The Best of the Blue Blur - Press Start -Special Stage: Sonic The Hedgehog

Credits: Sonic 1 Sprites: SEGA/SONIC TEAM via Spriter's Resource Sonic Frontiers artwork: SEGA/SONIC TEAM via Fandom

Sonic the Hedgehog remains one of my favorite game franchises of all time. The main reason I love video games as much as I do is thanks to the high speed thrill these games provide. But the question remains, what is the best Sonic Game? Welcome to Press Start - Special Stage, where we divert from main reviews of games to rank an entire series.

Rules

Before going into the list, I must state a couple of rules.

1. This will include mainline platforming games. If the story is canon, and he is jumping around, it’s in the ranking.

2. I can’t rank games I haven’t played. I don’t want games I’ve never played to receive lower ranking compared to those I have. If I have never beaten the game, it’s disqualified from ranking.

3. Collections will not be ranked. However, content exclusive to re-releases will count as separate entrees if they have unique story and gameplay.

4. These will be ranked via the website TeirMaker, going from Blue Bombs to Super Sonic Speed.

5. Each game will be presented with what I consider the best level/Boss song. (If a theme is only played in a cutscene, it does not count)

6. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION! If you disagree with any of my choices, great! Let us know below.

Without further Ado, Let us Press Start!

15. Sonic Lost World

Out of the games ranked, Sonic Lost World ended up as the worst of the bunch. First of all, we should start with the positives. The game is a decent platformer involving Sonic exploring a new world. Despite running on a new gameplay style, Lost World still functions with minimal glitches ruining the experience.

This is the worst glitch I can think of. (Credit:Fandom)

However, this is a double edged sword. The game lacks any memorable additions or moments. The lack of fun glitches, boring story, and mediocre gameplay settles this game into the position of the worst Sonic game.

Sonic Lost World: D-Rank! ("Actually, nothing bites more than having to listen to this dreadful conversation.")

14. Sonic Superstars

The latest Classic Sonic Game does a lot right, but it also provides one of the most frustrating challenges in series history with most of its boss fights. Bosses are supposed to test your skills in a unique way. A trial to show you know what you’re doing.

If you die, back to the beginning! (Every future screenshot provides a link to each respective game's online shop) (Credit: Sonic Superstars (Nintendo Switch))

While these bosses have cool attacks, the prolonged invincibility they get drags down most stages. When playing through the stages alone, it can be fun, but when you add in the awful bosses, Sonic Superstars falls flat.

Sonic Superstars: D-Rank! (Wait, if no one speaks, what do I put here?)

13. Sonic Forces

Sonic Forces was a game that had good concepts, but executed them poorly. Speeding through a world where Eggman won is interesting, but the game doesn’t show us any real stakes or challenges. Most of the game can be beaten by just holding down the boost button.

Ow, the Edge. (Credit: Sonic Forces (Xbox One))

While most of the game is essentially filler, the spectacle that Sonic Forces has brought some enjoyment, marking this game as the top of the Blue Bombs.

Sonic Forces: D-Rank! ("Green Hill's looking a lot more like Sand Hill right now!")

12. Sonic Colors

Sonic Colors was once said to be the bright spot in the dark times of 06 and Unleashed. Where those games have been vindicated with time, Colors was heralded as one of the worst. To me, Colors marks the point where the games are fully enjoyable.

I will say, running from a black hole was not on my stamp card. (Credit:Sonic Colors Ultimate (Nintendo Switch))

Colors’ gameplay is a good experience in bursts, but when going through, you realized how bloated with filler this game is. With 6 acts for each of the 6 areas, some levels are literally copied and pasted.

The wisps, this game’s gimmick transformations, are either perfectly serviceable or literally stopping you in place. These result in Sonic Colors beginning the “Speeding Up” tier.

Sonic Colors: C-Rank! ("Who you calling 'nothin?'")

11. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

Sonic 1 is where the negative aspects dive down to one or two stages rather than the full experience. The fast-paced action is prevalent in the early stages, while later ones require either skill or gimmicks to move quickly.

The first of many versions of Green Hill. (Credit: Sonic Origins Plus (Nintendo Switch))

While it still can be challenged fairly, Sonic 1 is clearly the first Sonic game created. Some levels have enemies that you can’t avoid unless you know they were there. Because of wanting to go fast, you’ll probably run face first into them. While Sonic 1 is good, later games perfected the formula.

Sonic 1: C-Rank! ("The World's Most Famous Hedgehog!" I guess that works?)

