The cartridge spins in the slot of my Genesis. A blue blur zips across the screen, tail billowing. Knuckles hangs back on an armory, ready for battle. I press start and dive into a level. Green grass whizzes past, then an endless tunnel. When it ends, I find myself atop a huge waterfalls’ edge, looking down at a pool of turquoise below.

A red zone with spikes glimmers in the distance. I sidestep left, right—wham! A spike sends me flying into a wall, which shatters like glass. The screen shakes as my health meter dwindles. I duck and dash under another spike. In the corner, a ring floats by; I grab it and watch my score climb.

Sonic darts across a field of cacti, avoiding them all. He’s so fast! The screen blinks with power-ups: a speed shoe, an extra life. With each new item, the levels become tougher. I keep up, trying to outdo myself. This game is harder than usual, but I love it.

I reach the final segment—a spinning spring that launches me into the sky. Sonic soars through the air and lands on a moving platform. More spikes spin around me. I weave between them, timing my jumps perfectly. Finally, I make it to the end, where Eggman stands with his arms spread wide. I can do this! I speed up, aiming for his head. He grunts as I ram into him, then roll away.

The level restarts, but I’m faster now. I know his weak spots. I push until he goes down. I win! The screen flashes victoriously, and a high-pitched chime plays. I earned the last ring. My fingers twitch to play again, but I’ve already beaten it once. Maybe next time.