Sonic X Shadow Generations (Switch 2) Review – A Key Entry

Sonic X Shadow Generations (Switch 2) Review

My personal journey with Sonic games has been quite varied. I played a few different Sonic games growing up, but the titles and details have been long forgotten. I’ve tried some of the contemporary entries in the Sonic franchise. Somehow, they never clicked with me in a way that would help me understand their appeal. That changed with Sonic X Shadow Generations. This game managed to bridge the gap in my experience. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the franchise and a clearer sense of why it resonates with fans.

For our review on the PlayStation 5 version of the game, click here. Comparing the Nintendo Switch 2 edition with other current-gen versions is mostly a moot point. The game is essentially the same, though obviously the Switch 2 is not quite as powerful as the PlayStation 5. Despite that, the game runs perfectly fine on the Nintendo Switch 2. This Sonic title is a great start for the Switch 2’s life cycle. Although some exclusive Switch 2 content would have been nice, the game is still a solid experience.

Gameplay First

The story of the game is serviceable, but the focus is more on the gameplay, as well as on the franchise as a whole. The Sonic portion begins at a birthday party for Sonic, when the Time Eater scatters his friends across time portals. It is up to the modern Sonic to meet and team up with the Classic Sonic in order to restore things to normal. For Shadow Generations, Shadow’s story runs alongside Sonic’s, and involves his travel to space before also being affected by the Time Eater. We won’t go too much into the story, but it sets up the return to classic levels nicely.

Being able to alternate between the 2D side-scrolling stages and the 3D ones is a welcome experience that grounds the franchise in its roots while allowing creativity and a new perspective. As mentioned in our PlayStation 5 review of the title, the new Shadow Generations experience is enhanced, particularly due to Shadow’s powers, which make you feel powerful. The games are a sort of “Greatest Hits” tour of all the coolest stages from the franchise. I was personally able to enjoy the variety of levels, having experienced some before, while others were a first-time experience for me.

Overall, the Sonic X Shadow Generations experience is a welcome one. This release brings a nearly perfect version of the title to the Nintendo Switch 2. The Sonic Generations portion is just an enhanced version of the original title with minimal changes. Meanwhile, the Shadow Generations part is what sets this title apart as a new experience rather than “just” another remaster. On the Switch 2, performance is great both in handheld and docked, allowing Sonic X Shadow Generations to be a solid launch offering. For those interested in purchasing a physical copy of this game, be advised that it is in a Game-Key Card format.

*** A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher for review ***