Sonic Superstars Nintendo Switch 2 Game Review: A Classic Returns with Innovation

Hello everyone, I'm your old friend, a seasoned gamer and game critic with over ten years of experience. Today, we're going to talk about SEGA's Sonic Superstars, the latest installment in the Sonic series, tasked with revitalizing the classic and delivering a brand-new experience. I'll be reviewing this game in depth from all aspects and also explore its potential performance on the (hypothetical and soon-to-be-released) Nintendo Switch 2, as well as my expectations for it. Considering the nintendo switch2 price and performance improvements, I am very much looking forward to this game's performance on the future platform.

1. Sonic Superstars: A Glorious Return of Classic Sonic

Sonic Superstars is not a simple remake; instead, it boldly innovates while retaining the core gameplay of classic Sonic games. The game uses brand-new 3D graphics, elevating the Sonic series' signature high-speed parkour experience to a new level.

1.1 Game Background and Story

The story takes place in the mysterious Northstar Islands, where Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy embark on a new adventure against their old nemesis, Dr. Eggman. Dr. Eggman has teamed up with a mysterious creature to turn the animals of the Northstar Islands into robots. Players must control the four heroes, using their unique skills to thwart Dr. Eggman's evil plan.

Although the plot is relatively simple, the classic "hero saves the world" story framework, combined with the Sonic series' consistent humorous style, can still immerse players.

1.2 Core Gameplay: High-Speed Parkour and Platforming

The core gameplay of Sonic Superstars remains high-speed parkour and platforming. Players must run at high speed through various levels, collecting rings, avoiding obstacles, and ultimately reaching the finish line. The game's level design is clever, full of hidden routes and challenges.

• High-Speed Parkour: The core charm of the Sonic series. Players can use actions like dashing, jumping, and rolling to move at high speed through levels, experiencing the thrill of speed.
• Platforming: Tests the player's reaction speed and operational skills, requiring precise jumps and flexible movement to progress smoothly.
• Hidden Elements: The game hides a large number of secret areas and items, encouraging players to explore and discover.
• Emerald Powers: An innovative point of this installment. After collecting emeralds, characters will gain skills including cloning, waterfall climbing, slow movement, etc., enriching exploration and combat.

1.3 Four Characters and Unique Skills

Sonic Superstars offers four playable characters: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy. Each character has unique skills, such as Sonic's high-speed dash, Tails' flight ability, Knuckles' gliding and climbing ability, and Amy's hammer attack.

• Sonic: A speed-type character who excels at high-speed dashing and jumping and is the main character in the game.
• Tails: Can use his two tails to fly short distances, allowing him to reach areas that Sonic cannot.
• Knuckles: Has gliding and climbing abilities, allowing him to explore hidden areas in the vertical direction.
• Amy: Uses a hammer to attack, which can destroy obstacles or knock enemies away.

The different skills and gameplay of the four characters bring more possibilities and fun to the game, encouraging players to play multiple times and experience the different experiences brought by different characters.

1.4 Multiplayer Cooperative Mode

Sonic Superstars supports up to four players in local cooperative play. Players can experience the fun of high-speed parkour with friends, help each other, and overcome difficulties together.

The multiplayer cooperative mode not only increases the fun of the game but also reduces the difficulty, making it easier for more players to get started.

2. Sonic Superstars: Gameplay Review

As a classic side-scrolling game, Sonic Superstars performs excellently in terms of gameplay.

2.1 Level Design: A Fusion of Classic and Innovation

The level design of Sonic Superstars retains the characteristics of classic Sonic games while adding new elements. The levels are full of ingenious mechanisms, hidden paths, and challenging platform jumps.

• Classic Elements: Iconic loop-de-loops, springs, speed boosts, and other elements that make veteran players feel familiar.
• New Elements: Innovative mechanism designs, dynamically changing scenes, and hidden areas that require the use of characters' special skills, adding more fun and challenge to the game.

The level design cleverly blends high-speed parkour and platforming, testing both the player's reaction speed and operational skills.

2.2 Controls: Smooth and Easy to Pick Up

The controls of Sonic Superstars are very smooth, with flexible character movements and quick responses. The game's operation is simple and easy to understand, even for novice players.

• Smooth Operation: Character movements are smooth and natural, without any noticeable lag.
• Easy-to-Learn Operation: The game's operation is simple and intuitive, making it easy to grasp.
• Customizable Buttons: The game supports custom button settings, allowing players to adjust according to their habits.

The smooth controls are a major advantage of Sonic Superstars, allowing players to focus more on the game itself and enjoy the fun of high-speed parkour.

2.3 Challenge: Moderate and Gradual

The challenge of Sonic Superstars is moderate, neither too easy nor too difficult. The game's difficulty curve is reasonably designed, gradually guiding players to master the game's skills.

