Best and Worst Sonic game in your opinion

[Diogenes]

I wouldn't say Sonic 06 is the worst. What we got is an abomination,

Which is plenty reason to call '06 the worst.

but the concepts were the best the series had ever received:

What concepts? The only notable things in the teaser are the implausibly large "level" and when Sonic runs up that pillar, both of which are more for hype than any actual gameplay concepts. That aside it's just an Unleashed chase sequence, homing attacks and springs, and Super Sonic plowing through some robots.

[SilentDoom]

but the worst 2D one (VERY controversially) is Sonic 2.

Controversial indeed. I couldn't disagree more.

Why? Well, there are so many stupid things about it. Tails can't fly, but kinda can when HE wants and he loses rings in special stages,

He flies when he dies and follows you, but honestly I don't think that's a huge critique right down to the point where it's "stupid". Fundamentally he's the same playable character as Sonic. A reskin if you will which isn't necessarily a bad thing at all when the established playstyle is so good.

speaking of which the special stages are a joke (it's the only Sonic game I've played that I never got all emeralds in)

Honestly I've never found what's so painfully hard about them. I can consistently beat them all without a second thought on Emerald Hill Zone. Quite a few people can, it's not really too difficult. Just play them through a few of times and learn them and you'll get them consistently every time. And may I also state I play Sonic 2 mainly on Sonic Mega Collection for the Gamecube using GC controller's tiny ass D-Pad. Apart from that, care to elaborate how they're a "joke"? The half pipe formula has been done to death yes, but you really can't blame Sonic 2 for that. Blame Sega for consistently using the same special stage over and over. I much prefer them to Sonic 1's special stages for example. Even though I've learnt them, I still have a little trouble doing Sonic 1's special stages consistently because of how awkward the controls can be mainly when you want to jump off of something and the game simply won't let you.

the enemy placement is so piss-taking it's not even funny, some of the badniks are annoying as hell (the firefly things in Mystic Cave),

Enemy placement is only a problem in Oil Ocean and Metropolis. The Sonic Advance games have MUCH worse enemy placement. Sonic Advance 3 in particular. Some of it is simply infuriating and it's in EVERY level even Route 99. And even then Oil Ocean they're not that bad it's mainly the fact that the sea horses are evil. Fireflies in Mystic Cave are another enemy I seldom have a problem with, though I can understand why they're annoying for a few.

a lot of the level design is crap like in Metropolis or Aquatic Ruin,

Again, care to evaluate? Both Aquatic Ruin and Metropolis have well paced levels that are multi-tiered, have unique fun level gimmicks, interesting slope arrangements and make really nice use of the game's physics. I fail to see how it's even close to "crap". Infact in my honest opinion it's some of the best level design in the entire series including both 2D and 3D games. Only some of the 3&K level design tops it imo.

the music is hit and miss (some tracks are excellent, others are dull)...

Well, music is highly subjective so I won't dwell on this. Personally I love the entirety of Sonic 2's soundtrack. The only other Sonic soundtracks where I enjoy listening to every single track in the game are Sonic 1's, Unleashed's and Colours (minus the vocal themes).

It's not that terrible overall, but doesn't compare to any other 2D game. Except maybe the Rivals games.

Honestly, I'd say Sonic 1, CD, the Advance games (particularly 2 and 3), the Game Gear games, the Rush games, the Rivals games, and basically pretty much every other 2D game that isn't 3&K is worse than Sonic 2 (and even then I prefer 2 to 3&K). It's beautifully designed, looks really nice, has a killer soundtrack, awesome physics and level design, near perfectly paced and I always have fun every time I play it.

But then again, I'm very biased towards Sonic 2. It's the Sonic game that defined part of my childhood and it's my favourite Sonic game of all time. Each to their own I guess, but I would like to see more justification.

[PerfectChaos]

Controversial indeed. I couldn't disagree more.

He flies when he dies and follows you, but honestly I don't think that's a huge critique right down to the point where it's "stupid". Fundamentally he's the same playable character as Sonic. A reskin if you will which isn't necessarily a bad thing at all when the established playstyle is so good.

Fair enough. It's just a baffling choice on Sonic Team's part to nerf him.

