Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Lafferty
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Play as Sonic of past or today in whiz-bang action romp.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Sonic Generations
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say this game offers an exciting blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay, with many enjoying the fast-paced environments and colorful graphics. However, opinions vary on the quality of classic and modern Sonic levels, with some praising the design and fun while others find certain mechanics and boss fights disappointing.
- fast-paced gameplay
- nostalgia appeal
- mixed character levels
- fun graphics
- some mechanics flawed
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
In SONIC GENERATIONS, speedster hedgehog Sonic must travel to different worlds to save his friends who have been kidnapped by an evil entity. The game features classic side-scrolling gameplay as well as the more modern 3D look, with rings to collect, enemies to overcome, and scores to record. Gamers can play either as the modern Sonic, or the older, shorter, 16-bit version of the character. There are nine worlds to travel to, and some have references to tributes to various games in the 20-year legacy of the character.
Is It Any Good?
Sonic is one of those characters that was great when he first arrived on the video-game scene, but who then struggled through lackluster game releases. But the Sonic that appears in Sonic Generations is a return to the exciting character of old, as this game has the elements of speed and arcade challenges that made the original fun. This new Sonic Generations provide eye candy for Sonic fans with vibrant, exciting graphics. The homage paid to past games is worthy of several smiles and should please veteran gamers as well as make new fans among younger gamers. The replay value is centered on improving scores, but each level can be warped through quickly enough that players don't have to feel they are investing major portions of their day inside this world. Sonic Generations is fun, challenging at times, and a nice comeback effort for the video-game icon.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about video game violence and how to select games that are appropriate for the player's age level.
Talk about how players can avoid or deal with peer pressure to play games that they know they should not be playing.
Talk about responsibly managing the time spent playing video games or even watching television.
Parents can chat with their younger players about what makes a game like Sonic fun -- what it is about the look and action that make players want to play the game again and again?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo 3DS , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Sega of America
- Release date : October 31, 2011
- Genre : Arcade
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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