Sonic Superstars

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,630 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Sonic Superstars Game Cover
Sonic Superstars represents some of the best 2D platforming has to offer. It has constant surprises while still offering a ton of room for mastery. The game is a delight from start to finish and beyond.
Starting at €59.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on Epic Games Store

"Sonic Superstars" is a Kids Platformer game with local multi-player options for up to 2 players, including co-op and PvP modes in split screen. The game features an all-new 2D Sonic adventure on the mystical Northstar Islands, with improved high-speed action platforming and various playable characters. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes LEGO® pack, skins, wallpapers, digital artbook, original soundtrack, and bonus emerald powers for an enhanced gaming experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,630 reviews
music149 positive mentions
stability50 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and a charming art style that captures the essence of classic Sonic.
  • The gameplay mechanics are solid, with responsive controls and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the original 2D Sonic games.
  • The introduction of Chaos Emerald powers adds a fun twist to the gameplay, allowing for unique abilities and exploration.
  • Boss fights are overly long and tedious, often requiring players to wait for extended periods before being able to attack.
  • The game suffers from inconsistent music quality, with some tracks being forgettable or poorly composed.
  • The multiplayer experience is poorly implemented, with camera issues and a lack of online co-op, making it frustrating for players.
  • music538 mentions

    The music in "Sonic Superstars" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a stark inconsistency in quality. While some tracks, particularly those by Tee Lopes, are praised as catchy and enjoyable, others, especially those reminiscent of Sonic 4, are criticized for being bland or grating. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant letdown compared to previous Sonic titles, with many players expressing disappointment in the boss music and the overall lack of memorable themes.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing, the gameplay is the best of the classics, the look is amazing, the DLC is great, the characters look so good.”
    • “The music is hit or miss, but nothing outright bad, and it doesn't affect gameplay at all.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, each track fitting its respective stage quite well and just being fun to listen to on its own.”
    • “The music is way too quiet even when turned up to 10.”
    • “The music is hit or miss, with composer Jun Senoue's grating Sonic 4-esque fake Genesis tracks being most of it, having those annoying loud saw synths that obstruct his catchy melodies from being as good due to that.”
    • “The music is largely forgettable, though you'll probably find yourself unable to forget the title screen and/or super theme after playing for long enough, which are a lengthy 30 seconds before looping for you to get your fix.”
  • story343 mentions

    The story in the game is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it follows a typical Sonic formula without much innovation. While the main story is described as charming and visually appealing, the additional story modes, particularly Trip's story, are criticized for their frustrating difficulty spikes and poorly designed bosses that detract from the overall experience. Many players feel that the narrative is poorly explained and that the character interactions, while enjoyable, do not compensate for the lack of coherent storytelling.

    • “The story is charming, with a lot of character interactions that enhance the gameplay experience.”
    • “The main story is definitely the strong point, with variety sprinkled in and a bit more versatility in play style.”
    • “The story is simple and cute, providing a lighthearted backdrop to the gameplay.”
    • “The final bosses of each campaign are made artificially more difficult by dragging themselves out for 10 minutes, which when combined with instant kill moves, lead to them winning through sheer attrition.”
    • “The story is poorly explained, and there are small hints hidden during the character acts, but frankly, the story is a disjointed mess.”
    • “When I saw Trip's story, I thought it was going to be a new set of stages with Trip, perhaps to learn about her story; instead, it's just the story mode again but with enemies spammed everywhere and the bosses having a lot more health.”
  • gameplay272 mentions

    The gameplay of *Sonic Superstars* is a blend of classic Sonic mechanics with new elements, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience. While many players appreciate the faithful recreation of physics and the introduction of unique level mechanics, some criticize the game for its inconsistent pacing, frustrating boss designs, and the underutilization of new powers. Overall, the game is seen as a solid addition to the franchise, though it could benefit from further refinement and balance.

