I am concerned with the state of the human race for this game having mostly positive reviews. This game was abhorrent. Some of the worst level design in a 2D space honestly. The game looks visually appealing, but underneath all the pretty graphics is a pile of trash with design that blindsides you so often, and boss fights that involve SO MUCH waiting around. Sonic Superstars got all of its bad design choices from this game right here.

It's a shame this is attached to Sonic 4 episode I. Pretty decent game, would've been nice to get more sequels and eventually evolve into a spiritual successor to Sonic Advance 3.

Music and graphics are fine. Levels are okay once you don't have to worry about the stupid 50 ring requirements for special stages. That should've stayed in Sonic 1 and Sonic 2. Sonic 3 & Knuckles had the right idea for special stage entrances.

I originally played this in multiplayer on PS3, the last special stage absolutely sucks with just one person. They should've accounted for this by lowering requirements if playing alone, the CPU doesn't count.

Admittedly the game mostly gets by on not being an utter disaster like episode 1, but its a bit like most of the Game Gear games. What I mean is it's not essential, but still a competent enough romp and has enough unique lil quirks to make it worth coming back to every now and again (easy to do since the game's only an hour or two long). Wish the music was better.