Honestly I've never found what's so painfully hard about them. I can consistently beat them all without a second thought on Emerald Hill Zone. Quite a few people can, it's not really too difficult. Just play them through a few of times and learn them and you'll get them consistently every time. And may I also state I play Sonic 2 mainly on Sonic Mega Collection for the Gamecube using GC controller's tiny ass D-Pad. Apart from that, care to elaborate how they're a "joke"? The half pipe formula has been done to death yes, but you really can't blame Sonic 2 for that. Blame Sega for consistently using the same special stage over and over. I much prefer them to Sonic 1's special stages for example. Even though I've learnt them, I still have a little trouble doing Sonic 1's special stages consistently because of how awkward the controls can be mainly when you want to jump off of something and the game simply won't let you.

---The 'draw distance' and the way the track bends into a bunch of spikes is infuriating, and you can't do small jumps - press the button and you're committed to a moonjump or something. I found them much harder than Sonic 1's special stages, but that's just me I suppose.

Enemy placement is only a problem in Oil Ocean and Metropolis. The Sonic Advance games have MUCH worse enemy placement. Sonic Advance 3 in particular. Some of it is simply infuriating and it's in EVERY level even Route 99. And even then Oil Ocean they're not that bad it's mainly the fact that the sea horses are evil. Fireflies in Mystic Cave are another enemy I seldom have a problem with, though I can understand why they're annoying for a few.

--- You forgot Aquatic Ruin Zone, and also, I'm honestly amazed at how the fireflies don't annoy you. Plus, the instances of bad placement here is FAR more offensive than in Sonic Advance 3. I mean come on, at one point there's two springy walls with a grasshopper badnik who is almost impossible to avoid. Plus the one at the end after the long nut & bolt section, placed just right to knock you down every freaking time. And those bloody star things.

Again, care to evaluate? Both Aquatic Ruin and Metropolis have well paced levels that are multi-tiered, have unique fun level gimmicks, interesting slope arrangements and make really nice use of the game's physics. I fail to see how it's even close to "crap". Infact in my honest opinion it's some of the best level design in the entire series including both 2D and 3D games. Only some of the 3&K level design tops it imo.

---This is mainly tied in with enemy placement tbh, for example you're often encouraged to go fast but then punished for it. (Mystic Cave Zone, Metropolis etc.) There are many instances of annoying level design, for example, the highest paths in Aquatic Ruin that can only be reached with level memorization and using the dodgy glitched springboard things. And that springboard at the end of a long, fast path in Chemical Plant that'd literally broken. The tedious cannon things in Oil Ocean. Then there's the spike pit of doom in Mystic Cave. Oil Ocean's boring, slow design (jump on green plate. Jump off. Slide down the oil. Use the lift. More green plates. Jump over the gaps. Yawn...) And repetitive evil nature of Metropolis, with 3 acts too. Not to mention that Metropolis's design is ATROCIOUS. Some levels just weren't fun. It's hard to explain, but they just weren't... I have a blast on 3+K every time, but here it's so dull. I concede that 'crap' was an overstatement though (if you forget Metropolis)

Edit: Cocked up the quoting there. Sorry, but I was on 3DS' puny browser...

Edited July 8, 2012 by PerfectChaos

[SilentDoom]

Fair enough, thanks for evaluating. I still disagree with most of what you said mind, but honestly at this point it would just be a difference of opinion.

[PerfectChaos]

That's fair enough. And as I said, it's not exactly terrible, I just personally dislike it. I forgot about the 8-bit games though - I haven't played them all but they're probably much worse.

[Semi-colon e]

Longish post incoming. Most of this is blatant opinions obviously, sometimes ones I can't adequately back up except for that I like it or dislike it.

Favourite 2D game

Sonic 3 and Knuckles, obviously.

What doesn't this game do right? It takes the platforming from Sonic 1, the size from Sonic CD, and the flow from Sonic 2, while taking out all their flaws (Sonic 1 being badly paced, 2 having dick enemy placement, this is only really in Death Egg here, and CD being a clusterfuck and cramped at times) and making it bigger and better. Every level has it's own level specific gimmicks, different art styles, variation between the two acts, different gimmicks per act in some cases (only Scrap Brain and Metallic Madness really did this before), an actual story, multiple shields, multiple characters who actually play differently without having totally different levels and styles, absurd amounts of secrets, 14 emeralds with some awesome special stages to get them in, a great soundtrack, and so much more. It also has a lot of water for some reason, and I tend to like going underwater in Sonic games, so stuff like Hydrocity and Launch Base also tickle my fancy. The only real flaws are minor niggles, such as the levels being quite long, sometimes abusively so, or the fact that you don't really get a choice to use normal Knuckles or Tails once you have all the emeralds unless you don't use the abilities that make them good. This game is a gem, and definitely one of the best Sonic games, if not the best. I will say though that the Sonic and Knuckles half is quite weak compared to the fantastic Sonic 3 half, though, but the complete package still kicks ass.

