Sonic CD: 4 Open Source Clones Compared
RSDKv3 is a decompilation of Retro Engine v3, the engine used by the 2011-and-later official Sonic CD re-release, and it requires asset files from that official release (Steam, Epic, Switch, iOS, or Android) rather than the original 1993 Sega CD version; it includes a mod loader with save-file redirection and custom achievement support. Sonic CD Disassembly instead targets the original Sega CD hardware release directly, reconstructing it into a bootable ISO, but the disassembly itself is incomplete, with many levels and features still undocumented.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, OSX, Android
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- Android
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 1mo ago
- Stars
- 701
- Contributors
- 39
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires assets from an official release of Sonic CD (Steam, Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch, iOS, or Android).
- Modding support
- YesBuilt-in mod loader and API supporting save file redirection, custom achievements, and XML GameConfig data.
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Sega CD
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 12d ago
- Stars
- 18
- Contributors
- 1
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires original Sonic CD files in the original folder to build a working ISO.
- Modding support
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- GameCube
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
| Title | RSDKv3 | Sonic CD Disassembly | Sonic CD decompilation | soniccdrespinned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, OSX, Android | Sega CD | GameCube | Windows |
| Play in browser | No | No | No | No |
| Mobile | Android | No | No | No |
| Project health | ||||
| Development status | Active | Active | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Last updated | 1mo ago | 12d ago | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Stars | 701 | 18 | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 39 | 1 | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Engine | SDL2 | — | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | ||||
| Requires original assets | YesRequires assets from an official release of Sonic CD (Steam, Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch, iOS, or Android). | YesRequires original Sonic CD files in the original folder to build a working ISO. | — | — |
| Modding support | YesBuilt-in mod loader and API supporting save file redirection, custom achievements, and XML GameConfig data. | — | — | — |
Known limitations
- development: Disassembly is incomplete; many levels and features remain undocumented.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Sonic CD clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
Do I need to own the original Sonic CD to play these clones?
RSDKv3 and Sonic CD Disassembly require original game assets to play.
Which Sonic CD clone is the most actively maintained?
RSDKv3 and Sonic CD Disassembly are currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Sonic CD.