Highlights
- Sonic games prioritize speed as a key element, with maintaining high speed vital for bypassing hazards and gaining power-ups.
- The "Boost Era" of Sonic games, from 2005 to the present, features titles that utilize Sonic's "Boost Mechanic" as the central gameplay element.
- Each Sonic game has its own unique gameplay elements, such as signature moves, power-ups, unique course layouts, and new mechanics, that encourage and provide speed.
By definition, Sonic games are going to require speed. Except for some titles like Sonic Labyrinth for the Sega Game Gear or Sonic Lost World for Wii U which feature some radical gameplay changes, speed is key in most titles. Indeed, maintaining a high speed is vital for bypassing hazards and gaining power-ups, and for getting S-Ranks if players are aiming to 100% the game.
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Most of Sonic's fastest titles come from the so-called "Boost Era." This name refers to most of the titles from 2005 to the present day. This is because most games have utilized Sonic's "Boost Mechanic" as the central gameplay element, which is needed for basically everything that happens in-game. However, some are notable for introducing some of Sonic's signature moves and power-ups, and others have unique course layouts that encourage and provide speed.
10 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (1992)
This fan favorite Classic-era title and sequel to the original Sonic the Hedgehog may not compare in terms of speed to the games of the "Boost Era," but it still offers some fast-paced gameplay. This is due to the introduction of the iconic Spin Dash, which can propel Sonic forward at a very high speed. It debuted in this game, meaning this game had faster gameplay than its predecessor.
Sonic 2 sports more levels than its predecessor, and is also the first time Super Sonic is introduced, wherein he can use the Chaos Emeralds to transform into a golden form that is faster than his original. This game introduced fans to some of Sonic's speediest forms.
9 Sonic Heroes (2004)
The first Sonic game to be released on multiple consoles back in 2004 featured a mechanic unique to the franchise: the Team Mechanic. Though this game has an emphasis on flying over gaps and beating enemies with a Power Type character, speed still serves as the primary objective. Indeed, Heroes sports overall faster gameplay than its immediate main series predecessors, the Adventure duology for the Dreamcast.
Each setting in this game is unique and offers thrilling gameplay experiences. Aside from running at top speed, which is even required in the boss fights against Eggman, levels like "Rail Canyon" and "Bullet Station" focus on grinding at top speed and jumping from rail to rail.
8 Sonic Superstars (2023)
Sonic Superstars
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , PS4 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One
- Released
- October 17, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Sonic Team
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
The newest edition to the Sonic franchise is a speedy one for sure. Hearkening back to the gameplay style of the Sega Genesis titles, this game is a modern take on the high-speed platforming of the 2D era. The game, set on the Northstar Islands, sees Sonic and his pals take on a previously unseen trio of foes: Dr Eggman, Fang the Bounty Hunter, and newcomer Trip the Sungazer.
This new release features grind rails, chase sequences, and many complex levels. Players will be able to blast through zones at a hurtling pace. Though not every zone keeps its foot on the gas, many will see Sonic and his friends going at breakneck speeds in this new 2D title.
7 Sonic Forces (2017)
This title, which was released in 2017, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebration lineup of the Sonic franchise, the other being Sonic Mania, with which Forces shares an interlinking story. Forces also see the return of Classic and Modern Sonic teaming up to defeat a common enemy.
This title may not be the most highly praised Sonic game, but it has a very strong emphasis on moving quickly. The levels, though quite short, require players to constantly be on the move, and coupled with the fast-paced soundtrack, the whole gameplay experience is one of sheer speed.
6 Sonic Colors (2010)
With a light-hearted storyline, a unique original setting, and plenty of humor, Sonic Colors is generally seen as a fan-favorite title. It sees Sonic on a quest to free aliens called the Wisps from Dr Eggman’s captivity. There’s some very speedy gameplay utilizing the Boost mechanic, although Sonic doesn’t move as quickly as in similar Boost games.
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The Boost in this game is primarily refueled by the White Wisps dotted across the stages. The Cyan Laser Wisp also serves to shoot Sonic off at super quick speed, though without control in direction. With many of the levels focusing on tight platforming, deploying the mechanics at the right time is crucial in this game to bypass obstacles and reach the goal. Sonic can also use the Boost to draw in Rings.
5 Sonic Advance 2 (2003)
The fastest in the Advance trilogy is also one of the speediest Sonic games. Instead of the traditional gameplay formula of the 2D titles, with a focus on platforming and speed, Sonic Advance 2 prioritizes speed above all else, with elements of platforming at certain points. Players will be rewarded for quick reaction time while running at the highest possible rate.
A new mechanic called the "Sonic Boost," which players must earn by maintaining speed for a certain length of time, features in this game, encouraging players to keep running. The stages are also filled with boost pads and springs, ensuring the characters can speed up quickly. There's no room to not be fast in this game!
4 Sonic Rush (2005)
Released for the Nintendo DS system in 2005, this title is the first to properly deploy what would become the Boost Mechanic. In this title, it’s called the Tension Gauge. When this is filled, Sonic or newcomer Blaze can blast across the stages at breakneck speed, destroying all in their way. This game marked the start of what would be the main mechanic of the games to come in the future.
The game sees Sonic and Blaze attempt to stop Dr. Eggman and Eggman Nega from using the Chaos and Sol Emeralds to gain ultimate power. They each have their own storylines which cross over eventually. Certain stages feature tunnel-like segments, enabling the characters to reach their top speed even faster. What’s more, this game is very hard to get an S-Rank in.
3 Sonic Unleashed (2008)
This title sees a sharp contrast between high-speed action and slower platforming. When Sonic becomes the Werehog at night he loses his speed, therefore he controls a lot slower than his normal form and has a greater emphasis on defeating enemies with his long arms.
On the other hand, the Daytime stages where Sonic is in his true form see some of the fastest platforming to date in a Sonic game. The Boost mechanic sees him rocketing forward dizzyingly quickly as he travels alongside Chip through the different themed stages, slowly restoring the shattered planet. Though Sonic Rush introduced the Boost concept, it was fully fleshed out for Unleashed, making for some truly fast gameplay.
2 Sonic Generations (2011)
This title was created to celebrate Sonic's 20th birthday back in 2011. Released for the PS3, Xbox 360 Nintendo 3DS, and Windows, it features an assortment of zones taken from all the major previous Sonic games. The game features both Classic and Modern Sonic who play through the same zones. Though Classic Sonic's stages feature speedy sections but a high emphasis on platforming, Modern Sonic's courses require continuous top speed throughout.
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Aside from the main levels having very fast-paced gameplay, this title also features other fast-paced modes such as a 30-second Trial mode and Time Attack. In the former, players are tasked with getting the furthest they can through a stage in 30 seconds. Their destination is marked by a signpost, which can be shared online and compared to other players’ records. This serves to encourage some very fast gameplay to achieve the highest scores and records possible.
1 Sonic And The Secret Rings (2007)
This was the first game in the Storybook Saga and saw Sonic traversing the world of Arabian Nights. This entry, and its successor Sonic and the Black Knight, use an "on-rails" gameplay style, in which players use the Wii Remote to steer Sonic along a set path. This is Sonic at his fastest, as it doesn't offer a moment to stop running.
Adding to this, Secret Rings features an exclusive mechanic named the "Speed Break," which is similar to the Boost Mechanic, but even faster. If it is deployed, players will see Sonic reach such a fast speed, that a sonic boom is created. Such a feat of speed hasn't quite been seen again to date. Thus, this Wii title truly stands out as featuring the fastest Sonic gameplay.