Runners up: Sonic CD because of having two fantastic soundtracks, an emphasis on exploration, beautiful visuals, and some incredible levels like Collision Chaos and Stardust Speedway. Also Metal Sonic. Also I'm rather keen on Sonic 2 because it improves almost everything from the first game (and has classic levels like the holy trio of Chemical Plant, Aquatic Ruin, and Casino Night), and actually Rush Adventure because it has a lot of interesting level tropes and some of my favourite bosses in the series. Pirates' Island is a great level and I wish it were in Generations somewhere. Additionally, each level in Rush Adventure has unique level gimmicks, and the tedium of the first Rush is mostly taken out in favour of a more boost happy, but more flowing experience, and I love this game.

Least Favourite 2D game

Probably Sonic 4 Episode 1 or Sonic Blast. Episode 1 is just offensively bad. Shitty music, shitty level design, rehash all over, shitty bosses, poor controls, no physics to speak of, annoying as shit special stages, I just don't like this game at all. Sonic Blast offends me less because of how unimportant it is, but it has so few stages, it's really ugly, clunky, and Blue Marine is one of THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. water levels in any Sonic game I've played, with it's ridiculous current and tube maze mechanic.

I don't really have any runners up, I like every other 2D game enough, even Sonic 4 Episode 2 is one I quite enjoy, as much as it should be better.

Favourite 3D game

Sonic Generations, bitch!

I'm gonna get out the way the whole Classic Sonic being fully 2D thing, I enjoy it quite a lot, nowhere near as much as the Classics or whatever, but it's fun enough. However, it's the Modern levels that I really enjoy. Several of them feel expansive, some of them have decent platforming, and it's pretty much what I wanted out of the Unleashed formula in the first place ,albeit it still needs work. I'm pretty pleased with most of the level choices as well, all of them look fantastic, the music is amazing, the bosses are awesome save for Time Eater, and the lack of plot doesn't bother me because I can just keep coming back to these levels. Some of them are nostalgic, like Chemical Plant, now in HD and with fantastic rock techno remixing. Speed Highway here is fantastic, whether it's Classic's techno remix and going through the shopping mall, or Modern's with more adrenaline than ever before, and taking out the At Dawn section that I wasn't actually keen on, as well as adding more ridiculous shortcuts and looking beautiful. And then there's Crisis City Act 2, holy shit I love this level and it's beautiful violin music, but I gush about it a lot so I'll save it for now. Even Planet Wisp Act 2 is a level I really like as the Rocket is more enjoyable here to me than in Colours, as you charge up and BLAST OFF! It has it's flaws, but I still find myself coming back to this game and just playing the levels or even pissing about and admiring the scenery. I've also gotta give them props on attention to detail in the level recreations, and how, despite the fact that it represents so many games, it each level feels part of the cohesive package.

Runners up: Colours, while not being 3D most of the time, is a game I really enjoy as well. The Wisps are varied and great, the levels and soundtracks are fantastic, and it's style is one I really enjoy. There's also a lot to explore and return back to in an almost Metroidvania fashion, which I certainly relish. Too bad there's not much 3D to be had. Sonic Adventure is pretty good too, it's aged really badly but the Sonic levels were better here than in any other 3D game for ages, and they still have the best usage of level specific gimmicks (with only Generations coming close imo).

Least Favourite 3D game

Sonic 2006 is terrible, but I've not played enough of it to be really fair in my complaints, but as everyone else said before, it's a trainwreck. How they thought this was good enough to be put out on shelves baffles me.

Shadow is also really terrible, but I don't really feel like bitching about stuff that much today, I'm trying to be positive in this post and focus on the positives.

...buuut that's just me.

Edited July 9, 2012 by Semi-colon e

[ZER0]

Best sonic game = sonic 2 IMO (great physics, great design, introduction of my fav character *super sonic*)

Worst sonic game = Sonic 06 IMO (not enough words I can say can describe why)

[WarioBone]

Main Series

Best: Colors, 3&K, Generations, Unleashed, Adventure 2, CD

Worst: (ALMOST) Everything else

Everything Else

Best: Advance Series, Riders 1, Portly Plumber and Blue Hedgehog Compete for Da Gold Medal

Worst: Riders 2&3, AST, Everything from the classic era that wasn't a main game besides Knux. :V

[Nick]

Best: Sonic generations. This game just did everything right IMO. The music is amazing, the graphics are amazing, the boss fights are amazing (except Time eater) and they FINALLY got the 3D gameplay right, with a perfect mix of platforming and boosting sections. And while I don't care too much for the classic titles, they managed to make classic sonic fun to play for me.

