Summary
- Sonic games can be short but are designed for replay value due to multiple pathways and characters.
- Shadow the Hedgehog is a bizarre game with branching pathways and a unique story to explore.
- Sonic Adventure 2 offers diverse gameplay with different characters and collectibles for replayability.
Considering the Sonic the Hedgehog games are all about racing through a variety of stages as quickly as possible, it means many of the games are pretty short in overall length. However, these platforming and adventure titles are also designed to be replayed since they encourage players to learn more about each stage, such as the multiple pathways and different enemy types, to improve their end time, which will show up on the final rank screen.
8 Forgotten Sonic The Hedgehog Games
Despite Sonic being such a popular game franchise, these entries have almost been completely forgotten about for one reason or another.
That being said, though, there are a few Sonic games that are much more fun to replay for a few specific reasons, whether this be the stage variety, diversity of playable characters, or even just because of how outlandish they can be. Anyone who's getting the itch to dive back into the Sonic franchise definitely ought to give these games a go, as they are among the best when it comes to their replay value.
7 Shadow The Hedgehog
Relive One Of The Most Bizarre Games In The Franchise
Shadow the Hedgehog
- Released
- December 15, 2005
- ESRB
- E 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Action-Adventure, Third-Person Shooter
Even more than 10 years after its release, the Shadow the Hedgehog standalone game still feels like some kind of fever dream. At the time of its release, the game received heavy criticism for clearly jumping on the FPS and third-person shooter bandwagon, quickly being ridiculed for its violence, mild swearing, and inclusion of guns, which had only rarely been seen in the Sonic franchise previously.
However, now that the series is in a much better place in terms of fan reception, it's honestly a blast revisiting Shadow's bizarre journey. The game dedicates a tremendous amount of time to exploring Shadow's backstory and even a few of the characters who were introduced in Adventure 2. There are also the branching pathways that all lead to different endings, turning this into a game that needs to be replayed for anyone who wants to get the most out of it.
6 Sonic Adventure 2
Multiple Playable Characters Keep Adventure 2 Fresh And Fun To Return To
Sonic Adventure 2
- Released
- June 19, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
While it's always a fun time being able to run through a new game as just the Blue Blur himself, the Adventure games decided to switch things up by introducing multiple playable characters. When it comes to Adventure 2, all of these characters' stages are vastly different from one another, with Sonic's areas being a lot more straightforward and easy to navigate, while Knuckles and Tails are dropped into much more open areas, which require a little bit more strategy and platforming.
Sonic The Hedgehog: 8 Games With The Most Zones, Ranked
Sonic has raced through a plethora of stages in his time, but it was these games where he covered the most ground.
The staggering level of diversity means Adventure 2 never feels boring to play, and that includes on replays. In fact, it can be even more enjoyable when booting up the game a second time due to all the collectibles and secrets that can be uncovered throughout each stage, and that's not even mentioning the ranks that can be acquired, which can be brutal challenges to take on.
5 Sonic Lost World
Lost World Is Full Of Unique Systems That Feel Very Different From The Modern Games
Sonic Lost World
- Released
- October 29, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
When Sonic Lost World was released in 2013, the franchise was still going through a rough patch, resulting in the game going under the radar for many people. At a time when many people wanted Sonic games to feel fast again, Lost World took a slower approach to its gameplay, but now that the dust has settled, it's interesting to return to this entry to see just how experimental Sega decided to get during development.
As the name of the game implies, Sonic Lost World takes place on multiple floating stages that are very reminiscent of the planets seen in Mario Galaxy. However, the game still maintains a solid pace thanks to the brand new Run feature, which, while nowhere near as fast as the Boost, is still a neat method for keeping the game exciting, without ruining the slightly more tricky platform sections. The Deadly Six are also just a very fun group of villains to interact with, providing a nice breath of fresh air from the usual go-to antagonists who are always making an appearance.
4 Sonic Heroes
Running Through Heroes With A Better Idea Of The Controls Makes A Playthrough Much More Fun
Sonic Heroes
- Released
- December 30, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Racing, Fighting, Action-Adventure
Sonic Heroes is a pretty ambitious entry in terms of its core gameplay, though it's no secret that the controls are definitely a little clunky. Being able to switch between three characters on the fly opens up so many creative ideas where certain parts of the stages can only be accessed by either breaking open a wall, flying over a gap, or simply running headfirst to avoid enemy fire.
Because the controls are less than ideal, it can make that first playthrough feel a little slow at certain points, at least in the first few areas. When returning to Sonic Heroes, though, the game feels much faster and a lot more fun to play, and considering there are four teams to choose from, it means there's always something new to try when jumping back into this classic Sonic title.
3 Sonic The Hedgehog 2
A Classic Entry With A Plentiful Selection Of Fun Zones
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Released
- November 21, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
While the first Sonic game managed to take the industry by storm with its lightning-fast pace and unique platforming gameplay, one area that did feel like it still needed some work was the stages. Clearly, this is something SEGA had picked up on, as the sequel features a staggering roster of vibrant and exciting zones which all feel incredibly unique and challenging enough without ever becoming irritating to navigate.
Best Sonic The Hedgehog Co-Op Games, Ranked
Co-op has been a staple feature of many Sonic games for decades now. These examples are the best of the bunch.
Chemical Plant, Emerald Hill, Casino Night, these are just a few of the now iconic stages that made an appearance in Sonic 2, and of course, who can forget the catchy tunes that accompany each of these fantastic levels? Because the game is very light on story, it can be completed in no more than a few hours, making it a title that's very easy to return to.
2 Sonic X Shadow Generations
Pick A Stage, Choose A Hedgehog, And Enjoy
Sonic X Shadow Generations
- Released
- October 25, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
As a celebration of the franchise, Sonic Generations includes many of the most iconic stages from Sonic's past, all in one package. Rather than featuring a big and ambitious story, Sonic Generations is dedicated to getting players in the action as quickly as possible, which makes switching between each stage an absolute breeze. Once players drop into the mini hub world, they can then choose between either modern or classic Sonic, depending on what version of the stage they want to play, before then jumping into the level to try and score the best time possible.
The inclusion of items to upgrade Sonic's abilities makes returning to this game well worth it, especially with the online leaderboards also adding a bit of competition to the gameplay. This isn't even mentioning the extra stages that are provided in the Sonic X Shadow Generations remaster, which are also all linked to the online leaderboards, encouraging players to play through these areas again and again to try and reach the very top.
1 Sonic 3 & Knuckles
A Perfect Set Of Stages Paired With A Timeless Soundtrack
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Released
- February 2, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
With Sonic 2 being even better received than the first game, it felt as though SEGA was slowly refining the series to perfection, until eventually, the third game came along and yet again improved on what made its predecessor already so fun to play. SEGA went all out with the stage variety for this game, with many of these areas featuring not only drastically different backgrounds and pathways to uncover, but also fun gimmicks that help to freshen up the core gameplay loop every now and again.
The decision to go for a slightly more upbeat and experimental soundtrack allows the music to stand out as something unique, with many of the tracks being easy to bob along to while racing through each area. Many of the stages in Sonic 3 also never feel like they outstay their welcome, meaning they are very easy to learn and play through again and again. There's also the incredibly charming sprite animations and characters, which are simply timeless, replicating that early late 90s retro aesthetic while also still being full of color and life.
The 26 Best Sonic Fan Games
While some companies don't enjoy fans making their own games out of a franchise, there are quite a few Sonic fan games out there.