Proto:Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I/February 9, 2010 Prototypes
This is a sub-page of Proto:Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I.
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Three prototypes of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I dated February 9, 2010, exist, all of which were accidentally leaked before/during release (although one, the Sony QA build, remained unavailable until 2024). At this point, the game much more heavily resembles the mobile versions of the game, particularly with their physics, more generic world map, and two controversial gimmick levels.
The PartnerNET Prototype for the Xbox 360 was leaked when the game was originally set to release in July 2010. It is often called as such because the leak was traced to Xbox Live Arcade's PartnerNET, a Microsoft service in which developers were given access to upcoming downloadable titles for testing purposes. After tons of screenshots and, eventually, a video playthrough of the entire game were leaked online, Microsoft shut down PartnerNET overnight on April 3, 2010. The leak was pretty embarrassing for Microsoft, as it became part of a larger fiasco in which developers with access to PartnerNET breached NDAs to leak in-development software. However, it was an even bigger black eye for Sega, as the mostly-complete build was marred by poor physics, bad animations, and gimmick-based levels considered inconsistent with the original Sonic games for the Genesis. Due to the backlash, Sega delayed the game's release to October to address the aspects fans took issue with.
The Japanese WiiWare Prototype was accidentally released when the game came out for the Wii in Japan before hastily being replaced with the proper version, but not before users dumped the build online. And finally, the Sony QA Prototype was accidentally available on the Sony QA Network to users (effectively the PlayStation 3 equivalent to PartnerNET); unlike the other two, however, this build remained unavailable to the general public until it was finally dumped in 2024, although it was already known to exist for years. Since all three prototypes are so similar to each other due to being compiled the same day, all will be covered as one here, with individual differences documented if any are present.
Contents
General Differences
- The PartnerNET build still uses button prompts and some text files intended for use on the Wii, such as the 1 and 2 button prompts and the text "Please do not touch the Power button or RESET." Additionally, the title theme also resembles the WiiWare version, heavily implying it (and PlayStation 3) were ported from it.
- Proper stage transitions haven't been implemented yet, so the only way to progress to the next Act is to use the menu.
- Some graphical effects haven't been implemented yet:
- Sonic's "wheel-of-feet" animation only appears when he's running at top speed.
- Sonic isn't shiny, unlike the final version.
- Motion blur effects are missing.
- In the final Wii build, the Special Stage can be used with either the directional pad or by tilting the Wiimote. In this version, it can only be played by tilting the Wiimote.
World Map/Level Select
- Since there was no World Map at the time, level select used the menu music.
- Instead of a landscape, the PartnerNET prototype of Sonic 4 uses a more simple level select with pictures of the levels, similar to the mobile version.
- It is also the only way to access the next act, as the "Play Next Act" option wasn't implemented yet.
Zone Differences
Splash Hill
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Casino Street
- Act 2 contains the first of the two controversial "gimmick" levels, requiring the player to get 10,000 points before the timer runs out; the final console release went with Sonic riding on cards.
- As a result, the entire song was also redone due to being unfitting.
Lost Labyrinth
- Act 2 contains the second and last controversial "gimmick" level; this one has the player ride a minecart through the entire level, while the final console release is like all other acts.
Mad Gear
- In Mad Gear Zone, the sirens in Act 3 do not play sound at all.
E.G.G. Station
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