Sonic Superstars: Co-op platformer keeps Sega’s classic mascot current

Sonic Superstars brings four-player co-op and a fresh visual style to the classic side-scrolling Sonic formula, targeting families and long-time fans on modern consoles.

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Sonic Superstars is Sega Sammy Holdings' latest side-scrolling Sonic game, positioned as a modern take on the classic 2D formula that made the blue mascot famous in the 1990s. It launched in October 2023 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. For U.S. buyers it has typically carried a price around $59.99 at major retailers, with frequent promotions bringing the cost lower. The game’s key hook is four-player local co-op that lets friends and family play through the campaign together as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Amy.

What Sonic Superstars offers longtime fans and new players

At its core, Sonic Superstars is a 2D side-scrolling platformer that returns to fast-paced stage designs reminiscent of the Sega Genesis era, while running on a fully 3D engine with bright, cartoony graphics. Players sprint, jump and spin-dash through zones filled with loops, springs and branching paths, collecting rings and Chaos Emeralds along the way. Sega highlights that the game features over a dozen unique zones on the Northstar Islands, mixing familiar tropes like lush forests and mechanical bases with new level gimmicks. The Chaos Emeralds now grant distinct Emerald Powers, such as creating clones, swimming up waterfalls or revealing hidden paths, adding another layer of strategy to how players approach each stage.

One of the most visible changes compared with classic Sonic titles is the four-character roster being fully playable in the main campaign from the start. Sonic maintains his balanced speed-focused move set, while Tails can fly for short bursts to access higher platforms, Knuckles glides and climbs walls, and Amy uses a hammer attack and has a double jump. These different abilities encourage replaying levels and can make the game more approachable for younger or less experienced players who benefit from extra mobility. Local multiplayer supports up to four people on the same screen, turning Sonic Superstars into a couch co-op experience rather than a strictly single-player speedrun.

The game’s art direction leans into colorful, toy-like visuals and clean character models, aiming to be readable at high speed on modern displays. While Sonic Superstars uses a 3D engine, movement stays on a 2D plane to preserve the series’ classic side-scrolling feel. The soundtrack blends new compositions with arrangements that nod to older Sonic titles, and Sega brought back longtime Sonic composer Jun Senoue among others to work on the music. For players who grew up with Genesis cartridges, Superstars is designed to feel familiar in structure but updated in presentation and feature set for current consoles.

Content-wise, the package includes a story mode, special stages for collecting Chaos Emeralds, and a Battle Mode that introduces competitive multiplayer elements. Battle Mode supports local and online play where players use customizable metal avatars in short challenges. The game runs at up to 60 frames per second on most platforms to maintain smooth motion, which is important for precise platforming at high speed. Difficulty can vary by character and path choice, but generous checkpoints and the ability to stock up on extra lives in certain modes help make it more forgiving than some older Sonic entries.

In the U.S. market, Sonic Superstars has been sold both physically and digitally through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and console storefronts. Sega has promoted it as a family-friendly holiday title and as an accessible entry point for children whose parents remember classic Sonic games. Some post-launch content, such as cosmetic skins, has been offered as downloadable add-ons, while the core game remains a single-purchase product without a mandatory subscription. For shoppers comparing options, Sonic Superstars sits alongside earlier compilations like Sonic Origins Plus but focuses on brand-new stages rather than remasters of 1990s titles.

Reviews from major outlets have generally described Sonic Superstars as a solid, if not universally acclaimed, return to 2D Sonic platforming. Critics often praise the level variety, character roster and co-op focus, while some note that not every Emerald Power or stage gimmick lands equally well. User impressions point out that performance is stable on current-gen consoles, though visuals can be a bit less crisp on Nintendo Switch compared with more powerful hardware. For households with multiple players on the couch, the simultaneous co-op option is frequently cited as the standout feature distinguishing Superstars from earlier 2D Sonic releases.

Sonic remains one of Sega Sammy Holdings' most important entertainment brands, spanning games, movies, merchandise and theme park collaborations. Sonic Superstars extends that franchise on modern consoles with a family-oriented co-op title that ties back to the classic side-scrolling roots while supporting the company’s broader transmedia strategy. Shares of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. (JP3419050004, ticker SGAMY) traded at $4.09 on OTC markets on June 13, 2026.

Snapshot: Sonic Superstars

• Product: Sonic Superstars
• Manufacturer: Sega Sammy Holdings Inc.
• Category: classic long-seller franchise entry
• Launch date: October 17, 2023 (North America)
• MSRP / Price: around $59.99 at U.S. launch, with frequent discounts since then
• Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store in the U.S.
• Target audience: families, younger players and long-time Sonic fans who prefer side-scrolling platformers
• Key feature / USP: four-player local co-op in a new 2D-style Sonic campaign with Emerald Powers that change how levels are approached

This article was created with a.i. assistance and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at any time. Not investment advice, not a buy or sell recommendation. Trading in securities carries risks up to the total loss of capital.