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Difference between revisions of "Sonic CD"

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{{stub}}
+
{{Disambig|the original 1995/1996 versions|the 2012 Retro Engine version|[[Sonic CD (2012)]]}}
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
|cover        = Sonic CD 1996 cover.jpg
+
|title        = Sonic CD
 +
|cover        = Sonic CD 1995 cover.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Sonic Team}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Sonic Team}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/porter|H.I.C.|Windows}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/porter|Sega PC|Windows}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sega}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sega Entertainment|North America}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Expert Software|Re-release}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|1995}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 1995|ref=<ref name="Dino">{{Refurl|url=http://www.sonic-cult.org/dispart.php?catid=1&gameid=5&subid=2&artid=2|title=Sonic Cult // Sonic - 16 bit era // Sonic CD // Interviews // Jim Trethewey Interview //|date=2023-12-27}}</ref>}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|sonic-the-hedgehog-cd|rating}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Scrolling, Side view }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Platform }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Cartoon, Pixel art }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Sonic the Hedgehog }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
|gogcom page  =  
+
|steam appid side  =
|strategywiki =  
+
|gogcom id    =
 +
|gogcom id side =
 +
|hltb        = 8793
 +
|lutris      = sonic-cd
 +
|mobygames    = 3316
 +
|strategywiki = Sonic CD
 
|wikipedia    = Sonic CD
 
|wikipedia    = Sonic CD
|winehq      =  
+
|winehq      = 8633
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
{{Series|Sonic the Hedgehog}}
+
{{Introduction
{{Disambig|the original version|the updated version|[[Sonic CD (2012)]]}}
+
|introduction      = '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a {{Glossary:singleplayer}} {{Glossary:side view}} {{Glossary:scrolling}} {{Glossary:platform}} game in the ''[[Series:Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series developed by [[Company:Sonic Team|Sonic Team]] and published by [[Company:Sega Entertainment|Sega Entertainment]].
  
'''General information'''
+
|release history  = Originally released for the Sega CD in 1993, the game was ported to PC by [[Company:H.I.C.|H.I.C.]] and bundled with Intel Pentium-based PCs in October 1995.<ref name="Dino"/> Another port developed by [[Company:Sega PC|Sega PC]] using DirectX was later released to retail on August 9, 1996.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924100044/http://www.sega.jp/pc/soniccd/|title=ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグCD <nowiki>|</nowiki> PC<nowiki>|</nowiki>家庭用ゲーム <nowiki>|</nowiki> セガ 製品情報 (retrieved)|date=2023-12-27}}</ref> The game uses the soundtrack from the North American release of the original Sega CD game, even in the Japanese release.<ref name="Digital Foundry on Sonic CD for PC">{{Refurl|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK8oohv6sgU&t=830|title=DF Retro: Sonic CD - A Genuine Sega Classic! - YouTube|date=2021-06-29}}</ref>
{{mm}} [http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/sonic-cd MobyGames entry]
+
 
 +
|current state    =  The game has some compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows and requires a [[#Sega_PC_Reloaded|fan-made patch]] to run properly. {{Term|FMV}} playback does not work with newer versions of Windows and requires a [[#High Quality FMV Project|workaround]].
 +
}}
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | unknown |  | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc | Use Korama's [[#Sega_PC_Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]] Installer to automatically turn off the disc check. |  | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} A [https://archive.org/details/sonic_cd demo] is available.
 +
 
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} The original 1995 release (also known as the "DINO2D" version) was developed for Intel Pentium processors and was capped to 30 FPS compared to the Sega CD version. The later 1996 release uses DirectX 3 and supports 60 FPS.<ref name="Digital Foundry on Sonic CD for PC" />
 +
 
