Wikipedia

Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit

This article is about the fan-made remake. For the original game, see Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble.

Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit is a 2022 platform game created by American indie developer and music composer Noah Copeland. It is an unofficial remake of the 1994 Game Gear game Sonic Triple Trouble[a] in the style of the Sonic the Hedgehog games released for the Sega Genesis. The game retains the broad story of the original but set after the events of Sonic 3 & Knuckles: Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower must stop Doctor Robotnik, Fang the Sniper, and Knuckles the Echidna from obtaining the Chaos Emeralds. The player controls Sonic and Tails simultaneously, unlike in the original game, and must guide them through different levels. Abilities and power-ups from both the original and other Sonic games are included.

Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit
Developer(s)Noah Copeland
Publisher(s)Noah Copeland
Designer(s)Noah Copeland
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog (unofficial remake)
EngineGameMaker Studio 2
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows
  • August 2, 2022
  • macOS, Android
  • May 26, 2023
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Copeland conceived Triple Trouble 16-Bit in 2017. After previously contributing to several failed Sonic fangame projects, he wanted to lead his own and felt that remaking a preexisting Sonic game would be more practical than creating a new one. Having little prior game development experience, Copeland taught himself various skills to create the remake. He drew inspiration from the work of Sonic level designers Hirokazu Yasuhara and Brad Flick, as well as Genesis games outside of the Sonic series. The presentation was designed to be faithful to the Genesis' hardware and its limitations. Although a significant amount of the remake was done by Copeland, he received help from numerous collaborators with different aspects of the game. Triple Trouble 16-Bit was released for Windows on August 2, 2022, and for macOS and Android on May 26, 2023, for free. Critics praised its presentation, level design, and sense of authenticity.

Gameplay edit

 
 
Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit (right) lets the player swap between Sonic and Tails during gameplay, a feature not found in the original game (left).

Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit is a remake of the 1994 Game Gear game Sonic Triple Trouble in the style of the Sonic the Hedgehog games released for the Sega Genesis.[2] Like the original, it is a side-scrolling platform game that takes place over different levels.[3] It retains the broad story of the original game but set after the events of Sonic 3 & Knuckles:[4] Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower must stop Doctor Robotnik, Fang the Sniper,[5] and Knuckles the Echidna from obtaining the Chaos Emeralds.[6] In the original, the player could only choose between Sonic and Tails and play as them individually.[7] In Triple Trouble 16-Bit, however, the player can swap between them in real time.[8] The player can perform abilities from other Sonic games, such as the drop dash,[3] spin dash, and a modified version of the peel-out in which Sonic is temporarily immune to enemy attacks.[9][10] Tails can also fly for a limited amount of time and swim.[7][11] The elemental shield power-ups from Sonic 3 & Knuckles are present,[3] as is the gold shield from Sonic 3D Blast.[12][13] The rocket shoes and sea fox, power-ups from the original, are mostly designated to single levels.[3] While all levels from the original return,[8] they have new layouts, enemies,[14] and level gimmicks, though gimmicks from the original are also reused.[4] The special stages are completely redone in a pseudo-3D style, in which the player must race against Fang to obtain Chaos Emeralds.[3][14]

Amy Rose,[15] Knuckles, Fang, and Metal Sonic are unlockable as player characters for use in free play mode,[3][11] each having unique abilities.[3] The player can choose between Amy's movesets from Sonic Origins, Sonic Superstars, and Sonic 3 A.I.R.,[15] a fan-made remaster of Sonic 3 & Knuckles.[16] Lives can also be replaced with the coins system from Sonic Origins.[15] The unlockable characters are present in competition mode, which involves races, fights, and cutscenes. Competition mode can either be played in single-player or with one other player.[3]

Development and release edit

Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit was directed by Noah Copeland, a film and video game composer from Texas.[17][18] He conceived the idea while playing Sonic Chaos and Sonic Triple Trouble with a film crew in the summer of 2017.[2][17] After having collaborated on three scrapped Sonic fangame projects as a music composer, Copeland wanted to lead his own Sonic fangame. He realized that remaking a preexisting Sonic game would be more practical than creating a new one.[19] He also appreciated Chaos and Triple Trouble's ideas and felt that the Game Gear limited them.[17] Copeland discovered 16-bit-style renditions of Triple Trouble level artwork on the internet,[17] created by German artist Dee Liteyears,[2] and immediately reached out to collaborate with her.[17] She had tried to kickstart a Triple Trouble remake herself, and was hoping that somebody would utilize her art to create one.[2]