10. Sonic CD

Sonic CD, while released after Sonic 2, is essentially Sonic 1.5. The stages provide more secrets due to the time travel gimmick. Each stage has both a past and future variant, with objects in the past causing a dystopian future.

THE COOLEST (classic) CHARACTER! (Credit: Sonic Origins Plus (Nintendo Switch))

Destroying these objects, or collecting the Chaos Emerald equivalents will create a good future, unlocking different animated endings. This game has some improvements from Sonic 1, but still features prominent unfair level design, prompting its placement.

Sonic CD: C-Rank! ("You might know everything I'm going to do, but that's not going to help you since I know everything YOU'RE going to do. Strange, isn't it!" The OVA's close enough, right?)

9. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Starting from this tier, every game is great with only little things dragging them down. Sonic 2 perfects the formula from Sonic 1, providing great speed, challenge, and moments throughout the whole adventure.

A new friend too! (Credit: Sonic Origins Plus (Nintendo Switch))

Additionally,The bonus of collecting the Chaos Emeralds now has a purpose, unlocking a (TOTALLY-LEGALLY-DISTINCT-FROM-DRAGON-BALL) Transformation. All of these additions mark Sonic 2’s place at number 9.

Sonic 2: B-Rank! ("Are you talking about Tails? Don't you dare talk about Tails!" Ha, Dragon Ball references)

8. Sonic Adventure

The first true 3D Sonic Game marked a change in how future games would be known. Whereas the Genesis games were low on plot, focusing more on “Eggman’s doing a bad, stop him” rather than a bigger story, Adventure marks the point where Sonic games involve stopping world-ending threats.

My favorite character, the giant glowing question mark. Credit: Sonic Adventure (Xbox One (360))

The increase of character variety is a pleasant upgrade, with the exception of a certain slow purple cat. The game overall is a blast to speed through, earning it’s spot at Number 8.

Sonic Adventure: B-Rank! ("Aw Yeah! This is Happenin'!")

7. Sonic 3 & Knuckles

(This was the best I could do, Big Arm from S3&K isn't on Spotify)

Sonic 3 & Knuckles is the peak of the Genesis titles. Improving on what worked in Sonic 2 and CD, Sonic 3 features large levels with secrets worth looking for.

Instead of being at checkpoints or the end of levels, each level features multiple opportunities to gain the Chaos Emeralds, which not only reward you with the Super Form, but also a bonus final level.

With the power of Lock-On Technology, Knuckles can punch you in the face! (Credit: Sonic Origins Plus (Nintendo Switch))

With plenty of areas to explore and 3 heroes to explore them as, Sonic 3 remained the peak of the franchise for years, but is now dormant at Number 7.

Sonic 3: B-Rank! ("Don't tell me you've got a catchphrase." "That's right, new hedgehog, and everyone loves it." Oh wait wrong Sonic 3)

6. Sonic Unleashed

Sonic Unleashed holds a special place in my heart. On one summer day in 2012, I saw this game on the shelf of a local rental store and figured in my 7-year-old brain, “Eh, why not.” I wouldn't realize until playing it that I had discovered one of my favorite gaming franchises.

*Jazz music intensifies* (Credit: Sonic Unleashed (Xbox One (360)))

The Boost Formula made its debut, providing some of the best looking stages throughout the series' history before or since. This beauty comes with a price, being the games awful performance on most platforms. The werehog sections can also drag down the game from high paced platforming to hack and slash battles.

This game marks the point where I love most aspects of the game, even if the public perception is poor. Nevertheless, I believe this earns its spot at Number 6.

Sonic Unleashed: A-Rank! (Cool!)

5. Sonic Frontiers

Frontiers was hyped up to be the greatest Sonic game since Adventure 2, and it does not disappoint. With great action, skillful platforming, and a great story, Sonic Frontiers proved that Sonic can still be a powerhouse of a franchise today.

Bow down to the Golden God! (Credit: Sonic Frontiers (Nintendo Switch))

This game provides the best aspects of a Modern Sonic Game, with the exceptions of environments. They look good, but realism and Sonic barely mix. The cyberspace stages are more of what I want to see in a Frontiers sequel, providing vibrant colors while exploring these islands. Despite this, Sonic Frontiers makes it to the top 5.

Sonic Frontiers: A-Rank ("'Careful?' Where's the fun in that?")

4. Sonic Mania Plus

Sonic Mania is the best Classic Sonic game, providing more than Sonic 3 ever could. With 5 playable characters and 13 levels to explore, Mania provides multiple ways to experience the game. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Mighty, and Ray each play like the code was taken from the original, and each of the levels are built so speed is constant.