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Sega PC Reloaded===
 +
{{++}} Simple and easy-to-use launcher with many options and tweaks.
 +
{{ii}} Korama's Sega PC Reloaded is an fan-made installer, launcher, and patcher for some of Sega's older PC games. It fixes the need for Sonic CD to launch in 256 Color mode (not natively possible on later Windows OSs), creates the necessary .ini file to turn off the game's disc check necessity, and enables Vsync to maintain the game's original gameplay speed, among other features.
 +
{{ii}} Not compatible with the 1995 release.<ref name="Sega PC Reloaded">{{Refcheck|user=AmethystViper|date=2021-06-29|comment=Attempted to use Sega PC Reloaded to install the 1995 version, which prompted an error due to the 1995 version not having the *.dll files that the 1996 release uses on the disc.}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Installing the game with Sega PC Reloaded|ref=<ref name="Essential improvements">{{Refcheck|user=AmethystViper|date=2021-06-29|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Insert the Sonic CD disc into your CD drive, or copy the {{file|GAME}} folder from the disc into your computer and then copy the all of the {{file|*.DLL}} files from the {{file|RDX}} folder to <code>{{p|game}}</code>.
 +
# Download Sega PC Reloaded from the Sonic Retro forum thread [https://forums.sonicretro.org/?showtopic=34181 here], run the launcher, select the {{code|Install Game}} option, and then select {{code|Sonic CD}}.
 +
# (Optional) Download this {{file|pcm.cmp}} for higher quality sound effects [https://www.mediafire.com/file/u5q5s87h7gzbwpv/Sonic_CD_1996_High-Quality_SFX.zip/file here] and place it into <code>{{p|game}}</code>.
 +
# Select the {{code|Select source}} option from the menu to install from the disc or the folder containing the game's files, then you will be asked to find the drive letter where the disc is located (e.g. {{code|D:\}}) or the game folder, afterwards the launcher will then ask you to create a new folder to install the game with the patches. Alternatively, you can install the patches into <code>{{p|game}}</code> by selecting the {{code|Already installed}} option to patch the game.
 +
# If the Sega PC Reloaded launcher has detected the game, adjust the settings as desired, then click {{code|Launch!}} to play the game. "Korama's patches active!" appearing on screen when launching the game.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Original FMVs does not play===
 +
{{ii}} Requires installing Codinstl codec.
 +
{{++}} Fixes the "Video not available, cannot find 'vids:IV41' decompressor." error on newer Windows systems.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=How to install the Codinstl codec|ref={{cn|date=2022-07-18|reason=}}|fix=
 +
# Go to the [http://www.cucusoft.com/codec.asp cucuSoft Technologies] website, then look under Codec Name, download the Codinstl codec from the link provided.
 +
# Once the installer has been downloaded, run the {{file|codinstl.exe}} and go though the installer's instructions.
 +
# After the Codinstl codec has been installed onto the system, launch the game and wait at the title screen for the game's opening FMV to play. The error should fixed and the FMVs should work properly.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===High Quality FMV Project===
 +
{{ii}} Requires [[#Sega PC Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]] and the x264vfw Codec.
 +
{{++}} Improves the quality of the game's {{Term|FMV}} with higher quality video from the Sonic CD DVD Project that are compatible with newer versions of Windows.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Installing High Quality FMV Project|ref=<ref name="Essential improvements" />|fix=
 +
# Download the x264vfw Codec [https://sourceforge.net/projects/x264vfw/ here] and install it.
 +
# Download the mod from GameBanana [https://gamebanana.com/mods/419418 here].
 +
# Extract each of the {{file|*.zip}} files that were downloaded from the link above and extract them too <code>{{p|game}}\TITLE\AVI</code>, replacing the original video files when prompted.
 +
# Launch the game and wait at the game's title screen for the opening FMV to play. It should play the higher quality FMV instead.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===High Quality Audio===
 +
{{ii}} Requires [[#Sega PC Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]] and {{file|bass.dll}}.
 +
{{++}} Restores music playback and improves the overall music quality by using the original music from the Sega CD version. The Japanese soundtrack can also be played in the 1996 PC version with this mod and Sega PC Reloaded.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Installing High Quality Audio|ref=<ref name="Essential improvements" />|fix=
