Socket | Scrapyard Sonic - Blast Processing
46After the success of the Sonic games, many developers tried to create their own mascot platformers with varied results. Socket was Vic Tokai's attempt to recreate the magic of Sega's hedgehog, but came up short in almost every way.
Socket / Time Dominator 1st - Sega Mega Drive (1993)
★ TABLE OF CONTENTS ★
• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:34 Title
• 0:48 Mascot platformers
• 1:28 Socket's 'inspiration'
• 2:24 Physics and level design
• 3:19 Conclusion
There were a lot of mascot platformers during the 16-generation. The hardware of the era was well suited to pushing fast-paced, colourful examples of the genre out to an ever-expanding audience of players.
The Mega Drive's lifespan was really defined by the various Sonic games released for it over the years. This did not go unnoticed by other developers who saw the clear desire from console owners for other similar games to fill the void between the hedgehog's own games.
This explains the massive number of games 'inspired' by the top tier of mascot platformers of the era. Whilst few managed to break the mould in any meaningful way, many provided some temporary fun to keep players occupied whilst waiting for the next big thing. There was money to be made here that couldn't be ignored.
Vic Tokai brought Socket (known as Time Dominator 1st in Japan) to the market in 1993. From the character design to the speedy gameplay, it's clear that Sonic the Hedgehog was a major inspiration for this game.
Unfortunately, it is also the anchor that brings it down. The games negatives, such as bland level design and awkward physics, are highlighted specifically because of the comparison it draws for itself against the Sonic games. Everything that shines in those games falls flat in Socket, to the point that it is difficult to look past what may otherwise be considered minor flaws.
Socket isn't a bad game, but it's no Sonic!
🔴 *** RECOMMENDED VIDEOS ***
🎥 Amy Rose Longplays, 'Socket (Genesis) - Longplay [60 FPS]': https://youtu.be/8J9G6JA4EBI
🔴 *** WEBSITE REFERENCES ***
🌐 Sega Retro, 'Socket': https://segaretro.org/Socket
🔴 *** CHANNEL LINKS ***
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🔴 *** ABOUT ME ***
My name is Nick Barkl. I’m an actor and video editor from Sydney, Australia. As well as video games, I love jazz music, bad movies and basketball.
🔴 *** ABOUT THE CHANNEL ***
Blast Processing is a Youtube channel about retro video games. It covers a range of topics, from reviews to prototypes to retrospectives and more. Blast Processing is generally a solo project – I write the scripts, record the voiceovers and edit the videos myself. Occasionally, I’ll rope a talented friend or two into helping me out too!
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