All Seasons

Season 2019

  • S2019E01 Sonic Frenzy

    • November 14, 2019

    Welcome to a brand new series called: But does it work on Real Hardware? And for it's grand opening, we're trying an 8-bit Sonic ROM hack, Sonic Frenzy! Created by Yoshister. This was submitted to the Sonic Hacking Contest 2018 and was runner up in the best Sonic 8-bit ROM hack. But how does it fair on a real Master System?

  • S2019E02 Sonic 3 Prototype & others

    • December 21, 2019

    The Sonic 3 prototype, along with the Sonic CD 0.02 prototype, several Sonic Chaos prototypes and two Sonic 2 prototypes all got released by Hidden Palace back in November 2019. And what a month it was! Almost everyone by now has tried it out for themselves on emulators but the question remains; do they work on real hardware? Sit tight, as we're about to test them all out!

Season 2020

  • S2020E01 Sonic Megamix

    • January 18, 2020

    One of the most prominent Sonic ROM Hacks gets put to the test. And not just one of them, but all known revisions! From version 1.0, up to 5.0a, including any Sonic Hacking Contest builds in-between, this, is Sonic Megamix; but does it work on Real Hardware?

  • S2020E02 Sonic Classic Heroes

    • February 21, 2020

    Today, we try both Sonic 2 Heroes and Sonic Classic Heroes on the actual Mega Drive (Genesis). Two Sonic ROM hacks created by flamewing and ColinC10. Sonic Classic Heroes is a Sonic 2 hack which brings the mechanics from the well-known Sonic Heroes game into the 16-bit world. Presenting Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 combined and the ability to control either Sonic, Tails or Knuckles at any time in the game (or even Team Chaotix highlighting Espio, Charmy and Vector). But the important question is, does it work on real hardware?

  • S2020E03 Sonic ROM Hacks

    • March 14, 2020

    Your suggestions, but does it work on Real Hardware? In today's episode, we test out some of the most wacky and popular Sonic ROM Hacks out there on the actual machines they were built for. With the Master System, Mega Drive (Genesis) and Mega CD (Sega CD) all making an appearance. I also apologise for the phone calls at the end of the video; I accidentally left my camera running while answering them...

  • S2020E04 Sonic 1 FM

    • March 28, 2020

    Who loves the PSG music that Sonic 1 creates? Me too! But have you heard that the tune can be improved to us FM quality sound? It's quite an achievement, but does it work on real hardware? We put Sonic 1 FM created by ValleyBell to the test... more than once! Special thanks to my wife for her help on... telling me off.

  • S2020E05 Sonic X-Treme prototypes and more

    • May 2, 2020

    We're on a different planet with this episode! With all publicly known Sonic X-Treme prototypes built for the Sega Saturn gets put to the test. Tagging along will be the SAGE 2018 demo, Sonic Z-Treme. But does it work on Real Hardware?

  • S2020E06 Sonic 1 Character Hacks

    • June 13, 2020

    Who loves Sonic 1? Who wants to play Sonic 1 but without the blue hedgehog? It's certainly possible and they all bring new mechanics and experiences to the title. But the question is, will they work on a real Mega Drive (Genesis)? That's what we're here to discover! And a big thank you for our guests making an appearance in this video!

  • S2020E07 Sonic Adventure 64

    • July 18, 2020

    It's been pretty unclear if this Super Mario 64 ROM hack actually works on original hardware. Can it truly handle Sonic's speed? I've now prepared myself with multiple methods to put Sonic Adventure 64 to the test.

  • S2020E08 Sonic 3 Complete & others

    • August 8, 2020

    One of the most popular Sonic ROM Hacks, Sonic 3 Complete, finally goes against the ultimate test; to see if it functions on the system it was intended for. As I've reviewed this game before, I thought it would be fun to test some other games I've previously analysed. Those being The S Factor, Metal Sonic Rebooted and Sonic Scorched Quest.

