Sonic video games

<p>And another return to the franchise's 2D roots awaits players, with a welcome modernization. Sonic Superstars is a 2.5D platformer that offers an experience that is both nostalgic and refreshing, for long-time fans and new players alike.

The game stands out through its use of the Chaos Emeralds, each granting Sonic specific abilities, such as summoning clones, unlimited dashes for a short period, or the creation of hidden platforms. These powers add a layer of strategy and variety to the gameplay, although using them is not required to progress through the game.

But that's not all, because on top of offering the usual levels filled with boosters, loops and moving platforms, this installment also introduces new features such as the "snake platform" and sequences where the camera rotates along with Sonic.</p>

<p>Let's say it right away: The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog stands out on every level! It is a visual novel and point-and-click game developed by Sega, available for free on PC via Steam. This unusual game quickly captivated players, reaching more than one million downloads in the first week after its release.

In this game, Sonic is found dead during a murder mystery party organized by Amy Rose. Players must take on the role of a detective alongside Tails to conduct interrogations, collect clues and solve the mystery of this "murder". Some phases of the game include 2D side-scrolling platform mini-games, recalling puzzle sequences in the style of Professor Layton or Ace Attorney.

Sega clearly knew how to surprise and entertain Sonic fans with this offbeat concept. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog quickly became a must-play game for Sonic fans and visual novel enthusiasts. </p>

<p>It was time for Sonic Team to bring a bit of innovation, with a bold new step for the franchise by adopting an open-world format, similar to what could be seen in Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Sonic Frontiers plunges the young hedgehog - over thirty years old all the same! - into a vast natural world filled with mysteries and challenges. The game combines classic platforming elements with new combat mechanics. Sonic can now use homing attacks to defeat his enemies and face mini-bosses called Guardians. The boss fights are particularly spectacular, putting Sonic in his Super Sonic form to face gigantic opponents.

At the same time, Sonic Frontiers offers 2D-3D levels inspired by the franchise's previous games, accessible through portals in the open world. These levels provide a breath of fresh air and recall Sonic's classic adventures, while bringing a welcome touch of nostalgia.</p>

<p>Not everyone can claim to have played the most classic Sonic video games when they were released... But the Sonic Origins compilation is here to settle the matter, bringing together remastered versions of four essential classics: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic CD, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The game promises to immerse players in nostalgia while delivering modern improvements to please as many people as possible.

But that's not all, since the games include brand-new elements as well as an Adventure mode that lets you experience the adventure as one big story, adding animations and cutscenes to enrich the narration.

And to complete this already idyllic picture, Sonic Origins Plus - released in June 2023 - adds even more content with twelve Game Gear games, and makes Amy Rose playable alongside Sonic, Knuckles and Tails.</p>

<p>A remaster of the original Sonic Colours game released on Wii more than 10 years earlier, this Ultimate version promises improved graphics, reworked gameplay and new features to celebrate 30 years of the Sonic franchise.

One of the main improvements is of course the technical upgrade: you don't go from the Wii to 9th generation consoles without a little facelift. But this Sonic Colours: Ultimate also introduces several new features, such as the Rival Rush mode where players can challenge Metal Sonic in intense races.

On top of that, a new Wisp makes its appearance, allowing Sonic to pass through walls and reach secret areas, thus adding a strategic dimension to the levels. These additions, combined with gameplay already appreciated for its mix of 2D and 3D phases, enrich the gaming experience without distorting the essence of the original, enough to satisfy a good number of players!</p>

<p>The best - and only - representative of party games bringing together Nintendo's and Sega's iconic characters, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is back in a Tokyo 2020 edition, with a series of mini-games inspired by Olympic events.

On the program, a wide range of events, from classics such as the 100m, the javelin throw, and swimming, to brand-new disciplines such as skateboarding, climbing and karate. But what makes this edition unique is the Story mode. Mario, Sonic and their friends - 32 characters in all - are transported to the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games via a magic retro console. Players alternate between modern 3D events and retro 2D events, playing as pixelated versions of the characters.

Note that each event can be played in different ways thanks to the Joy-Con features, offering a "buttons only" option or a more immersive approach with motion detection. </p>

<p>Sonic racing games have definitely tried everything! Team Sonic Racing offers a unique approach to team racing, where cooperation is the key to victory: the player doesn't select a single driver, but a team of three.

The game features 15 playable characters from the Sonic universe, that is five teams of three, each with their own driving style and their own skills. The vehicles are also customizable, allowing players to adjust the performance and appearance of their karts to their liking.

