Sonic the Hedgehog 1 Beta - Master System

The Buzzbomber in this screenshot is different to that of the final version. The ring counter says "Ring" instead of having a picture of a ring (see below).

The ring counter in the final version doesn't have the word "Ring" on it. Also, There is a time counter beneath the ring counter in the final. This part of the level is different in the final, which is pictured on the right for comparison. The final version has some extra scenery.

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Sonic the Hedgehog 1 Beta - Game Gear - pics from beta ROM

Left: beta version; Right: final version

The beta ROM is actually just the Master System version of the game, altered slightly to work on the Game Gear. As a result, the pallets are all quite basic. The map screen looks nowhere near as pretty in the beta version.

Left: beta version; Right: final version

Sonic's sprites are larger in the beta, and the appearance of the level is slightly different. The "x" has been removed from your life counter in the final version.

Left: beta version; Right: final version

The final version has more densely-packed scenery, so that you can see more of it at once. This is because the Game Gear screen is quite small.

Left: beta version; Right: final version

This part of the level has been altered. A warning sign has been added.

There's only one level in the beta version, as it's just a demo. When you complete the level, you're sent back to the start of the same level, or to the "arrow monitor" (where you'll see a small graphical glitch).

Sonic the Hedgehog 1 Beta - Game Gear - pics from magazine

The beta version has an "x" which was removed for the final version. The Sonic sprite is different too.

The "9" is in the wrong place, but it looks more like the screenshot has been tampered with, rather than this being an actual feature of the beta version.

Another screenshot.

This part of the level was removed in the final version (see pics from beta ROM above).