While other platformers were offering arduous experiences, Sonic the Hedgehog was made more accessible for the average gamer. Whether you were a casual or hardcore player, Sonic the Hedgehog was enticing. You move exceedingly fast through the game's perplexing level designs, somehow making it to the end eventually.
New Sonic the Hedgehog games and lookalikes are still relevant in this gaming era. How could a game that was released in 1990 show little age? Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most impactful platformer games of all time. Here are some games that attempt to capture the original game's essence.
Updated July 12th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Sonic the Hedgehog fans are anxiously awaiting the release of Sonic Frontiers, an open-world take on the blue blur's iconic adventures, with the iconic Sega character seeing many changes throughout the years. Players that enjoy the original Sonic the Hedgehog formula, or his upgraded 3D-styled adventures, will find a lot of amazing games that draw influence from or are similar to the series. Those that are anxiously awaiting the release of Sonic Frontiers can sift through hours upon hours of content in other like-minded releases, both Indie and AAA. To better show some of the best games like Sonic the Hedgehog, the following list has been updated with more entries.
11 Mega Man X
The Mega Man series hasn't seen many entries in the modern age, but there are still so many iconic games for players to enjoy. Although all of the retro Mega Man releases are great in their own right, Mega Man X is perhaps the closest to those looking for something similar to Sonic the Hedgehog. The SNES classic is fast-paced, and features some amazing music, beautiful pixelated visuals, an engrossing story, and a lot of side content to uncover.
Those looking for an entry point to the Mega Man series can use Mega Man X as a good jumping-off point.
10 Ori and the Blind Forest
Players that enjoy the fast-paced action of Sonic the Hedgehog will definitely want to check out Ori and the Blind Forest. A beautifully-designed platformer, Ori and the Blind Forest features some incredible music, gorgeous art, and a stellar world, all underlined by some truly engrossing and challenging gameplay. Ori and the Blind Forest may be a bit of a step up in difficult compared to some Sonic the Hedgehog games, but it's a supremely rewarding experience.
Players will find themselves conquering a dangerous wilderness and overcoming some truly imposing obstacles on their journey through Ori and the Blind Forest's exciting and moving storyline.
9 Kaze and the Wild Masks
At its core, Sonic the Hedgehog is a fantastic platforming experience that features colorful worlds and enemies. Players that are looking for a similar experience in the modern age should check out Kaze and the Wild Masks, a platformer inspired by retro releases of the past and meant to look similar to titles on iconic consoles like the Super NES and Sega Genesis. Kaze and the Wild Masks is visually stunning, featuring its own unique character that must run their way through a variety of levels, avoiding enemies and collecting powerful masks that allow them to gain new abilities and skills.
Kaze and the Wild Masks feels like a retro platformer and that should definitely appeal to retro Sonic the Hedgehog fans.
8 Ecco The Dolphin
The Sega Genesis contained an abundance of side-scrolling games, but few compare to the exploration seen in Ecco the Dolphin. This game released in the same generation as the first Sonic the Hedgehog and likely drew inspiration from it.
In Ecco the Dolphin, the player controls Ecco, a dolphin that fights threats to the world and sea. Ecco the Dolphin poses a greater challenge than Sonic the Hedgehog because of the game's secret paths. Expect to backtrack multiple times while beating this game, but fall in love with its atmospheric ocean setting.
7 Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy contains a blend of platforming and combat blending for one seamless adventure. The trilogy was compared to Sonic the Hedgehog when it was initially released, and the remake follows suit. This is a game with side-scrolling and behind the camera view gameplay. Consistent with Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Sonic the Hedgehog is an amiable mascot who carries the game on his shoulders.
6 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
Years of innovation in side-scrolling video games have brought us to Ori and the Will of the Wisps. This sequel includes improved visual fidelity and is awe-inspiring from beginning to end. The pacing is slower than a Sonic the Hedgehog game, but that won't stop many from delving into this memorable adventure. It's a Metroidvania developed using the Unity engine. Ori and the Will of the Wisps earned acclaim across the board, and we are eagerly waiting for another sequel.
5 Aladdin
Released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Sega Genesis, Aladdin is a phenomenal side-scrolling game. The game has a higher difficulty level than Sonic the Hedgehog, even if its difficulty level was average for its platforms' games. The different environments and levels of detail were good for the time. Those searching for a retro platformer with slower pacing than Sonic the Hedgehog should consider playing Aladdin.
4 Celeste
On an expedition to the top of Celeste Mountain, players become immersed in the game's platforming. Celeste is widely available on most last-generation platforms, including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
It's a bump-up in difficulty when compared to the original Sonic the Hedgehog, but it's not overly arduous to the point of frustration. The game contains an Assist Mode, but the recommended way to play it is without assists. Celeste Mountain has mysteries and challenges that add to the adventure.
3 Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair
The era of games like classic Sonic the Hedgehog isn't over as long as developers continue to produce platformers like the hit franchise. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair took the world by storm with its stunning 2D and 2.5D levels. The pacing is not as fast as Sonic the Hedgehog (few games are), yet Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is too memorable. It's a hidden gem containing puzzles, platforming, and vibrant visuals.
2 Cuphead
While the trend is heading towards more leisurely, more accessible games for players, Cuphead is anything but progressive. The art style is reminiscent of cartoon shows from the 1930s, and the gameplay follows a challenging run and gun style seen in games of the Sonic the Hedgehog era. It goes to show that retro games are still relevant in the modern gaming world.
1 Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is one of the few praiseworthy Disney games. Released initially for the Sega Genesis in 1990, the game uses side-scrolling platforming like Sonic the Hedgehog. Your movements in Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse have to be more precise, but nothing is preventing adept players from speedrunning this game. With 16-bit graphics, Castle of Illusion helped keep the Sega Genesis profitable before Sonic theHedgehog's 1991 release.