 +
# Download {{file|bass*.zip}} for Windows [https://www.un4seen.com here] from Un4seen Developments under the BASS section, then extract the {{file|bass.dll}} file from the archive and place it into <code>{{p|game}}</code>.
 +
# Download the either the FLAC or WAV version of the US or Japanese soundtrack from GameBanana [https://gamebanana.com/mods/51207 here].
 +
# Create a new folder in <code>{{p|game}}</code> with a descriptive name for the music files (e.g. {{code|AUDIO}}).
 +
# Extract the {{file|*.flac}}/{{file|*.wav}} music files into the newly created folder where the game's music will be stored in.
 +
# Launch Sega PC Reloaded, click Configure Game, and select Sonic CD (1996), go to Music under the Common settings section and click the {{code|...}} button to point Sega PC Reloaded to where the music folder is and adjust the music volume as needed.
 +
# Launch Sonic CD with Sega PC Reloaded and the game should be playing music from the files instead of the CD.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|hklm}}\Software\SonicCD\}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}} If using [[#Sega PC Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]], the game's settings will be stored in {{file|SONICCD.ini}} in <code>{{p|game}}</code> instead.
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\S_SCORE.DAT}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
{{Video settings
+
{{Image|Sonic CD (1996) - General settings.png|General settings.}}
 +
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
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|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =  
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
|widescreen resolution      = unknown
+
|widescreen resolution      = false
|widescreen resolution notes=  
+
|widescreen resolution notes= Runs at 320x240 only, or 640x480 when using [[#Sega PC Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]], and the game can be either upscaled with {{Term|Nearest-neighbor}} scaling or half-tone stretching, but the latter can cause the game to slow down. The game can also be either be {{Term|pillarboxed}} in 4:3 or {{Term|stretched}} when using Sega PC Reloaded.
|multimonitor              = unknown
+
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
+
|ultrawidescreen            = false
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
+
|4k ultra hd                = false
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
|fov                        = unknown
+
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
|windowed                  = unknown
+
|windowed                  = true
|windowed notes            =  
+
|windowed notes            = Toggle with {{key|F4}} or set through [[#Sega_PC_Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]].
|borderless windowed        = unknown
+
|borderless windowed        = hackable
|borderless windowed notes  =  
+
|borderless windowed notes  = [[#Sega_PC_Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]] runs in borderless fullscreen.<ref name="Essential improvements">{{Refcheck|user=AmethystViper|date=2021-06-29|comment=}}</ref>
|anisotropic                = unknown
+
|anisotropic                = n/a
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
|antialiasing              = unknown
+
|antialiasing              = n/a
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
|vsync                      = unknown
+
|upscaling                  = false
|vsync notes                =  
+
|upscaling tech            =
|60 fps                    = unknown
+
|upscaling notes            =
|60 fps notes              =  
+
|vsync                      = hackable
|120 fps                    = unknown
+
|vsync notes                = Use [[#Sega_PC_Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]]; V-sync method can either be normal or reversed. It is recommended to use VSync on high display rate systems in order to preserve the game's proper gameplay speed.
|120 fps notes              =  
+
|60 fps                    = true
|hdr                        = unknown
+
|60 fps notes              = The 1995 "DINO2D" version is capped at 30 FPS. The 1996 DirectX 3 version supports 60 FPS by enabling '''Smooth Sonic''' mode from the Options menu. The Special Stages are capped at 20 FPS in both versions similarly to the Sega CD version.<ref name="Digital Foundry on Sonic CD for PC" />
 +
|120 fps                    = false
 +
|120 fps notes              = Game speed is tied to frame rate, anything higher than 60 FPS will be unplayable.
 +
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind                = unknown
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}}
 
