RipTen Review: Sonic Generations (3DS)

As with the console version of the game, you’ll go through each zone twice: once in the Classic Sonic version, and again with the Modern Sonic version (or in the opposite order, if you prefer). With the gameplay being largely in 2D, however, the differences are far less pronounced, and the differences are that Modern Sonic can boost and slide, while Classic Sonic can Spin Dash and… look up or down? Really? Yes, that is indeed one of the distinguishing features between the two.

One might bring up the Homing Attack, but as it turns out, Modern Sonic teaches it to his past self at an early point in this version. When it comes time for Modern Sonic to learn a new move, he gets the stomping technique which has been standard in the past few console games.

As for the Homing Attack, while it is handy in some cases, it can be a detriment when facing enemies, as Sonic seems to often uncurl or otherwise leave himself open to taking a hit when he uses it on enemies. Ironically, this seemed to be more of a problem for Modern Sonic than Classic.

The Nintendo 3DS’s Circle Pad can be slightly unfriendly to some moves as well. Often, when we try to Spin Dash or slide, we find ourselves going in the opposite direction of where we want. Modern Sonic seems to bounce off the objects he’s supposed to be sliding under as well. Fortunately, the more precise Dpad also works to move either Sonic, but its placement on the handheld makes it less than ideal for comfortable playing.

Truth be told, this game’s stages on the whole are more difficult than those on the console version, especially where earning a high rank is concerned. Lives are rare, much as in the earlier Genesis games, and you cannot purchase more as in the console version.

Plus, Modern Sonic seems to face a lot of the cheapness he has become known for in games such as Sonic Rush, with enemies suddenly appearing in front of you, knocking away all of your rings unless a) you’re boosting, or b) you know to avoid them. Pits are also marked as in the console version, though seemingly not as well.

It’s challenging, even frustrating on occasion, but still doable with a bit of skill, patience, and a little memorization.

Classic Sonic, on the other hand, feels just about perfect. We had lamented in the last review that he felt a bit too small for his surroundings, which made certain parts slightly annoying to proceed or backtrack through, but that is not the case this time. Though he still has a few of the quirks of the console version (such as vertical springs halting all forward momentum), this is perhaps the modernized Classic Sonic gameplay so many have been clamoring for over the years.

Incidentally, Classic Sonic lacks the one-button Spin Dash of the console version, but some would actually appreciate that. To each his own.

Punctuating the stages are boss battles, with one sequence placed after the first three stages, then one after each of the following two, culminating in a final battle after. These are now two-part acts as well, with a Rival Battle first, followed by an actual boss fight.

The Rival Battles are once more against Metal Sonic, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Silver the Hedgehog, except they do not get their own stages this time. Instead, they are placed against the backdrops of previously-played stages with new layouts, and instead of trying to deal damage to your opponent, your goal is to simply make it to the goal before they do. For example, you’ll race Metal Sonic through the Casino Night Zone without smashing him into the pavement as in the console version.

To further differentiate it from the console version, each boss is different as well; rather than face the Death Egg Robot, Perfect Chaos, and the Egg Dragoon, you’ll take on Big Arms (the final boss from Sonic 3), who is now capable of moving all around the battlefield; Biolizard from Sonic Adventure 2, which plays remarkably like the original; and Egg Emperor from Sonic Heroes.

The funny thing about Sonic fighting Biolizard, as well as going through Radical Highway, for that matter, is that both of those were actually Shadow stages from Sonic Adventure 2. Strange that SEGA would include those as part of “Sonic’s” history, so to speak.

And then there is the final boss. While we were nearly ready to dock points from the game’s score for how terrible it was in the console version, the Nintendo 3DS version of that same boss is not nearly as bad. It’s far easier to see and figure out what you need to do, though there are some rather cheap moments when it claps its hands on you and you can’t seem to move the right way to dodge. This is also the one other part of the game which has 3D over-the-shoulder style movement, though it switches to a 2D perspective with every other hit, and unlike the console version, the 2D portions seem to have a greater purpose.

Simply put: the Nintendo 3DS game manages to far surpass the console version when it comes to the final boss.

Some other things to note about the game are the graphics, which actually look quite good when the 3D is on. The sound, on the other hand, is a bit disappointing. It’s not bad, but both Sonics race through stages to the same music, unlike the remixes heard in the console version, with each Sonic getting his own unique version of the tune.

(Edit: Apparently the songs do differ for the most part, though in most cases you would be forgiven for not noticing.)

Sonic Generations for the Nintendo 3DS features multiplayer, but requires each player to have their own copy of the game, and as a result has gone untested by this reviewer. Likewise, we have been unable to use the game’s StreetPass feature to trade information as of yet.

Much like the console version, there is a lot to do here, thanks to the many challenges the game holds. These include goals such as destroying a certain number of enemies within an allotted time, or collecting clocks to keep seconds on the clock as you race to the finish.

Some challenges are unlocked as you play through the game, but for most of them… know those coins you’ve been collecting while walking around with your Nintendo 3DS in sleep mode? Now you have something to spend them on, as they are required to unlock challenges (unless you’re lucky enough to StreetPass someone with the game). And if they prove too difficult for you, you can spend more coins to get the art, music, or models that completing the challenge would unlock.

And finally, in a neat little touch, Sonic fans can create a custom ID card with unlockable elements. Besides using your Mii and showing off your in-game stats, you can also let people know how long you’ve been a fan, your favorite game from the series, and your favorite character (even if it’s Chip).

When all is said and done, Sonic Generations for the Nintendo 3DS is a fun and challenging interpretation of the console title, though it is in no way a suitable replacement for it. If anything, it serves well as a companion piece, as most of the game features content completely original from the console version, even in the battles which use the same Rival characters, as they play out differently.

Of course, if you’re one who dislikes the Modern style of Sonic gameplay seen in the console version (as well as Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors) and just want more 2D Sonic with as little of the 3D stuff as possible, or just want a greater challenge, this may be the only version you need.

Here’s The Rundown:

+ Modernized graphics feel fairly consistent with the consoles when the system’s 3D slider is on

+ Original content keeps this version feeling fresh after playing the console version

+ Fun special stages anyone can do; seriously, if our reviewer could do them, then anyone can, unless you have no hands. And if that’s the case, you’re probably not playing, anyway

+ Special stages aside, it is overall a pretty challenging game compared to the console version; you will earn those S-ranks here

+ The final boss is nowhere near as terrible as in the console version

+ Thanks to the challenges and unlockables, there is plenty to do after finishing the main game

+ Classic Sonic actually feels closer to the Genesis games than the console version

+/- Almost none of Sonic’s friends are here; whether that’s a positive or a negative depends on how much you liked or hated them in the first place

+/- Ignores most of Sonic’s 20 years of handheld history in favor of console stages; again, YMMV on whether that’s good or bad

- Modern Sonic’s trademark cheapness rears its ugly head here and there once again

- Fewer stages than the console version

- Reused assets for Rival Battles? Not even a Stardust Speedway for Metal Sonic? Really?

- Lacks the dual-mix stage theme variety of the console version

+ Classic Sonic is great! Give us more!

Sonic Generations was developed by Sonic Team and Dimps, and published by SEGA.  It was released on the Nintendo 3DS on November 22nd, 2011. A review copy was provided by SEGA so David could get more of that Classic Sonic stuff he loves.