Ray in Sonic 1

Ray in Sonic 1 is a fan-made ROM hack for the SEGA Genesis that modifies the original Sonic the Hedgehog. Instead of the usual solo act, this hack swaps out Tails (who wasn't in the original game, but the hack uses a modified engine to include a second character) for Ray, the flying squirrel from Sonic CD. It was created by Esrael L. G. (known as Luigez) and released as a free patch. This isn't an official game - it's a passion project by a member of the Sonic modding community, meant to let players experience the first game with a different character. The gameplay follows the same structure as Sonic 1: you guide Ray through Green Hill Zone, Marble Zone, and the other classic stages. Ray controls similarly to Sonic but has a unique glide ability that lets him cross larger gaps or reach higher platforms by pressing the jump button in the air. You still collect rings, defeat badniks by jumping on them, and aim for the end-of-level signpost. The level layouts are unchanged, so the challenge comes from mastering Ray's different physics and movement options. What makes this hack worth checking out is the novelty of playing as a fan-favorite character in a familiar setting. If you've played Sonic 1 to death, swapping Sonic for Ray gives it a fresh feel without changing the levels themselves. It's a small, focused modification that doesn't oversell itself. For fans of Ray or anyone curious about how his abilities translate to the older engine, it's a neat piece of fan work. Just keep expectations in check - this is a simple sprite swap with some ability tweaks, not a full reimagining.