Best Sonic Games – Which of you loves Sonic games? Yep! The game that has the main character in the form of a super-speed blue hedgehog has indeed had a strong fan base in every country since its inception, even SEGA made Sonic its mascot to rival Mario who became the mascot of Nintendo. We’ve also covered facts about this character in our unique Sonic facts article.
The franchise is a video game series and media franchise by SEGA. It tells the story of Sonic, a blue anthromorph hedgehog who fights against Dr. Eggman, an evil mad scientist. The main Sonic the Hedgehog game is a platformer developed by Team Sonic. SEGA developed the first Sonic game, which launched in 1991 for the SEGA Genesis as a competitor to Nintendo’s mascot Mario. Its success helped SEGA become one of the leading video game companies during the fourth generation of video game consoles.
Many Sonic games have been published by SEGA. Of the many best Sonic games, here Gamedaim has summarized the 7 Best Sonic Games for you speed enthusiasts. What are the games? Without further ado, let’s check this out!
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The 7 Best Sonic Games
1. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
We start this list with the best Sonic game, Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 took the series to new heights. The stunning soundtrack, beautiful new environments, and the ability to control both Sonic and Tails brought players back to the high-speed platformer in style. What makes it even better, however, is the addition of Knuckles who becomes a playable character after connecting an additional SEGA Genesis cartridge to the base game.
It’s the same concept as DLC in the old-school version, and SEGA has done it without any major flaws. The two-cartridge functionality not only adds Knuckles to the fun fights, but also because it also features a new ending, new bosses, and some new areas to explore. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 almost takes the original Sonic formula to perfection.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
The second best Sonic game is Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It’s very difficult for a sequel to live up to the first version, but SEGA managed to break that law with Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Developed by separate staffs of Japanese and American developers, a lot of content was cut from the previous game due to the many backtracks, but what came after was an enhanced version of SEGA’s now iconic platformer game.
Better levels, faster action, and improved visuals offer more of what fans loved about the first published version. Walking the line between staying true to its predecessor and innovating when necessary, such as the addition of Spin Dash, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a must-play entry in this long-running series.
3. Sonic Mania
The next best Sonic game is Sonic Mania. Developed by a collection of fans led by Christian Whitehead, who previously worked with SEGA to produce mobile adaptations of classic Sonic titles, Sonic Mania is fanservice at its finest. This game draws great inspiration from everything that makes the old iconic games from SEGA Genesis, such as beautiful pixel art, meticulously crafted levels, and fast-paced platforming.
Many hidden collectibles are scattered throughout each level, which will give you more reasons to play the game again and rerun each level after the end credits are shown. You can get the game on both consoles and PC, and Mrs. Retro recommends picking up Sonic Mania Plus as it includes the remixed Encore Campaign mode and additional characters to play with.
4. Sonic CD
The fourth Best Sonic Game is Sonic CD. First launched on SEGA CD whose fate is unclear, Sonic CD finally gets a second chance with ported to PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube continue to be available on modern gaming storefronts such as Steam and were included as part of Sonic Origins. This fan-loved game stands as one of Sonic’s best 2D adventures, introducing the world to Metal Sonic and Amy Rose.
This best Sonic game also offers many cutscenes in animated format, which is a relatively new development for the series. This in-game element even brings a wild time travel-based story into the main story, allowing you to jump to different levels during different time periods.
5. Sonic Adventure 2
The fifth in this list of Best Sonic games is Sonic Adventure 2. As the last Sonic game for the SEGA Dreamcast console, Sonic Adventure 2 really made the blue hedgehog explode. Designed to provide faster gameplay than its predecessor, Sonic Adventure 2 will have you hurtling through 3D locations loosely based on the hills of the San Francisco area.
The title is split into two different parts, with one title having you play as Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails, while the other has you play as Shadow, Dr. Eggman, and Rouge. The concept provides players with a variety of gameplay scenarios on top of excellent 3D platforming, as you’ll be driving mechanical robots, exploring open-world environments, and trying to solve some interesting puzzles.
6. Sonic Colors
The sixth Best Sonic Game is Sonic Colors. Sonic Colors was very successful when it first launched in 2010 and got its remastered version in 2021. The first released version spent several years in development and helped bring the series back to its roots after several ill-considered entries. Sonic Colors will have you stepping into Sonic’s shoes to grind out some fast-paced and light platforming action.
This game is one of the best Sonic games that is easier than all of the series, but with colorful graphics, a mix of games with 2D and 3D graphics, and repeatable play, it stands firm as one of the best modern Sonic games to date. It’s hard to get your hands on the first version, but you can enjoy the latest version, Sonic Colors: Ultimate, on most modern gaming platforms today.
7. Sonic Generations
The last Best Sonic Game for this list is Sonic Generations. Published as a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Sonic franchise, it’s no surprise that Sonic Generations combines the iconic classic 2D gameplay with a modern 3D platform. You’ll control Sonic as he goes into side-scrolling and 3D worlds, each coming with its own unique sets of skills and challenges, such as Spin Dashing in 2D or Homing Attack in 3D.
Regardless of what form Sonic takes, you’ll find a bunch of collectible content scattered throughout each level, and long-time fans of the series will see more than a few familiar faces during their journey. No part of the game is perfect, but it’s a fun homage to the blue hedgehog’s past while still retaining some of its modern conveniences.
And that was the 7 Best Sonic Games that Gamedaim has summarized for you. If you have a best Sonic game that’s not on the list, don’t forget to add it in the comments section.
