Sonic the Hedgehog
Sega Game Gear · 1991
About this game
Sonic the Hedgehog is the first of many games starring Sega's premier hedgehog, Sonic.
It's a side-scrolling platform game with a difference: speed.
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Sonic rushes through levels with incredible speed, allowing him to traverse loops and jumps with ease.
The plot of the game is simple.
Robotnik has captured many of Sonic's animal friends and trapped them inside robots.
Fortunately, Sonic can free his friends by destroying the robots with his spin attack.
Robotnik is trying to control the all-powerful chaos emeralds.
Sonic must grab them before he does in the 3D rotating bonus levels.
Sonic's weapon is his spin attack; while jumping, Sonic destroys hostile robots by touch.
Throughout the platforming levels, Sonic collects numerous rings.
If Sonic is hit by an enemy, all the rings he's carrying fall out and scatter around; Sonic can quickly grab the rings back before they disappear.
If Sonic is hit while not carrying any rings, he dies.
Collecting 100 rings gives Sonic an extra life.
There is also an invincibility bonus which temporarily protects Sonic from all attacks.
The game is divided into several "zones", each of them containing three levels.
At the end of each zone, Sonic confronts Dr.
Robotnik in a boss fight.
About Sega Game Gear
Sega's Game Gear (1990) was a technically capable handheld competitor to the Game Boy, notable for its full-color backlit screen — a real advantage at the time, offset by famously poor battery life. Its commercial underperformance against Nintendo's handheld means smaller print runs overall, and complete, well-preserved cartridges (the plastic shells are prone to yellowing and cracking) are a genuine niche within retro handheld collecting.
Gamevaro tracks Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega Game Gear with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Sonic the Hedgehog to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This GG release dates back to 1991.
Price history
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
NTSC-J
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-15 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €91.74 |
| 2026-07-15 | Item only | NTSC-J | €12.27 |
| 2026-07-15 | New (sealed) | PAL | €50.69 |
| 2026-07-15 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €35.07 |
| 2026-07-15 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €35.07 |
| 2026-07-15 | Item only | PAL | €13.75 |
| 2026-07-15 | Complete in Box | PAL | €100.60 |
| 2026-07-15 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €91.74 |
| 2026-07-15 | Item only | NTSC-U | €12.27 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | PAL | €43.14 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €437.40 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €1826.38 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €42.13 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.72 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | PAL | €25.42 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €76.07 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-J | €21.86 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €42.13 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | PAL | €170.42 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | PAL | €6.96 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | PAL | €6.93 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €164.05 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €152.23 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €19.02 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | PAL | €154.93 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €11.36 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €76.07 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €152.16 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | NTSC-J | €21.85 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | PAL | €43.12 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Sonic the Hedgehog has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Sonic the Hedgehog worth?
Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega Game Gear is currently worth €13.75 loose, €43.14 complete in box, and €154.93 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Sonic the Hedgehog rare?
Sonic the Hedgehog has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Sonic the Hedgehog?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Sonic the Hedgehog, loose is €13.75 and CIB is €43.14 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is Sonic the Hedgehog worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Sonic the Hedgehog is currently worth €13.75 loose, versus €12.27 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
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