Over the years, Sonic has been through many different adventures, on many different consoles. Which games in history were good? Which were bad? Which were just plain ugly? This article will tell you just what the titles say.
In the 80's and 90's, Nintendo created the chubby plumber known as Mario for the NES and arcades. Sega basically wanted to combat Mario with a little idea with their own: Sonic. They started off simple with Sonic the Hedgehog, or Sonic 1, released for the Sega Genesis and arcades. It became a mega hit commercially and critically. Sonic had some similar features to the early Mario games, but with some differences as well. For example, Sonic is all about speed, and you can't just fall on an enemy. Two- dimensional platformers seemed to work for Sega.
How do I know? Well, take Sonic 2, for instance. This game has introduced Miles “Tails” Prower. Gameplay is even faster than in Sonic 1. That game sold 6.3 million copies. Do you think it did well?
Next, with Sonic CD, where it introduced Metal Sonic and Amy Rose. This is the first game not to be released for the Sega Genesis. Instead, it was released for the Sega CD and for Windows. Sonic CD did very well, at least for the Sega CD. It was dubbed the best Sonic game for the CD. However, the Windows version didn't do as well as the CD version, as it didn't have the same smooth gameplay on the CD.
The next release in the Hedgehog series was Sonic 3. This game introduced Knux as a character and an adversary. This game was also released for the Sega Genesis. This game did not sell as much as Sonic 2 did, critical reception was very positive.
Onto the next game, Sonic and Knuckles. This is the first game in the series since Sonic 1 to not feature Tails. Like the title suggests, players can play as Sonic or Knuckles. Again, for the Genesis. But, in this game, you can't save, unlike Sonic 3. This is the “first” game released that featured Knux as a playable character. However, by using the Sega Genesis's lock-on technology, you can play as Knuckles in Sonic 2 and 3. Once again, well-received by critics.
Then, Sega released the Sega Dreamcast, and the Dreamcast's best-selling game is Sonic Adventure. This was the first game to feature free-roaming 3D platforming. The first game for the Dreamcast wasn't so bad, as the better graphics, same gameplay, and speed was praised. This was a game that had a few glitches in it, but nonetheless not that bad. Voice acting was criticized, too.
It seemed good enough for Sega, so they released Sonic Adventure 2. This was the first game that featured Shadow and Rouge as playable characters. Review criticized Knux's and Rouge's levels, as they seemed confusing, as well as the camera issues. People liked the same things, so it wasn't that much different from the first Adventure.
Moving on to Sonic Heroes. This was the first game to be released for the PS2, Xbox, and initially for the GameCube. This is also the first game to not be released for any Sega console. Another first is that you get to play as more than one character at a time, with you being able to switch characters during gameplay. It introduces Team Chaotix, which have members Espio, Vector, and Charmy. This game received mixed to positive reception, with praises toward it being close to the series' 2D roots, sound design, graphics, and framerate. Although, people found the camera being uncooperative and the voice acting not being very good.
Ever since the transition to 3D, things have been going roughly for the hedgehog. Then, heck happened for the hedgehog with..........Sonic 06. Its original title is Sonic the Hedgehog, but to avoid confusion, it will be addressed as Sonic 06. This is the first game available for the Xbox 360 and PS3. It offers many playable characters in the game. This is the first game where it did not receive mostly positive attention. Critics hated the glitches, storyline, gameplay, and the fact that Sonic kisses a girl. (Believe me, you're better off with the spoiler than playing the game.)
Sega tried something different for their next generation hedgehog. So, they released Sonic Unleashed. This time they made Sonic much faster, they even made some sections 2D, in homage to the early games. This was the part that gamers loved. But there was a reason why it was called “Unleashed,” and that reason is that Sonic turns into a werewolf at night. People HATED this concept, as the werehog was much slower, and didn't feel like the real Sonic. Some reviews went like this: “If the entire game was based on the day levels, it would've been a much better game.” Also, a plane mission was widely disapproved.
Sega came up with two Wii only titles, Sonic and the Secret Rings and the Black Knight. Secret Rings did pretty well, as some praised Sonic being the only playable character, while others liked how it was much better than most 360/PS3 games for the franchise. Black Knight didn't do as well, as it received mostly mixed reviews. Probably because it was a hack and slash type of game.
Sega probably had a case of nostalgia, because then, they released the game Sonic 4: Episode 1. They relied on Sonic's 2D roots and made an old-time looking game, but keeping some new elements like the Homing Attack. This somewhat resurrected the series by going back to the basics instead of trying something radically different. It received mostly positive reviews, praising the game's speed, but criticizing some level design and dull bosses.
But, this was the game that wholly resurrected the franchise: Sonic Colors. Released for the Nintendo Wii and DS. The game featured 8 power-ups and 3D and 2D gameplay, plus the breakneck speeds Sonic can run at. People just didn't like the difficulty level later in the game, but nonetheless, the game was a commercial and critical success.
Sega probably had the biggest idea yet: Sonic Generations. I've played the demo and it is awesome. You can play as either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic, and tons of people will probably go with Classic Sonic. But, either way, this is a surefire way to win the interest for anyone who will be new to the franchise.
So.... to recap,
The Sega Genesis games in the series were big hits. Almost every game that featured two-dimensional gameplay were the best games. The transition to 3D, things started to go downhill. Plus, ever since the transition to 7th generation consoles, things went way downhill, with Sonic 06 being the worst game ever in the series. It was finally resurrected by Sonic 4 and Colors. Turns out Sega pretty much sucks with new game ideas, except with Colors. Generations will determine if Sonic has still got it.
Raquay Holland, PSN/Gamertag: AquaRock
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