10 Best Sonic Games Of All Time, Ranked

As a lifelong enthusiast of Sonic the Hedgehog and a dedicated gamer since the 90s, I can confidently say that my favorite Sonic game is none other than Sonic X Shadow Generations. This masterpiece, a harmonious blend of classic Sonic platforming and modern gameplay mechanics, stands tall as the pinnacle of the series in my eyes.

Being a devoted fan of Sonic the Hedgehog can be quite challenging due to the general unfavorable attitudes towards the series among non-fans. It’s not that the games lack consistency in quality, but rather that fans often find themselves on the receiving end of lengthy criticisms about older games, even when they simply want to discuss their love for the franchise, characters, and games.

To clarify, this compilation isn’t going to resemble a typical one. I’m an ardent admirer of the Sonic series, having been a fan since my childhood, and I find great joy in exploring the games and debating which ones are the best.

I plan to select what I believe are the best games from this contentious series, striving for some objectivity, but ultimately standing firm by my personal feelings after experiencing each game.

I’m excluding fan-made games from this compilation, as the exceptional work of the Sonic fan game community merits a list of its own. Though Project 06 is worthy, I’d rather postpone including it at this time.

10 Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Give and Take

In the upcoming appearances, Classic Sonic will be more frequent due to the fact that the formula for 2D Sonic games, established from Sonic 2 onwards, has been perfected.

These games primarily emphasized speed, occasionally requiring precise platforming as a consequence for missing the optimal path. Additionally, they boasted exceptional gameplay that placed a strong emphasis on momentum.

In the final levels of Sonic 2, it tends to break down, with Metropolis being particularly poor, but a score of 85% isn’t terrible, and the opening half is fantastic.

As a gaming enthusiast, I must say, the thrill of playing through levels such as Chemical Plant, Casino Night, Hill Top, and Aquatic Ruin is simply unparalleled! Each one offers an adrenaline-pumping, speed-centric experience that leaves me yearning for more.

9 Sonic Superstars

A Supersonic Fight

2D Sonic games in recent times haven’t met my expectations, but I believe this game managed to live up to its role as a worthy sequel.

You can dub it Sonic 5, given that it effectively replicates the Classic Sonic gameplay akin to Sonic 2 and 3, showcasing an impressive 2.5D design style.

My main concerns stem from bosses frequently causing work processes to grind to a halt, and generally showing inconsistency in their performance, much like the quality fluctuations seen in Sonic 2.

This isn’t poor quality, but if you’re craving additional thrilling spins while launching off ramps to reach the highest path, then it delivers in abundance.

8 Sonic Colors

Sonic’s True Colors

At the time of its launch, Sonic Colors was lauded for being a delightful, straightforward sequel that harkened back to the spirit of Unleashed, and I recall it in much the same way.

It won’t challenge you as much as Unleashed, but the Wisps make for a fun gimmick, and the 2D sections aren’t as bad as Twitter would have you believe.

This game offers typical enhanced gameplay, but it’s less focused on 3D graphics compared to other games. However, it plays wonderfully, and its performance on the Wii platform is particularly noteworthy.

It’s enjoyable to navigate through every level, and by creatively utilizing the streamlined version of Sonic, you can bypass platforming challenges quite easily. In essence, it’s simply a fun experience without many additional features.

7 Sonic Unleashed

Like I’m Lost in a Dream

In Sonic Unleashed, the gameplay experience can be likened to a rollercoaster ride. Unlike most Sonic games, this installment features a notable shift in pace with the Werehog sections, which tend to move at a more leisurely speed compared to usual.

To sum up, the game is truly remarkable, boasting outstanding daytime stages that rank among the finest boost gameplay ever seen, and the Werehog levels provide a good amount of enjoyable play.

Although it may not be the greatest beat-em-up of all time, its extensive combo system and expansive move library ensure an enjoyable experience. Moreover, the game’s superb implementation of modern Sonic gameplay adds to its appeal.

Those three places – Empire City, Rooftop Run, and Windmill Isle – will always be etched in my memory. They’re absolutely thrilling, a blast to explore, and they exude the most amazing energy I’ve ever felt.

6 Sonic Adventure DX

Got So Much To Do

In my gaming experience, nothing compares to the charm of the Sonic Adventure era, with its delightful quirks and innovative open-ended level designs. These games have a special place in my heart.

