Bright 2D chaos and co-op fun, Sonic Superstars brings classic speed to modern screens

Reviewed: ad hoc news Classics & Longseller desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-21, 14:30. Details in the imprint.

Sonic Superstars throws a flood of saturated color and fast 2D stages on your TV, yet everything feels surprisingly tidy once you get into the rhythm. Rings rain, enemies pop, and the old Sonic sound cues still hit a nostalgic nerve.

Modern skin on classic speed

Sonic Superstars returns to pure side-scrolling, but swaps pixel art for smooth 3D models and effects. The result looks clean and bright on a 4K TV, yet keeps the strong silhouettes that make Sonic and his friends instantly recognisable.

The camera sticks close and low, so you really feel the speed when you hit a loop or a spring chain. At the same time, the higher resolution makes traps easier to read than on the old Mega Drive titles, which makes repeated runs less frustrating.

Four heroes, four play styles

You can run through the campaign as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Amy, each with their own twist on the core move set. Tails glides with his rotor, Knuckles climbs, Amy swings a hammer jump - that changes how you attack shortcuts and enemy layouts.

Solo runs already feel different depending on the character, but couch co-op up to four people adds chaotic charm. Races for rings, missed jumps and sudden saves give the game a party feel, especially when kids and adults share a screen.

New Emerald powers, mixed results

The Chaos Emeralds now unlock special abilities instead of only transforming Sonic. These powers range from creating clones to revealing hidden platforms or blasting across the screen in a flashy rush, adding a light puzzle layer to familiar platforming.

Used sparingly, these powers feel like clever tools that open alternative routes. Overuse, however, can slow the clean flow of running and jumping, so veteran players often rely on them mainly for exploration or specific collectibles.

Level design between nostalgia and surprise

Zones in Sonic Superstars clearly nod to old favorites with tropical beaches, mechanical bases and pinball-flavored sections. At the same time, fresh gimmicks like shifting gravity, rideable creatures or dynamic water flows keep stages from feeling like pure remakes.

Most acts encourage high-speed runs on an upper path and safer, slower routes below. That structure rewards mastery without locking casual players out of progress, which makes the game convincing as a family-friendly platformer that still has depth for fans.

Boss fights and difficulty spikes

Boss fights lean heavily on pattern memorisation and timing, with some battles stretching longer than expected. Miss a late hit and you may feel punished by having to repeat a slow early phase before things get interesting again.

These difficulty spikes can be sobering for younger players, particularly in later zones. Thankfully, generous checkpoints and the ability to replay stages help families smooth out these rough edges with a bit of practice.

Platforms, price point, and value

Sonic Superstars is available on the major current consoles and PC, so most living rooms with a reasonably recent system are covered. That broad reach fits Sega Sammy's strategy of keeping Sonic visible across generations of hardware.

The game typically launches and trades at a mid-range full-price tier rather than deep budget. For players who love replaying stages for better runs, time attacks and different characters, the content feels substantial enough to justify that positioning.

How it plays in everyday sessions

In short evening bursts, Sonic Superstars works beautifully. A single act plus maybe a bonus stage fits neatly into 20 minutes, with bright visuals and upbeat music giving a quick energy boost after work or school.

Longer weekend sessions highlight some repetition in enemy types and obstacles. Still, experimenting with different heroes and co-op combinations freshens the experience, especially if you rotate who gets first pick of character on the couch.

Where nostalgia meets Sega Sammy's strategy

For Sega Sammy Holdings, Sonic Superstars sits right at the intersection of nostalgic brand strength and modern multiplatform revenue. The title keeps Sonic relevant alongside mobile releases, licensing deals and theme-park appearances that feed the wider franchise.

All told, Sega Sammy Holdings (JP3419050004) is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, but this lively platformer will likely matter more to most readers through its presence in their living room than through its line item in a portfolio.

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