobius. Continue reading TSS REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog (8-Bit)