Sonic the Hedgehog
Sega Master System · 1991
About this game
This is a completely different game than its 16-bit counterpart on the Genesis/Mega Drive, and was originally released on the Sega Game Gear and Master System.
Robotnik, Sonic must traverse six zones consisting of three levels each.
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Most of the zones are based on those in the original game, but some are entirely new, including a jungle environment and a huge airship.
Other unique differences are one level that scrolls automatically and one that is aligned vertically instead of horizontally.
Most of the enemies (mechanized animals, defeated by Sonic's spikes when jumping or rolling) and power-ups (speed-ups, shields, extra lives) are the same as in the Genesis version as well.
Sonic can pick up golden rings for protection (when hit, he simply loses all of his rings instead of a life) and bonuses: 100 rings gain Sonic an extra life, and 50 remaining rings at the end of a level allow access to pinball-themed special stages full of bumpers and springs.
The final level of a zone is always a boss fight against Robotnik.
Some of the boss fights differ in the Master System and Game Gear versions of the game, with special designs for the handheld version due to the smaller visible screen area.
Sonic should also collect the six Chaos Emeralds to keep them from falling into Robotnik's hands.
In a departure from the original game, these are not hidden in the special stages but somewhere in the regular levels.
About Sega Master System
The Sega Master System (1985/1986) was Sega's answer to the NES and, while it lost the console war in North America, became genuinely dominant in markets like Brazil and parts of Europe. That regional split matters for collectors: PAL and Brazilian-market cartridges can differ meaningfully in scarcity and pricing from their North American counterparts for the same title.
Gamevaro tracks Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega Master System 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 SMS release dates back to 1991.
Price history
Market values by condition
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-12 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €8.72 |
| 2026-07-12 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €48.53 |
| 2026-07-12 | Sealed / New | NTSC-U | €247.79 |
| 2026-07-10 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €8.72 |
| 2026-07-10 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €48.51 |
| 2026-07-10 | Sealed / New | NTSC-U | €247.68 |
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Sonic the Hedgehog, suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Sega Master System titles.
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 Master System is currently worth €8.72 loose, €48.53 complete in box, and €247.79 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Sonic the Hedgehog rare?
Sonic the Hedgehog has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Sega Master System titles.
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 €8.72 and CIB is €48.53 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
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