A modern Sonic classic returns with some new features, but is it still worth your time?
When the original Sonic Colors was released on the Wii in 2010, fans and critics agreed that it was one of the best 3D Sonic games in years. At its core, Sonic Colors: Ultimate is still the same game that garnered such praise, with Sonic and Tails heading off to Eggman’s new Interstellar Amusement Park and discovering a new evil plot; this new evil plot sends Sonic on another high-speed platforming adventure. Getting a chance to play it remastered on modern consoles is absolutely worth it; it now looks beautiful in smooth HD and has the ability to be played without being hampered by the Wii’s motion controls or awkward setups.
In fact, I love that you can customize the controls to whatever you want. All this makes the gameplay fun since it’s still the same boost formula that the Sonic series has used for so many of its best modern games. The Wisps, who debuted in the original version, are still here. Like the original, once you complete a level where they first show up, it will unlock them in their Wisp Capsules in the other levels allowing for replay fun; their unique powers allow you to explore levels in a variety of ways on subsequent playthroughs.
Colorful New Features
So, what is new?
First off, no more extra lives. Now you can keep trying as much as you want, with the only cost being a lower grade when you finish the level. The Homing Attack now has a “Sweet Spot” mechanic, where timing the attack results in an extra boost, which can be a godsend when you’re in need of a boost but have no Wisp capsules with the White Boost Wisp to restock your Boost gauge. Speaking of, there’s a new Wisp, the Jade Ghost Wisp, allowing you to phase through walls and find brand new routes and secrets.
Replacing the extra lives are two new tokens. First, there’s the Tails Save, which allows Tails to save you from bottomless pit drops. Then there are Park Tokens, which allow you to purchase custom stuff for Sonic. Speaking of bottomless pits, the game now highlights when a drop will be fatal, which basically means no more leaps of faith in some areas.
And lastly, the red rings that are hidden in each level (five in each, making for 180 total) have a secondary purpose. They do still follow their original function, as the more you collect, the more bonus levels you unlock in the Sonic Simulator. Sonic Simulator is meant to be an arcade game in an amusement park-like feel that lets you play levels based on classic Sonic game levels but with a deliberately cheesy video game aesthetic; beating all those unlocks the Super Sonic transformation.
Once you collect half of the red rings from each level, a bonus race called Rival Rush is unlocked. In Rival Rush, you will race against Metal Sonic in a high-speed time attack. This can be challenging on specific levels.
Distortions in the Blur
There are a few hiccups, of course. The cutscenes are the same ones from the Wii, just upscaled, which can be a bit jarring compared to the rest of the game’s visual updates. Also, the music remixes can be varied. Some tracks sound as good as before and some sound different if you’re a fan of the Wii soundtrack. Nothing major, just a change in instruments used or new arrangements. Beyond that, this is still a fun game.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate is built on an already great game. The new additions are a good quality of life fix to make it accessible for all the new and young fans as well as older Sonic fans. If you have never played the original and have become a fan of either Sonic or the platformer genre, you should get Sonic Colors: Ultimate. If you’re a fan of the original who wants to customize your experience and play on more modern consoles, you should get it. It’s still fun after all these years.
A copy of Sonic Colors: Ultimate was purchased for review and enjoyment purposes. Sonic Colors Ultimate is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
