List of Sonic Games That Are Available on Nintendo Switch
Image Credits: Nintendo
Sonic games that feature the title protagonist, Sonic the Hedgehog, are a series of video games. The games in the series have been developed by Sonic Team, Sega, BioWare, Sumo Digital, SIMS Co. Ltd., and Dimps. Sonic the Hedgehog was the first to debut in 1991 and was released for Sega Genesis.
Apart from the title character, a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog called Sonic, the games feature a variety of other characters as well.
If you’re a fan of active games with easy controls and some spot-on graphics, Sonic games are right for you. The basic premise of Sonic games is guiding the title character through levels as fast as possible while battling bosses along the way. While you’re at it, you also have to make sure you pick up the coins and rings that can give you many benefits while you’re on your mission.
Here’s a list of the different Sonic games that are available on Nintendo Switch.
Sonic Forces
Image Credits: Nintendo
Sonic Forces was released on the 7th of November, 2017. The storyline is one in which Dr. Eggman has managed to conquer most of the world aided by a villain called Infinite and the loyal henchman, Phantom Ruby. It’s your job to aid Sonic in building an army and fighting against the bad guys to reclaim the world. There are three unique gameplay character styles in Sonic Forces:
• Classic Sonic
• Modern Sonic
• Your customized character
High-speed runs through multiple levels are still characteristic of the game, and there are enemy reboots, classic gimmicks, and several dangers along the way as you attempt to reach your goal. Scores at various levels can be raised through the collection of rings, attacks on enemies, destruction of hurdles, and completion of a stage without dying.
Sonic Mania
Image Credits: Nintendo
Sonic Mania serves as the 25th-anniversary celebration release of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The game takes place in the backdrop of an alternate reality, where Sonic, Knuckles the Echidna, and Miles “Tails” Prower attempt to prevent Dr. Eggman from gaining access to a special novel energy source. The game was developed by Christian Whitehead, PagodaWest Games, and Headcannon, collaborating with Sonic Team. It was released on 15th August 2017.
Mania mode is the main playthrough in Sonic Mania, and the goal is to reach the end of every act in zones (game level) in 10 minutes. There are zones from original Sonic games as well as new zones with multiple routes that you need to discover. Collectible rings are available everywhere that can help to protect your character from damage.
Sonic Mania Plus
Image Credits: Nintendo
Sonic Mania Plus is an expansion of Sonic Mania released in July 2018. This version adds some new features to the game, like:
• Two new characters- Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel with exclusive moves.
• A new mode called Encore Mode. This mode occurs after the Mania mode and Sonic Forces' conclusion, where players progress with new gameplay rules through altered zones. Objects and rings are placed in different locations, and there are new pathways making use of the abilities of all five players.
• The introductory zone added is the Angel Island Zone.
• There’s a new bonus stage that takes place within a giant pinball table.
• Competition mode has been expanded to include four players.
• Ability to save game replays of finished Time Attack attempts.
Sega Mega Drive Classics
Image Credits: Nintendo
Sega Mega Drive Classics or the Sega Genesis Classics was developed by 3DT Limited and Sega and released on 7th December 2018. It comprises over 50 games of Sega Mega Drive, with the following being from the Sonic games series:
• Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog was the first title launch by Sonic Team, published by Sega. The high-speed gameplay and platform mechanism gave it the popularity it deserved at that time and continues to be the basic gameplay style of the Sonic games series. It was released on 23rd June 1991 in North America and Europe, but the Japanese Mega Drive release happened on 26th July 1991.
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
The storyline of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 follows the title character and Miles “Tails” Prower, his sidekick, as they embark on a mission to put a stop to Doctor Robotnik, who is attempting to obtain the Chaos Emeralds so that he can power his Death Egg. It’s up to Sonic and Tails to fight against Doctor Robotnik’s army and liberate their friends.
• Sonic 3D Blast
This version of the game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series was created by Traveller’s Tales in the UK and published by Sega. Played in a 2D atmosphere from an isometric point of view, the game utilizes pre-rendered 3D sprites. Sonic has to collect Flickies to bring to a Warp Ring so that the game can advance. There are two normal and one boss act in every zone with 10-15 Flickies in the normal acts. The boss act will require a face-off with Dr. Robotnik in one of his machines.
• Sonic Spinball
Released initially in 1993, Sonic Spinball marks the first adventure game of the Sonic games series. The title draws a pun on Sonic’s signature spin move and the word pinball. The game continues logically with pinball themes and levels starting from the Spring Yard Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog. There are four large pinball tables or levels:
• Sewer level
• Geothermal power station
• Badnik factory
• Launchpad
It’s up to you to help Sonic through the four levels, collecting Chaos Emeralds along the way and fighting Dr. Robotnik. The musical score was composed by Howard Drossin.
Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog
Image Credits: Nintendo
Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog was developed by M2 and is a re-release of Sonic the Hedgehog. It was released on 20th September 2018. While the gameplay is similar to the original, some new features include:
• Two attacks- Spin dash and Drop dash.
• Ring Keeper mode that starts with you having ten rings and losing half of them when hit.
• Possibility of playing the Mega Play arcade version of this game.
• Challenge mode where you can compete in one of two challenges for a high score:
◦ Time attack – finish Act 1 of the Green Hill zone as fast as possible.
◦ Score attack – playing through Mega Play to get the highest possible score with one life.
Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Image Credits: Nintendo
Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 developed by M2 and released on 20th February 2020 is a re-release of the original Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Most features of this version are identical to the 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but new features include:
• Two attacks- Spin dash and Drop dash.
• Ability to play the game as Knuckles the Echidna.
• A variety of modes, such as:
◦ Original – like the initial Mega Drive version.
◦ Ring Keep – start with ten rings and lose half if you get hit.
◦ Super Sonic – starts with the unlocking of Chaos Emeralds once the Ring Keep mode is cleared.
◦ A challenge mode with two challenges where players can compete in one challenge and have the best scores uploaded to the leaderboard online.
Team Sonic Racing
Image Credits: Nintendo
Team Sonic Racing was developed by Sumo Digital and published on 21st May 2019. The game combines the best features of arcade and competitive racing in a multiplayer face-off. You can choose from among 15 characters and participate in races with sports cars. Unlike traditional racing games, this relies on cooperative gameplay where you’re part of a team and must put in the teamwork to win the race. Characters in the game can be from any of three classes:
• Speed
• Power
• Technique
Each character has strengths and weaknesses. You must work together by sharing speed boosts and power-ups as you race across mesmerizing worlds.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Image Credits: Nintendo
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has been developed and published by Sega and was released on 1st November 2019 in Japan, 5th November 2019 in North America, and 8th November 2019 in Europe and Australia.
This crossover game features characters from the Super Mario franchise and Sonic the Hedgehog series. In the game, you participate in different sports events from the Olympic Games, including boxing, surfing, soccer, skateboarding, swimming, karate, gymnastics, and sport climbing. You can train for the Olympics either solo or by competing with friends. There are many play styles that you can choose from that include immersive motion controls.
You can also travel back to the Tokyo Olympic Games of 1964 with the Story Mode, where Mario, Sonic, Dr. Eggman, and Bowser are taken into a magical game system and must compete in a 2D version of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Image Credits: Nintendo
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and released on the 7th of December, 2018 for Nintendo Switch. In the game, Sonic and other characters from previous installments return. Sonic needs to be unlocked if you are to play the character, and this can be done in three ways:
• Play versus matches – Sonic is the 17th character that’ll be unlocked.
• Finish the Classic mode as Mario.
• Let Sonic join the party in World of Light.
Other characters from Sonic the Hedgehog make appearances as either primary or support spirits.
