What if one of the most ignored features of the Classic Sonic series not only became the spotlight of the game, but also became vital to your survival?
Sonic 1 - Score Rush is a ROM hack of the original Sonic the Hedgehog that aims to be an answer to the above question.
The main gimmick of this hack is that you must rack up the highest possible amount of points you can, with not much need to worry about how fast you clear each level. Take your time exploring the levels and figuring out the best ways to increase your score! There is one small catch. As time goes, you will gradually lose score. And you really don't want it to reach zero! Don't worry, though, you get 5000 free points to start your game with. Use them well!
Everything that gained you points in the original game still gains you points (Save for 10000 point bonuses, which have all been converted into 1000 point bonuses). Additionally, you can earn points by collecting rings, hitting checkpoints and destroying Sonic monitors. Beating a level grants you a fixed 1000 point bonus: score tallies are no more. Beating bosses still grants you 1000 points (although there may be one exception
While you do not need to worry about your ring count, you will lose score if you get hit without a shield!
Sonic 1 - Score Rush's latest version expands significantly from the previous ones by providing a lot of new features. You'll be able to see most of them in the brand new Main Menu, made to be as intuitive as possible. Below, what to expect out of this new version of Sonic 1 - Score Rush!
Sonic's moveset can be customized, with many settings present so that you can create your ideal moveset. Up to test yourself? Try beating the game with the original moveset restored! Want to modernize your experience? Luckily for you, this ROM hack features...
Here's the list of moves that you can make use of in Sonic 1 - Score Rush:
New to Sonic 1 - Score Rush are leaderboards, which will record the names of those who get the highest scores. And not just that! This version of Sonic 1 - Score Rush also includes...
Sonic 1 - Score Rush comes in three different flavors to enjoy!
With leaderboards in for the best of feats, you'd want them to be remembered. All of the best scores you achieve, along with the settings you set, will be automatically saved in SRAM and remembered the next times you start the game! You can also reset everything in game by holding A, B and C at the same time during the SEGA logo. Got no SRAM? Don't worry, all of Sonic 1 - Score Rush can still be played as normal! Save for the whole saving thing, of course.
Normal mode ticks down at a slower rate, and grants you more time to collect the hidden points at the end of each level. However, if you want to prove your might, try Hard mode! The score ticks down real fast, and you don't get to pick up hidden bonuses at all!
Additionally, both difficulties have their own leaderboards!
Whenever you die, a harsh, but fair penalty is applied onto you. You will restart the level with the score you begun with, but with 5000 points deducted. Can't pay up? You lose! In Endless Rush, you also lose one level from your level count when you die!
Run's not going too well? Press C while the game is paused to die on the spot. Beware that this also triggers the penalty, so be mindful when using this combination!
However, if you like being on edge, you can turn off this system, and settle for a system that leads to an immediate Game Over upon first death!
If this site went down, so would this giant script of text, which would be inconvenient, since the rules are quite different compared to your standard Sonic experience. Luckily, those who need instructions on how to get through the ROM hack can check out the enclosed Instructions screen, so that they can figure out how to play the game!
Interested? Then download the hack now! And if you get a really good score, feel free to boast it on social media!
Also! Check out the sequel to this ROM hack!
Project Lead: giovanni.gen
Programming: giovanni.gen, djohe
Menu artwork: giovanni.gen, Monopattino
Debugging: djohe, giovanni.gen
Additional Testing and Feedback
Additional Tools
Additional code
Additional Artwork
LuigiXHero (Peel-Out sound effects pulled from Sonic CD Art Test)
Special Thanks
These older versions may include less features and more errors than the Main Download.