Tell me About Sonic Wings Special - PS1

[captain ahar]

They're basically identical.

But the Saturn Version comes with a wacky Audio CD of Mao Mao singing some Sonic Wings tunes.

worth it. it's charming... and i'm a girl.

[OdiousTrident]

The Sonic Wings Special exclusive levels, not in the rest of the series, have some awesome boss designs and bullet patterns that were clearly meant to compete with the Strikers games.

[Rob79]

Can someone confirm

isnt the PAL version in English ?
or is it the same as the NTSC-J version ?

http://cgi.ebay.de/Sonic-Wings-Special- ... dZViewItem

[beam]

Use the search function 1

Sonic Wings Special... whats different about this next to the stand alone games?

It's a completely independent game. It takes classic levels from all three games and heavily remixes them. In most cases they just barely resemble the original versions. New graphics and new enemy formations are also added. Some of the stages are completely new.

There are 17 stages in total (19 if you count the alternative versions of two stages you get when you play with one of the secret planes), but you have to play only 9 of them to reach the end, as you can choose your path twice in the game. There are three different final levels you can reach.

There are 14 Pilots and 26 planes to choose from, all of which play differently. Most of them have to be unlocked first, though.

PS1 and Saturn versions are pretty much identical. Saturn has a slightly smaller playfield (which doesn't make a noticeable difference to the gameplay), but comes with a hilarious mini audio CD. Avoid the PAL version of the game, as it doesn't save your progress or highscores (thus keeping you from unlocking new planes) and has most of the endings removed.

I've written an FAQ a long time ago, which should answer some questions. I really should update that file one day, as I know a lot of little things I'd like to add. Most likely, I will turn it into an ST and post it in the strategy section. Well, someday.

Note that there's also an arcade game called "Sonic Wings Limited", which is also a remixed version of the three original games, but, surprisingly enough, is not identical to Sonic Wings Special.

one thing to mention here - the PS1 PAL version had an XS Games-style job done on it, with all the multiple endings cut (even though the box mentions it! grr) possible saving removed (not sure on that). And, of course, being a PS1 game it only runs in 50hz.

Use the search function 2

one thing to mention here - the PS1 PAL version had an XS Games-style job done on it, with all the multiple endings cut (even though the box mentions it! grr) possible saving removed (not sure on that). And, of course, being a PS1 game it only runs in 50hz.

Sonic Wings Special for ps1 is a great game, provided you dont get the PAL version. The endings, between-level comments and save game feature have all been cut. I was really annoyed so i got the NTSC version. I can't read Japanese, but trying to figure out what the endings mean has always been a major part of the Sonic Wings series.

Use the search function 3

The PS1 and Saturn versions of SWS are mostly identical. The music on the Saturn one sounds less smooth/filtered than on the PS1 port, but no version can be said to sound "better" than the other, just slightly different. Both versions play flawlessly and are very enjoyable.

I remember D found some lines missing in the Saturn version or something like that, but those differences in the graphics are nothing you'd notice if you don't put them side to side and certainly nothing that alters the gameplay in any way. You really can consider the two versions as being identical, even though very nitpicky people can rightfully argue that they are not.

I'm not sure whether the PS1 version comes with the goofy audio CD, though, but not having it is no great loss anyway.

However, none of the versions is arcade perfect. They can't be, as there is no arcade game called Sonic Wings Special. There is a Sonic Wings Limited, but contrary to popular belief both are not the same game. Both are like remixes of the Sonic Wings series, but apart from that totally unrelated. And while I'm at it, your notion that SWS is a mix of the first two games in the series is also wrong. You will find some familiar things from all three of the original SW games, but nothing has been dragged over unchanged and there's lots of new stuff thrown in (stages, characters, planes, bosses). Think of SWS as a game that's a bit like a homage to the series, but can stand its ground as a game by itself well.

Sonic Wing Special review by D
SWS FAQ by Herr Schatten