Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Subscribe
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Gaming Magazines
(opens in new tab)
Gaming Magazines (opens in new tab)
Why subscribe?
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12.99
(opens in new tab)
View (opens in new tab)
  • News
  • Guides
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • Deals
  • About Us
  • Magazines
    • Retro Gamer
    • Play
    • Total Film
    • Edge
    • SFX
Newsarama
Total Film
Edge
Trending
  • Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  • Starfield
  • Redfall
  • Resident Evil 4 Remake
  • Diablo 4

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. 3DS
  3. Adventure
  4. Sonic Boom: Rise Of Lyric

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal on 3DS is a throwback to classic 2D Sonic

By Lucas Sullivan
published 2 June 2014

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • Comments
Just like the good ol' days

Just like the good ol' days

As with Sonic Lost World before it, Sonic Boom is getting entirely different versions on the Wii U and 3DS. Unlike Lost World, this 3DS version--called Shattered Crystal--could actually be awesome. Sanzaru's handheld take on the rebooted Sonic cast combines Sonic themes old and new, with gorgeous 2D levels and the ability to swap between characters on the fly. And with a single hands-on demo, it reminded me of the true magic of the Sonic series: levels that induce a wonderful sense of exploration, with their myriad twists and turns all leading to the same end goal.

Shattered Crystal uses many of the Wii U Sonic Boom's basic concepts, like energy whips used to swing over obstacles and constant character switching between Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and boomerang-chucking newcomer Sticks. While these mechanics can feel a little stilted in a 3D environment, they're a joy when confined to a 2D plane. The standard levels are enormous, conveying a sense of exploration thats on par with most Metroidvanias, with tons of different paths gated by specific party members' abilities. If you've played Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, you're probably familiar with Sanzaru's unrivaled talent for packing an absurd number of secrets and demanding challenges into an accessible, kid-friendly platformer. When you're not searching through every nook and cranny of the wide-open levels, you'll be zooming through Tempest-esque "tube" stages or pitting Sonic against his cohorts in amicable races.

Unlike Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric on Wii U, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal had me captivated at first play. If the final product can deliver the same magical sense of exploration and variety across multiple worlds, this could be a Sonic game that easily rivals Mario's 2D adventures in terms of sheer fun factor.

Check out the following screenshots for additional info!

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
As in the Wii U counterpart, Sonic and his pals can use their energy whips to swing above danger

As in the Wii U counterpart, Sonic and his pals can use their energy whips to swing above danger

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
They also let you sling-shot your way to different sections of the enormous levels

They also let you sling-shot your way to different sections of the enormous levels

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Oh, y'know, just Sonic running on walls, no big deal

Oh, y'know, just Sonic running on walls, no big deal

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Sticks, seen doing a sick grind in this screenshot, uses a boomerang as her primary weapon--and it's handy for hitting out-of-reach switches

Sticks, seen doing a sick grind in this screenshot, uses a boomerang as her primary weapon--and it's handy for hitting out-of-reach switches

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Shattered Crystal will tie in to the lore of Rise of Lyric--and in fact, this may be the big bad snake enemy Lyric that is now the new primary antagonist

Shattered Crystal will tie in to the lore of Rise of Lyric--and in fact, this may be the big bad snake enemy Lyric that is now the new primary antagonist

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Trust me when I say that these stages look awesome in 3D

Trust me when I say that these stages look awesome in 3D

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • Comments
Lucas Sullivan
Lucas Sullivan
Social Links Navigation

Lucas Sullivan is the former US Managing Editor of GamesRadar+. Lucas spent seven years working for GR, starting as an Associate Editor in 2012 before climbing the ranks. He left us in 2019 to pursue a career path on the other side of the fence, joining 2K Games as a Global Content Manager. Lucas doesn't get to write about games like Borderlands and Mafia anymore, but he does get to help make and market them. 

More about 3ds
Nintendo 3DS bundle

The 3DS and Wii U eShops are mostly dead, but you have three days left to redeem your game codes

Pokemon

19 years worth of Pokemon are now trapped behind a $5 app you can no longer buy

Latest
Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 Remake's Ada Wong actor deactivates Instagram comments following vitriolic fan backlash

See more latest ►
Most Popular
The makers of last year's most ambitious MMO announce new medieval wartime game that supports 1,000 players at once

By Jordan GerblickMarch 31, 2023

The many faces of Clayface, the new Batman 2 villain

By George MarstonMarch 31, 2023

Sega has well and truly killed Sonic, and you can solve his murder in this new free game

By Dustin BaileyMarch 31, 2023

The Power's Toni Collette and John Leguizamo talk chemistry, empowerment, and their "emotionally intelligent" relationship

By Lauren MiliciMarch 31, 2023

The Last of Us season 2 will be filmed in Vancouver

By Lauren MiliciMarch 31, 2023

Marvel's Avengers fans mourn the "misunderstood" superhero game as its final update goes live

By Jordan GerblickMarch 31, 2023

Ex-Marvel Comics boss Joe Quesada hired by Amazon Studios

By Will SalmonMarch 31, 2023

Zelda fans have already figured out where every part of the Tears of the Kingdom demo happens on the map

By Dustin BaileyMarch 31, 2023

Ria Zmitrowicz and Eddie Marsan discuss their complex characters on Amazon's The Power and their "hell for leather" audition

By Lauren MiliciMarch 31, 2023

Oh good, Bungie just nerfed basically all of Destiny 2 to make it less bullet spongy

By Austin WoodMarch 31, 2023

Classic Zelda meets Bloodborne in this impressive pixel art RPG coming next month

By Anne-Marie OstlerMarch 31, 2023

Recommended
New games for 2023 and beyond to add to your wishlist
  1. MSI Raider GE78 gaming laptop half closed
    1
    MSI Raider GE78 review: 'a new-gen powerhouse with one foot in the past'
  2. 2
    Audeze Maxwell review: 'The next brilliant step for a legendary line of audiophile gaming headsets'
  3. 3
    Razer DeathAdder V3 review: 'An FPS mouse for those who hate FPS mice'
  4. 4
    PNY GeForce RTX 4070 Ti review: "Uses some cheap tricks to stay competitive."
  5. 5
    Dredge Review: "A fascinating, ever-so-gently horrifying experience"
  1. Alexander Skarsgård as James in Infinity Pool
    1
    Infinity Pool review: "Stylish but ultimately shallow"
  2. 2
    Shazam! Fury of the Gods review: "A disappointing follow-up"
  3. 3
    John Wick Chapter 4 review: "Burns oh-so-brightly"
  4. 4
    Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves review: "turns the board game into a big-screen treat"
  5. 5
    Scream 6 review: "A brash but broad requel-sequel"
  1. Jasmin Savoy Brown in Yellowjackets
    1
    Yellowjackets season 2 episode 2 review: "It certainly isn't pulling any punches"
  2. 2
    The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5 review: "A thrilling chapter that pits good against evil"
  3. 3
    The Mandalorian season 3, episode 4 review: "Where would this show be without Grogu?"
  4. 4
    Yellowjackets season 2 episode 1 review: "It's like we've never been away"
  5. 5
    The Mandalorian season 3, episode 3 review: "A nuanced perspective on the wider world our heroes are operating in"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Advertise with us (opens in new tab)
  • Review guidelines (opens in new tab)
  • Write for us (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.