To my mind, the original Sonic the Hedgehog game and its 16-bit sequels stand undefeated in the field of 2D platforming. I'm sure there are many other players like me who still enjoy these classics. So, my question to you: Which of these Sonic games is your personal favourite and why?

- Sonic the Hedgehog (the first game)
- Sonic the Hedgehog CD
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Sonic & Knuckles (or any of its lock-on combinations)

Remember: it's not a discussion if you don't state your reasons.

Those are definitely all my faves, but out of those, I'd have to say Sonic CD reigns supreme. I loved the level design, the change in those stages, and the US soundtrack for it just plain rules.

You did the one thing I can't stand though. You start a thread looking for people to state which is their favorite and why to promote discussion, yet didn't do so yourself.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is my fave at of them cause it was the first to have 2P action so I could play with other people making it more fun

sonryu

Those are definitely all my faves, but out of those, I'd have to say Sonic CD reigns supreme. I loved the level design, the change in those stages, and the US soundtrack for it just plain rules.

I must say that I also have a special place in my heart for Sonic CD. I played it with the original Japanese soundtrack, though, which is definitely very good itself. I haven't actually heard the US version.

sonryu

You did the one thing I can't stand though. You start a thread looking for people to state which is their favorite and why to promote discussion, yet didn't do so yourself.

Sorry about that. I was going to post my own answer to the question a little later. Call it part of my grand scheme to accumulate more paper if you want to. XD Seriously, though, here's how I would order them:

1. Sonic 3 & Knuckles (you can't have one without the other)
I had a tough time choosing between Sonic 3 and the original Sonic game, but in the end, I decided to settle for this one. The variety of elemental shields, the exciting special and bonus stages stages, along with the character selection (which also affects level layout for Knuckles) are all things that contribute to making this my favourite Sonic game.

2. Sonic 1 (original)
I know I've already named another game as my favourite, but I have to mention the original as well. The main reason is probably the nostalgia. Each and every one of zone is so inspiring and just floods my mind with good memories. I also love the fact that there's no Super Sonic in this game. <_<

3. Sonic CD
Just like the original Sonic, only with better music, better special stages, and, best of all, the time travelling feature. I love how the level layout changes slightly and how there is a recurring musical theme in each of the eras (at least in the Japanese soundtrack). The only reason it loses against Sonic 1 on my list is probably because it's on a different system and more effort to get to work.

4. Sonic 2
This game gets the last place on my list. Though I love this Sonic game nearly as much the others, the things that bother me about this one are all Chaos Emerald related. Firstly, the special stages aren't quite as fun for me as in the other games. Secondly, I don't appreciate the fact that you lose all rings after entering a special stage (and have to start collecting all over again). Lastly, I find it annoying that the transformation into Super Sonic is not made optional.

Kareshi, I'd suggest you to listen to the occidental soundtrack of Sonic CD. It's totally superior to the japanese tracks (which aren't bad, I must say).

I have Sonic Mega Collection Plus for my XBox, and sometimes, when I have some time, I play the old Genesis platform games, being Sonic 1 my favorite ^^ It's simple, fast and fun to play. I also like Sonic 2 a lot, but I enjoy it even more when you connect it with Sonic & Knuckles to use Knux in that game, and find new zones and bosses (I still think that was a pretty AWESOME idea), and while Sonic 3 is also awesome with Knuckles enabled (and the fact that it was his premiere as a character... my favorite Sonic character) I must admit it isn't as good as the previous 2 ones. Sonic & Knuckles as a game itself is regular, as an addon it's still pretty amazing and cool.

My favorite Sonic game would be Sonic and Knuckles. I don't really know why maybe it has something to do with Knuckles. I loved how he could climb walls. I would spend hours just trying to find all the secrets on the Knuckles side of the game. I also love how they had that lock feature so I could plug in Sonic 3. Which is my second favorite. I totally loved the soundtrack to that game. I was ticked when I bought Sonic and Knuckles Collection for my computer and they didn't have that the original soundtrack to the Ice cap zone...that was my favorite song out of the whole thing.

But still all the Sega Genesis' Sonic games were nothing but good times. :)

Sonic 2 takes the cake for me. That game was so classic, I still have it for my Genesis. Sonic 1 was alright I guess, and I didn't really like the later levels of Sonic/Knuckles and Sonic 3.

All I Can Say Is Sonic FTW

I definatly still play the originals yeah and i shall make a list of my top 5 faves on the list =D

1. Sonic 3 and Knuckles:
Kinda a duh here really. It's the biggest and most indepth Sonic game of them all. The special stages are fun and not annoying (unlike Sonic 2's which i never really liked... too time consuming) the stages themsevles are all awesome and are a challenge in their own unique way. And of course three characters all with thier own traits and possible routes through. Awesome.

