sonicography

Every single Sonic game ever created. Well most of them, anyway. Not all are good. I've left out the innumerable Game Gear iterations of Sonic, except those which appeared on other consoles as well. I will not put them up here. Most of the Game Gear titles sucked anyway. :x

Warning: This page has a lot of graphics, so your loading may be slow.
Another Warning: Some descriptions may contain spoilers.

NB: All boxshots courtesy of Sonic HQ.

	Name: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
	System(s): SEGA GENESIS/MEGADRIVE, SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, SEGA GAME GEAR, IBM PC (RealOne Arcade)
	Released: 1991
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Doctor Eggman
	The very first Sonic game, and the most revolutionary of them all. This game was incredibly short (it had only six levels and was quite easy to beat) but it set the stage for much greater things for our favourite blue hedgehog. This was easily the fastest game out there, with high-speed scrolling and brilliant graphics, much better than the Nintendo Entertainment System's Super Mario Bros. 3 which was the latest Mario game out then.

	Name: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2
	System(s): SEGA GENESIS/MEGADRIVE, SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, SEGA GAME GEAR, IBM PC (RealOne Arcade)
	Released: 1992
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Doctor Eggman
	Sonic makes a triumphant return on the Genesis, and his second outing proves to be better than the first. This game was longer (it had 10 levels) and more difficult to complete. It also introduced a new playable character (Tails! :D) and a new goal, probably added in to shut up the Mario fanboys who said that Mario could go Super - now Sonic could too, by collecting all 7 Chaos Emeralds in the Special Stages and grabbing 50 rings in the levels, one could turn into Super Sonic, a MUCH faster version of the original Sonic. Needless to say, this game sold like hotcakes.

	Name: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3
	System(s): SEGA GENESIS/MEGADRIVE
	Released: 1994
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Doctor Eggman
	Two years did pass with nary a sign of blue hog, and fans lamented, "Sega, hast thou forsaken us?" Well, of course not. The next iteration featured yet another character (Knuckles, though not playable) and six levels again. But these levels were HUGE, and the graphic level had been boosted through the roof. The animation was also top-notch. I would say that Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were the games that truly showed off the 2D processing power of the Genesis. The game was good too, with a reasonable level of difficulty.

	Name: SONIC AND KNUCKLES
	System(s): SEGA GENESIS/MEGADRIVE
	Released: 1994
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, Doctor Eggman
	Fans didn't have to wait much longer for the next Sonic game. This was released the same year, adding 7 new levels and Knuckles as a playable character. More intriguing though was the "lock-on" technology, that allowed you to connect Sonic 2 to Sonic and Knuckles to play as Knuckles through the whole game of Sonic 2! However, you could also lock on Sonic 3 to create the ultimate Sonic game - Sonic 3 & Knuckles (Engrish, yes, but it works), with a grand total of 14 levels and the ability to turn into Super Knuckles, Super Tails, and Hyper Sonic (by getting 7 Super Emeralds after the Chaos Emeralds). Needless to say, this was probably the best Sonic game of them all.

	Name: SONIC SPINBALL
	System(s): SEGA GENESIS/MEGADRIVE, SEGA GAME GEAR
	Released: 1993
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Doctor Eggman
	Ugh! It's a pinball game...and Sonic's the ball! Sounds interesting enough, but this game was awful. It was too insanely difficult, and the novelty wore off after a while. The graphics looked surprisingly worse than Sonic 2's. This was probably the first game that signalled that Sega was willing to milk our favourite hedgehog for all he was worth. The gist is :if you want a game of Sonic pinball, pick up Sonic Adventure. Not this game.

	Name: SONIC CD
	System(s): SEGA CD/MEGA CD, IBM PC
	Released: 1993
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Metal Sonic, Doctor Eggman
	Ahhhh...the first Sonic game to have CD audio music (that was astoundingly good) and the ability to travel through time! There were 7 stages, but due to the time travel element, this was tripled to 21! The graphics were also sharp and detailed, and the gameplay was as tight as ever. This was easily one of the best Sonic games ever. It was a real shame that it was largely ignored. You can pick this up at a cheap price for the PC and see what I'm talking about.

	Name: DR. ROBOTNIK'S MEAN BEAN MACHINE
	System(s): SEGA GENESIS/MEGADRIVE
	Released: 1993
	Characters: Doctor Eggman, assorted Badniks
	Take one part Puyo Puyo, one part localisation, and two parts of Sega of America, and what do you get? THIS GAME. Yes, when the great puzzle game Puyo Puyo was ported to the United States, it became THIS GAME. The game is still as good as ever, but...ugh. Did they REALLY have to use the goddamn Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Dr. Robotnik?! That itself ruined the appeal for me. >:|

	Name: SONIC AND KNUCKLES COLLECTION
	System(s): IBM PC
	Released: 1995
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Dr. Eggman
	When you have a good thing, replicate it. Hence this game. This is essentially Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles and the combined version of Sonic 3 & Knuckles on one CD, with some new music tracks and MIDI music. If you have a good sound card the background tracks sound excellent. Other than that, these games are as sharp as they were on the Genesis, and that alone is worth the price of admission.

