You can always find a good time to start playing Sonic the Hedgehog games! As with any long-running series, some older titles haven’t held up as well as others. Luckily, Sega has been consistently releasing new and inventive Sonic games lately. While not every one has been a hit with fans, many are incredibly fun, fast-paced, and worth playing for a memorable experience.
Although some older Sonic games might feel a bit dated now, many others are considered among the best platformers and action-adventure games released recently. While speed is still a key part of the Sonic experience, some titles offer a more relaxed pace to make the series accessible to new players. Overall, the Sonic games listed below are all worth playing in 2025.
Sonic Unleashed
A Perfect Blend Between High-Speed Thrills And Chaotic Beat ‘Em Up Action
When Sonic Unleashed came out in 2008, opinions were divided, mainly because of the new Werehog form. The game changes between two styles of play depending on the time of day. During the day, players enjoy fast-paced levels that are among the best in the 3D Sonic games. At night, the gameplay shifts to more combat-focused sections where players control the Werehog and use a variety of unlockable moves to fight off waves of enemies.
The Sonic series is known for its fast-paced running and jumping, and Sonic Unleashed successfully mixes that classic gameplay with fun, action-packed combat. Even though it came out over a decade ago, Sonic Unleashed remains one of the best 3D Sonic games, and it’s definitely worth playing whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series.
Sonic Mania
Experience What Made The Classics So Special Through A Modernized Perspective
Many fans fondly remember the original three Sonic games, but revisiting them now can be tough after so many years. That’s where Sonic Mania comes in – it blends classic levels with new ones, making it a great way to experience what made those early Sonic games so beloved by so many.
Sonic Mania beautifully captures the classic Sonic look and feel, but with updated graphics that make it visually appealing. The game includes beloved stages like Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant, alongside brand new levels designed specifically for this installment, offering something fresh for longtime fans. With multiple characters to play as and plenty of collectibles to find, Sonic Mania is easily the best modern 2D Sonic game, successfully bridging the gap between nostalgia and contemporary gameplay.
Sonic Lost World
Lost World Took Some Creative Risks, Resulting In A Weirdly Satisfying Gameplay Loop
To emphasize strategic platforming, Sonic Lost World is slower-paced than previous games and includes a Run button for quick bursts of speed. This makes it feel quite different from most Sonic titles. Like Super Mario Galaxy, the game features levels built around individual planets, keeping Sonic grounded with a central gravitational pull.
This game is worth playing simply for its incredible creativity, but it’s also important for understanding the current story of the Sonic franchise. The Deadly Six, a group of alien villains who debuted in Lost World, have appeared in several games since then. This makes the game a great entry point to the Sonic universe, letting you quickly learn about the world and characters while having a lot of fun.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
The Ultimate Package Featuring Tons Of Content And Plenty Of Character Development
The first Sonic Generations was a tribute to the entire series, bringing together many of the most popular levels from throughout Sonic’s history. Players could experience each level in two ways: as the original 2D Sonic or as the updated 3D version. This offered a lot of replay value, and there were also tons of extra Challenge Stages to complete for even more rewards.
To everyone’s surprise, Sega remastered Generations in 2024, adding a brand-new campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog. This new content features stages tied to Shadow’s story and delves deeper into his past, particularly his relationship with Maria. It’s a fantastic and easily accessible game on all current consoles, offering hundreds of hours of gameplay and a strong focus on key characters, making it a must-have for any Sonic fan.
Sonic Adventure 2
The Game That Proved Sonic Games Can Have Compelling Stories And Characters
Okay, so some people might think Sonic Adventure 2 is getting a little old, but honestly, it still plays so well! It was one of Sega’s first big tries at bringing Sonic into 3D, and it really holds up. What I love most is that you don’t just play as Sonic the whole time. You switch between a bunch of different characters, which keeps everything fresh. Sonic’s all about speed, obviously, but Knuckles’ levels are about hunting for hidden items, and Tails gets to blow stuff up in his mech! It’s just a really cool mix of gameplay styles, so it never gets boring.
Beyond its fun and varied gameplay, the game boasts what is arguably the most ambitious story in Sonic history. It’s notable for introducing key characters, most famously Shadow the Hedgehog. Given Shadow’s enduring popularity, Adventure 2 can be seen as the beginning of the modern Sonic era, as he’s become so central to the franchise’s overall story. This makes it a game worth playing even today – it’s not just enjoyable, but it lays the groundwork for everything that followed in the Sonic universe.
Sonic Frontiers
Get A Taste Of Where Sonic Games Are Headed In The Future
The Sonic series struggled throughout the 2010s, as Sonic Team had difficulty creating games that felt both innovative and true to the original classics. To revitalize the franchise, they developed Sonic Frontiers, a game that blends open-world exploration with traditional Sonic gameplay. Players spend time running through beautiful environments, collecting items and interacting with Sonic’s friends, then dive into more linear levels reminiscent of classic Sonic games called Cyberspace Levels.
Sonic Team took a chance with this game, as fans weren’t sure how they’d feel about an open-world Sonic adventure. Thankfully, it turned out to be fantastic! Sonic’s incredible speed makes exploring the game’s five islands incredibly enjoyable, and the short, focused Cyberspace levels provide a great change of pace without disrupting the main experience. Sega has stated that Sonic Frontiers shows the direction future Sonic games will take, meaning anyone curious about the franchise’s future should definitely give it a try.
Sonic Superstars
The Best Co-Op Sonic Game To Come Out In Years
Because Sonic is known as the fastest character alive, it’s always been hard to create a good co-op mode for his games – very few characters can match his speed! For a long time, playing Sonic with friends wasn’t really possible. That changed with the release of Sonic Superstars in 2023. Now, up to four players can team up and enjoy bright, colorful levels based on classic stages from previous Sonic games.
The developers wanted to make this game more welcoming to new players than previous Sonic games, so everyone could join the fun. Sonic Superstars is easily the best game in the series for a quick, cooperative experience with friends – it’s enjoyable whether you’re a total beginner or a longtime fan.
Read More
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A New Mega Evolution Tier List
- Upload Labs: Beginner Tips & Tricks
- Grow a Garden – Complete Halloween Event Guide
- Unlock the Secrets: Find All 20 Dreamcatchers in RDR2!
- Incineroar Ex Dominates Pokemon TCG Pocket Meta!
- Silver Rate Forecast
- Carnival Tycoon Free Batteries & Coins Links
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Confirms Yuji Itadori’s New Role in JJK Modulo
2025-10-21 05:05