}}
  
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
{{Input settings
+
{{Image|Sonic CD (1996) - Key remapping.png|Key remapping.}}
|key remap                = unknown
+
{{Input
|key remap notes          =  
+
|key remap                = true
|acceleration option      = unknown
+
|key remap notes          = {{key|Esc}} is always used as a Jump key. New movement and jump keys can be set via the {{key|F7}} Change Controls menu.
|acceleration option notes =  
+
|acceleration option      = false
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|acceleration option notes = Mouse not used in-game.
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = false
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
|mouse menu                = unknown
+
|mouse menu                = false
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
|invert mouse y-axis      = unknown
+
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
|controller support        = unknown
+
|touchscreen              = false
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
|full controller          = unknown
+
|full controller          = false
|full controller notes    =  
+
|full controller notes    = Exiting the game requires keyboard or mouse. Controller must also be enabled from the options settings.
|controller remap          = unknown
+
|controller remap          = false
|controller remap notes    =  
+
|controller remap notes    = Uses a pre-defined controller set-up that cannot be reconfigured.
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
+
|controller sensitivity    = n/a
|controller sensitivity notes=  
+
|controller sensitivity notes= Digital movement.
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
+
|invert controller y-axis  = n/a
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = unknown
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|xbox prompts notes        =
|controller hotplug        = unknown
+
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = limited
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        = Recognized as a generic DirectInput controller.<ref name="DualShock 4 support">{{Refcheck|user=AmethystViper|date=2021-06-30|comment=}}</ref>
 +
|dualshock prompts        = false
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = false
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = Wired, Bluetooth
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers         = true
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts     = false
 +
|other button prompts notes=  
 +
|controller hotplug        = false
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
|haptic feedback          = unknown
+
|haptic feedback          = false
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
|simultaneous input        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = true
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|steam input api          = unknown
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
|separate volume          = unknown
+
|separate volume          = hackable
|separate volume notes    =  
+
|separate volume notes    = Music volume controls are present in the Sega PC Reloaded Launcher settings. SFX can only be turned on or off.
|surround sound          = unknown
+
|surround sound          = false
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = false
|subtitles notes          =  
+
|subtitles notes          = Song lyrics and Sonic's voice samples are not subtitled.
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
+
|mute on focus lost      = true
|mute on focus lost notes =  
+
|mute on focus lost notes = Can be enabled in the [[#Sega PC Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]] launcher, the game will automatically pause when focus is lost.
 
|eax support              = unknown
 
|eax support              = unknown
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         =
 +
|royalty free audio       = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =
 +
|red book cd audio        = true
 +
|red book cd audio notes  = Use [[#Sega PC Reloaded|Sega PC Reloaded]] to play music from hard drive instead.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = true
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = false
  |notes    =  
+
  |notes    = Only for the stock vocal songs and a few Sonic voice samples. The 1996 PC version only comes with the North American soundtrack, even in Japanese and European versions.
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 141: Line 254:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
|direct3d versions      =  
+
|direct3d versions      = 3
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 155: Line 268:
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
|vulkan support        =  
+
|vulkan versions        =  
|vulkan support notes   =  
+
|vulkan notes           =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
|64-bit executable     = unknown
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes     =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 169: Line 292:
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
|minOS    =  
+
|minOS    = 95, 98
|minCPU  =  
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 75 MHz
|minRAM  =  
+
|minRAM  = 8 MB
 
|minGPU  =  
 
|minGPU  =  
|minHD    =  
+
|minHD    = 8 MB
 
|minVRAM  =  
 
|minVRAM  =  
 
|minDX    =  
 
|minDX    =  

Latest revision as of 08:55, 18 January 2024

This page is for the original 1995/1996 versions. For the 2012 Retro Engine version, see Sonic CD (2012).

Sonic CD
Sonic CD cover
Developers
Sonic Team
Windows H.I.C.
Windows Sega PC
Publishers
North America Sega Entertainment
Re-release Expert Software
Release dates
Windows October 1995[1]
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Scrolling, Side view
Controls Direct control
Genres Platform
Art styles Cartoon, Pixel art
Series Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic CD on HowLongToBeat
Sonic CD on IGDB
Sonic CD guide on StrategyWiki
Sonic CD on MobyGames
Sonic CD on Wikipedia
Sonic the Hedgehog fangames (series)
Sonic CD 1995
Sonic's Schoolhouse 1996
Sonic 3D Blast (series)
Sonic & Knuckles Collection 1997
Sonic R (series)
Sonic Adventure (series)
Sonic Heroes 2004
Sonic Mega Collection Plus 2006
Sonic Riders 2006
Sonic Racing (series)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2010
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 2010
Sonic Spinball 2010
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 2011
Sonic 3 & Knuckles 2011
Sonic Generations 2011
Sonic CD (2012) 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I 2012
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II 2012
Sonic Dash 2014
Sonic Lost World 2015
Sonic Mania 2017
Sonic Forces 2017
Sonic the Hedgehog (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mobile Decompilation) 2021
Sonic Colors: Ultimate 2021
Sonic Origins 2022
Sonic Frontiers 2022
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog 2023
Sonic Superstars 2023
Sonic Dream Team 2023
Sonic X Shadow Generations 2024

Sonic CD is a singleplayer side view scrolling platform game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega Entertainment.