    • “Sonic Superstars reinvents the classic formula in exhilarating fashion and encompasses refreshing, new mechanics that have not been seen in previous entries.”
    • “The gameplay is the classic Sonic we know and love; the physics are one-to-one with Sonic Mania.”
    • “If you enjoy classic Sonic gameplay, have a weird crush on one of the characters, or are just looking for a fun 2D platforming experience, you have come to the right place.”
    • “No one plays the battle royale mode and the co-op is considered one of the worst features in the game due to it conflicting with the main gameplay loop.”
    • “A lot of this game's mechanics feel like they're at war with each other, like the Mania devs were trying to make something fun but Sega kept butting in to add new bloat for (probably) marketing reasons.”
    • “The gameplay itself can feel a bit clunky at times, and the bosses can be somewhat unclear with what you're required to do.”
  • graphics191 mentions

    The graphics of *Sonic Superstars* have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant and colorful 3D art style that successfully translates classic Sonic aesthetics into a modern format. However, some players criticize the environments as bland and unremarkable, noting inconsistencies in visual quality across different levels. Overall, while the character models and animations are well-received, the game's graphical presentation is seen as a step forward for the franchise, albeit with some shortcomings.

    • “You can see from the beginning all the love the graphic designers have put into this game.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the character designs look very well made.”
    • “The visuals are really nice and colorful, and the characters and landscapes are full of personality and life.”
    • “The graphics are bland and lifeless.”
    • “The visuals are bland, with unremarkable environments and backgrounds of inconsistent detail and quality.”
    • “The art style is boring, and some assets are shockingly low poly.”
  • stability54 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which detract from the overall experience, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players report minor issues that do not significantly hinder gameplay, many others describe the game as unpolished and unfinished, with significant stability problems that can lead to frustrating moments. Despite these issues, some users find enjoyment in the chaotic nature of the glitches, suggesting that the game may still be fun for those willing to overlook its instability.

    • “This game runs great on the Steam Deck and deserves 'verified' status. Performance is basically flawless at 720p with high settings. 1080p/high also works nicely, but you will see some frame drops during the last story mode and some smaller frame drops here and there in the other story modes.”
    • “Sonic Superstars runs great out of the box under Proton.”
    • “It's not buggy, and it's really fun—a good Sonic game to remember.”
    • “The game is overall just very unpolished and buggy, which is a shame.”
    • “Sonic Superstars differs by being undoubtedly one of the most unpolished and buggy 2D Sonic games ever conceived.”
    • “The physics feel muddy at best and the plethora of glitches is inexcusable (randomly clipping through the floor and dying if I jump or just dying from spin dashing into a wall; I've even randomly died while just running or jumping).”
  • grinding52 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for its tediousness, particularly during boss battles, which are often long, drawn-out, and lack checkpoints, forcing players to restart from the beginning upon failure. Many reviewers noted that while the game has enjoyable elements, the repetitive nature of the grinding and the frustrating design of the bosses detracts significantly from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as a mix of fun and frustration, with the latter often overshadowing the former due to the excessive grind required to progress.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Some of them have multiple phases with super long attack patterns, and there are zero checkpoints on any of them, making it so you have to start them all over again if you mess up, and making them incredibly frustrating and tedious to get past.”
    • “The boss battles are also ramped up a bit, making already tedious encounters largely unbearable.”
    • “However, as many others have stated, I found the bosses to be generally tedious and frustrating, being very drawn-out and often containing points of instant death requiring you to redo the entire boss battle.”
  • replayability33 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the fun levels, multiple characters, and opportunities for speed runs and collectibles, some feel that the experience may not warrant multiple playthroughs. The presence of new emerald abilities and time trials adds depth, but the game's relatively short length and certain design choices limit its long-term appeal for some players. Despite these criticisms, many still find enjoyment in revisiting the game, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “Like the classic Sonic games, Superstars is effortlessly replayable with giant levels that offer a variety of paths.”
    • “This game is genuinely fun and has a lot of replay value. I especially enjoy trying to beat the levels as fast as I can, and I'm still finding new secret paths and collectibles like medals each time I play.”
    • “It's a very solid game with a ton of replay value due to multiple characters and power-ups you can unlock by finding Chaos Emeralds.”
    • “While the multiple playable characters do add replay value in theory, the game isn't fun enough to justify multiple playthroughs.”
    • “The game is very short for the price tag, and aside from a new game plus, there's not much replayability.”
    • “This game does not have much replay value.”
  • optimization32 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, while others report significant issues, particularly on PC. Many users criticize the game's handling of graphics settings, long loading times attributed to Denuvo, and performance drops during demanding sections, leading to frustration. While some patches have improved stability, the consensus suggests that the PC version may still require further optimization before it can be recommended without reservations.