  • S2020E09 Sonic 1 GBA Hack

    • August 29, 2020

    Don't you just wish that the official Sonic 1 port for the Game Boy Advance represented the original more accurately? Without it being a slow, broken mess? Well, Stealth, the man behind Sonic Mania has answered your prayers! But what I want to know, is if it would truly work on a real Game Boy Advance without the help of any emulation. That's what we're going to discover today.

  • S2020E10 Sonic 1 on the SNES

    • September 13, 2020

    Who says Nintendon't? They were just never given the chance! A proof-of-concept ROM has arrived of Sonic the Hedgehog running on a Super Nintendo. Created by TiagoSC, SNES Sonic has been talked about over and over and has gained popularity. But does it work on real hardware?

  • S2020E11 Sonic 2 Recreation and more

    • October 4, 2020

    It's time to put all my Sonic creations to the ultimate test! You've all been wanting to know if Sonic 2 Recreation is up to the challenge, but are Sonic Bash and the others up to scratch? From my earliest work in 2002, all the way up to my latest and greatest, we examine if these really do work on a real Sega Mega Drive / Genesis.

  • S2020E12 An Ordinary Sonic ROM Hack

    • October 31, 2020

    From Creepypasta, to his own game for the Mega Drive (Genesis). Sonic.EXE has come to terrorise your emulators for many years. But will Sonic.EXE get a handle on real hardware? Has he finally met his match? Prepare for a Halloween edition of 'But Does it work on Real Hardware?'

  • S2020E13 Sonic Delta 40Mb

    • November 22, 2020

Season 2021

  • S2021E01 Sonic 1 with a MOUSE?

    • January 3, 2021

    Tired of using a Control Pad? Want a new inventive way of controlling Sonic through his first adventure? With Sonic 1 Point and Click Edition, created by Nat The Porcupine, you can now use a mouse peripheral to do just that and manipulate other objects. It works great on emulation, but does it work on real hardware?

  • S2021E01 Sonic 1 with a MOUSE?

    • January 3, 2021

    Tired of using a Control Pad? Want a new inventive way of controlling Sonic through his first adventure? With Sonic 1 Point and Click Edition, created by Nat The Porcupine, you can now use a mouse peripheral to do just that and manipulate other objects. It works great on emulation, but does it work on real hardware?

  • S2021E02 Sonic 1 Prototype (& Knuckles)

    • January 9, 2021

    Dreams come true! The Sonic 1 Prototype has finally been found and is now available for everyone to play. It was initially streamed over at Hidden Palace but it was emulated. So, it's my duty to see if the Sonic 1 Beta works on real hardware. And let's attach it to Sonic & Knuckles too; why not?

  • S2021E02 Sonic 1 Prototype (& Knuckles)

    • January 9, 2021

    Dreams come true! The Sonic 1 Prototype has finally been found and is now available for everyone to play. It was initially streamed over at Hidden Palace but it was emulated. So, it's my duty to see if the Sonic 1 Beta works on real hardware. And let's attach it to Sonic & Knuckles too; why not?

  • S2021E03 Sonic 1 NES Improvement

    • February 20, 2021

    Derived from Somari, which I will faintly test as well, Sonic has got his full adventure over on the Nintendo 8-bit console, called Sonic 1 NES Improvement + Tracks. While it's debatable how it fares against the Master System, what we're here to discover today, is does it work on real hardware? I have several Famicom's and NES's to find out the answer!

  • S2021E03 Sonic 1 NES Improvement

    • February 20, 2021

    Derived from Somari, which I will faintly test as well, Sonic has got his full adventure over on the Nintendo 8-bit console, called Sonic 1 NES Improvement + Tracks. While it's debatable how it fares against the Master System, what we're here to discover today, is does it work on real hardware? I have several Famicom's and NES's to find out the answer!