Originally released for the Sega CD in 1993, the game was ported to PC by H.I.C. and bundled with Intel Pentium-based PCs in October 1995.[1] Another port developed by Sega PC using DirectX was later released to retail on August 9, 1996.[2] The game uses the soundtrack from the North American release of the original Sega CD game, even in the Japanese release.[3]

The game has some compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows and requires a fan-made patch to run properly. FMV playback does not work with newer versions of Windows and requires a workaround.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Use Korama's Sega PC Reloaded Installer to automatically turn off the disc check.
Windows
A demo is available.

Version differences

The original 1995 release (also known as the "DINO2D" version) was developed for Intel Pentium processors and was capped to 30 FPS compared to the Sega CD version. The later 1996 release uses DirectX 3 and supports 60 FPS.[3]

Essential improvements

Sega PC Reloaded

Simple and easy-to-use launcher with many options and tweaks.
Korama's Sega PC Reloaded is an fan-made installer, launcher, and patcher for some of Sega's older PC games. It fixes the need for Sonic CD to launch in 256 Color mode (not natively possible on later Windows OSs), creates the necessary .ini file to turn off the game's disc check necessity, and enables Vsync to maintain the game's original gameplay speed, among other features.
Not compatible with the 1995 release.[4]
Installing the game with Sega PC Reloaded[5]
  1. Insert the Sonic CD disc into your CD drive, or copy the GAME folder from the disc into your computer and then copy the all of the *.DLL files from the RDX folder to <path-to-game>.
  2. Download Sega PC Reloaded from the Sonic Retro forum thread here, run the launcher, select the Install Game option, and then select Sonic CD.
  3. (Optional) Download this pcm.cmp for higher quality sound effects here and place it into <path-to-game>.
  4. Select the Select source option from the menu to install from the disc or the folder containing the game's files, then you will be asked to find the drive letter where the disc is located (e.g. D:\) or the game folder, afterwards the launcher will then ask you to create a new folder to install the game with the patches. Alternatively, you can install the patches into <path-to-game> by selecting the Already installed option to patch the game.
  5. If the Sega PC Reloaded launcher has detected the game, adjust the settings as desired, then click Launch! to play the game. "Korama's patches active!" appearing on screen when launching the game.

Original FMVs does not play

Requires installing Codinstl codec.
Fixes the "Video not available, cannot find 'vids:IV41' decompressor." error on newer Windows systems.
How to install the Codinstl codec[citation needed]
  1. Go to the cucuSoft Technologies website, then look under Codec Name, download the Codinstl codec from the link provided.
  2. Once the installer has been downloaded, run the codinstl.exe and go though the installer's instructions.
  3. After the Codinstl codec has been installed onto the system, launch the game and wait at the title screen for the game's opening FMV to play. The error should fixed and the FMVs should work properly.

High Quality FMV Project

Requires Sega PC Reloaded and the x264vfw Codec.
Improves the quality of the game's FMV with higher quality video from the Sonic CD DVD Project that are compatible with newer versions of Windows.
Installing High Quality FMV Project[5]
  1. Download the x264vfw Codec here and install it.
  2. Download the mod from GameBanana here.
  3. Extract each of the *.zip files that were downloaded from the link above and extract them too <path-to-game>\TITLE\AVI, replacing the original video files when prompted.
  4. Launch the game and wait at the game's title screen for the opening FMV to play. It should play the higher quality FMV instead.

