Sonic Superstars: The 2D Comeback That Proves Sonic Still Has Serious Speed
11.01.2026 - 11:25:54
You know that oddly specific kind of disappointment when you go back to a childhood favorite and it just… doesn’t feel right anymore? The physics are off, the controls feel floaty, the magic isn’t there – and suddenly you’re wondering if it was the game that changed, or you.
For a lot of longtime fans, that has been the Sonic the Hedgehog story for years. 3D experiments that didn’t land, nostalgia remakes that felt more like museum exhibits than living games, and spin-offs that missed the blistering, momentum-based thrill that defined the Genesis era.
That’s the frustration Sonic Superstars is stepping into. And it knows exactly what kind of baggage you’re bringing with you.
Sonic Superstars is Sega’s bold attempt to reboot classic 2D Sonic for modern hardware without sacrificing the feel that made the originals iconic. From the moment you’re flung through the first loop-de-loop on the new Northstar Islands, there’s a clear mission: this isn’t a retro port, it’s a full-fledged new entry built for 2020s players who still crave 90s speed.
Why this specific model?
Sonic has had a few 2D comebacks already – notably Sonic Mania – so what makes Sonic Superstars different in a crowded platformer market?
First, the basics. According to the official site at sonicsuperstars.com and Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. (ISIN: JP3419050004), Sonic Superstars is a side-scrolling platformer available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. You can play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose across entirely new zones, rendered in vibrant 3D graphics but locked to the classic 2D perspective.
Where it really steps away from the pack is in how it layers new systems on top of that familiar foundation:
- Emerald Powers: Instead of Chaos Emeralds just being an endgame flex, they now unlock unique abilities – like cloning yourself, dashing up waterfalls, or turning into a stream of light. These aren’t tacked-on gimmicks; they meaningfully change how you tackle levels and secrets.
- Four-player local co-op: You can run through the entire campaign with up to four players on the couch. This is rare in modern platformers and turns the usual solitary Sonic rush into chaotic, laugh-out-loud party energy.
- Character variety: Sonic’s raw speed, Tails’ flight, Knuckles’ glide and wall-climb, and Amy’s hammer jumps mean levels can be approached in radically different ways, adding replay value far beyond a single playthrough.
From a gameplay feel perspective, reviewers and fans on Reddit threads like “Reddit Sonic Superstars review” consistently mention one thing: the physics are close to classic Sonic, if not perfect. Momentum matters. Slopes and ramps feel deliberate rather than decorative. The game clearly aims to respect the original DNA while dialing down the jank that sometimes came with it.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Side-scrolling 2.5D platforming across the Northstar Islands | Classic Sonic gameplay with modern visuals and level variety that feel fresh, not recycled. |
| Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or Amy Rose | Different movement styles and abilities keep replays interesting and let you pick a character that matches your playstyle. |
| Emerald Powers unlocked via Chaos Emeralds | New traversal and combat abilities give you more ways to explore, experiment, and find secrets. |
| Local co-op for up to four players | Turn the campaign into a couch co-op event for families, roommates, or nostalgic friends. |
| Available on PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC | Play almost anywhere, whether you want handheld comfort on Switch or high-res performance on PC/next-gen consoles. |
| New zones, enemies, and bosses | Fresh content that doesn't rely on re-skins of Green Hill Zone for the hundredth time. |
| Classic and new multiplayer modes (including Battle Mode) | Extra longevity for competitive players looking for more than just a one-and-done campaign. |
What Users Are Saying
Scan through Reddit and you'll find Sonic Superstars sparking a genuinely mixed–but passionate–conversation. Threads like those surfaced by searching “Reddit Sonic Superstars review” draw a clear picture of what the community actually feels.
The praise:
- Level design variety: Many players love that stages don't just speed-run in a straight line. There are alternate paths, verticality, and secrets that reward exploration rather than mindless rushing.
- Visuals and animation: The vibrant, toy-like 3D style gets a lot of thumbs-up. Characters animate smoothly, environments feel alive, and the game runs solidly across platforms.
- Co-op fun factor: Users with kids, siblings, or friends say local co-op turns what might be a short solo run into an endlessly replayable hangout game.
The criticisms:
- Difficulty spikes and boss pacing: A recurring complaint is that some bosses feel drawn-out, with too many invincibility phases and repetitive patterns that break the game's fast-flow rhythm.
- Checkpoint frustration: A few zones are called out for sparse checkpoints, leading to annoying replays of earlier segments after late mistakes.
- Price vs. content: Especially on Reddit, some players feel the launch price is a bit steep for a 2D platformer, particularly if you're only planning a single playthrough.
Overall sentiment trends positive among classic Sonic fans who wanted a faithful-yet-fresh 2D entry. More critical voices tend to be players expecting either the ultra-polished feel of Sonic Mania or a radically new reinvention. Sonic Superstars threads the needle: it's a modern classic-style Sonic, not an indie homage or a total reinagining.
Alternatives vs. Sonic Superstars
If you're on the fence, it helps to see where Sonic Superstars sits in today's platformer landscape.
- Versus Sonic Mania: Mania is often held up as the gold standard for modern 2D Sonic – pixel art, razor-sharp physics, and deep fan service. Superstars isn't trying to out-"retro" Mania; instead, it brings mainstream production values, co-op, and Emerald Powers to the formula. If Mania is a love letter, Superstars is a full-season reboot.
- Versus Mario platformers (e.g., Super Mario Bros. Wonder): Mario's strength is precision platforming and inventive level-by-level mechanics. Sonic Superstars is about momentum – the thrill of building speed, nailing a jump, and surfing that flow through cleverly layered levels. If you prefer constant motion to stop-and-think puzzle platforming, Sonic is still in a lane of its own.
- Versus indie platformers (Celeste, Hollow Knight, etc.): Indie hits often deliver punishing difficulty or deep narrative. Sonic Superstars skews more family-friendly and approachable, with challenge coming more from mastering speed and routes than from ultra-hard platforming sequences.
In practical terms: choose Sonic Superstars if you want a polished, momentum-driven platformer that you can play solo, with kids, or with nostalgic friends on the couch – and you don't mind the occasional pace-breaking boss or difficulty spike.
Final Verdict
Sonic fans have been burned enough times to be skeptical of phrases like "return to form". But Sonic Superstars earns its place in the conversation by focusing on something surprisingly rare: feel.
The jumps have weight. The slopes matter. Building speed and hanging onto it still feels like riding a roller coaster you control with your thumbs. The Emerald Powers add just enough modern spice to stop things from feeling like a museum piece, while four-player co-op turns a traditionally solo experience into a party game that genuinely works.
It isn't flawless. Boss pacing and occasional difficulty spikes can undercut the high-speed fantasy, and value-conscious players may want to wait for a discount. But if you've been waiting for a new Sonic that understands why you fell in love with the blue blur in the first place—and you're ready to share that with the people on your couch—Sonic Superstars is absolutely worth your time.
In a market where platformers are either hyper-precise indies or meticulously polished Mario adventures, Sonic Superstars carves out something else: a modern expression of pure, messy, joyous speed. And for the first time in a while, it feels like Sonic is running in the right direction again.