Triple Trouble 16-Bit took five years to develop. At the beginning, Copeland only had game development experience with a handful of game jam projects and fangame prototypes.[2] His past experiences with failed Sonic fangame projects motivated him to teach himself various skills to create the remake, including programming.[19] The game was created using a combination of three different engines in GameMaker Studio 2, one being that of the fangame Sonic Time Twisted.[17][20] Copeland wanted to use a "pre-made Sonic template", as he had seen other fangame projects invest unnecessary effort in recreating the physics system from Genesis Sonic games.[17] Copeland initially thought he could complete the remake in a year,[18] as he intended to keep Triple Trouble's level design intact and focus on improving the artwork.[2][18] However, the difference in physics between the Game Gear and Genesis Sonic games resulted in him redesigning the levels to be in the style of the latter.[21] Copeland was influenced by Hirokazu Yasuhara, a level designer for the Genesis Sonic games, and the elements of novelty and spectacle present in his work.[21] Copeland felt that Mario levels focused on the iteration of one idea, whereas Sonic levels revolved around consistently introducing new, more undeveloped ideas for the sake of novelty.[18] Brad Flick, a level designer for Sonic Mania, also served as inspiration.[21] Copeland researched 16-bit games outside of the Sonic series, mainly Genesis ones, to ensure that Triple Trouble 16-Bit look and felt like a Genesis game.[19] He also compared and contrasted the design of more contemporary Sonic games.[21] Limitations were self-imposed on the art, colors, and graphical effects in order to be faithful to the Genesis' hardware. A tool named F-M Drive, which replicates the sound of the Genesis, was used to create the music and sound effects.[18] While a significant amount of the remake was done by Copeland,[18] numerous collaborators also helped him, mainly with artwork, music composition, and translating the game into different languages.[22]

Triple Trouble 16-Bit was released for Windows on August 2, 2022,[8][23] and for macOS and Android on May 26, 2023,[24] for free via Game Jolt.[15] On August 31, 2023, an update was released adding Amy Rose and super forms for all characters to free play mode, as well as the option to replace lives with the coins system from Sonic Origins.[25]

Reception edit

Critics highlighted Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit's sense of authenticity.[2][4][26] TechRadar considered it a “world-class” fangame and “almost unfailingly authentic”. They complimented the game for remaining exciting while staying faithful to the limitations of the Genesis hardware.[26] Time Extension also described Triple Trouble 16-Bit as “a spectacle”. They considered the game to be authentic not only to Genesis hardware limitations, but also in its mechanics and inspiration from other Genesis titles. They remarked that the game “celebrates Sega history and retro gaming culture”, and stated that its production value felt official.[2] VG247, while noting that Triple Trouble 16-Bit wasn’t as polished as an official Sonic game, felt it came close to the quality of one. They described the game as feeling more authentic than other Sonic fangames, which was attributed to it being based off a preexisting official Sonic game. They concluded that the game would be “teetering dangerously close to a 5-star VG247 review” if it were official, but that Sonic Mania and Sonic 3 & Knuckles were superior.[4]

The level design was positively received.[2][3][4][5] Time Extension and Hardcore Gaming 101 felt that the game successfully balanced moments of platforming and spectacle.[2][3] Time Extension was also impressed by the levels’ size and gimmicks,[5] and VG247 wrote that level gimmicks were “reused in interesting and inventive ways.”[4] TechRadar considered the expanded levels to be an improvement on the original game. They remarked that, despite the levels being expanded, Triple Trouble 16-Bit managed to preserve the “pleasantly compact feel” of the original.[26] The story's presentation was also praised.[2][3][4] Hardcore Gaming 101 admired the game for its commitment to presenting the story as a "continuous experience" by using seamless transitions between levels.[3] VG247 also appreciated the use of dialogue-free cutscenes for doing “more with less”.[4] Time Extension believed that the level transitions completed the experience, and that the game had a “heightened sense of continuity and storytelling”.[2] The soundtrack was received positively as well.[3][4][7][26] Hardcore Gaming 101 and VG247 felt Triple Trouble 16-Bit successfully iterated on the original compositions,[3][4] and TechRadar described the new compositions as “masterful”.[26] MeriStation also noted that the soundtrack’s similar sound to that of the Yamaha YM2612 sound chip demonstrated the care put into the project, and would “delight” Sonic fans. MeriStation summarized that Triple Trouble 16-Bit was a “superb reinterpretation” of the original game, as it expanded upon it while retaining its feel.[7] Hardcore Gaming 101 also concluded that Triple Trouble 16-Bit did not invalidate the original game, but rather that both were “equally valid works” modeled after the Genesis Sonic games.[3]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Released in Japan as Sonic & Tails 2 (ソニック&(アンド)テイルス 2, Sonikku ando Teirusu 2).[1]

