The FAQ

What is 'The Glowing Bridge'?

'The Glowing Bridge', what you see before you, is a Sonic the Hedgehog prototype research site, compiling as much information as possible about the prototype games into one handy resource.

What is so interesting about unfinished games?

Because the Sonic the Hedgehog series is very well renowned, and was an excellent series of games in the 90s, finding any Sonic game that is unusual naturally pecures interest. Not only that, but having the opportunity to play levels that were never used in the final game is a good experience. We've also learned a lot about how the development of video games worked back then.

How do I play this game?

The first step to playing any SEGA Megadrive/Genesis game is to download an emulator. I recommend either Gens, Gens Plus, or Kega Fusion. If you have a DOS or Windows 9x based system, you might also want to try Genecyst.

The next step is to download the prototype you wish to play, and open it within your emulator of choice.

I lost you at the word 'emulator'...

An emulator is a program which allows you to run software intended for another computer or console. Check out Wikipedia's definition.

Aren't ROMs illegal?

Strictly speaking, yes, however no site has ever been closed down for hosting any of the ROMs on our site, so we can only assume SEGA don't peticularly care.

Speaking of SEGA, has anyone tried to contact them about all this?

Indeed they have! ICEKnight in peticular has conducted many interesting interviews with ex-SEGA employees like Craig Stitt who was the level artist for Hidden Palace Zone, and Brenda Ross who did the level art for the Desert level and Wood Zone.