Yup. Two blogs in one day, baby!

Sega earlier today announced "Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1" to be released on X-Box Live Arcade, Playstation Network, and Wii Virtual Console. And with that, Sega attempts to bring Sonic back to his 2-D splendor after some recent games have been somewhere between "Mediocre" and "Horrible". To this day I still own my Sega Genesis, so I am very familiar with Sonic Games. In fact, I was even a fan-boy. I have defended Sonic Games and I even own a Tails Plush.

So, since this announcement was made, and noticing there hasn't been a Top 5 in awhile, I decided to count down what I feel are the Best Sonic the Hedgehog Games.


#5: Sonic The Hedgehog (Genesis)

Ah, the game that started it all. The original is a classic with probably the most memorable music and iconic bad guys. The reason why it is only number 5 though is one main reason. No Spin Dash. I had forgotten how much I depend on the move to speed up whenever I reach a slope that I do not have enough speed for. On top of that, compared to some of the other games, it isn't as unique from level-to-level. But that doesn't stop it from being a great game.



#4: Sonic Triple Trouble (Game Gear)

Before Sonic Rush, or the Sonic Advance series, if you wanted to play Sonic Games on-the-go, you needed a Game Gear. "Sonic: Triple Trouble" was the best of the bunch, with fun varied stages, a new mini-boss character in Fang the Sniper, and in my opinion, the most under-rated song in the whole franchise. The game is now playable on Sonic Gems Collection, as well as Sonic CD (Not on this list because while fun, I feel it is over-rated), so you might want to pick it up.



#3: Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast)

One constant you hear is that Sonic can't do 3-D games right. To that I say, play "Sonic Adventure". While a lot of the voice acting can get cheesy, the game itself is varied and good. The Sonic levels are of course the most fun and varied, but all the other play types (Except Big The Cat) are fun too. Plus the soundtrack is amazing. "Sonic Adventure 2" was good also, but I put this one ahead of the sequel.



#2: Sonic 2 (Genesis)

Sonic 2 was the game I played the most as a kid. It was fun, had very unique stages (A Chemical Plant, a Roulette Pinball level, and an ocean of oil?), and introduced two player competition into the game. Granted it moved slow as hell on the Genesis, but that isn't a problem in the ports of the game. Plus the Bonus Stages are my favorite in any sonic game.



#4: Sonic 3 & Knuckles (Genesis)

While technically two games, they were originally going to be packaged as one, and to be blunt, it's hard to pick one over the other. Sonic 3 has amazing stages, great gameplay additions including the various shields you use, and the best complete soundtrack in any sonic game. Sonic & Knuckles added more difficulty, a variety of levels, and ability to play as Knuckles, which leads to some fun exploration. These games are flat out great.

So with trying to make Sonic 4 a direct sequel to the original Genesis Trilogy, will it live up to the hype? Things look promising, but we have been promised greatness before. At least it can't be as bad as Sonic 2006 was.....can it?

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TAGS: Gaming, The Top 5