Happy 34th anniversary to Sonic the Hedgehog! We’re republishing this list to celebrate the blue blur’s birthday, along with the addition of the Switch 2 version of Sonic X Shadow Generations.
Sonic the Hedgehog — the blue dude with the most ‘tude — first sprinted onto the Mega Drive in 1991, when Sega finally presented a credible challenger for the platforming throne that Mario had been sitting on since the mid-1980s.
In the decades since the blue blur has starred in many platform games: some 2D, others 3D, some fantastic, others not so much. Hits and misses aside, Sonic has proven to have something far more important than speed and aforementioned ‘tude: he’s got staying power.
But what’s the best Sonic game? We’ve compiled this list to help you sort the Sonics from the Saniks. It includes all the mainline Sonic platformers, so grab a chili dog and a companion from your ragtag bunch of sidekicks, and let’s check out the best (and worst) Sonic games on Nintendo systems. Going fast is optional.
43. Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U)
Part of a cross-media rebrand for Sonic and the gang — now with added tape and neckwear — Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric was a po-faced, misguided attempt at a reboot that presented stretched-out redesigns of the main characters and gave you a largely vacant open world to explore.
Its audio was passably entertaining, but a host of technical issues and questionable decisions made this a disappointment on every other level.
42. Sonic Labyrinth (GG)
This isometric Game Gear title from Minato Giken had you exploring four maze-like levels for keys to open a goal gate and battling a boss at the end of three Acts.
With uninspiring level design and slow, stodgy movement, this is a ‘3D’ Sonic that removes the key ingredients of a Sonic game. Sonic Labyrinth was available for 3DS, but is only really for masochistic completionists.
41. Sonic Blast (GG)
Sonic Blast is a perfectly competent 2D Sonic game that released on Game Gear (and Master System in Brazil), and it’s worth a dabble for interested parties and hardcore fans.
It was included in Sonic Mega Collection Plus — a compilation which expanded the number of games on GameCube’s Sonic Mega Collection but never released on a Nintendo console — but Blast also came to Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console as an individual release and is one of the GG offerings in Sonic Origins Plus.
It’s a fun curio for fans, but very far from the best of Sonic’s 8-bit escapades.
40. Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (3DS)
There’s plenty to enjoy in Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal on 3DS, but revolutionary it isn’t. It was one of the better Sonic outings at the time (it launched in 2014), but unfortunately that’s not saying an awful lot.
Series fans and serial platform enthusiasts could do a lot worse, but SBSC (as nobody calls it) won’t be troubling many a Sonic fan’s top 10 list.
39. Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii)
The first Sonic game for Wii, this Arabian Nights-themed take on the 3D formula put Sonic centre stage as the only playable character. Sonic and the Secret Rings used the console’s unique controller in an on-rails adventure which looked lovely, but arguably failed to nail the hedgehog’s 2D appeal in the third dimension.
Like many of Sonic’s 3D games, it has fun or interesting elements, but they don’t cohere into a satisfying whole.
38. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (WiiWare)
2D purists had begged for many years to see a return to a ‘classic’ Sonic game — one with no dialogue, no cutscenes, and no sidekicks. In more recent times the wonderful Sonic Mania delivered exactly what fans had dreamed of for so long, and there’s a strong argument that Sonic Superstars is what Sonic 4 really should have been.
But in 2010 Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 was Sega’s answer to the old-school crowd. A WiiWare release with a dozen side-scrolling stages, it satiated a portion of fans at the time. However, basic locomotion was incredibly soupy compared to the 16-bit classics, and the game is tough to return to these days (and we don’t just mean because it’s no longer purchasable via the Wii Shop).
Nintendo gamers never got the follow-up, and no Episode 3 was ever produced.
37. Sonic 3D Blast (MD)
As a technical showpiece for the ageing Genesis / Mega Drive, Traveller’s Tales Sonic 3D Blast (or Sonic 3D: Flickies’ Island as it’s known in Europe) is an admirable stab at the Sonic formula in isometric 3D.