• Newbie-Friendly: The initial levels of the game are relatively easy, allowing new players to quickly get started.
• Challenging Levels: As the game progresses, the difficulty of the levels gradually increases, testing the player's operational skills and reaction speed.
• High Difficulty Mode: The game provides a high-difficulty mode for players who seek a challenge.

Overall, the challenge design of Sonic Superstars is reasonable and can meet the needs of players of different skill levels.

3. Sonic Superstars: Graphics and Sound Effects

Sonic Superstars uses brand-new 3D graphics, with beautiful visuals and vibrant colors.

3.1 Visuals: Exquisite and Vibrant Colors

The visuals of Sonic Superstars are excellent, with detailed character models, rich scene details, and vibrant, bright colors. The game runs smoothly with a stable frame rate.

• Character Models: The character models are detailed, restoring the classic Sonic image.
• Scene Details: The scene details are rich, with various environmental elements that are lifelike.
• Vibrant Colors: The game has vibrant, bright colors, giving a feeling of vitality.
• Stable Frame Rate: The game runs smoothly with a stable frame rate, maintaining smooth visuals even during high-speed running.

If more powerful performance can be showcased in the nintendo switch2 first look, the game's graphics would be even more stunning.

3.2 Sound Effects and Music: Classic Melodies and New Creations

The sound effects and music of Sonic Superstars are equally outstanding. The game uses a large number of classic Sonic melodies while also adding new original music.

• Classic Melodies: Familiar melodies make veteran players feel familiar.
• New Creations: The newly created music styles are diverse and perfectly integrated with the game scenes.
• Sound Effects: The game sound effects are realistic, enhancing the game's sense of immersion.

The sound effects and music add more atmosphere to the game, allowing players to immerse themselves more in the world of Sonic.

4. Sonic Superstars on the Nintendo Switch 2: A Prospect

Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has not yet been officially released, we can speculate on the performance of Sonic Superstars on the Nintendo Switch 2 based on existing information and speculation.

4.1 Improved Graphics: Higher Resolution and Smoother Frame Rate

The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to have more powerful hardware performance, which means that Sonic Superstars can achieve higher resolution and smoother frame rates on the Nintendo Switch 2. This will significantly improve the game's visual experience and allow players to immerse themselves more in the game.

4.2 Loading Speed: Faster Loading Times

The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to use faster storage media, which will greatly reduce the game's loading times. Players will not have to wait too long to enter the game or switch between different levels.

4.3 Special Features: Utilizing the Features of the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 may have some new features, such as more advanced vibration technology or a more sensitive touch screen. Sonic Superstars can utilize these features to bring players a richer gaming experience. For example, more precise vibration feedback can enhance the game's sense of impact, and a more sensitive touch screen can be used for some special interactive operations.

4.4 Backwards Compatibility: Compatibility Design

Considering nintendo switch2 compatibility, I am very much looking forward to Sonic Superstars performing better on future devices, and I also hope that the new game can be backward compatible, allowing more players to experience the charm of this game.

5. Summary and Rating

Overall, Sonic Superstars is an excellent side-scrolling game that successfully combines the charm of classic Sonic games with new innovative elements. The game has beautiful visuals, smooth controls, and moderate challenge, making it a worthwhile game to play.

5.1 Advantages

• A glorious return of classic Sonic games
• Beautiful 3D visuals
• Smooth controls
• Clever level design
• Supports multiplayer cooperative play

5.2 Disadvantages

• Relatively simple plot
• Some levels are too difficult

5.3 Rating

Considering everything, I give Sonic Superstars a rating of 8.5/10.

This rating is primarily based on the following aspects:

• Gameplay (9/10): Gameplay is the biggest highlight of Sonic Superstars, the perfect combination of high-speed parkour and platforming, allowing players to experience a lot of fun.
• Graphics (8/10): The visuals are excellent, but there is still room for improvement.
• Sound Effects (8.5/10): The sound effects and music add more atmosphere to the game.
• Innovation (8/10): The game adds some innovative elements while retaining the classic.

Metacritic: As of March 1, 2025, the average score for Sonic Superstars on Metacritic is 82 (based on scores from multiple media outlets). (Hypothetical data) IGN: My personal score is relatively close to IGN's editorial score, which they gave an 8.0 rating. (Hypothetical data)

5.4 Recommended For

• Players who like the Sonic series games
• Players who like side-scrolling games
• Players who like high-speed parkour games
• Players who want to play with friends

I hope this review can help everyone better understand the game Sonic Superstars. If you are a fan of the Sonic series or like side-scrolling games, then this game is definitely worth a try. I also hope that this game can perform better on the future Nintendo Switch 2.

Finally, welcome everyone to share your thoughts on Sonic Superstars in the comments section, or ask any questions. I will do my best to answer them. Thank you for reading!