“Sonic X Shadow Generations” is the latest 3D installment of the long-running “Sonic the Hedgehog” video games. Building on the beloved “Sonic Generations” from 2011, Sega and Sonic Team have made the definitive version for newcomers and true believers alike.
Following upon the original release in 2011 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, the main game sees you play as two different variants of Sonic across a wide range of stages throughout the series’ history. The “Classic Sonic” stages are modeled after the first three 2D platform games that saw release on the Sega Genesis. The “Modern Sonic” stages take inspiration from the 3D games released starting with the beloved 1999 “Sonic Adventure” on Sega Dreamcast. The tight controls and level designs make the game simple enough to get into, yet it offers plenty of depth to encourage multiple replays.
Though the original game was no slouch in terms of graphics and sound, this release is full of fast-paced visual delights and excellent remixes of music from past games. Even the Nintendo Switch version runs as well as the original release in both portable and home mode.
In addition to containing the original “Sonic Generations” in its entirety, the game contains an entirely new story campaign centered around fan-favorite character Shadow the Hedgehog. As Shadow confronts his past, he gains an array of new special abilities for traversal and combat. His stages are more challenging than those in the main game, but no less engaging. Beloved stages including the ARK Space Colony from 2001’s “Sonic Adventure 2” and the Rail Canyon from 2004’s “Sonic Heroes,” even the redesigned hub world builds on the “Open Zone” concept from 2022’s hit “Sonic Frontiers.” A post-launch event will also feature a tie-in to this December’s highly-anticipated live-action film “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”
With the game selling 1 million copies on its launch day alone, the franchise will continue to endure through the ages. Overall, “Sonic X Shadow Generations” is an ideal update to an excellent game. If you have played “Sonic Generations” before, this game is the definitive release of it. If it’s your first time, this is the release you should play.
At a glance:
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sonic Team
Platform: Nintendo Switch (Also available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series)
ESRB Rating: E10+
My Rating: ★★★★★