The visuals capture the look of the hedgehog’s checkerboard Zones well enough, but its sluggish controls and overall reduced pace compared to the 2D classics reduce it to the status of an intriguing also-ran.
Far from essential, then, but also not the bottom of the barrel.
36. Shadow The Hedgehog (GCN)
If you ever wondered what a Sonic game crossed with a third-person shooter would be like, Shadow the Hedgehog is your answer. This spin-off followed on from Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes and took the series on a ‘darker’, more ‘mature’ route.
It’s arguably not as poor as its reputation suggests, although it suffers from much of the inelegance and poor level design of other, lesser Sonic adventures. The attempt to produce a grittier version of Sonic comes off as hopelessly try-hard, but that approach has its fans — as does Shadow the Hedgehog.
35. Sonic and the Black Knight (Wii)
“You know what Sonic needs? A sword — a talking one, if poss!” said nobody ever, except that one person in the meeting where they came up with Sonic and the Black Knight.
This title continues the ‘Storybook’ series that began with Secret Rings and puts Sonic in an Arthurian adventure that introduced Wii-waggle sword fighting for good measure.
It’s about as good as that sounds, and while it’s not without moments of charm, the execution here just doesn’t cut it. We’re left with another mediocre-to-poor entry in Sonic’s 3D catalogue.
34. Sonic Forces (Switch)
Combining Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic in a similar way to Sonic Generations, this was a less successful take on the formula.
Sonic Forces is a mixed bag of 3D, 2D, and narrative that in many ways typified the previous two decades of Sonic games, with the player often feeling more like an onlooker than a participant in the action. A younger audience may be more forgiving, but veterans have been here and done it all before.
33. Sonic Lost World (3DS)
Sonic Lost World has its share of mediocrity and questionable design, but it also has flashes of the old Sonic magic that kept fans on a drip feed of hope for many years. While it has plenty of 2D stages, it’s also a handheld entry that dares to attempt ‘proper’ 3D, too, and it’s impressive considering the 3DS hardware.
Don’t get us wrong: the 3DS version is an extremely average experience overall, and we far prefer its Wii U bigger brother, but this is also far from the worst Sonic game you’ll ever play and it contains simple moments of platforming pleasure that are really rather good.
32. Sonic Spinball (GG)
Sonic Spinball in itself is a pretty decent spin-off title that showcased reasonably decent visuals and gameplay for the Genesis, but the Game Gear version undoubtedly suffers from the necessary downgrades to get the game running competently.
Gameplay feels clunky and the music is a bit of a mess. Still, not a terrible effort, all told.
31. Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (3DS)
Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice is — rather like its predecessor — a solid effort and worth consideration if you’re Sonic fan. The core campaign blends a variety of styles, with the main stages employing an enjoyable mix of exploration and puzzle-solving with moments of satisfying momentum and speed.
There are some slightly disappointing downsides, and it’s a game that occasionally feels constrained rather than supported by its source material. Overall, however, it deserves credit for what it does well and should be tempting to fans of the show, plus broader Sonic enthusiasts willing to accept its limitations.
30. Tails Adventure (GG)
Tails Adventure is definitely the odd game out in the Game Gear’s Sonic lineup, but it makes a sound case for its unique identity.
This is Sega’s very much friendlier take on the Metroidvania-lite formula — a fun adventure platformer with excellent level design, creative items and abilities, and some much-deserved time in the spotlight for Tails. For fans of the two-tailed fox, or adventure games in general, Tails Island is well worth exploring.
29. Sonic Spinball (MD)
Sonic Spinball was an attempt to expand on the pinball shenanigans of Spring Yard Zone and Casino Night Zone from the first two Sonic games and spin an entire game out of it.
The premise had promise, and there are some neat ideas within, but unfortunately the result feels like a fusion of underwhelming pinball and bad platforming. We often wonder how this might have turned out had it used the silky smooth engine from the mainline games.
Available on various complications over the years, including on Switch with SEGA Mega Drive Classics and via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack (and even on Game Boy Advance via the Sega Smash Pack), Spinball’s excellent music is reason enough to check it out if you’re curious. The bonus stages featuring Sonic standing at a pinball table with his reflection in the glass are still pretty rad.
