The Hill Is Always Greener

How Metal Sonic Stole Christmas (original radio play)

This is the unabridged How Metal Sonic Stole Christmas radio play, written and produced by GameBuddy in 2008. It is fully unaltered from its original presentation, save for the removal of one piece of copyrighted music. If you want to hear our commentary, please listen to episode 46 of The Hill Is Always Greener. Thank you so much, and happy holidays.
(00:00) How Metal Sonic Stole Christmas(18:18) Credits(20:43) Blooper reel

Fruitcake Joke

'Tis the season for nostalgia, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la la la! As a special holiday treat, we're getting a little more personal and going back 15 years to look at "How Metal Sonic Stole Christmas", a fan radio play written by GameBuddy that most of us participated in. This was the first project that we and much of the Sonic F cast worked on together, so in the spirit of the season, we'd like to share something that meant quite a bit to us with all of you. Happy holidays, everyone, and thank you for continuing to support the show.
(Note: if you want to hear the original radio play without any of our dumb commentary, it'll also be available in the podcast feed the same day this goes up, so make sure you download that as well.)
(0:00:00) Intro(0:03:28) Main topic: How Metal Sonic Stole Christmas(0:18:00) The cast(0:42:38) Commentary begins(1:01:42) Post-commentary discussion(1:16:52) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree

Egg Cryptid

We've equipped all our best skill cards and are ready for a new episode all about one of Sonic's more unique spinoffs, Sonic Battle! This GBA fighting game starring an adorable robot OC had a surprisingly extensive single-player campaign that gave a lot of characters some much-needed time in the spotlight...though for one character, that's not really a good thing. Does the story still hold up? Is there more depth to the combat than at first glance? And why haven't we seen a new Sonic fighting game since? Well, it's time to head back into the blocky 3D arena and find out!
(0:00:00) Intro(0:02:25) Main topic: Sonic Battle(0:21:43) Emerl(0:27:35) Sonic's story(1:00:54) Tails' story(1:05:09) Rouge's story(1:12:19) Amy's story(1:25:05) Knuckles' story(1:31:22) Cream's story(1:35:52) Shadow's story(1:43:06) Emerl's story(2:00:27) Minigames and adaptations(2:03:48) Final thoughts(2:14:09) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree
Sonic Battle - Game Script
Prof. Gerald's Journal

Every Character is Named ’Butt’ (ft. Ryan MacDonald)

It's still thinking, and 25 years later, we still wanna talk about it! To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Japanese Dreamcast launch, we're joined by former game journalist Ryan MacDonald to talk about our memories of Sega's final home console, including Ryan's time covering it on the press side for GameSpot. Join us as we revisit the highs of its launch, the lows of its discontinuation, and all the weird, wonderful games that made Sega's last hurrah so special for so many people.
(0:00:00) Intro(0:19:57) Main topic: Sega Dreamcast(0:37:55) Retro consoles and collecting(0:53:33) The games(1:28:07) What went wrong?(1:44:02) Aftermarket and legacy(2:00:21) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree
Ryan’s YouTube channel
Sega CD CES demo
General Chaos
The Getaway: High Speed 2
Hidekazu Yukawa Commercial Compilation
"It's Thinking" Commercial Compilation
Mario 64 grading scandal
Sega Heat.net
E3 1995 - "$299"
VM2 on IndieGogo

I Wanna Go Zoomie (ft. Boomba)

How do you follow up a game that changed gaming and created an entertainment icon? ...I dunno, but they did it. The gang is joined by VTuber Boomba to reminisce on the 1992 classic, Sonic the Hedgehog 2! Sonic Team's sophomore outing changed things up significantly from the original, not least of which through its introduction of a little two-tailed pal for our fast-footed hero! Does this speedy sequel stand up to the test of time? And just how much of the game got left in the dust in its mad dash to make the holiday season? Well, toss your younger sibling the second controller and listen in to find out!
(0:00:00) Intro(0:09:26) Main topic: Sonic the Hedgehog 2(0:18:10) The spin dash(0:23:51) Tails!(0:36:23) 2P versus(0:37:40) Super Sonic(0:40:33) Title screen(0:41:33) Emerald Hill Zone(0:45:54) Special stages(0:57:52) Chemical Plant Zone(1:03:59) Aquatic Ruin Zone(1:09:35) Casino Night Zone(1:18:04) Hill Top Zone(1:26:31) Mystic Cave Zone(1:34:07) Oil Ocean Zone(1:43:04) Metropolis Zone(1:50:01) Sky Chase Zone/Wing Fortress Zone(1:59:27) Death Egg Zone(2:05:58) Ending(2:09:00) Hidden Palace Zone(2:15:55) Other cut zones(2:22:15) Other versions(2:31:55) Final thoughts(2:37:04) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog 116 - Tails' New Home
A Day to Remember - You Be Tails, I'll Be Sonic
TailsTube #1 (feat. Sonic)
Tee Lopes - Hill Top Zone
Real Life Smash Bros Brawl Trailer! + Real Life Super Smash Bros. Brawl Trailer (Less-Potato Quality)
Sonic 2 Special Edition - Let's Play!

Schlurp Schlurp

Don't. Turn. Around. On this most frightening of nights, The Hill Is Always Greener looks back at the bizarre phenomenon that is the Tails Doll. From its seemingly innocent origins to its horrifying legacy birthed by the Sonic fandom, we peer deep into the soul of this little ball of fluff until we too can...feel...the...sunshine...
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: The Tails Doll(0:04:02) The origin(0:07:03) The fan stuff(0:18:49) Comic appearances(0:25:30) Other cameos(0:28:46) Final thoughts(0:36:19) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree
"Prophecy" by Asher Tye
"Who REALLY Started the Story of the Tails Doll Curse?" by TheMentok
Ted the Caver
Candle Cove
NES Godzilla Creepypasta
Sonic Shorts playlist
Comickpro
Karl Bollers talks about Tails Doll

That Sonadow’s Carrying a Car!