As for me, whether I lean towards Adventure 1 or Adventure 2 often boils down to my current state of mind, given how intricately connected they feel. However, Adventure 1 offers a bit more freedom in its design, with approximately six distinct characters not quite as tightly woven into the narrative.

I love running through Sonic’s awesome stages, flying through Tails’ stages is fun, Gamma’s run ‘n’ gun gameplay is awesome, and Knuckles is, well, alright.

But it’s no secret that Big and Amy are pretty lacking and feature heavily for most of the game. But, all in all, still a seminal Sonic title to pick up and play.

5 Sonic Adventure 2

Keep On Moving

In simpler terms, Sonic Adventure 2 has been refined with a sleeker design, featuring six characters yet limiting gameplay to just three types, making it appear more polished, especially when compared to the treasure hunting aspect.

It’s fun to perform big jumps, spin quickly like sonic speed, and achieve large combos; and yet again, Knuckles seems fine.

Additionally, it boasts a more unified narrative and exceptional music, while the stages designed for Sonic and Shadow emphasize speed and spectacular environments tailored to iconic locations.

If City Escape isn’t familiar to you, yet you can’t help but sing along whenever you hear it, enjoy watching Shadow traverse Radical Highway, and strive to perform impressive jumps on Final Rush, then you’re quite unique in your tastes.

4 Sonic Frontiers

Always To New Horizons

Massive hot take to say that Sonic Frontiers’ admittedly somewhat bland islands beat out the Adventure games, but I’m splitting hairs here, personally.

I enjoy sprinting and performing various exciting platforming maneuvers while navigating my path, all the while enjoying the thrill of guiding Sonic.

Experiencing immense joy, I find it remarkable when a game excels simply by providing an engaging character control mechanism, and Sonic Frontiers manages to do exactly that for me.

In this series, nothing compares to the thrilling, awe-inspiring boss battles, which I’ve consistently enjoyed for two whole years – monthly listens to “Undefeatable” and “Break Through It All.

3 Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Keep The Dream Alive

For as far back as I can recall, Sonic has consistently pursued the monumental success achieved in its initial releases, and it’s titles like Sonic and Knuckles 3 that explain this ongoing pursuit.

1990s perfection, Sonic 3 & Knuckles delivers a consistently enjoyable gaming experience. Featuring three distinct characters, each with their own special paths and hidden treasures in every stage, there’s always something fresh to discover upon repeated playthroughs.

I really enjoy racing through Angel Island, sprinting over water in Hydricity (which is pronounced ‘hi-draw-city’), soaring above the skies in Flying Battery, and dodging the barrels instead of giving in during Carnival Night.

From my perspective, this game outshines most others of its time because it boasts a remarkably refined visual design and animation, coupled with fantastic music. This combination is truly impressive.

2 Sonic Mania

Kiss Your Fears Goodbye

Significantly, I believe that Sonic Mania surpasses Sonic 3 & K as the top representative of the Classic Sonic series. This is due to Sonic Mania being released approximately 23 years after Sonic 3 & K.

The game was crafted by once-passionate fan-creators who have now transitioned into independent developers, and they’ve truly excelled in their work, creating amazing retro levels and exciting new zones as a tribute to the past while introducing something fresh.

Among all the songs from the series, I particularly love the one that goes, “Lights, Camera, Action!”, and credit for this goes to Tee Lopes. The entire soundtrack creates an extraordinary audio journey.

I prefer a bit more challenge in the game, and I’ve grown weary of constantly playing Green Hill Zone. Yet, the game’s originality, even when reusing old stages, keeps it a title that will forever hold my affection.

1 Sonic X Shadow Generations

No Ghost To Bring You Down

Combining a Sonic game that takes the most valuable lessons from each title on this list with a top-tier game from over a decade back created an ideal scenario for Sonic X Shadow Generations to thrive, resulting in a truly exceptional experience.

As a gamer, I can vouch that Sonic’s side delivers the lightning-fast platforming action you’d typically find in Unleashed. However, it also offers a delightful dose of Classic Sonic, who brings his unique charm and makes every level even more enjoyable!

But the real highlight of this game is Shadow’s campaign, offering up we’ve ever seen in the series, feeling like the best cocktail of Boost and Adventure gameplay.

I consistently enjoy playing this game, whether it features the Blue Dash or the Grumpy Hedgehog, and together they create an outstanding Sonic game that stands out as one of the greatest titles in the series.

2024-11-26 16:09