28. Sonic Chaos (SMS)
Hardcore Sonic fans might get a kick out of Sonic Chaos, and it’s not without charm, but compared to the greats, it’s a comparatively uninspired effort and far too easy for its own good.
Some of the levels will only take you 30 seconds to run through and personally we’d stick to the previous 8-bit titles. Still, Chaos has its defenders and it’s got some great box art, so it’s not all bad.
27. Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (GG)
As with all the Game Gear releases, it’s easy to pick on Triple Trouble for its shortcomings when compared to the home console titles, but even bearing in mind the limitations of the hardware, this game still has its share of faults.
The adventure itself is quite enjoyable and there are some solid level designs, but the lack of challenge and sluggish pacing end up bringing the experience down a few notches. Keep your expectations at a realistic level and you might have some fun, but this is far from essential Sonic.
26. Sonic Lost World (Wii U)
Superficially, this is Sonic’s take on a Super Mario Galaxy-style adventure with cylindrical worlds and abstract delights.
It’s a long way behind Nintendo’s masterpiece, but Sonic Lost World is still a clever, colourful platformer which offers flashes of genius and fun. You’ll just have to put up with plenty of frustration to get at the really good stuff.
25. Sonic Unleashed (Wii)
It’s the Sonic X Werewolf crossover everyone was gagging for! Yes, Sonic Team’s insistence on disrupting Sonic’s flow with random gameplay elements from other genres continued with Sonic Unleashed, which turned everyone’s favourite speed freak into a lumbering lupine oaf when night fell.
It has its moments — as most Sonic games do — but throw in Wii waggle for the lacklustre brawler bits, and the result is yet another patchy entry in the 3D Sonic canon.
24. Sonic Frontiers (Switch)
Sonic Frontiers represented a brave new direction for the series, but it has proved a divisive one — by our estimations, this first ‘open-zone’ entry misses the mark by quite a margin.
We found that traversal and combat annoyances plagued the experience from start to finish, while structurally the game offered up very little variety, instead leaning on repetitive fetch quests that get exasperating after the first island.
As far as the Switch version goes, it’s quite comfortably the worst option available to fans, with graphical compromises that make it impossible to recommend if you’re able to play it anywhere else at all.
We’re not the biggest fans, then, but there are evidently plenty of people who did find Frontiers a satisfying Sonic experience.
23. Sonic Colors Ultimate (Switch)
Sonic Colors Ultimate is a well-executed revisit of a high point in Sonic’s long career. Most of the quality here stems from the content of the original, rather than the new additions and tweaks for this re-release. Things like the Jade Ghost and extra customisation options are welcome, but not game-changing, and the musical and graphical improvements are minimal.
At the end of the day, though, this is still a well-performing, portable version of a classic and that’s arguably all that it needs to be. This is certainly the best and easiest way to try Sonic Colors out, although it isn’t a massive overhaul of what came before.
22. Sonic Heroes (GCN)
Eschewing the more open approach of the Adventure games for more linear-style levels, Sonic Heroes gives you teams of characters to switch between including fan favourites Big the Cat, Rouge the Bat, and Cream the Rabbit alongside the classic trio of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles.
It did an admirable job of replicating the feeling of the 2D Sonic games in three dimensions, and while it’s not perfect, there’s a lot to like about Sonic Heroes.
21. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (SMS)
Sonic 2 (8-bit) is definitely worth a look for Sonic fans who perhaps missed out on the Master System/Game Gear entries. It is sufficiently different from the first 8-bit game to warrant investigation, and it’s got more of the series’ excellent music — we’re particularly partial to some Sky High Zone, but it’s all good.
It’s not a patch on Genesis Sonic 2, but direct comparison is a little unfair given the hardware. Overall, this Sonic 2 has its own identity and it’s a fine 8-bit take on the hedgehog’s trademark platforming.
