Play Metal Sonic In Sonic The Hedgehog (beta) Online

I first played Metal Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog (Beta) on the Sega Genesis, a version that never made it to a full release. This was a time when Sega was pushing the hardware with fast platformers, and this prototype, developed by Sonic Team, gives you a glimpse into an alternate direction for the series. It feels like a piece of history, something that was almost lost.

You control Metal Sonic, a robotic double of the hero, through familiar Green Hill Zone layouts. Your main goal is simply to reach the end of each act, but the way you move is different. Metal Sonic has a slower, heavier feel compared to regular Sonic; he doesn't build the same momentum from rolling, and his jump is more deliberate. The level design encourages careful platforming over pure speed, with precise jumps required to navigate the terrain. It presents a stiffer challenge, making you think more about your path. Playing it feels like handling a powerful but unwieldy machine.