This right here is worth the whole game. (Credit: Sonic Mania Plus (Nintendo Switch))

Thanks to the passionate fans behind this game, Sonic Mania ends the tier at Number 4.

Sonic Mania Plus: A-Rank! (By the Mania, For the Mania!" See, it's a tagline, so it's totally fitting... This is the last one that isn't a quote, I swear)

3. Sonic Adventure 2

The year is 2001, and SEGA is tanking. The Dreamcast is failing harder than anything the company has made, and it’s time is running out. They needed something big to send off the final SEGA console, and luckily, Sonic Adventure 2 was delivered.

SA2 improves on Adventure 1’s formula in every way, trimming the fat of the characters to provide three gameplay styles, separated into Hero and Dark story modes. This game also introduces the greatest Sonic character that has ever existed, Shadow the Hedgehog.

You can’t get any cooler than two super hedgehogs. (Credit: Sonic Adventure 2 (Xbox One (360)))

Sonic Adventure 2 was made to be a finale to the franchise. A celebration of what makes Sonic such a compelling franchise. While it continues to this day, that’s only because of this game, it’s success, and the story it brings to send a lasting impression upon the fanbase.

Sonic Adventure 2: S-Rank! ("What you see is what you get. Just a guy who loves adventure! I'm Sonic the Hedgehog!")

2. sonic Generations

Sonic Generations took everything from Unleashed and Colors and polished it to perfection. After an incident with a time-traveling creature, Sonic and his friends are sent to a colorless void with locations from every previous mainline Sonic title. Not only are those locations present, but so is the Classic version of Sonic, providing two ways to play.

Speeding through like it’s 1991. (Credit: Sonic X Shadow Generations (Nintendo Switch))

Classic Sonic plays greatly, while Modern Sonic blasts through each and every stage like it’s nothing. Generations is one of my favorites because of the new ways these levels are shown. Stages are not 1-to-1 recreations of their source versions, but updated to fit the new play-styles, be it Modern 3D or Classic 2D.

Generations is a perfect celebration of Sonic’s history, but only one game can surpass this party.

Sonic Generations: S-Rank! ("Time to scramble some Eggman! Super Sonic Style!")

Honorable Mentions: Heroes, Shadow, 06, and Black Knight

These 4 games are all honorable mentions due to either their importance or their story. Heroes brought back Metal Sonic into a modern threat, Shadow expanded on his origin as the Ultimate Lifeform, Black Knight gave us a look into one of the best Sonic Stories, and 06 is such a glitchy mess that SEGA had to up their game with Unleashed. These couldn’t be ranked because I’ve never finished them, and refuse to spend over $100 on these games.

This right here, really stupid. (A case cost $10. THE CASE!) (Credit: Google)

1. Shadow Generations

   
   

The latest game, and it’s number 1. Shadow Generations is just Sonic Generations, but improved with years of experience. Whereas Sonic Generations has little story to connect the game together, this follows Shadow confronting his past as an alien weapon.

Where as Sonic controls buttery smooth, Shadow manages to do so with different new abilities to traverse levels, such as dark Symbiote wings straight from the pages of Venom: King in Black.

I stand corrected, this is cooler with zero Super Hedgehogs. (Credit: Sonic X Shadow Generations (Nintendo Switch))

Sonic Generations was a celebration of Sonic’s History, but Shadow Generations is a celebration of why people love the Red-and-Black Hedgehog. Awesome battles, cool moments, and the best levels show exactly why I love this game. When a game’s only problem is “There’s not enough of it,” there’s nowhere else to put it besides at Number 1.

Shadow Generations: S-Rank! ("I'm the coolest.")

Final Thoughts

Despite a lot of negativity surrounding this franchise, I do love the Sonic series. The high speed action platformer is what really got me into loving video games as a whole. For that, I can’t understate it.

When asked “What makes a good video game?”, most people brought up replay value as a huge factor, and Sonic provides that with multiple paths and goals to achieve. Any stage from the worst game to the best can be completed in any method, which provides countless experiences.

These countless experiences are felt throughout the world, leaving a franchise with multiple spin-offs, 3 blockbuster movies, and thousands of passionate fans, some of which have gone on to make their own games inspired by the blue blur.

There’s not much more I can say, so I’ll leave you with this. If you have any disagreements, similar experiences, or just some curiosity about the rankings, leave a comment below. Thanks for reading, and I hope you've enjoyed.

"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog." (Credit: Sonic Adventure 2 (Xbox One (360)))