High Quality Audio

Requires Sega PC Reloaded and bass.dll.
Restores music playback and improves the overall music quality by using the original music from the Sega CD version. The Japanese soundtrack can also be played in the 1996 PC version with this mod and Sega PC Reloaded.
Installing High Quality Audio[5]
  1. Download bass*.zip for Windows here from Un4seen Developments under the BASS section, then extract the bass.dll file from the archive and place it into <path-to-game>.
  2. Download the either the FLAC or WAV version of the US or Japanese soundtrack from GameBanana here.
  3. Create a new folder in <path-to-game> with a descriptive name for the music files (e.g. AUDIO).
  4. Extract the *.flac/*.wav music files into the newly created folder where the game's music will be stored in.
  5. Launch Sega PC Reloaded, click Configure Game, and select Sonic CD (1996), go to Music under the Common settings section and click the ... button to point Sega PC Reloaded to where the music folder is and adjust the music volume as needed.
  6. Launch Sonic CD with Sega PC Reloaded and the game should be playing music from the files instead of the CD.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SonicCD\[Note 1]
If using Sega PC Reloaded, the game's settings will be stored in SONICCD.ini in <path-to-game> instead.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\S_SCORE.DAT[Note 2]

Video

General settings.
General settings.

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Runs at 320x240 only, or 640x480 when using Sega PC Reloaded, and the game can be either upscaled with Nearest-neighbor scaling or half-tone stretching, but the latter can cause the game to slow down. The game can also be either be pillarboxed in 4:3 or stretched when using Sega PC Reloaded.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Toggle with F4 or set through Sega PC Reloaded.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Sega PC Reloaded runs in borderless fullscreen.[5]
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Use Sega PC Reloaded; V-sync method can either be normal or reversed. It is recommended to use VSync on high display rate systems in order to preserve the game's proper gameplay speed.
60 FPS
The 1995 "DINO2D" version is capped at 30 FPS. The 1996 DirectX 3 version supports 60 FPS by enabling Smooth Sonic mode from the Options menu. The Special Stages are capped at 20 FPS in both versions similarly to the Sega CD version.[3]
120+ FPS
Game speed is tied to frame rate, anything higher than 60 FPS will be unplayable.
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Key remapping.
Key remapping.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Esc is always used as a Jump key. New movement and jump keys can be set via the F7 Change Controls menu.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse not used in-game.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Exiting the game requires keyboard or mouse. Controller must also be enabled from the options settings.
Controller remapping
Uses a pre-defined controller set-up that cannot be reconfigured.
Controller sensitivity
Digital movement.
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
PlayStation controllers
Recognized as a generic DirectInput controller.[6]
PlayStation button prompts
Light bar support
Adaptive trigger support
DualSense haptic feedback support
Connection modes Wired, Wireless (Bluetooth)
Generic/other controllers
Button prompts
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music volume controls are present in the Sega PC Reloaded Launcher settings. SFX can only be turned on or off.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Song lyrics and Sonic's voice samples are not subtitled.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Can be enabled in the Sega PC Reloaded launcher, the game will automatically pause when focus is lost.
Royalty free audio
Red Book CD audio
Use Sega PC Reloaded to play music from hard drive instead.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Only for the stock vocal songs and a few Sonic voice samples. The 1996 PC version only comes with the North American soundtrack, even in Japanese and European versions.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 3
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 95, 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 75 MHz
System memory (RAM) 8 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 8 MB


Notes

  1. Applications writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE will be redirected to other locations based on various criterias, see the glossary page for more details.
  2. When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sonic Cult // Sonic - 16 bit era // Sonic CD // Interviews // Jim Trethewey Interview // - last accessed on 2023-12-27
  2. ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグCD | PC|家庭用ゲーム | セガ 製品情報 (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-12-27
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 DF Retro: Sonic CD - A Genuine Sega Classic! - YouTube - last accessed on 2021-06-29
  4. Verified by User:AmethystViper on 2021-06-29
    Attempted to use Sega PC Reloaded to install the 1995 version, which prompted an error due to the 1995 version not having the *.dll files that the 1996 release uses on the disc.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Verified by User:AmethystViper on 2021-06-29
  6. Verified by User:AmethystViper on 2021-06-30