But the highlight of Team Sonic Racing is the variety of its tracks. These - 21 in all - offer colorful, lively environments with engaging layouts. And while some players used to the Sonic and All-Stars Racing series will regret the absence of characters from other Sega franchises, everyone will appreciate the cooperation mechanics and the many customization options.</p>

<p>It's not Sega's genius zone, and yet Sonic Forces does offer a return to a darker atmosphere, standing out with its much more mature storyline in which Dr. Eggman - helped by the mysterious Infinite - has taken control of the world.

But determined to save the situation, Sonic and his friends can count on the help of rebels won over to their cause, as well as on an ally from the past. But for the first time, above all they can enjoy the help of a special character: a custom avatar that is none other than the player.

Brilliantly alternating between 2D and 3D sections, the levels switch between side views and behind-the-back views, bringing variety both visually and in gameplay. The game nevertheless suffers from a certain linearity, which may put off some players.</p>

<p>Sonic Mania is a true tribute to the first Sonic games of the 90s, revisiting the classics while introducing refreshing new features, managing to win over long-time fans while also appealing to a new generation of players. In short, this title is more than just a platform game: it's a love letter to Sonic fans.

The game offers twelve levels, mixing reworked iconic stages and completely new levels. Each level is divided into two acts, followed by varied bosses, bringing a dynamic pace that keeps the player interested from start to finish.

One of the standout additions is the "drop dash" - a new ability allowing Sonic to accelerate immediately after a jump - making the gameplay even smoother and faster. In addition to traditional modes such as Time Attack and Competition mode, Sonic Mania offers the possibility of playing cooperatively, adding a social dimension to the gaming experience.</p>

<p>The game picks up where Episode 1 left off, with Sonic and Tails facing Dr. Eggman and Metal Sonic. The gameplay introduces combos between Sonic and Tails, such as the Copter Combo to fly and the Rolling Combo to destroy obstacles.

Episode 2 of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 takes up the classic elements of the series with modern graphics, improved compared to the previous episode, with detailed and colorful 3D environments. It was better received than its predecessor, with reviews praising the gameplay improvements and the cooperation between Sonic and Tails. </p>

<p>Offering dual gameplay mixing 2D and 3D, this installment celebrates Sonic's 20th anniversary with a tribute to the franchise's games. The graphics are a blend of retro and modern styles, with environments recreated in high definition, while the soundtrack is a remixed compilation of music from the previous games.

The Time Eater creates time rifts, plunging Sonic and his friends into reworked versions of classic levels. The player controls two versions of Sonic: classic Sonic (2D) and modern Sonic (3D), each version having distinct gameplay mechanics. The iconic levels are revisited with modern graphics and mechanics.</p>

<p>It could have come from a good intention, but no: if Dr. Eggman built an interstellar amusement park, it was to capture the Wisps - aliens - and use their energy. Sonic and Tails discover the park and decide to save the Wisps by using their powers. The Wisps allow Sonic to transform and gain new abilities, such as turning into a laser or a drill.

The gameplay used on the Wii mixes 2D and 3D sections, offering a fast and fluid experience. The DS version uses a style similar to Sonic Rush, with touch controls for certain actions.</p>

<p>For players looking for experiences even more immersive than with the Wiimote, you can count on Sonic Free Riders and its use of Kinect technology, allowing you to control the characters with body movements. For context, Sonic and his friends take on the Babylon Rogues in a series of futuristic races.

The game offers dynamic showdowns where players use their bodies to steer and perform tricks. The controls include leaning your body to turn and specific movements to use items or pull off tricks, including jumps, which won't just end up with you landing on the living room table!</p>

<p>A return of Sonic to his classic 2D roots awaits players in the 1st episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, with levels based on speed, jumps and spin dashes. The game also introduces the homing attack, previously reserved for the 3D games. Players travel through four zones, each made up of three acts and a boss fight.

While the installment was well received by fans of the early Sonic games, more recent followers of course criticized the lack of originality. Which goes to show that the line between a tribute to the classics and the feeling of recycled content is a very thin one. </p>

<p>Make no mistake, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is not a racing game like the ones released before it, since it brings together iconic characters from the Sonic universe and other Sega franchises in frantic races. Each character has their own vehicle and special abilities called "All-Star Moves".

As usual, the gameplay is similar to that of Mario Kart, with races packed with power-ups and obstacles. There are 24 races on which about twenty characters compete, in colorful and detailed worlds, with atmospheres inspired by various Sega games such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Jet Set Radio and Samba de Amigo. </p>

<p>With 5 million copies sold worldwide in the first months following its release, the first installment bringing together the Nintendo and Sega mascots obviously called for a winter sequel. This time based on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, the game offers 27 events spread across 10 different disciplines, ranging from alpine skiing to figure skating, as well as bobsleigh and ice hockey.