	Name: KNUCKLES CHAOTIX
	System(s): SEGA 32X
	Released: 1995
	Characters: Knuckles the Echidna, Mighty, Espio, Vector, Charmy Bee, Heavy and Bomb, Dr. Eggman, Metal Sonic
	I thought this game would be good - and what do you know, I wasn't that far off. This game had astounding 2D graphics, much improved animation and an interesting concept - playing as 2 characters who are bound together by a flexible cord. This allowed for all sorts of interesting gameplay elements, and had well-designed levels that needed you to make use of those elements. Sadly, this game also got ignored amidst the glut of PlayStation titles that flooded the market around this time, not to mention the fact the 32X itself got mostly ignored.

	Name: SONIC 3D BLAST
	System(s): SEGA GENESIS/MEGADRIVE, SEGA SATURN, SEGA GAMEGEAR, IBM PC
	Released: 1996
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Eggman, Tails and Knuckles (cameos)
	Don't be fooled by the title - this game isn't 3D, not by a long shot. It uses an isometric/trimetric view like the Diablo games. The Saturn and PC versions had CD audio and 3D special stages, along with somewhat better graphics, but it was the Genesis version that deserved praise - it showed that the 8-year old machine was still capable of some great graphics. The game, however, was mediocre at best, since it was so short and so easy to beat.

	Name: SONIC R
	System(s): SEGA SATURN, IBM PC
	Released: 1997
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Metal Sonic, Dr. Eggman, assorted secret characters :D
	An original Saturn game, Sonic R is actually a Sonic racing game. It had 5 racing tracks and a boatload of secrets to unlock, making it pretty good in its own right. It also sported some rather good graphics (for the time) but was not really a platformer. It was meant to be a racing game, and it obviously came across as one. I for one didn't like the game (it was way too slow) but others' opinions may differ. The soundtrack was pretty good, though...

	Name: SONIC JAM
	System(s): SEGA SATURN
	Released: 1997
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Dr. Eggman
	More milking of classic games! Not that I'm complaining, mind you. Sonic Jam has Sonic 1,2,3, Sonic & Knuckles and the associated lock-ons on one Saturn disc, even including a special game obtainable by locking on Sonic 1 and Sonic & Knuckles, called Blue Sphere. It was basically the Sonic 3 special stages. Also included were some extras, like an art gallery, a movie theatre and...lo and behold...a a 3D Sonic world! Yes, you could actually run around a small 3D arena resembling the Green Hill Zone. The extras could be accessed from here, and you could even hitch a ride with Tails. This was the definitive Sonic collection for the Saturn.

	Name: SONIC ADVENTURE
	System(s): SEGA DREAMCAST
	Released: 1998
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Big the Cat, E-102 Gamma, Chaos, Tikal, Dr. Eggman. (whew!)
	Finally, after years of abuse by evil corporate demons, Sonic Team revives the blue hedgehog on Sega's new console. Finally, a 3D Sonic game! And it's actually good! This game featured a variety of playing styles, from the classic Sonic gameplay, to racing, hunting, chasing, shooting and even fishing! The graphics were beautifully crafted in 3D and we finally got to hear all the characters talk. There were also loads of mini-games, including pinball (Sonic and NiGHTS!), snowboarding and whack-a-mole. In addition, there was an artificial life-raising system in this game that had you raising "Chao" creatures. Mind you, this was terribly addictive. This is a truly epic game that offers a phenomenal experience that can possibly never be duplicated (unless it's ported).

	Name: SONIC ADVENTURE DX: Director's Cut
	System(s): NINTENDO GAMECUBE
	Released: 2003
	Characters: Same as Sonic Adventure
	A remake of the original Sonic Adventure for the GameCube, with better graphics and new stuff, like, oh, 50 new missions for the existing levels in the game? And EVERY SINGLE SONIC GAME GEAR GAME EVER MADE? This is something to look out for, definitely. I mean, they gave Sonic FINGERS! (NB: The Sonic player model didn't have discrete fingers in the DC version, but now does in the GC version) It also has linkup with GBA Sonic games like Sonic Advance 2 and Sonic Pinball Party. It seems Sonic lightning is ready to strike again.

	Name: SONIC ADVENTURE 2
	System(s): SEGA DREAMCAST
	Released: 2001
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Dr. Eggman, Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, Amy Rose (2-player), Chaos (2-player), Tikal (2-player), Big the Cat (2-player), Metal Sonic (2-player) (double whew!)
	They say that lightning never strikes twice. Well, it did. Sonic Adventure 2 doesn't quite reach the standards set by its prequel, but it's a fantastic game in its own right. The graphics have been supercharged, and the speed is truly insane. My only gripe would be the need to play as Tails and Eggman in their lumbering walkers - these characters' levels are the most frustrating in the whole game. This is the first 3D Sonic game to truly recapture the feeling of speed that was felt in the first Sonic game.