  • S2021E04 32X ROM Hacks

    • March 20, 2021

    It’s time to upgrade the 16-bit machine to a 32-bit powerhouse! And surprisingly, there are several 32X ROM hacks out there. But will they work on real hardware? Today, it’s not only Sonic being featured, but Doom and Virtua Racing Deluxe also gets the spotlight!

  • S2021E04 32X ROM Hacks

    • March 20, 2021

    It’s time to upgrade the 16-bit machine to a 32-bit powerhouse! And surprisingly, there are several 32X ROM hacks out there. But will they work on real hardware? Today, it’s not only Sonic being featured, but Doom and Virtua Racing Deluxe also gets the spotlight!

  • S2021E05 Ronaldinho Soccer 64 (April Fools 2021)

    • April 1, 2021

    Today is a special day as we examine if Ronaldinho Soccer 64 can pass the test on an NTSC and PAL Nintendo 64.

  • S2021E05 Ronaldinho Soccer 64 (April Fools 2021)

    • April 1, 2021

    Today is a special day as we examine if Ronaldinho Soccer 64 can pass the test on an NTSC and PAL Nintendo 64.

  • S2021E06 Sonic 1 Blastless

    • April 17, 2021

    The Genesis may have BLAST PROCESSING but what happens to Sonic when the CPU starts to fail?! It's not possible to increase the graphics or even reduce the visuals for the Mega Drive to gain performance. But, imagine if you could? Sonic 1 Blastless is here to give you an insight into how the Sega Genesis would look with such capability. Emulators have no problem with these video switches, but can real hardware cope?

  • S2021E07 Sonic Winter Adventures

    • June 20, 2021

    Prepare for speed as Sonic blasts his way through Frozen Island with Sonic Winter Adventures. And if you have the hardware, this Sonic ROM Hack contains a very special hidden feature that I believe more games should have! But will it work on a variety of hardware?

  • S2021E08 Super Mario Bros. ROM Hacks

    • July 18, 2021

    There are hundreds of Mario ROM hacks that I can't possibly test them all, but with many popular ones, including bizarre ones, do many of them actually work on real hardware? Or is emulation the only answer?

  • S2021E09 Sonic on the Atari 2600!?

    • September 19, 2021

    You may have heard of Zippy the Porcupine for the Atari 2600 which has been praised for it's technical marvel. And yes, there's a physical cart for this, but will it work on the successor consoles such as the 7800, or can regional issues come into play? Welcome to my most expensive hardware video to date (this video cost over £1,500/$2,000) to make!

Season 2022

  • S2022E01 Sonic Game Boy Bootlegs

    • January 23, 2022

    Are you a fan of Sonic on the Game Boy Advance? Then why not try Sonic on the original Game Boy and Game Boy Colour? Or should the question be, do they even work on the systems? It's time to put the infamous Sonic 3D Blast 5, Sonic Adventure 7 and Sonic Adventure 8 (aka Sonic 8) to the test. Also, a certain yellow Pokémon makes an appearance.

  • S2022E02 Sonic Mania on Sega 32X & Sega Saturn (April Fools)

    • April 1, 2022

    Does Sonic Mania really work on the Sega 32X and Sega Saturn? Today we find out the answer as over the years and to this day, people keep asking me this popular question.

  • S2022E03 Sonic on the Commodore 64!?

    • April 19, 2022

    Ever wondered how well Sonic would run on the Commodore 64? Probably not as good as the Master System, right? Well, you may be pleasantly surprised! That's if all the Commodores can actually keep up!

Season 2023

  • S2023E01 Sonic ERaZor

    • October 21, 2022

    Prepare for mayhem as Sonic blasts his way through Green Hill with all obstacles turbo-charged and out to get him! This is Sonic Erazor. But does it work on real hardware?

Season 2024

  • S2024E01 Mario Bootlegs for the Genesis

    • March 10, 2024

    Happy Mario Day! So, what a time to test some Mario bootlegs that got released for the SEGA Mega Drive (Genesis). How will the Nintendo mascot fair on its rival's consoles? Well, it's a long story...