20. Sonic Superstars (Switch)
We had a few issues with Sonic Superstars — the local co-op could have greatly benefited from split-screen support, and the online Battle Mode feels incredibly shallow and tacked on — but this is the first original 2D Sonic game that feels truly authentic to the Genesis titles without aping the classic pixel-art style, and for a lot of longtime fans, that’s frankly an absolute miracle.
Zipping through the 12 zones in the excellent campaign made us feel like kids again, but it will also prove a great first Sonic game for new players looking to see what all the fuss is about. Developer Arzest’s reputation has taken a beating in recent years, but this is a triumphant effort from the studio and a great return for ‘2D’ Sonic.
19. Sonic the Hedgehog (SMS)
This is one of the best examples of a platformer on the Master System and easily the match of Alex Kidd in Miracle World.
Going ‘backwards’ might be jarring if you started with Sonic on the Mega Drive, but taken on its own merits Sonic the Hedgehog on the Master System (and Game Gear) was a fair approximation of the slicker 16-bit game with bespoke levels and some great audio to boot.
18. Sonic Generations (3DS)
Sonic Generations has a lot going for it: it looks good and offers plenty of content, and when it’s on form it succeeds in combining satisfying platforming and the ‘hog’s trademark speed in a single package.
Some design choices miss the mark though, and it’s undeniably short and unambitious compared to something like Super Mario 3D Land. It never quite recaptures the original games’ vibrant spirit that made them stand out all those years ago, but this is a fair attempt.
17. Sonic X Shadow Generations (Switch 2)
Whether you should take a punt on Sonic X Shadow Generations for the Switch 2 will depend on whether you already own it on Switch 1 or not. If you don’t, it’s perhaps Sonic’s best 3D game, and this is undoubtedly the best way to play it on Nintendo systems.
If you do, however, you should think twice about double-dipping. It’s already a splendid game on Switch 1, and with no upgrade path or new content, you’re missing out on very little if you skip it. Personally, we’d wait for a sale if you absolutely cannot live without those 60 frames per second.
16. Sonic Rush Adventure (DS)
Sonic Rush Adventure brought back Blaze the Cat from the previous game and gives you the option to play as the feline or Sonic himself (obviously).
While still a side-on 2D platformer, this game incorporated 3D sections and expanded on the traditional Sonic gameplay with adventure game elements that fit the template rather well as Sonic and Tails did their best to leave Blaze’s island and get back home.
15. Sonic Advance 3 (GBA)
Another solid 2D entry in the Advance series that proved there were still good 2D Sonic games being made in the 2000s if you looked on handheld systems.
Sonic Advance 3 starred all your favourite characters, plus Cream the Rabbit, and provided a fitting final part to a trilogy of winning platformers on the Game Boy Advance.
14. Sonic Colours (DS)
Whilst the majority of the gameplay will feel familiar to Sonic veterans, particularly those who enjoyed his previous DS outings, the Wisps genuinely refresh Sonic Colours’ gameplay by adding new routes to spice up each stage.
It’s fast, loud, bright, and bold, and a recommended slice of high-speed action that offers something different from its bigger brother on Wii (and Switch in Ultimate form).
13. Sonic Origins (Switch eShop)
Sonic Origins is, on one hand, a near-definitive way to experience four stone-cold classics that represent some of the highest peaks of Sonic’s career. On the other, most of these games are already readily available and there aren’t many new features or additions to justify buying them yet again.
For players ready to play these classics for the first time, Sonic Origins is the go-to way to experience Sonic’s 16-bit heyday. Die-hard 2D Sonic veterans may have trouble with the small but noticeable differences between the Classic Modes presented here and the games in their true original configurations.
The cutscenes, museum elements, and missions are all very pleasant but they’re also the minimum you would expect for a series this prestigious and popular – playable Amy and a dozen Game Gear titles are exclusive to the disappointing Plus DLC/Version. Regardless, it’s sure nice to have Sonic CD available in a convenient form on the most convenient of consoles.
Not perfect, then, but great comfort-food gaming.