Worst: Sonic & the secret rings. Holy shit this game sucks. It's just unplayable motion control crap with you hurtling forward at uncontrollable speeds, barely able to stop. Plus it had a horrible soundtrack to boot. At least Sonic 06 actually had basic 3d gameplay that you could actually control. This game is just an abomination.

Runner-up: Sonic Adventure (The PSN port anyway) Having had fond memories playing Sonic Adventure DX on the Gamecube, I decided to buy SA1 on PSN...biggest waste of 15$ EVER. This game has aged horribly, with god-awful voice acting, terrible collision-detection, and every gameplay style except Sonic & Tails felt clunky as hell. Terrible game.

Edited August 5, 2012 by Nick

[Psychic Hedgehog]

Best (I have two )

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles - A perfect blend of platforming, speed and exploration with HUGE levels and great rewards. It's also packed with well designed content and a plot which is both simple and epic.

Sonic the Hedgehog CD - Colourful graphics, original ideas, catchy music, interesting level design and the unique atmosphere of the game makes me smile everytime I play it.

Worst

Sonic Adventure 2 - I don't see the appeal of this game. It's very glitchy, extremely frustrating and the majority of the game is made even worse by forcing you to play through tedious treasure hunting stages and boring mech shooting stages. Overall, the experience makes me want to tear my hair out more than have fun. I'll shut up now before somebody get's pissed off. XD

[Hamzawesome]

You guys are crazy..........saying Sonic adventure 1 or 2 the worst 3D sonic games? Sonic CD or Sonic 2 the worst 2D sonic games? Sonic '06 should have brain washed you or something

Best 3D sonic game: SONIC ADVENTURE 2

Even though the treasure hunting and shooting weren't that good but they were still fun,very fun actually. Sonic/Shadow stages are very fast paced and awesome,catchy music in every stage (even treasure hunting stages and shooting had great music) I just want to replay Sonic/Shadow stages over and over and never get tired,I never ran into any glitch because I DON'T LOOK FOR THEM, the camera can be a pain in ass but the camera is the only complain i have about this game.And the chao garden....FUCKING AWESOME!!!!!!!

Best 2D sonic game: Sonic 3 and knuckles

The levels are HUGE with Hyper and super forms, and 14 zones (or maybe more...) 3 playable characters, each one with his unique abilities, special pathways for knuckles, a lot of secrets and replay ability, great music, not easy,awesome 14 special stages, best level design in any 2D sonic game,best gameplay, DEBUG MODE which adds too much for the game making you explore even more!

Worst 3D sonic game: Nothing I enjoyed every 3D sonic game I played, and I didn't play Sonic '06 cause I don't own a PS3/360 and even if I got one of those consoles I won't play sonic '06 XD. Or I can say Sonic Labyrinth

Worst 2D sonic game: Sonic Labyrinth or all of the other game gear titles (except sonic 1 8-bit and sonic 2 8-bit)

I don't know if i can call this game 2D or 3D or even 2.5D, but there's a reason sonic is popular and that's speed, nuff said.

[SilJeff]

You guys are crazy..........saying Sonic adventure 1 or 2 the worst 3D sonic games? Sonic CD or Sonic 2 the worst 2D sonic games? Sonic '06 should have brain washed you or something

Worst 3D sonic game: Nothing I enjoyed every 3D sonic game I played, and I didn't play Sonic '06 cause I don't own a PS3/360 and even if I got one of those consoles I won't play sonic '06 XD.

I agree for the most part (unlike you, there have been other major 3D sonic games that I didn't care for aside from S06). I wish I was as lucky as you to not play such a piece of trash (Sonic 06)... What's worse is that I payed $60 for it on release day

That did teach me a lesson, though: No matter what series it is a part of, do not buy a new game unless I've done some research into it.

Edited August 6, 2012 by Mr.Snarf

[-Big The Cat-]

Best 3D Sonic game: Sonic 3D blast (Genesis version)

Best 2D Sonic game: Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

Worst 3D Sonic game: A tie between Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Unleashed.

Worst 2D Sonic game: Sonic Rush.