Players use the Wiimote and the Nunchuk to control the characters, with the Balance Board compatible with certain events. The DS versions, for their part, use the stylus and the buttons for the controls.</p>

<p>A short detour through Arthurian legend for the fastest of hedgehogs... Get your Wiimotes ready, sword fighting is going to revolutionize your Sonic experience! Summoned to the kingdom of Camelot by Merlina, Sonic must face a King Arthur corrupted by the scabbard of Excalibur. Armed with the talking sword Caliburn, Sonic travels through various medieval environments.

The gameplay combines racing sections with innovative sword fights, where players use the Wiimote to perform attacks and parries. Although the levels are linear, they offer varied challenges, as well as enemies and bosses based on Arthurian legend.</p>

<p>Dr. Eggman splits the world apart using the energy of the Chaos Emeralds, turning Sonic into a Werehog once night falls. But however "changed" he may be, our favorite hedgehog has to restore the emeralds in order to save the world from Dark Gaia, a huge creature awakened in the process.

The gameplay brilliantly alternates between fast 3D levels during the day - the basis of Sonic games - and beat 'em up sections at night. And while the nighttime sections attracted a new audience, they did not necessarily win over longtime fans. Despite this, Sonic Unleashed sold more than 2 million copies.</p>

<p>BioWare - the studio behind Baldur's Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - is at the helm of the first true role-playing game featuring Sonic and his friends. Players control a team of characters with multiple, complementary skills. The gameplay combines exploration and turn-based combat.

In this two-act story, Sonic and his friends must face a new threat: the Marauders - nothing to do with Harry Potter - who are trying to get their hands on the Chaos Emeralds. That's right, for once Eggman is not the cause of all the trouble: he even helps the team out!</p>

<p>A trip into the future for its time, but into the past for us here in 2026, Zero Gravity offers an adventure in two parts, each made up of eight races and dedicated to different characters.

After the fall of meteorites containing mysterious artifacts, Sonic and his friends have to face robots that have gone haywire. As the name of the game suggests, the gameplay revolves around using the artifacts to control gravity, allowing tight turns, boosts and impressive jumps. There are 18 playable characters in all, each with specific abilities.</p>

<p>It seems Eggman once again has diabolical plans in mind, for which he is kidnapping the Chao. But that is not all, since the Master Emerald has also disappeared!

While the gameplay remains centered on fast side-scrolling races, the addition of new mechanics such as special attacks and items to pick up to slow down opponents brings a breath of fresh air to this installment. But the real novelty lies in the number of playable characters, which goes from four to eight thanks to a well-designed duo system, each one getting its own storyline. </p>

<p>It has been a long time now since they stopped being rivals, but the game Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games goes even further by bringing together the iconic mascots of Nintendo and Sega. Symbolically, the title based on the Beijing 2008 Olympics was developed jointly by Nintendo SPD and Sega Sports R&D.

Offering 24 classic Olympic events where players can play as characters from the Mario and Sonic universes, these range from athletics to swimming, by way of gymnastics and archery. With more than 11 million copies sold, the game was a huge commercial success and launched a series of sports games based on the Olympic Games.</p>

<p>Sonic and Blaze find themselves shipwrecked on a mysterious island and meet Marine the Raccoon there. Together, they face Captain Whisker and his pirates in a quest for treasure and Chaos Emeralds.

The game offers 7 traditional 2D platforming levels combined with sailing segments and mini-games using the touch screen. But it is the title's non-linearity and the large place it gives to exploration that are its strong points. Multiplayer lets you compete online or locally, while a Sea Chart mode allows the use of vehicles such as the jet ski and the gun boat, controlled via the touch screen.</p>

<p>The Wii Remote and a few RPG elements take center stage in this adventure, where Sonic must stop the villainous Erazor Djinn. No Robotnik in sight? Indeed not, since this installment sees the fastest hedgehog transported by Shahra the genie into a book of the Arabian Nights whose pages are being erased one by one, turning their words into evil spirits.

The game offers progression based on accumulating experience points to improve Sonic's skills. As for the gameplay, it cleverly uses the Wii Remote held horizontally to steer Sonic by tilting the controller.</p>

<p>Dr. Robotnik has struck again, this time by turning Sonic's friends into cards. Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow and Silver have to stop him by taking part in 2.5D races. Each character has their own campaign, but the levels stay the same for everyone. The one-on-one races - six in total - are based on speed and strategy, with attacks to hinder your opponent. Players must make their way through varied levels such as ruins, the desert or the tropics, all filled with traps, enemies and shortcuts, while managing a boost gauge.</p>

<p>This game - often called Sonic 2006 or Sonic Next Gen - marks the franchise's 15th anniversary, and introduces three main campaigns centered on Sonic (speed and traditional levels), Shadow (fast-paced action and the use of vehicles) and Silver (telekinesis-based gameplay).

