Sonic Seasons

Sonic the Hedgehog Seasons ( ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグシーズンズ Sonikku za hejjihoggushīzunzu), more commonly known as Sonic Seasons, is a platform game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed and published by Sega. It was released for the Sega Mega-CD in Japan on 29 December 1996, in Europe in January 1997 and for the Sega CD in North America on 4 January 1997.
== Plot ==
Dr. Robotnik has stolen the Season Stones, and is using them to change the seasons on Mobius. He kidnaps Tails and Knuckles, leaving Sonic to be the one to save everybody. Sonic chases Robotnik down and stops him from destroying the zones, enters the giant rings at the end to gather the Season Stones and protect the area, before going to Little Planet to stop Robotnik and free Little Planet, which Robotnik has trapped again.
== Gameplay ==
The gameplay focuses on Sonic opening Seasonal Monitors to travel to certain seasons. Sometimes it is optional, but other times it is required to advance through the level. The Summer Monitor has a beach ball, the Fall Monitor has an orange leaf, the Winter Monitor has a snowflake, and the Spring Monitor has a yellow spring on it. Depending on the season, Robotnik’s boss attacks may alter, as well as Badnik Behavior. The music is also different for some seasons, but not too different. Similar to Sonic CD or Sonic 1, there are 3 acts for each level, with a boss fight at the end. Upon having more than 30 rings, a giant ring will follow the boss, allowing entry into the special stage instead of breaking a capsule. If there is a failure to get all the Season Stones, you will get the Bad Ending, where Little Planet Remains, and a giant storm encases Mobius. The Good Ending summons a rainbow that Sonic slides down on, as Little Planet is freed from its chains. There is also different credits music depending on which ending was received.
Good Ending Music:   https://youtu.be/Sv8jp37_HE0 (music not made by me)
Bad Ending Music:  https://youtu.be/1GPI5__2HXU (credit goes to original creators.)
Interestingly, Genesis tracks are used despite the game being on a Mega CD.
== Zones ==
# Green Hill Zone: Default look in summer, red and orange in fall, white in winter, water is frozen, brighter green and slightly less trees in spring. Only level where Seasonal Monitors are not needed, but optional.
# Emerald Hill Zone: Same as Green Hill, with some snow traps.
# Mushroom Hill Zone: Act 1 colors in summer, Act 2 colors in fall, second half of Act 2 colors in winter, and orange mushrooms in spring.
# Palmtree Panic Zone: Based off Good Future, same as Green Hill, with ice traps. 
# Metallic Madness Zone: Seasonal Effects Not Present.
== Special Stages ==
The special stage consists of a three-dimensional, flat surface. To complete a stage and collect the Season Stone reward, the player must seek and destroy six UFOs flying around the stage. The UFOs move around in an erratic fashion, which can make them hard to hit. If a UFO is destroyed, it gives a prize. A Ring Bonus for UFOs with yellow frames, and a temporary speed boost for ones with white frames. If the timer goes below 20 seconds, a special blue-and-red UFO appears in the center. Although this UFO doesn't count towards the actual UFO count (in other words, the number won't decrease), it awards the player an extra 30 seconds, allowing them more time.
In addition, there are many different types of stage environment that can make or break your game. Springs bounce Sonic upward, bumpers bounce Sonic back if he tries to stray off-course, fans make him hover for a short time, chopper tiles slow him down and cause Sonic to lose rings, and dash panels force him into different directions. If Sonic steps into the water portions of the stage, he will proceed slower, and ten seconds are lost from the clock.
== Bosses ==
The bosses from the original levels are fought, but sometimes the seasons give modifications.
=== Green Hill Zone ===
* Summer: Original Boss
* Fall: Red Wrecking Ball, can move higher and faster
* Winter: Blue Wrecking Ball, very fast, Eggman has Ice Blaster as well.
* Spring: No Platforms, Eggman swings around, and dips down.
=== Emerald Hill Zone ===
* Summer: Original Boss
* Fall: Red swapped for Green, doesn't shoot drill after 7th hit
* Winter: Can move a lot faster 
* Spring: Slow until provoked, can boost across quickly at times.
=== Mushroom Hill Zone ===
* Summer: Original Boss
* Fall: Up to two spike rows can spawn
* Winter: Ice Spikes on floor, up to two spike rows, eggballs
* Spring: Eggman harder to catch up with
=== Palmtree Panic Zone ===
* Summer: Original Boss
* Fall: Robot is Green
* Winter: Robot can slide on ground, Ice Blaster at the end
* Spring: Red Robot
=== Metallic Madness ===
The final boss of Sonic Seasons is similar to the final boss of Sonic Mania, minus the Phantom Phase. Rather than wielding the Phantom Ruby, Eggman has the sacred 5th Season Stone.
== Trivia ==
* Sonic Seasons was supposed to serve as a direct sequel to Sonic CD.
* Prorotype leaks have shown that Angel Island Zone was going to appear in the game as a playable level.
* Sonic uses his Sonic 2 sprites in this game.
* There was a remake of the game planned in 2016, but it was cancelled.
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