Summary
While there was a severe lack ofSonic the Hedgehoggames on the original Switch when it was first released back in 2017, with theSwitch 2now out in the wild, this is certainly no longer the case. Sega has done an admirable job porting many ofits most recentSonictitles 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 thatthe moment-to-moment gameplay always feels fast, fluid, and fun.
ConsideringSonicgames are all about racing through vibrant stages at exhilarating speed, frame drops and slow load times can severely impact the experience.Thankfully, the Switch 2addresses many of the issues that plagued a fewSonicgames on the original system. With that being said, these gamesstill vary in terms of their overall quality.Here arethe very bestSonicgames 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.
There have already been plenty of traditionalSonicracing gamesreleased over the years, so to avoid sticking with the same old song, Sonic Team decided to get a little more creative withTeam 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 toTeam Sonic Racing’spresentation or gameplay, but it’s understandable since the game already ran extremely well, and still looks great to boot.
Sonic Forcescontains 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 ofSonic’s biggest villainscome 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.
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 mostSonictitles. 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.
ThoughSonic Colors: Ultimatedid 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.LongtimeSonicfans will know thatColorsis 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 ofSonicfans. The introduction of the Wisps, who all grant Sonic unique abilities, helps to makeColorsfeel like a unique entry in the series.Sonic Colors: Ultimateloads 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.
Despite going under the radar for many due to a lack of marketing,Sonic Superstarsfeels like a determined effort from Sega to harken back towhat 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 thatSuperstarsis 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 forSonicgames in the modern era.
Although some earlySonicgames dabbled in open hub areas,SonicFrontiersis the game that truly feels like the franchise’s first venture into the open-world genre.The game isdivided into four different Islands, each with a distinct overall aesthetic and design. While collectibles can be found on each island, there are alsoCyberspace Levelsthatplay like traditional stages from the series' past.
Alongside this unique gameplay loop,Sonic Frontiersfeatures 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 runFrontiersat 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 popularSonicentry.
At a time when theSonicfranchise was struggling to put out a true blockbuster hit,Sonic Maniacame 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 friendswhile playing in handheld.Sonic Maniareally is one of those must-play games for anyone who considers themselves aSonicfan, but especially anyone who has a particular love for the 2D era.
Considering theSonic X Shadow Generationsremaster 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 Generationson 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’sa wonderful collection of iconic areasfrom 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 makesSonic X Shadows Generations,without a doubt, the bestSonicgame released on the Switch 2 thus far.
