Summary
- Sega has ported Sonic titles to Nintendo Switch 2 for crisp gameplay.
- The Switch 2 improves frame rate, load times, and overall quality of Sonic games.
- The best Sonic games on Switch 2 include Team Sonic Racing, Sonic Forces, and Sonic X Shadow Generations.
While there was a severe lack of Sonic the Hedgehog games on the original Switch when it was first released back in 2017, with the Switch 2 now out in the wild, this is certainly no longer the case. Sega has done an admirable job porting many of its most recent Sonic titles to Nintendo's immensely popular system, and thanks to the upgraded technology of the Switch 2, many of these titles run at a crisp frame rate, ensuring that the moment-to-moment gameplay always feels fast, fluid, and fun.
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.
Considering Sonic games are all about racing through vibrant stages at exhilarating speed, frame drops and slow load times can severely impact the experience. Thankfully, the Switch 2 addresses many of the issues that plagued a few Sonic games on the original system. With that being said, these games still vary in terms of their overall quality. Here are the very best Sonic games that can be played right now on the Switch 2, ranked in terms of the improvements made to their gameplay and how fun they are to play overall.
7 Team Sonic Racing
A Creative Spin On The Traditional Racing Formula
Team Sonic Racing
- Released
- May 21, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Racing
There have already been plenty of traditional Sonic racing games released over the years, so to avoid sticking with the same old song, Sonic Team decided to get a little more creative with Team Sonic Racing. As the name implies, the main gimmick of this game is the ability to take to the track in a team of three. Not only will players be able to knock out their opponents with an arsenal of weird and wacky weapons, they can also assist their teammates in cruising past the other teams by using the new Ultimate mechanic, which helps to add a bit of variety to the gameplay.
While the content is a little lacking, the online mode is still a ton of fun to jump into, especially with a group of friends. The Switch 2 doesn't make any significant upgrades to Team Sonic Racing's presentation or gameplay, but it's understandable since the game already ran extremely well, and still looks great to boot.
6 Sonic Forces
Create A Character And Take Part In An All-Out War
Sonic Forces
- Released
- November 7, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Shooter, Fighting, Adventure
Sonic Forces contains one of the most bizarre stories in the entire series, but those who enjoy the over-the-top nature of the plot have come to really love what this game has to offer. After a collection of Sonic's biggest villains come together to take him down once and for all, it's up to the player's created character and a few of Sonic's friends to build a resistance against Eggman's army.
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.
While the lightning-fast gameplay remains intact, along with a brand-new grappling hook that adds verticality to the stages, there's a much darker and more serious tone to this game, which is often absent from most Sonic titles. The game sadly still runs at 30 frames a second on Switch 2, though that shouldn't dissuade fans from at least giving it a go, especially if they want to see just how outlandish this franchise can get with its stories.
5 Sonic Colors: Ultimate
Sonic's Journey With The Wisps Moves At A Faster Pace
Sonic Colors: Ultimate
- Released
- September 3, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- 3D Platformer
Though Sonic Colors: Ultimate did admittedly have a pretty rough launch when it dropped for the Switch, Sega was eventually able to smooth out the experience after several post-launch patches. Longtime Sonic fans will know that Colors is often considered a shining point in the 3D era, and while the story isn't anything to write home about, it's the stages and gameplay that really make the game special.
There's a healthy balance between 3D and 2D sections, which can appeal to all kinds of Sonic fans. The introduction of the Wisps, who all grant Sonic unique abilities, helps to make Colors feel like a unique entry in the series. Sonic Colors: Ultimate loads a little faster on the Switch 2, which is very noticeable considering how sluggish the game felt on the original system. It certainly is not a game that should be skipped over.
4 Sonic Superstars
Jump Into Quick And Breezy Levels With A Group Of Friends
Sonic Superstars
- Released
- October 17, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- 2D, Platformer
Despite going under the radar for many due to a lack of marketing, Sonic Superstars feels like a determined effort from Sega to harken back to what made this franchise's 2D era so special. With a staggering roster of colorful stages and four fan-favorite characters all being playable, along with the option to play with up to four players at once, it's no wonder that Superstars is considered such an underrated gem by many.
While the game ran at 60 frames per second on the original Switch, it would occasionally drop to a lower frame rate on some of the slightly busier stages. Thankfully, that's no longer the case with the Switch 2. What also makes this game a worthwhile pickup for Nintendo's latest system is the ability to play in local co-op, a surprising rarity for Sonic games in the modern era.
3 Sonic Frontiers
Takes Sonic On A Wonder-Filled Adventure Spanning Multiple Unique Islands
Sonic Frontiers
- Released
- November 8, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Although some early Sonic games dabbled in open hub areas, Sonic Frontiers is the game that truly feels like the franchise's first venture into the open-world genre. The game is divided into four different Islands, each with a distinct overall aesthetic and design. While collectibles can be found on each island, there are also Cyberspace Levels that play like traditional stages from the series' past.
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.
Alongside this unique gameplay loop, Sonic Frontiers features a pretty ambitious story, which does a good job at centering on the key characters and developing them over the course of the journey. The original Switch would aim to run Frontiers at 30 frames, and while it managed this most of the time, there were definitely some noticeable drops here and there, which could break the immersion. For the Switch 2, however, while it doesn't quite bump the frame rate up to 60, it maintains a rock-solid 30 throughout an entire playthrough. The loading times, especially when entering the Cyberspace levels, are significantly faster than they were before, becoming more comparable to the console versions of this popular Sonic entry.
2 Sonic Mania
Race Through Some Of The Series' Most Iconic Levels In Smooth 60FPS
Sonic Mania
- Released
- August 15, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
At a time when the Sonic franchise was struggling to put out a true blockbuster hit, Sonic Mania came along and changed everything. The game was spearheaded by Christian Whitehead, a longtime fan of the series who decided to blend together some of the series' most iconic stages into one package, while also upgrading the visuals and throwing in a few new areas for players to explore for good measure.
What results is an adrenaline-pumping 2D thrill ride that really stands out, not only for its gameplay, but also for its infectious soundtrack. The game continues to run at a smooth 60 frames per second on the Switch 2, but thanks to the bigger screen, it's also now much easier to control Sonic and his friends while playing in handheld. Sonic Mania really is one of those must-play games for anyone who considers themselves a Sonic fan, but especially anyone who has a particular love for the 2D era.
1 Sonic X Shadow Generations
The Switch 2 Version Of This Remaster Runs Much Better, Giving Players The Full Experience
Sonic X Shadow Generations
- Released
- October 25, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Considering the Sonic X Shadow Generations remaster is a pretty big game featuring two entire campaigns for players to enjoy, it makes sense why it felt a little diluted for the original Switch system. The good news is, Sonic X Shadows Generations on the Switch 2 feels much closer to the versions seen on the PS5 and Xbox systems, running at a clean 60 frames per second and featuring drastically improved visuals that help each of the stages stand out.
Speaking of stages, there are a plethora of levels that players can enjoy when jumping into the game. For Sonic, there's a wonderful collection of iconic areas from previous games that have been remodeled to fit the modern era. Players even have the choice to blast through these levels as either modern Sonic or classic Sonic, depending on their preferred gameplay style. On the other side of the coin, Shadow has his own batch of levels that he can navigate by utilizing his Chaos Powers, opening up a multitude of different pathways to reach the end goal. Pair all of this with an incredible number of minigames and collectibles, and it makes Sonic X Shadows Generations, without a doubt, the best Sonic game released on the Switch 2 thus far.
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.