David Murray once suggested that creating a port of Sonic the Hedgehog on the Commander X16 might be possible, and given his expertise, one could assume that assessment holds weight. However, since that statement was made, no one has taken up the challenge. Many games on the Commander X16 avoid attempting to replicate the iconic 16-bit platformers of yesteryear, perhaps wisely opting for simpler designs. Nevertheless, a tech demo from five years ago continues to spark the host’s curiosity, tempting him to take on the challenge. With that in mind, he’s decided to develop a Sonic-inspired game for the Commander X16 and document the journey here on this YouTube channel.
The Commander X16 is a modern computer designed to evoke the charm of 1980s 8-bit systems. While rooted in retro sensibilities, its capabilities are notable: graphically, it can produce visuals reminiscent of SNES games, and its audio channels echo the Sega Genesis’ sound palette. With plenty of accessible memory and a real 65C02 CPU running at 8 MHz, the Commander X16 provides an intriguing mix of strengths and challenges for a project like this.
The question developer doslogo aims to answer is whether it’s possible to create a 16-bit-style Sonic game on an 8-bit system while preserving the look and feel fans expect. To achieve this, his video sets the rules going forward.