12. Sonic Advance 2 (GBA)
Building on the good foundation put down in the previous entry, this middle game in the Sonic Advance trilogy upped the difficulty to a level that put some players off, but Sonic Advance 2 retained the elements that made the first game such a good translation of the 2D Sonic formula to the GBA platform: great music, lovely visuals, clever level design, and — above all — that proper Sonic ‘feel’.
You haven’t got to go fast, but it’s highly encouraged.
11. Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut (GCN)
Seeing the DX version of this on GameCube was, for many, extremely odd at the time as we couldn’t imagine seeing SEGA’s mascot on a Nintendo home console. The Dreamcast original wowed anybody old enough to remember seeing Sonic in proper 3D for the first time, so having it on GameCube was something special, if strange.
Time hasn’t been as kind to Sonic Adventure as some other games from the era, but there’s something about the promise of its opening stage which gives it a special place in our affections.
10. Sonic Advance (GBA)
In the decades since the shocking first appearance of Sega’s mascot on a Nintendo handheld, not every team that’s worked on a 2D Sonic game has nailed the delicate sense of inertia and tight physics that characterise the original 16-bit titles.
Sonic Advance is one such example that just gets it. Developer Dimps retains the classic feel and course design that made the originals special while adding fresh elements that prevent it from feeling like a re-tread of old ideas.
Vibrant visuals, charming animation, excellent audio; add multiplayer into the mix — as well as the Tiny Chao Garden that linked to the Gamecube — and Sonic Advance is a platforming treat up there with hedgehog’s finest.
9. Sonic Rush (DS)
Sonic Rush brought 2D Sonic into the 21st century in style for anyone who played a Sonic game in the 16-bit era and perhaps felt let down by all those that followed.
Giving you control of either Sonic or newcomer Blaze the Cat, Rush nailed the basics while introducing mechanics that made sense in 2D Sonic terms, and also splitting the action across the DS’ twin screens in a way that felt fresh and exciting.
8. Sonic Colours (Wii)
One of the very best 3D Sonic games in our books, Sonic Colors managed to translate the classic 2D gameplay and introduce a gimmick that complimented rather than disrupted that gameplay.
The Wisp power-ups gave Sonic new abilities which tied in beautifully to some strong level design and delivered the best Sonic experience we’d ever had in three dimensions. Also available in Ultimate form on Switch.
7. Sonic the Hedgehog (MD)
Ported in one form or another to practically every system that’s launched since the Genesis (sometimes multiple times), Sonic the Hedgehog is a bonafide classic.
It’s hard to appreciate these days, but back in 1991 the smooth gameplay, flowing level design, vibrant worlds, and melodious audio of Sega’s mascot platformer felt exciting like few other video games before or since.
On Switch it’s available as part of the SEGA Mega Drive Classics collection, as a SEGA AGES standalone, or in the Origins collection — you can’t go wrong with either if you’re after the ultimate 16-bit nostalgia hit.
6. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GCN)
This enhanced version of the Dreamcast original might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it throws enough winning elements into the bag to outweigh its less-than-brilliant aspects.
With the multiplayer and the Chao Garden accompanying the main game, there’s certainly plenty to do, and it’s hard to find a purer expression of ‘gotta go fast and-to-hell-with-the-consequences‘ than this.
In many ways, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is peak 3D Sonic, then — with everything that entails.
5. Sonic X Shadow Generations (Switch)
In what can only be described as a monumental return to form for both hedgehogs, Sonic X Shadow Generations combines two excellent campaigns to create what just might be the very best 3D Sonic game so far.
The remastered Generations content remains a delight, taking you through some of the series’ most iconic stages, but Shadow’s new chapter represents the franchise’s 3D gameplay at its very best. It introduces a bunch of awesome new abilities while showcasing some of the most creative stages we’ve ever seen.
Alas, there’s still no Chao Garden, but we’ll keep hoping and praying for its inclusion in the future. Based on this, though, the future of 3D Sonic looks bright.
4. Sonic Mania (Switch eShop)
Sonic Mania was a true return for the mascot’s 2D ‘Classic’ guise. It celebrates the glory days of the original games while also enhancing their qualities and taking on new ideas. From new areas, imaginative second acts, and some delightful boss encounters, the development team poured a lot of passion and talent into this retro-styled project.