We're ready for primetime once again as we take a look at the second batch of episodes for Sonic Prime! With all the shatterverses now introduced, worlds start to collide as the Chaos Council spreads their influence and Sonic attempts to recover all of the missing shards, but new enemies and old friends both stand in his way. Has our opinion on the show changed with this new batch? How do we think the whole series will conclude? And seriously, what is it going to take to get rid of that freaking baby forever?
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Sonic Prime "Season" 2(0:04:14) Avoid the Void(0:27:24) Battle in the Boscage(0:34:21) Second Wind/No Way Out(0:49:20) A Madness to Their Methods(0:56:35) Double Trouble(1:03:29) Cracking Down(1:09:44) Ghost of a Chance(1:22:56) Final thoughts(1:32:00) Series finale speculation(1:40:30) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree
"Avoid the Void" on YouTube
"Battle in the Boscage" on YouTube
Tweet from Dejimon11 that is 100% correct
Tweet from animator Junni Enriquez showing some easter eggs snuck into Sonic Prime

Meow Meow Meow Meow

Oh boy. This is going to be a rough one. Were going back in time to the, uh..."birth(?)" of the Classic Sonic renaissance with Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode I. Released in 2010, this downloadable title sought to recreate the feel of the original Sonic games, with...questionable results. Does it feel any better to go back to today? What about the weird soundtrack? And does this game really have any sort of lasting legacy all its own?
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I(0:18:20) The music(0:24:50) How we played the game(0:33:15) The title screen(0:36:04) Splash Hill(0:49:25) Special stages(0:56:18) Casino Street(1:02:26) Lost Labyrinth(1:16:23) Mad Gear(1:23:30) E.G.G. Station(1:25:58) Ending(1:29:10) Episode II...and III?(1:32:48) What is the legacy of Sonic 4 Episode I?(1:40:24) Super Sonic(1:43:18) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree
CVG report on the delay of Sonic 4 Episode I

The Kinect was Really Good Actually (ft. Dertek)

We've all been there. We've all got that one thing that we're super deep into, but one of our friends doesn't really get it. Maybe it passed them by, maybe it's just not their thing, who knows? Whatever the reason, perhaps being on the outside looking in has left them with plenty of questions that they've never quite been able to get the answers to. Well, this is something that we at The Hill Is Always Greener are aiming to change with our new series of "newbie education" episodes, where we bring on a guest who is NOT a Sonic fan and attempt to better explain what draws us to the franchise, as well as answer any of those burning questions they might have. And for this first episode, friend of the show Derek returns to ask all about environmentalism, getting into the comics, the lack of new RPGs, and much more. Plus, he'll have to answer a few devious questions of our own...
(0:00:00) Intro(0:04:49) What is it about Sonic that has made you stick with it?(0:13:17) Is the Sonic Cycle still relevant?(0:18:51) Quiz game: A.B.C.D. Station(0:41:32) Was Murder of Sonic a deliberate attempt to experiment with putting Sonic in a different genre?(0:45:59) Did Sonic Chronicles really poison the well for Sonic RPGs?(0:51:03) How do I get into the comics?(0:58:42) Quiz game: Animal Abstraction(1:21:38) Derek's trivia question(1:23:54) Why did they gate the best endings behind special stages?(1:28:30) Does Sonic still have environmentalist themes?(1:33:34) Quiz game: Know More Music (1:57:29) What was so bad about Sonic 4?(1:59:45) Do you think things have gotten better or worse since Yuji Naka left?(2:07:40) If you had to recommend one Sonic game to a newcomer, what would it be?(2:17:29) Outro
Amie Waters on Linktree
Derek's Twitch
Sonic Free Riders No Kinect Patch
Dick Kicker (Giant Bomb Remix)
Dreamcast: Where It Went Wrong with Sega's Mark Subotnick - The Retro Hour

Orphans Really Love Chili Dogs

Hello! ¡Hola! Willkommen! Bienvenue! Konnichiwa! Alooooha! How ya doin'? Yo! And in any language, welcome to The Hill Is Always Greener! In celebration of the recent release of the Lego Sonic the Hedgehog theme, the gang takes a look back at Sonic's guest appearance in the toys-to-life crossover Lego Dimensions, a subject that CyberLink knows all too well. Join us as we break down the Sonic level pack and its many references and callbacks brick-by-brick, and how it set the stage for more Lego Sonic on the screen and on toy shelves! It's the most comedic celebration of Sonic that you'll find in any dimension!
(0:00:00) Intro/Sonic Superstars initial thoughts(0:06:51) Main topic: Lego Dimensions(0:13:23) Sonic Dimensions(0:17:15) The (close-enough) music(0:22:56) Green Hill Zone(0:24:35) Special Stages(0:28:16) Emerald Coast Clash(0:31:30) Formidable Foe Fiasco(0:34:35) Metropolis Zone Mayhem(0:38:25) Marble Zone Meltdown(0:41:57) The Labyrinth(0:43:13) Death Egg Showdown(0:49:31) Adventure world(1:02:35) Character interactions(1:07:27) Other Sonic stuff(1:08:43) Lego ideas Sonic(1:10:30) Lego Sonic theme(1:13:10) Final thoughts(1:20:35) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
The Lego Dimensions Tracker co-authored by CyberLink
BricksToLife - List of Canceled Year 3 plans for Lego Dimensions
Lego Ideas - Sonic Mania
Lego Sonic the Hedgehog sets - Announce trailer