2. Sonic CD:
As much as i want to agree with Kareshi and just say Sonic 1 for second place... i just... i just can't. I love Sonic CD too much. The anime cutscenes, the music, the time traveling, the good and bad futures... jeez i just can't pass it up.

3. Sonic 1: It's the original and due to it's simplicity and of course awesomeness... it gets third JUST because it's so cool but because it lacks what the other two have it gets a lower position but it could be said that's also it's appeal and having it be so simple is the key to it's greatness. But either way it's still getting a third position spot.

4. Sonic 2 and Knuckles:
One of the problems i had with Sonic 2 by itself was fixed here. Losing rings after going to a special stage. After you came out all the rings you had before were present so it made things less annoying. Not only that but the final boss is even more of a challenge with Knuckles cause he can't jump as high as Sonic.

5. Sonic 2:
I have the same problems with Sonic 2 as Kareshi does to be honest. Not being able to transform into Super Sonic by your own will is very annoying and it screws with any plans you may have of saving the transformation till later in the stage which means you have to constantly collect rings throughout the stage to avoid transforming back later. Not always a problem but it's just... annoying.

I only really like the classics. I used to play them with my cousin long ago on his Sega Genesis and when they came out with the Sonic Mega Collection for the PS2/GCN I picked up a copy of that. It's not as fun playing it with a different controller, but it sure is fun reliving my childhood. 2D forever.

Ah the classic Sonic games. Ah I remember spending alot of time with those. I actually still have Sonic one and two and a old sega Genisis. A memories

Wow, so many interesting responses! ^_^

kyosuke

Kareshi, I'd suggest you to listen to the occidental soundtrack of Sonic CD. It's totally superior to the japanese tracks (which aren't bad, I must say).

I think I'll pass on that. I don't think I could ever give the US soundtrack a fair chance, as the Japanese soundtrack is what I grew up with. It's the one that'll always be in my heart.

RaylEnzan

As much as i want to agree with Kareshi and just say Sonic 1 for second place... i just... i just can't. I love Sonic CD too much.

I had trouble placing Sonic CD under the first Sonic myself, but I had to answer my own question (isn't that right, sonryu?). In the end, I think I could choose the original only because it is just that - the original. I do love all the Sonic games on the list, anyway. ;)

RaylEnzan

Not being able to transform into Super Sonic by your own will is very annoying and it screws with any plans you may have of saving the transformation till later in the stage which means you have to constantly collect rings throughout the stage to avoid transforming back later.

Another reason this bothers me is because of the music. Not only does the Super Sonic theme get old quick, but I prefer to listen to the beautiful music of the zones themselves. And then, of course, there's the fact that the game is a little too easy when you're Super.

Id have to say that i loved sonic 3 the best because they introduced a lot of new things to the sonic series. Like the different sheilds and that flash attack you can do when youre not shielded. Ive loved sonic since i was little but id have to say that the newer games suck really hard

Sonic 2 is my all time favourite 2D platform game, and without a doubt one of my top 10 games of all time. It's faster than the first game (chemical plant zone, anyone?), it features 2P mode (I loved to race against my friends, though I lost, most of the times...), I love the bonus levels (But i have to agree, the fact that you lost all the rings afterwards made me want to skip them in metropolis zone, back then :P The music is awesome. by the way, was I the only one who kept wondering if there was a secret zone for the track in the sound test that never played in the actual game? :D

The second place would probably be the first game. I mean, it's where it all began and it has some of the best music tracks in the series. Green Hill Zone is one of the best songs that ever played in a game! It was too hard for me when I was a kid, though. I never beat the boss of Labyrint Zone (Well, today, it's not a problem, but back then...Man, I spent all of my lives on that one)

3rd place would be Sonic 3 and Knuckles. I list them on the same place because they were initially one and the same game. The only reason they were sold separetly was beacuse the whole game couldn't fit in one game. Well, it's awesome, never the less. The graphic is stunning, but I don't like all the music in it. Some tracks are awesome while some stink (Sand Polis and Carnival night Zone... Arrgh!) The same goes for the level design (Yes, still Sand Polis and Carnival night Zone)

Then we have Sonic CD. I think the game is pretty awesome, but I never played it when I was a kid, and the level design is...well, wierd. The system with the time zones are really cool, though, and who doesn't love that cool intro? :D

Then we have Sonic 3D blast... But let's skip that one. Beside some beutiful graphics and awesome soundtrack, it's a pretty bad game.

It's a shame Sega never released Sonic X-treme for the Saturn :(

Sonic the Hedgehog I would say since I used to play it all the time when I went to my dad's house. Fun times