Sonic Jam

''Sonic Jam'' is a [[Compilations in the Sonic series|compilation]] which contains the four main ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' games released on the [[Sega Genesis]]: ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (1991), ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' (1992), ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' (1994), and ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' (1994).{{sfn|Nutter|1997|pp=68-69}} Unlike later ''Sonic'' collections, ''Sonic Jam'' does not use a Genesis [[emulator]]; the games are true [[Porting|ports]], and all are nearly identical to the original Genesis releases, with the exception of minor [[bug (computing)|bug]] fixes.<ref name="allgame" />{{sfn|CVG Staff|1997|p=20}} ''Sonic Jam'' emulates ''Sonic & Knuckles''{{'}} [[Sonic & Knuckles#Lock-on technology|"lock-on technology"]]—a special feature that allows the player to merge elements of ''Sonic & Knuckles'' into previous games, with altered levels and the choice to play the combined ''Sonic 3 and Knuckles'' game and play as [[Knuckles the Echidna]] in ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2''.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=7}}<ref name=GameRev/><ref name=GSpot/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1994|pp=22-24}}

''Sonic Jam'' is a [[Compilations in the Sonic series|compilation]] which contains the four main ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' games released on the [[Sega Genesis]]: ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (1991), ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' (1992), ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' (1994), and ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' (1994).{{sfn|Nutter|1997|pp=68-69}} Unlike later ''Sonic'' collections, ''Sonic Jam'' does not use a Genesis [[emulator]]; the games are true [[Porting|ports]], and all are nearly identical to the original Genesis releases, with the exception of minor [[bug (computing)|bug]] fixes.<ref name="allgame" />{{sfn|CVG Staff|1997|p=20}} ''Sonic Jam'' emulates ''Sonic & Knuckles''{{'}} [[Sonic & Knuckles#Lock-on technology|"lock-on technology"]]—a special feature that allows the player to merge elements of ''Sonic & Knuckles'' into previous games, with altered levels and the choice to play the combined ''Sonic 3 and Knuckles'' game and play as [[Knuckles the Echidna]] in ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2''.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=7}}<ref name=GameRev/><ref name=GSpot/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1994|pp=22-24}}

The games can be played in three difficulty modes: normal, easy, and original.<ref name=allgame/> Original mode is unchanged from the Genesis games, <!-- Do not lower-case the "N" in "Normal -->Normal mode slightly alters the stage layouts to create a unique (often less difficult) experience, and easy mode adds platforms and removes many obstacles and some levels.<ref name="Lomas"/>{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=72}} New features include the ability to spin dash (introduced in ''Sonic 2'') in the first ''Sonic the Hedgehog,'' play [[Bonus stage|Special Stages]] separately, a "[[Time attack|Time Attack]]" mode, and a "Time Out" option to disable time limits.{{sfn|Nutter|1997|pp=68-69}}<ref name="Lomas"/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=6-7}}{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=73}}

The games can be played in three difficulty modes: Normal, Easy, and Original.<ref name=allgame/> Original Mode is unchanged from the Genesis games, Normal Mode slightly alters the stage layouts to create a unique (often less difficult) experience, and Easy Mode adds platforms and removes many obstacles and some levels.<ref name="Lomas"/>{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=72}} New features include the ability to spin dash (introduced in ''Sonic 2'') in the first ''Sonic the Hedgehog,'' play [[Bonus stage|Special Stages]] separately, a "[[Time attack|Time Attack]]" mode, and a "Time Out" option to disable time limits.{{sfn|Nutter|1997|pp=68-69}}<ref name="Lomas"/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=6-7}}{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=73}}

[[File:Sonic Jam world.png|thumb|left|In the Saturn version, the player can explore the 3D environment, "Sonic World", to view ''Sonic'' content such as TV commercials and artwork.|222x222px]]

[[File:Sonic Jam world.png|thumb|left|In the Saturn version, the player can explore the 3D environment, "Sonic World", to view ''Sonic'' content such as TV commercials and artwork.|222x222px]]

''Sonic Jam'' also includes a special 3D environment, "Sonic World", whereby the player can move around freely as Sonic and interact with various objects.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=8-10}} "Sonic World" acts as an interactive museum in which the player can access an array of information of ''Sonic the Hedgehog''-related content, such as viewing concept artwork, manuals, character portfolios, music, and original Japanese advertisements.<ref name=GameRev/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=8-10}}{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=69}} To access these features, the player must guide Sonic into specific buildings.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=8-10}} "Sonic World" also features a "mission list" accessible via jumping on a trampoline.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=10}} Missions include collecting rings, reaching goalposts, and locating [[Tails (character)|Tails]];<ref name="Lomas"/>{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=73}}{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=69}} if all the missions are completed, the player is given the opportunity to view the credits.<ref name=GameRev/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=10}} ''Sonic Jam'' is compatible with the Saturn's [[Nights into Dreams#Release|3D Control Pad]].{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=4}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=TGS 1997 Spring |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=95|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=June 1997 |page=60}}</ref>

''Sonic Jam'' also includes a special 3D environment, "Sonic World", whereby the player can move around freely as Sonic and interact with various objects.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=8-10}} "Sonic World" acts as an interactive museum in which the player can access an array of information of ''Sonic the Hedgehog''-related content, such as viewing concept artwork, manuals, character portfolios, music, and original Japanese advertisements.<ref name=GameRev/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=8-10}}{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=69}} To access these features, the player must guide Sonic into specific buildings.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|pp=8-10}} "Sonic World" also features a "mission list" accessible via jumping on a trampoline.{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=10}} Missions include collecting rings, reaching goalposts, and locating [[Tails (character)|Tails]];<ref name="Lomas"/>{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=73}}{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=69}} if all the missions are completed, the player is given the opportunity to view the credits.<ref name=GameRev/>{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=10}} ''Sonic Jam'' is compatible with the Saturn's [[Nights into Dreams#Release|3D Control Pad]].{{sfn|Sonic Team|1997|p=4}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=TGS 1997 Spring |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=95|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=June 1997 |page=60}}</ref>