    • “Even on high settings, older PCs might not encounter performance issues until Egg Fortress Zone, which is the most demanding part of the game.”
    • “(Update: this game runs great on the Steam Deck and deserves 'verified' status. Performance is basically flawless at 720p with high settings. 1080p/high also works nicely, but you will see some frame drops with Super Sonic during the last story mode and some smaller frame drops here and there in the other story modes.)”
    • “Performance was great during my playthrough and I didn't really see any slowdown issues at all.”
    • “The options for graphics settings are an afterthought; you can only change them from the main menu, but you can't see how they impact your performance until you're actually playing. This creates an annoying loop where you have to quit to the main menu every time to adjust the resolution and framerate, only to realize it doesn't matter because the game is literally broken above 60fps.”
    • “The game is so poorly optimized for co-op that it's a joke.”
    • “Denuvo – anyone that has looked into Denuvo knows it is at best useless, and at worst, something that will tax your computer system and cause performance degradation.”
  • humor26 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional comedy and chaotic fun, particularly when playing with friends, where glitches and janky mechanics can lead to amusing moments. While some players find the humor to be more annoying than entertaining, others appreciate the nostalgic charm and funny cut-scenes, suggesting that the game's comedic elements can enhance the overall experience, especially in co-op mode. However, the humor is often overshadowed by frustrations with gameplay mechanics and boss fights, leading to a mixed reception.

    • “The glitches have also been very funny; the co-op is a little wonky if you have a habit of powering through the game, so if you play with your pals, take it easy, be a little chaotic, and explore!”
    • “If you play it with friends, it's funny as hell.”
    • “Most of the time, it's just funny, and I get a good laugh out of it, but every once in a while, you get screwed over for no reason.”
    • “There are so many cut-scenes it is not funny.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “The humor tries too hard and ends up being cringeworthy.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players feeling misled by advertising that emphasized a rich story and multiplayer experience that ultimately fell flat. Many reviewers expressed disappointment over the lack of meaningful content and the reliance on microtransactions, which detracted from the overall enjoyment and value of the game, especially given its high price point. Additionally, the use of Denuvo and the requirement for an Epic Games account for online features further fueled frustrations among players.

    • “It's yet another nostalgia cash grab.”
    • “This game felt like a cash grab, and I really felt it. I paid $75 for this and it just didn't deliver.”
    • “The use of Denuvo and the forced Epic Games account for a Steam release just shows that this was a cash grab to compete with Mario Wonder.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its charming designs, particularly the new character Trip and the beloved Amy, who has been elevated to a playable role. However, there are criticisms regarding the lack of depth in character personalities and the absence of voice acting, which detracts from the overall experience. While the visuals and character designs are praised, the overall character development feels somewhat superficial and underdeveloped.

    • “I'm happy to see Amy make her place as a mainstay, playable character now, and I really hope her inclusion continues going forward as her classic character design is adorable.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the character designs look very well made.”
    • “I do, however, have to admit that the visuals are very pleasing and the character designs are really fun.”
    • “Though the character designs are charming (especially the new trip character), the animations seem to lack the needed polish that games like Sonic Mania's animations had.”
    • “This game is forgettable and has technical issues, but has a certain degree of charm in the character design and mostly proper 2D Sonic physics. Definitely not worth full price; wait for a deep sale.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is mixed; while some players express a desire for deeper engagement and emotional resonance, particularly during boss fights, others report feeling numb and disconnected by the end of their experiences. Technical issues and gameplay frustrations detract from the overall emotional experience, leaving players longing for a more fulfilling connection to the game's narrative and challenges.

    • “This game makes me want to cry.”
    • “I like just bopping Eggman 8 times in a row before touching the ground as much as the next guy, but I also like it when a boss fight makes me... actually fight the boss.”
    • “Most of this game is fine, decent even, but the final bosses of each story genuinely made me feel numb and uncaring by the end of them.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is highly praised, particularly during boss fights, which are enhanced by impressive music and immersive environmental design.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is absolutely immersive, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
    • “The combination of stunning visuals and haunting sound design creates an unforgettable atmosphere.”
    • “Each location is filled with a unique atmosphere that enhances the storytelling and gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy Sonic Superstars

Play time

13hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
5-37hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News