Summary
- Tails' Skypatrol offers a unique gaming experience with challenging mechanics.
- Knuckles' Chaotix features a physics experiment gameplay with an unusual team dynamic.
- Tails Adventure showcases Tails' hero abilities in a Metroidvania-style platformer.
Sonic may be the fastest thing alive, but even he can’t hog the spotlight all the time. Over the decades, Team Sonic has given several of its side characters their own time to shine, whether they’re gliding through ancient ruins, solving block puzzles, or even flying a rickety plane.
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Some of these spin-offs are quirky experiments, while others actually offer solid gameplay on their own terms. What they all have in common is that blue blur himself is nowhere to be found.
5 Tails’ Skypatrol
Tails Deserved A Better Solo Adventure
- Released: April 28, 1995
- Developer: Japan System House, SIMS
- Platforms: Game Gear
Tails’ Skypatrol doesn’t really feel like a Sonic game, but that’s not entirely a bad thing. Instead of running at breakneck speed, players guide Tails as he flies through the sky, holding a constantly moving trajectory. If that sounds a bit disorienting, it’s because it absolutely is. Released exclusively in Japan for the Game Gear in 1995, the game is essentially an auto-scrolling platformer with a steep difficulty curve.
The premise is pretty straightforward: Tails must navigate hazardous environments while keeping his momentum, collecting items, and dealing with a host of oddball enemies. The controls can feel a bit punishing, as even the slightest mistake sends Tails plummeting, ending the run. To make things even trickier, Tails needs to keep his stamina up by collecting mint candies, which doesn’t quite fit with his usual role as the tech-savvy sidekick.
In terms of story, Tails is on a quest to defeat the evil witch Witchcart and her cronies, who have taken over an island. It’s a refreshing change to see Tails face off against someone other than Eggman, but the lack of Sonic makes the game feel oddly detached from the main series. Despite its clunky controls and challenging mechanics, Tails’ Skypatrol is a curious little gem that shows Tails has what it takes to headline, just maybe not in a game this punishing.
4 Knuckles’ Chaotix
Did Knuckles Really Need A Team?
Knuckles' Chaotix
- Released
- April 21, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
When Knuckles' Chaotix dropped for the 32X in 1995, it was supposed to showcase the potential of the new add-on. Instead, it ended up being one of the most obscure entries in the franchise. As the name suggests, Knuckles takes the lead here, but he’s not alone. The game pairs him up with the Chaotix crew: Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, and Mighty the Armadillo.
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The core gameplay concept is actually pretty unique for a Sonic spin-off. The characters are tethered together with a magical ring, creating a weird elastic dynamic that turns traditional platforming into a physics experiment. Sometimes it’s fun, like when the tension propels them across gaps. Other times, it’s just frustrating as they awkwardly bounce in opposite directions.
Set in the mysterious Carnival Island, the game sees Knuckles trying to stop Eggman and Metal Sonic from harnessing the power of the Chaos Rings. The visuals are vibrant, and the soundtrack is undeniably catchy, but the bizarre gameplay loop and the lack of traditional Sonic speed made it a tough sell. Still, it’s a rare glimpse into what happens when Knuckles is forced to play team leader, and it’s a little endearing to see him trying his best.
3 Tails Adventure
The One Where Tails Tries To Be A Hero
Tails Adventure
- Released
- September 22, 1995
- ESRB
- E for Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Aspect Co.
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Unlike his usual role as Sonic’s sidekick, Tails Adventure for the Game Gear gives Tails a chance to be the hero of his own story. This isn’t about speeding through loops or bouncing off badniks, though. It’s a slower-paced, exploration-heavy platformer where Tails collects gadgets to progress through interconnected areas. In a way, it feels almost like a Metroidvania, and that’s definitely unexpected for a Sonic spin-off.
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The story is simple enough: Tails sets out to defend Cocoa Island from the evil Battle Kukku Army. It’s charming in a low-stakes kind of way, and the game encourages players to think about how to use Tails’ gadgets creatively rather than just barreling forward. There’s a certain satisfaction in figuring out the best way to navigate obstacles with Tails’ various tools.
One of the coolest aspects is that Tails actually feels competent on his own. He’s not just there to carry Sonic over gaps or provide gadget support—he’s actively fighting off invaders and solving problems. It’s not a perfect game, but it’s nice to see Tails showing his adventurous side.
2 Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
No Sonic, Just Puyo Puyo
- Released: December 1993
- Developer: Compile
- Platforms: Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Master System
This is the one that catches people off guard. Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine isn’t really a Sonic game at all—it’s a reskin of Puyo Puyo with Eggman’s evil face slapped on it. That said, it’s technically set in the Sonic universe, as it draws from the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon.
The premise is simple: players match colored beans to clear the screen while Dr. Robotnik’s minions try to clog it up. It’s pure puzzle gameplay, with none of the running, spinning, or chaos emerald collecting the series is known for. Yet there’s something oddly satisfying about watching Eggman’s plans collapse under a perfectly executed combo.
Even though Sonic doesn’t show up at all, it’s still a beloved part of the franchise because of its addictive gameplay and quirky charm. Plus, there’s a special kind of joy in knowing that Eggman’s once again undone by something as simple as falling beans.
1 Shadow The Hedgehog
When Edginess Becomes A Game
Shadow the Hedgehog
- Released
- December 15, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Sega
- Platform(s)
- GameCube, PS2, Xbox (Original)
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Action-Adventure, Third-Person Shooter
This one’s infamous. Shadow the Hedgehog had the potential to be an intriguing spin-off, but its attempt to make Shadow the gritty antihero of the Sonic series went a little too far. Released in 2005 for multiple consoles, it’s the one where Shadow wields guns, curses, and goes on a morally ambiguous quest to find his past.
The game tries to offer multiple branching paths, giving players choices that shape Shadow’s destiny. It’s ambitious, sure, but the execution is a mess. The gunplay feels out of place in a series built on speed and platforming, and the darker tone clashes with the usual upbeat spirit of Sonic.
Still, it’s a cult classic because it’s so unapologetically edgy. Shadow’s brooding persona is in full force, and fans who appreciate his character can find some enjoyment in the chaos. There’s something almost endearing about the way the game completely commits to its moody aesthetic, even if it means turning Shadow into the ultimate lone wolf.
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