The highs and lows of being a real Sonic fan

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Suffice to say it hasn't been easy...

2010

2011

Finally! This is more like it! Finally it felt like being a Sonic fan was being rewarded, as Sonic Generations embraced everything that was great about the last 20 years of Sonic. The opening 'modern' version of the Green Hill Zone remains possibly Sonic's finest hour, combining razor-sharp 3D gameplay with jaw-dropping 3D sections. OK, so the control still wasn't great at low speeds, but once the game hit its stride, Generations was legitimately sensational.

2011 also saw a sensational port of Sonic CD that finally brought a classic Sonic hardly anyone played back into the spotlight. Magical stuff, whether on iOS or console. Easy to recommend.

2012

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 was released in 2012. I played through it and enjoyed it, but I doubt we'll be seeing Episode 3 any time soon. Or ever. After clamouring for Sonic 4 for so long, I'm sorry to say I no longer really care. Odd.

I do care about Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed, which I finished on PS3 and then played through again when Wii U came out. After keeping his finger in so many gaming pies, it seems like the best ingredients have stuck to old Sonic's fingers. Except, perhaps for Doodle Jump clone 'Sonic Jump'. Which is OK. Still, solid-to-great isn't bad at all for a year of releases.

2013

How things change in 22 years, eh? Look--now Tails is in the title barrel too! No, really, this is one of the highlights of a Sonic fan's 2013, seeing the iOS version of the game completely overhauled using Christian Whitehead's Retro Engine. A wonderfully gentle yet barnstorming conversion and one that makes Sonic the Hedgehog still feel fresh after all these years.

But of course, the year is not done. And in a scant few hours, we will discover how well Sonic Lost World fares on Wii U and 3DS. Me? I already know. So make sure you check GamesRadar for the definitive verdict.

But how has it been for you?

Are you a long-term Sonic fan? What's been your highest high or lowest low? Maybe you remember the first time you ever played Sonic, or the biggest argument you ever had about how great he is compared to Mario? Let us know in the comments. Don't worry, you're among friends.

And if you're looking for more, check out The greatest Sonic game we never got to play and The Top 7... most pathetic attempts to kill Sonic.

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Justin Towell
Justin Towell
Freelance Writer

Justin was a GamesRadar+ staffer for 10 years but is now a freelance writer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.