Sonic Superstars

Sonic Superstars elevates 2D Sonic beyond nostalgia after a definitive greatest hits entry. With loads to unlock, satisfying levels of challenge, and a great selection of new Zones, Sonic Superstars has everything you could want from a new 2D Sonic.

Sonic Superstars is clearly a game made with a lot of love and passion for the Sonic community as a whole. New additions to the formula help to really set this entry apart from its predecessors and blaze new ground for a hopefully promising future. Co-op play is included in a way that's both intuitive and approachable for players who may have never encountered a Sonic game before, making Superstars a fantastic jumping on point. But in maintaining the core of classic Sonic gameplay, it also brings the common flaws of those very first games from years ago and stumbles in some key areas that will...

Sonic Superstars is a great game that performs exceptional on the Steam Deck, but is held back by its dependencies.

It’s safe to say that Sonic Superstars is one of the better Sonic games available. In fact, it might even be the best Sonic game since the original trilogy, outside of Sonic Mania at least. It can be a bit chaotic at times, and some bosses need some fine-tuning or at least some checkpoints between their phases, but Sonic fans are likely to appreciate the classic feel and wealth of new zones. Just don’t buy it on the basis of its local co-op features, or you’ll likely be seriously disappointed.

Sonic Superstars stumbles a fair bit--but when it gets up to speed, it really shines.

Sonic Superstars shines brightest when it's sticking to what made the Genesis titles so successful. Running through the levels, launching oneself off spring boards and dashing through loop the loops is just as enjoyable now as it was in the 16-bit days. Cracks in this Chaos Emerald become more apparent with some of the changes. Many of the boss designs are good, but the patterned approach to fighting them can make them excessively drag on. The powers granted by Chaos Emeralds are fun additions, but the overall emphasis on exploration over speed takes away from the core experience of what one e...

Sonic Superstars is a solid title with a lot of appeal, but lacks the imagination and soul that made this mascot a star.

Respectable platforming and classic Sonic elements are undermined by inconsistent new ideas.

“Sonic Superstars nails the fundamentals of 2D Sonic design, but its new features don't add much to the retro formula.”

Though it's not as polished as Sonic Mania, or as fascinatingly weird as Sonic Frontiers, there's a space for Sonic Superstars.

Sonic Superstars arrives as the iconic SEGA mascot is on an upswing. This brand new side-scrolling platformer follows Sonic Mania, a great throwback adventure that mixes old and new, and Sonic Frontiers, the best 3D entry in the series in a long time. The less said about Sonic Forces, the better. The point is, the character has had a pretty good run of form, and by and large, Superstars keeps that trend going — albeit with a large caveat.

There’s something here for fans of classic Sonic fans to enjoy. Playing through each level feels varied, and there’s always the option to retread your footsteps in a fresh pair of shoes.