Sonic Generations is a 2011 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. It commemorates the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise's 20th anniversary.
Gameplay
editSonic Generations is a platform game similar to previous games in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Controlling series protagonist Sonic the Hedgehog, the player completes levels and fights bosses to collect the seven Chaos Emeralds and defeat Doctor Eggman. The game features two player characters: "Classic" and "Modern" incarnations of Sonic. Classic Sonic represents Sonic as he appeared in the original Sonic the Hedgehog games released for the Sega Genesis in the 1990s, whereas Modern Sonic represents Sonic as he has appeared since Sonic Adventure (1998). The two feature different styles of gameplay. Classic Sonic is restricted to side-scrolling platforming with moves such as the Spin Dash, similar to the gameplay of the Genesis games. Modern Sonic's gameplay follows the style of Sonic Unleashed (2008) and Sonic Colors (2010), featuring an amalgamation of third-person and side-scrolling perspectives and techniques such as the Sonic Boost (which greatly increases Sonic's speed) and the Homing Attack (which allows Sonic to target and attack enemies in midair).
The Nintendo 3DS version features gameplay similar to the Sonic Rush series for Modern Sonic and has a different set of levels, some of which are direct recreations of layouts from the Genesis games. As opposed to the Skill Shop in the console version, abilities are unlocked as the game progresses. Exclusive to the 3DS version are Special Stages, similar to those of Sonic Heroes (2003), in which players must collect spheres to chase after a Chaos Emerald. The game features 100 mission stages that are unlocked either by progressing through the game, meeting other players on StreetPass, or spending Play Coins. It also features both wireless and online multiplayer modes, in which two players can race against each other.