What is the pinnacle of the Sonic franchise?

Well, my fave Sonic game is Sonic Jam (hey it had all the good ones, and the commercials were awsome!), but I truely belive the biggest Sonic was, and ever will be was Sonic Adventure. People thought he was gone for good... they were wrong. Do you even remember the hype? However, I belive the whole franchise was in jeporady after Sonic X-Treme got the ax, people just gave up on him I guess (and I think that includes the developers).

I remember the days where Sonic games (including SA) would get hyped as much as, oh I don't know.... ZELDA!, but those days are long gone, and unless the new Sonic brings back the Sonic people want, I think more then a few die-hards will be eating out from there-on out.

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Originally Posted by Sega Uranus

(snip) unless the new Sonic brings back the Sonic people want, I think more then a few die-hards will be eating out from there-on out.

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This phrase always gets me. I've got a few scans of Sonic the Comic from 1993, where kids are screaming that Sonic is now utter rubbish because of the crap new character on the scene - Knuckles. Then in 1995, with Chaotix? Man, is it ever on then. 'WHY ARE SEGA GIVING KNUCKLES HIS OWN GAME? YOU DON'T EVEN GET TO PLAY AS SONIC!'

Basically, exactly the same crap as Shadow the Hedgehog is going through now. Exactly the same.

To that I say, you want a 'true' Sonic game? Take sonic_1_JUE.bin and run it in Kega Fusion. Shut up, and let me enjoy Sonic Heroes.

You enjoyed Sonic Heroes? I simply couldn't. In fact, the only 3D Sonic game this gen that I could get behind was the first Adventure. It's been all downhill from there.

And the difference with the comic was that they adapted the characters to the game. Nowadays, they adapt the game to the cartoon, comic, etc.

I certanly wasn't dissing Sonic, I mean, I HATE Shadow with a passion, yet I bought his game.

I wasn't stating MY opinion, I was stating everyone else's

I will enjoy any Sonic game until I beat it, then reality sets in.

I don't care what Sonic Team, or even Sega does to the franchise, I WILL enjoy it. Why? Because I am a fanboy, yes I am, and I will not have to buy EVERY Sonic game *stares at Mega Collection Plus*. The same thing is true with most other games today. Would a Mario game sell at all if the character was introduced to the market today? HELL NO! Fanboys are the life force of the industry, so get used to it!

For the record there is no "true" Sonic game if what you said is true, so shut up, and play Sonic Heroes, and enjoy the last of the almost decent VOs, because Sega thought it was smart to hire the terrible actors from the terrible show, and if there was one thing that annoyed me more then anything about this Franchise is that stupid moves like that ruin my apatite... *sigh*

I thought Sonic Heroes wasn't as bad as everyone says it is. The first few levels were crap, but it picked up after that, and got pretty good. My biggest complaint about the game is that you have three characters who won't shut the fuck up. Everytime you go into a cannon or something, you have to hear three voice samples. I also thought Team Rose was completely lame and unneeded.

Not the best 3D platformer by any stretch, but not terrible. So far I'd have to say Sonic Adventure 2 has been the best realization of Sonic in the third dimension -- it's the only 3D game (Sonic or otherwise) to really get the classic sense of speed down pat. And while the characters do have voices, they're not ridiculously chatty.

I never even tried Heroes. I was disgusted with and unable to finish Adventure 2 and pretty much gave up on 3D Sonic after that. I enjoyed the original Adventure however. I won't get into details because I covered all of this before blah blah.

I _like_ the 3D Sonic games, sans the adventure parts.

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Originally Posted by Sega Uranus

I certanly wasn't dissing Sonic, I mean, I HATE Shadow with a passion, yet I bought his game.

I wasn't stating MY opinion, I was stating everyone else's

I will enjoy any Sonic game until I beat it, then reality sets in.

I don't care what Sonic Team, or even Sega does to the franchise, I WILL enjoy it. Why? Because I am a fanboy, yes I am, and I will not have to buy EVERY Sonic game *stares at Mega Collection Plus*. The same thing is true with most other games today. Would a Mario game sell at all if the character was introduced to the market today? HELL NO! Fanboys are the life force of the industry, so get used to it!

For the record there is no "true" Sonic game if what you said is true, so shut up, and play Sonic Heroes, and enjoy the last of the almost decent VOs, because Sega thought it was smart to hire the terrible actors from the terrible show, and if there was one thing that annoyed me more then anything about this Franchise is that stupid moves like that ruin my apatite... *sigh*

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hey hey hey, I wasn't dissing you personally dissing Sonic. I just pulled an example out of nowhere of how different people, all claiming to be 'true fans', want different things out of the games :]

But yes, we've been here before, and we've all said our respective pieces. Let's leave it at that shall we ;)

I think the pinnacle of the series is Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The large levels give room for lots of speed runs, a lot more multiple paths, and tonnes hidden areas to locate. The three types of shields add to the variety in the gameplay, as do the three characters with their own abilities and areas that are only reachable by certain characters. The bonus stages add a chance to not only increase your ring count, but spice up the gameplay. I love the special stages, and of course this means I love Sonic 1 locked onto S&K. The graphics are a huge improvement over the previous games, and the music is at it's all time best in the series. The cutscenes portray an excellent story, that has yet to be bested in the Sonic series. Overall, the huge level of variety on play here, along with the tried and true gameplay that made Sonic a household name combine to make what I think is the pinnacle of the series.

Honestly? Sonic Rush. It solved a problem that 2D Sonic games have had since the beginning. Y'kow, the problem where you're just running along at top speed, and POW! Something or other pops up and knocks the rings out of you. And this is mostly taken care of with the simple addition of the tension meter and Super Boost. It's like a running spin dash that has just enough limits to be fun. Aside from that little addition, the game has a kickin' soundtrack, gorgeous graphics, and an excellent special stage. What's not to love? (Aside from the fact that it is a bit on the short side...)

Aside from that, I think Sonic 3 and Knuckles would be the next pinnacle. Massive, considering it had enough zones for two Sonic games, with two seperate sets of emeralds, the abillity to turn every character hyper, and classic Sonic gameplay. Although truth be told, I enjoyed Sonic 2 more. I think 2 had better level design.

And there's the polarizing issue of Sonic Adventure. I personally enjoyed it. Awesome levels with all six characters, excellent music, and a decent story.

Sonic Rush is the best modern Sonic title in my opinion and a step in the right direction but honestly it's got nothing on the original Genesis games. If only it would've been a little longer and with slightly better level design. The special stage is fantastic and loads of fun though.

Sonic Rush would've been significantly better if he didn't have a voice. After I became good at the game and started working on high scores and fastest times, all I ever heard was a string of "hey! woah!" for the entire level.