References edit

  1. ^ Sanaetsuki (December 29, 2018). "「メガドライブ ミニ（仮称）」はどんなハードになるのか。既存のPnP型メガドライブをレビューしつつ考えてみた" [What kind of hardware will the "Mega Drive Mini (tentative name)" be? I thought about it while reviewing the existing PnP-type Mega Drive.]. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Buehner, Abram (December 29, 2022). "The Making Of: Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit, 2022's Best Fan-Made Reboot". Time Extension. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Chungus, Apollo (February 18, 2019). "Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Donaldson, Alex (August 10, 2022). "Sonic Triple Trouble 16-bit is a free fan-game – and a worthy successor to Sonic Mania". VG247. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Yarwood, Jack (March 8, 2023). "Popular Fan Reboot Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit Coming Soon To Android And Mac". Time Extension. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  6. ^ Santiago, Ángel (August 3, 2022). "Sonic Triple Trouble recibe un remake fan al estilo 16 bits que puedes jugar gratis desde hoy mismo" [Sonic Triple Trouble gets a 16-bit style fan remake that you can play for free starting today]. HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Alberto, Francisco (August 4, 2022). "Sonic Triple Trouble 16 bits, continuando el legado de los clásicos de Mega Drive" [Sonic Triple Trouble 16 bits, continuing the legacy of the Mega Drive classics]. MeriStation (in Spanish). Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Kennedy, Victoria (August 3, 2022). "Sonic Triple Trouble gets fan-made 16-bit makeover". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit (Windows) manual, p. 2
  10. ^ Kalata, Kurt (July 8, 2018). "Sonic CD". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Heath, David (August 5, 2023). "The 15 Best Sonic Fan Games". Game Rant. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  12. ^ Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit (Windows) manual, p. 3
  13. ^ Sonic 3D Blast (Sega Genesis) North American manual, p. 7
  14. ^ a b Murray, Sean (August 6, 2022). "Sonic Triple Trouble Jumps From Game Gear To Genesis In Fan-Made Upgrade". TheGamer. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d Donaldson, Alex (September 6, 2023). "Can't wait to play Sonic Superstars? One of the best Sonic games just got better - and it's free". VG247. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  16. ^ Donaldson, Alex (April 10, 2019). "Sonic 3 A.I.R. is the quality remaster that Sega probably won't release itself". VG247. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Horowitz, Ken (March 23, 2018). "Interview: Noah Copeland (Sonic Triple Trouble Remake)". Sega-16. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Pavey, Vince (October 5, 2022). "When We Made… Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit". MCV/Develop. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c Aki-at (September 6, 2022). "SEGAbits @ SAGE 2022: Interview with Noah Copeland on Sonic Triple Trouble 16-BIT – PART ONE". SEGAbits. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  20. ^ Lennox, Jesse (October 26, 2022). "The best Sonic fan games". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d Aki-at (September 7, 2022). "SEGAbits @ SAGE 2022: Interview with Noah Copeland on Sonic Triple Trouble 16-BIT – PART TWO". SEGAbits. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  22. ^ Noah Copeland (August 2, 2022). Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit (Windows). Scene: Credits.
  23. ^ "Sonic Triple Trouble 16-bit". Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via stt16bit.wixsite.com.
  24. ^ "FINAL UPDATE! PC, Android, & Mac | Sonic Triple Trouble 16-bit". May 26, 2023. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ McFerran, Damien (September 2, 2023). "The Superb 'Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit' Gets A Welcome Dose Of Amy Rose". Time Extension. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c d e Gipp, Stuart (December 27, 2022). "Sonic fangames are quenching the thirst of fans already". TechRadar. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

External links edit

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