Reviewers praised the colorful, detailed graphics. Rand called its color scheme "lively, but never garish", praising the interaction of color with detail in the sprites, backgrounds, and animations and describing its graphics as the best available for the Genesis. Reviewer Boogie Man of "GamePro" called the intricate backgrounds "eye-popping" and "gorgeous", which was echoed by "Mean Machines". The Lessers (Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk) of "Dragon" claimed the graphics made "Sonic" a possible contender for the best game of 1991 and "GameZone" called the animation "some of the smoothest and fastest ... ever seen". Julian Boardman of "Raze" praised the "colourful and highly detailed" backdrops and "fabulous" sprites. The music and sound effects were also well received; "Dragon" called them "great", and "GameZone" "amazing". Rand praised the "catchy" soundtrack, calling some of the sound effects "absolutely brilliant". Although "Mean Machines" called the songs "vaguely appealing", the sound effects were better appreciated. However, Boardman of "Raze" considered the music "a little boring".