Sonic has been on a bit of a hot streak over the last few years, with annual releases like last fall’s Sonic X Shadow Generations landing in good form in time for the holidays. Now that the Switch 2 has arrived, Sega’s speedy hedgehogs have brought this latest outing to Nintendo’s upgraded hardware—but is it worth spending your hard-earned chilli dog money for the port?
And yes, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a port in every sense of the word; there’s no additional content for the Switch 2 version, nor is it prebundled with the Digital Deluxe Edition content. Even if you already own the Switch version, there’s no entitlement or discount for the Switch 2 upgrade, unlike other games that have made the leap. This, in itself, is a little disappointing. (In the smallest of consolatory gestures, save files from the OG Switch can be carried forward to the Switch 2 for those who double-dip.)
That being said, the game itself is the same high-octane nostalgia trip that it was on other consoles. Its first major component is a remaster of Sonic Generations, an ambitious 2011 title that united “classic” Sonic and modern-day Sonic, and reimagined iconic levels from their previous adventures. It’s the equivalent of a classic band remastering their top singles for a greatest hits album.
Each reimagined level has two Acts, one for the classic Sonic and one for the modern; Act 1 is more 2D in nature, with a simpler moveset, while Act 2 invokes the more dynamic style of Sonic since the Dreamcast era. Between these acts the Sonics navigate a hub world, where they can (and must) access bonus challenge stages to unlock bosses and, therefore, the next batch of levels. Thus the gameplay flow is three 2-act levels, at least 3 challenge stages, a boss, and then on to the next loop until the campaign is complete.
“Sonic X Shadow Generations does look sufficiently sharp on the Switch 2 screen, and if you haven’t already checked out this nostalgia trip, this is a solid way to play it.”
Sonic X Shadow Generations on Switch 2 was my third time through this campaign, and all the highs and lows remained intact. I still wish there was more balance between the source material they drew upon, I still don’t love the mandatory challenges, the game still has janky controls in the 3D sections, and I still grin like it’s 1995 all over again while besting Metal Sonic in a race.
The second and new half of Sonic X Shadow Generations is, you guessed it, dubbed Shadow Generations. In a new campaign that takes place adjacent to Sonic Generations, Shadow finds himself in his own generic white hub-world void, littered with recreations of his past adventures. Though there’s no “classic” Shadow to draw upon, Shadow’s levels still follow a similar paradigm: clear the “2D Act, 3D Act” levels, clear challenges to unlock boss, beat boss, repeat. Along the way, however, Shadow gains new abilities and confronts Black Doom, the malevolent entity from whom his special powers originated.
While the levels aren’t quite as nostalgic as most of Sonic Generations‘, Shadow’s moveset is a fun change of pace, and his hub world is much more interesting than the bland 2D one Sonic explores. However, while Shadow Generations is a new experience, it’s still janky at times like the games it draws upon, leading to plenty of accidentally lost lives. At least the modern games get players back into the game much faster.
And therein lies the main (yet slight) advantage of Sonic X Shadow Generations on Switch 2: improved performance. There’s a decent reduction in load times on the shiny new console, bringing it closer to its beefier, true next-gen cousins. Savvy players can choose to begin prioritizing image quality or performance, as in the other editions; image quality has better resolution at 30fps, while performance has decreased resolution at 60fps.
This is a matter of personal preference, but I do think the image quality mode—which is enabled by default—is substantially better. The Switch 2 version aligns itself naturally between the Switch and PS5 editions in the graphics department, but the lowered resolution sacrifices too much for too little gain.
Sonic X Shadow Generations does look sufficiently sharp on the Switch 2 screen, and if you haven’t already checked out this nostalgia trip, this is a solid way to play it. Recent games in the series have been just a smidge too intense to be properly enjoyed on the original Switch; with the Switch 2’s upgrades, it’s now viable to take the Blue Blur on the road.
In the unlikely event that you’re a big Sonic fan who hasn’t played Sonic X Shadow Generations, and you have a shiny new Switch 2, you’ve gotta go fast and check this port out.
Not unlike my verdict for the “Plus” update to the stellar Sonic Origins remaster, I do attach a big caveat to my review score, for the sake of devoted fans: it’s not incredibly worthwhile to pick up the Switch 2 version if you already own/played a different edition. Unless you’re a big collector or particularly savour the portability, the upgrade isn’t worth the full retail price tag.
If nothing else, Sonic X Shadow Generations‘ Switch 2 port offers the reassurance of knowing that when the next inevitable Sonic game—be it another remaster, a new game altogether, or anything more substantial than another kart racer—he’ll be able to keep up just fine on Nintendo’s hardware.