	Name: SONIC SHUFFLE
	System(s): SEGA DREAMCAST (and hopefully nowhere else)
	Released: 2000
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Dr. Eggman, Void
	In every basket, there must be a few rotten apples. So why did this one have to be rotten? Sonic Shuffle is a "party" game in the style of Mario Party and Crash Bash. This could have been a great party game - but it was killed by lousily designed minigames and terrible loading times. Next time, get Sonic Team to do the Sonic games, not some half-wit puzzle developer who thinks he knows what he's doing.

	Name: SONIC ADVENTURE 2: BATTLE
	System(s): NINTENDO GAMECUBE
	Released: 2002
	Characters: Same as Sonic Adventure 2 minus Big the Cat
	This is SA2 on steroids. With all the action of the original, with a few additions like enhanced Chao raising and more 2-player levels and modes. This game was pretty good, actually. This game also links to Sonic Advance/Sonic Advance 2through the GameCube-GBA link cable, and you can download your Chao into Sonic Advance/2 and raise it on the go.

	Name: SONIC MEGA COLLECTION
	System(s): NINTENDO GAMECUBE, PLAYSTATION 2?
	Released: 2002
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Dr. Eggman
	Sonic Jam 2. Essentially, this is a title to allow the Nintendo fanboys to see what they've been missing. It also has 2 non-Sonic games. Included in this compilation are Sonic 1,2,3,Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3D Blast, and Mean Bean Machine. The lock-on versions of Sonic & Knuckles have to be unlocked (unintentional pun, really). It has a few extras (like Sonic official art, game manuals and comic cover scans), but none as great as those included in Sonic Jam. Fans may cringe over the exclusion of Sonic CD, but this is a good collection in its own right.

	Name: SONIC HEROES
	System(s): NINTENDO GAMECUBE, SONY PLAYSTATION 2, MICROSOFT XBOX
	Released: 2004
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, Omega, Amy Rose, Cream the Rabbit, Big the Cat, Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, Vector the Crocodile, Dr. Eggman, Metal Sonic
	The first new Sonic game - and it's for all the major home consoles! Personally, I like this game a good deal. It has a very "old school" feel to it, although the camera is still annoying, and the controls are a tad too sensitive. That, and the only version worth owning is the GameCube version, because the PS2 and XBox versions are rather shoddy ports. Still, it's a nice step forward for the series.

	Name: SONIC ADVANCE
	System(s): NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE
	Released: 2002
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Dr. Eggman
	Sonic returns to his 2D roots, in a surprisingly good game for the GBA. This was developed by a group of developers from SNK, who were also responsible for Sonic Pocket Adventure on the NeoGeo Pocket Color. This game was good, successfully recapturing the feel of classic Sonic gameplay with better graphics and reasonably good sound. It also has linkability with the GC version of SA2:Battle. A must-have for any GBA owner.

	Name: SONIC ADVANCE 2
	System(s): NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE
	Released: 2003
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Cream the Rabbit, Cheese the Chao, Amy Rose, Dr. Eggman
	Oh. My. God. I thought that SA2 was fast, but Sonic Team and Dimps (the ex-SNK guys) put out this game to tell me "you ain't seen nothin' yet." This is the most insanely fast Sonic game I have ever played. With the addition of a new character (Cream and Cheese) and even better graphics and sound (is that even possible?!) Sonic Advance 2 seems ready to blow the socks off anyone who plays it.

	Name: SONIC ADVANCE 3
	System(s): NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE
	Released: 2004
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Cream the Rabbit, Cheese the Chao, Amy Rose, Dr. Eggman, Gemel
	Sonic Advance 3 improves upon the Sonic Advance 2 formula by favouring Sonic 3-style exploration over speed. That, and it adds the element of partner play - you now have a partner you can choose separately and summon using the R button! This obviously leads to some interesting ways of traversing levels - Sonic can summon Tails to lift him out of danger, Knuckles can ask Sonic to give him a speed boost...it's coming along pretty well so far.

	Name: SONIC BATTLE
	System(s): NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE
	Released: 2003
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Cream the Rabbit, Cheese the Chao, Amy Rose, Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, E-102 Gamma, Chaos Zero, Emerl, Dr. Eggman
	A free-for-all brawler on the GBA, much in the vein of the Super Smash Brothers games. A pretty fun game, especially in multiplayer. Each character has his or her own characteristic special attacks and play styles. An interesting addition is the ability to create your own custom fighter by combining attacks from various other characters, which constitutes most of the replay value in this game. A good effort by Sonic Team.

	Name: SONIC PINBALL PARTY
	System(s): NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE
	Released: 2003
	Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Eggman, Miles "Tails" Prower, NiGHTS
	A pinball game starring Sonic and a few other characters. Apparently it connects with Sonic Adventure DX. Hopefully it'll be better than the wretched Sonic Spinball.