With new characters and modes added in the ‘Plus’ retail version (also available as DLC), some neat tweaks iron out some of the kinks present in the original release. Regardless of the version you pick up, Mania is one of the best 2D platformers in recent memory.
3. Sonic & Knuckles (MD)
Otherwise known as the second half of Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles’ lock-on cartridge linked up with the previous game to deliver the ‘full’ experience. It’s testament to the quality of the game you don’t feel like Sega is taking advantage of you splitting the original project in two and charging again for the second half.
This one’s got everything you could want from a 2D Sonic game. And Knuckles.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (MD)
Anyone Sonic fan alive at the time will remember Sonic 2sday, the November launch day of Sega’s biggest sequel. If you had a Genesis / Mega Drive in your household throughout Holiday Season 1992, it almost certainly had a copy of Sonic 2 in the cart slot.
Adding everyone’s favourite two-tailed fox into the mix, this sequel upped the ante with slicker visuals, more ideas, more varied Zones to explore, and a nifty split-screen two-player mode, as well — a real novelty and technical achievement at the time.
In addition to being part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack offering, it’s available on Switch in the SEGA Mega Drive Classics collection, as part of the SEGA AGES series, or revamped in Sonic Origins. However you play, Sonic 2 still stands as one of the best sequels ever made.
1. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (MD)
The worst thing we can say about Sonic 3 is that, personally, we didn’t much care for his redrawn sprite in this third outing. That’s just us, but otherwise this is a gorgeous-looking and sweet-sounding slice of 16-bit Sonic and we’re not opposed to it being labelled the best 2D Sonic game ever.
Debates will rage forever about whether 2 or 3 is best — it changes depending on the day, but we tend toward the former. Regardless, both offer incredibly clever level design and an unmistakable ‘flow’ to their movement that make them must-plays for any platforming fan, whether you played them back in the day or are catching up on your Sonic essentials.
Well done for making it to the spinny sign through all that excellent Erinaceidae platforming!
In this final section, we’re going to answer a couple of common questions people have about Sonic the Hedgehog.
The Sonic series began with Sonic the Hedgehog on Mega Drive / Genesis, released on 23rd June 1991 in North America, 26th July 1991 in Japan, and sometime in July 1991 in Europe.
An 8-bit version also named Sonic the Hedgehog was released for Master System later that year.
Sonic X Shadow Generations is the most recent game in the series. It launched on Friday 25th October 2024, while a Switch 2 version of the game followed on 5th June 2025.
We’re only featuring Sonic platformers that have appeared on Nintendo platforms — be it as part of a collection or as an individual release — so you won’t find Knuckles Chaotix or Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure or anything that’s not a platform game (no Mean Bean Machine or Tails’ Skypatrol shmup action or Sonic Drift karting, then).
Also, the 8-bit Sonics that appeared on both Master System and Game Gear are only featured once.
And finally, Sonic Spinball — or Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball, to give the game its full and proper title — was an edge case, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to exclude them (the 8- and 16-bit versions). If their presence offends you, just imagine they aren’t there and bump everything below it up two spots. Easy!
Sadly there’s no upgrade path for Sonic X Shadow Generations. If you’ve bought the game on Switch 1, then you have to buy the Switch 2 release to get the visual improvements on the newer console. A little bit of a prickle…
You can transfer your save data though, soooo…. that’s good?
We enlisted Nintendo Life readers to help us rate every Sonic game ever that appeared on a Nintendo platform (sorry-not-sorry, Sonic 2006).
The order above is updated in real-time according to each game’s corresponding User Rating in the Nintendo Life game database. Disagree with this ever-evolving, ‘definitive’ Sonic ranking? Search for your favourite Sonic games in the box below and rate them to influence the order.
Take that Ro-butt-nik! Surprised by the result? Let us know if you think we’ve missed something; it’s never too late to adjust things. Feel free to let us know your thoughts on the ranking above and share a comment about your personal favourite Sonics — 2D and/or 3D — below.
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