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Sonic the Hedgehog

Sega

Sonic the Hedgehog is Sega's mascot platformer: fast, bright, and built around momentum, loops, springs, and split-second route choices. The series is divided more by style than by story, with classic 2D games, Dreamcast-era 3D adventures, handheld entries, and modern revivals all offering different versions of the same core idea. There is no useful story timeline for newcomers, so the best path is to start with the strongest versions of each style.

SINCE 1991 · 16 GAMES

▶ WHERE DO I START?
  1. 1990s

    Sonic the Hedgehog

    1991 · Genesis / Mega Drive

    The Genesis original that made Sonic Sega's mascot, built around speed, rings, loops, and Green Hill Zone.

    Start hereMainlineClassic 2D

    6 releases & editions

  2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

    1992 · Genesis / Mega Drive

    The classic sequel that adds Tails, the Spin Dash, and a sharper version of the high-speed Genesis style.

    Start hereMainlineClassic 2D

    5 releases & editions

  3. Sonic CD

    1993 · Sega CD

    A Sega CD side-scroller built around time travel, animated cutscenes, and Amy Rose and Metal Sonic's debuts.

    For fansMainlineClassic 2D

    5 releases & editions

  4. Sonic 3 & Knuckles

    1994 · Genesis / Mega Drive

    The full lock-on version of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles, with larger zones and playable Knuckles.

    Start hereMainlineClassic 2D

    5 releases & editions

  5. Knuckles' Chaotix

    1995 · 32X

    A 32X Sonic spin-off starring Knuckles and the Chaotix, built around two characters linked by an elastic ring bond.

    For fansSpin-offClassic 2D

  6. Sonic 3D Blast

    1996 · Genesis / Mega Drive, Sega Saturn

    An isometric collect-and-rescue experiment where Sonic saves Flickies instead of racing through side-scrolling stages.

    For fansSpin-offClassic 2D

    3 releases & editions

  7. Sonic Adventure

    1998 · Dreamcast

    Sonic's first big 3D adventure, mixing fast character stages with hub exploration and multiple playable stories.

    Start hereMainlineModern 3D

    6 releases & editions

  8. 2000s

    Sonic Advance

    2001 · Game Boy Advance

    The first original Sonic on a Nintendo system, translating the classic side-scrolling style to Game Boy Advance.

    Start hereMainlineClassic 2DHandheld

    2 releases & editions

  9. Sonic Adventure 2

    2001 · Dreamcast, GameCube

    A split hero-and-villain 3D adventure that introduces Shadow and pairs speed stages with treasure hunting and mech shooting.

    Start hereMainlineModern 3D

    5 releases & editions

  10. Sonic Heroes

    2003 · GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC

    A team-based 3D Sonic where each squad swaps between speed, flight, and power characters mid-stage.

    LaterMainlineModern 3D

    4 releases & editions

  11. Sonic Rush

    2005 · Nintendo DS

    A dual-screen DS Sonic with boost-driven 2D stages and Blaze the Cat's debut.

    Start hereMainlineClassic 2DHandheld

  12. Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

    2006 · Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

    A troubled 15th-anniversary 3D reboot attempt with Sonic, Shadow, and Silver campaigns.

    LaterMainlineModern 3D

    2 releases & editions

  13. 2010s

    Sonic Colors

    2010 · Wii, Nintendo DS, Switch

    A theme-park 3D Sonic built around alien Wisp powers that change how Sonic moves through stages.

    Start hereMainlineModern 3DHandheld

    6 releases & editions

  14. Sonic Generations

    2011 · Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, PC

    An anniversary game pairing Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic through remixed stages from across the series.

    Start hereMainlineClassic 2DModern 3D

    10 releases & editions

  15. Sonic Mania

    2017 · Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

    A modern 2D Sonic made in the Genesis style, mixing remixed classic zones with new stages.

    Start hereMainlineClassic 2D

    8 releases & editions

  16. 2020s

    Sonic Frontiers

    2022 · Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

    A modern open-zone Sonic where island exploration feeds into high-speed Cyber Space stages and giant boss fights.

    Start hereMainlineModern 3D

    6 releases & editions