Players more used to the lightheartedness of Sonic's adventures may need to hold on tight... Indeed, the complex story involves time travel and interactions with characters such as Elise and Mephiles, with intertwined narrative arcs. And while this storytelling choice lost quite a few people, Sonic 2006 sold nearly a million copies on Xbox 360.</p>

<p>In Sonic Rush, Sonic and newcomer Blaze - a young purple cat - must stop Dr. Robotnik and his counterpart from Blaze's world from collecting the Sol Emeralds. To do this, Sonic can use a new boost function, while Blaze allows for higher jumps and fire attacks.

The classic 2D gameplay blends with 3D gameplay elements, making full use of the DS's two screens. Seven levels of two acts each make up the two heroes' adventure, but the only difference lies in the order in which they appear, since Sonic and Blaze go through the same stages.</p>

<p>The first game in the Sonic series to use full 3D, Sonic R is a racing game where players can choose from 10 characters, each with their own special abilities. The game offers five varied tracks with plenty of shortcuts and collectible items, but what might surprise you is the soundtrack with sung tracks!</p>

<p>An isometric perspective with pre-rendered 3D sprites awaits you in Flickies' Island! In it, Sonic discovers that the Flickies - magical birds - have been captured by Dr. Robotnik. The player must free these Flickies by making their way through seven varied levels, each divided into three acts and ending with a boss fight. </p>

<p>Sonic and Knuckles must once again face Dr. Robotnik to recover the chaos emeralds. But don't worry, this time the new features come from the pre-rendered graphics, which deliver impressive 3D visuals for the Game Gear! Players can enjoy this technical feat across five zones.</p>

<p>The worst thing that could happen to Sonic? Losing his speed... and that is exactly the premise of Sonic Labyrinth, which sees the blue hedgehog deprived of his greatest asset because of shoes rigged by Robotnik. All he can do is collect the Chaos Emeralds to regain his speed, across four labyrinths filled with puzzles and enemies. </p>

<p>The sequel to Sonic Drift is here, offering more dynamic races and a range of new characters. This time players can choose from six drivers: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Dr. Robotnik and Fang. Each character has special abilities, activated by collecting rings. On the program: 18 tracks spread across three cups.</p>

<p>Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble offers an adventure where Sonic and Tails have to collect the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Robotnik does. Nothing very surprising... except that Knuckles is also after them, along with a newcomer: Fang the Sniper. Six zones of three acts each will determine who comes out on top in this story.</p>

<p>A major innovation for Sonic & Knuckles, famous for its system that lets you combine the cartridge with Sonic 3, creating an extended gaming experience. In this adventure, Sonic and Knuckles must stop Dr. Robotnik on Angel Island, with the "lock-on" system letting you play as Knuckles in Sonic 2 and unlock Super Emeralds.</p>

<p>It is no secret to anyone: Sonic Drift is SEGA's answer to Mario Kart. The game brings the series' iconic characters - Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Dr. Eggman - into dynamic kart races at Green Hill, Spring Yard and Marble Zone, with drift mechanics and items to collect for boosts.</p>

<p>In this installment often considered one of the best games in the series, Sonic has to collect the Time Stones before Dr. Robotnik in order to free a small planet. The title introduces two new characters: Amy Rose and Metal Sonic. Each level takes place across several eras: present, past, bad future and good future.</p>

<p>The story of the 3rd installment in the main arc of Sonic's adventures takes place on Angel Island, where the blue hedgehog has to stop Dr. Robotnik from restoring the Death Egg. Along the way, Sonic meets Knuckles the red echidna, who steals the Chaos Emeralds from him...</p>

<p>What looks more like a fast ball than another fast ball? Sonic takes a trip into the world of pinball with Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball! After a crash, Sonic has to infiltrate Dr. Robotnik's volcanic fortress, filled with toxic waste. Four levels in which to collect Chaos Emeralds to unlock and defeat the boss.</p>

<p>Another adventure that begins with Dr. Robotnik's latest scheme: the theft of the red Chaos Emerald. But he hasn't reckoned with Sonic and Tails! Between the blue hedgehog's incredible speed and the flying ability of his yellow-orange ally, players have everything they need to take on the terrible Eggman.</p>

<p>Sonic is back to fight Dr. Robotnik, this time with the help of Miles "Tails" Prower, a two-tailed fox, nothing to do with Naruto! With more than 6 million copies sold, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of the best-selling games on the Mega Drive, confirming Sonic's place as Mario's rival.</p>

<p>In June 1991, the first blow was struck against Mario's monopoly, with an ultra-fast blue hedgehog. The story begins on South Island, where Sonic must take on Robotnik, who turns animals into robots. Sonic's speed is at the heart of the gameplay, with levels full of loops, bumpers and half-pipes that make the most of his abilities.</p>