The Top 5 Best Sonic Games of All Time
The gaming scene has a handful of figures and series that every gamer recognizes. Sonic falls in that category as well, being one of the best examples of a character who has a large collection of beloved games.
Naturally, it isn’t as though every Sonic game is equally good. While some have lived up to the hype, others have fallen flat. We’re here today to go through our picks for the best Sonic games of all time so that you know which game of the blue blur you should try next.
5. Sonic x Shadow Generations (2024)
This 2024 release bundles a remaster of the fan-favorite Sonic Generations with a new Shadow-focused campaign. The 2011 game has players go through numerous stages from across the series, such as Green Hill Zone and City Escape, and lets them play it as both classic and modern Sonic. The remaster keeps the structure the same and mostly improves the visuals and adds some bonus content.
Shadow’s campaign has a hub world called the White Space like Sonic, but his is set in a 3D environment, and he can use Doom Powers to traverse. Players can complete stages through different routes, and the bosses are well-paced. The only downside is that the new content is short. The game has ranked challenges and collectibles to increase playtime.
4. Sonic Unleashed (2008)
Sonic Unleashed launched in November 2008 and divides its gameplay into two halves. The game’s daytime stages introduced the boost formula and nearly perfected it on its first try, where Sonic races through locations modeled on real areas, like Spagonia and Apotos. The boost mechanic here returns in future games like Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations.
Sonic turns into a Werehog at night, and these stages focus on combat and platforming. These stages can feel long and repetitive sometimes, but it doesn’t overshadow the excellent daytime stages. The Wii and PS2 versions feature different stage designs and gameplay from the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions.
3. Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)
Sonic Adventure 2 launched in 2001 as a Sega Dreamcast exclusive before coming to other platforms. The game splits its story into Hero and Dark campaigns, so players witness both sides of the plot. Sonic and Shadow have fast platforming sections, Tails and Eggman have shooting sections, and Knuckles and Rouge have treasure hunting areas. This game also has Live and Learn, the most iconic Sonic track of all time.
The shooting and treasure hunt portions of the game are weaker than the fast platforming areas, especially because of the poor camera controls, but the highs are so good that they’re often overlooked. An excellent feature is the Chao Garden, which is a separate side activity where players can raise and race Chao, so they usually replay the game’s best stages to collect items for the mode. Sonic Adventure 2 has one of the best stories in the series.
2. Sonic Mania (2017)
Sonic Mania was released in August 2017 as a collaboration between Christian Whitehead, Headcannon, and PagodaWest Games. Eight of its thirteen zones are remakes of iconic stages from the Genesis and Sega CD era, including Green Hill, Chemical Plant, and Stardust Speedway. The other four zones are brand new areas. These remixed levels have new routes and new boss fights instead of being the same as the originals.
Studiopolis and Mirage Saloon, two of the new zones, fit perfectly with the returning zones despite being new additions. Collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds unlocks the Egg Reverie Zone. The game has some of the best soundtracks and pixel art in the series, and Mania Plus, which was released a year later, added Mighty and Ray as playable characters.
1. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)
Sonic 3 launched on the Sega Genesis in North America in February 1994 and expanded on the previous games with elemental shields, save files, and Knuckles as a rival. Fire, water, and lightning shields each grant a different ability, and Tails can fly and carry Sonic across gaps. Zones like Hydrocity, Carnival Night, and Ice Cap have high replayability due to their different routes and excellent music.
The story ends a bit abruptly because the game was split into two. Sonic & Knuckles, released in October 1994, completes it, and the two cartridges can be combined through lock-on technology into a single longer adventure with Knuckles as a playable character. That combined version is considered the peak of the classic era.
