If you're seeking a versatile gaming platform for both home and on-the-go play, the Nintendo Switch is your ultimate companion. Since its debut in 2017, Sega has consistently delivered a slew of Sonic titles tailored for this hybrid console. Last year, fans were treated to the release of Sonic x Shadow Generations alongside the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, signaling that Sonic's popularity continues to soar.
With the official announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2, anticipation for more Sonic games is at an all-time high. Fortunately, the Switch 2 trailer assures us of backward compatibility, ensuring that your current Sonic library remains playable. For those eager to dive into the modern era of Sonic and his friends, here's a comprehensive rundown of all the Sonic the Hedgehog games currently available on the Nintendo Switch, plus a sneak peek at upcoming titles expected for the Switch 2.
A total of nine Sonic games have graced the Nintendo Switch, spanning from the system's launch year in 2017 to the latest release, Sonic x Shadow Generations, which hit the shelves in October 2024. Below is a detailed list of these games in their release order, not including titles accessible via a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Sonic x Shadow Generations
10
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Every Sonic Game Released on the Switch (in Release Order)
Sonic Mania (2017)
Sonic Mania, crafted by PagodaWest Games and Sonic enthusiast Christian Whitehead, serves as a heartfelt tribute to the classic Sonic titles from the Sega Genesis and Sega CD eras. Set post-Sonic 3 & Knuckles, it revamps eight iconic levels like Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant Zone, and introduces five fresh zones, including the dazzling Studiopolis Zone and serene Press Garden Zone. The game also brings in a new set of Eggbots, the Hard-Boiled Heavies, for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to conquer.
Sonic Mania is hailed as one of the top Sonic games of the 2010s, praised for its fan-driven development, vibrant neon graphics, and the fresh challenges it presents in every stage.
Sonic Forces (2017)
In Sonic Forces, Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic unite to form a resistance against Dr. Eggman, who has conquered much of the world with the aid of Infinite, a masked jackal wielding the Phantom Ruby to warp reality and create doppelgangers. The game offers varied gameplay modes, including third-person Boost mechanics with Modern Sonic, side-scrolling action with Classic Sonic, and a mode featuring a customizable avatar character powered by Wisp abilities. While the narrative and lighting may not be the series' finest, the game remains enjoyable for many players.
Sonic Forces
5
$24.88 See it at Amazon
Team Sonic Racing (2019)
Team Sonic Racing revolutionizes the racing genre by emphasizing teamwork over competition. Drawing inspiration from games like Splatoon and Overwatch, and echoing the spirit of Sonic Heroes, players race in teams of three, collaborating closely to secure victory. Sharing Wisp power-ups with teammates boosts their speed and enhances team performance. With customizable sports cars reminiscent of West Coast Customs, players can personalize their vehicles with gold rims and vibrant paint jobs.
2 Games Sonic Mania + Team Sonic Racing
8
$39.99 save 38%
$24.95 at Amazon
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019)
Released ahead of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 reignites the friendly rivalry between Mario and Sonic with new events like surfing, skateboarding, karate, and sport climbing. The game features a story mode that transports Mario and Sonic back to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, blending nostalgia with modern gameplay. It's a delightful mix of both eras, offering a fun dive into Olympic history.
Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
18
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Sonic Colors: Ultimate (2021)
Sonic Colors: Ultimate is a remastered edition of the original Sonic Colors, released to celebrate Sonic's 30th anniversary. Developed by Blind Squirrel Games, it boasts enhanced graphics, a new Jade Ghost Wisp for phasing through obstacles, and replaces traditional lives with rescues by Tails. Mini races against Metal Sonic and the ability to collect Park Tokens for customizing Sonic's attire add to the fun.
Sonic Colors Ultimate
4
$39.99 save 27%
$29.00 at Amazon
Sonic Origins (2022)
Sonic Origins brings together the first four classic Sonic games from the Sega Genesis and Sega CD, remastered for today's consoles. Players can choose between Classic Mode, which retains the original 4:3 aspect ratio, and Anniversary Mode, which introduces coins instead of lives and the Drop Dash ability from Sonic Mania. New animated cutscenes by Tyson Heese weave these games into a cohesive narrative when played in release order.
Sonic Origins Plus
2
$39.99 save 25%
$29.99 at Amazon
Sonic Frontiers (2022)
Sonic Frontiers marks the franchise's first foray into open-world gaming, inspired by titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Sonic navigates the expansive Starfall Islands, battling cybernetic foes, solving puzzles, and racing through Cyber Space levels reminiscent of past Sonic games to rescue his friends. The game's soundtrack masterfully balances serenity and chaos, appealing to both new and veteran fans.
Open-World Sonic Frontiers
4
$59.99 save 33%
$39.99 at Amazon
Sonic Superstars (2023)
Sonic Superstars, a joint project between Sega and Arzest, introduces 3D graphics to a Classic Sonic game, surprising fans at the 2023 Summer Game Fest. With revamped classic levels, new music, and upgraded designs, the game supports up to four players in local co-op across 11 levels on the Northstar Islands. Collecting Chaos Emeralds grants new powers to overcome challenges.
Sonic X Shadow Generations (2024)
Sonic X Shadow Generations is the latest addition to the Sonic lineup, remastering 2011's Sonic Generations with graphical enhancements and quality-of-life improvements. It also introduces a new campaign featuring reimagined Shadow stages from previous Sonic games, offering over 150 stages and 15-20 hours of content. Our review praised it as soaring "far and above previous enhanced versions we've gotten in the Sonic franchise."
Sonic x Shadow Generations
10
See it at Amazon
More Sonic Games Available with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
For those with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, additional classic Sonic titles are available under the SEGA catalog. You can find more information about them below:
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sonic Spinball
Upcoming Sonic Games on the Switch
2024 was a landmark year for Sonic enthusiasts, with the release of Sonic X Shadow Generations and the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie. At the 2024 Game Awards, Sonic Racing: Cross Worlds was announced, set to launch on the Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox later this year. This sequel to Team Sonic Racing will feature the full roster of Sonic characters. For more details, check out IGN's preview of the new Sonic racing game.
A Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2 will shed more light on the Switch 2's release date and launch titles. We also have numerous predictions about what games might be coming to the Switch 2.
Beyond gaming, Paramount has confirmed the development of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, slated for a Spring 2027 release.
For more Sonic content, explore these guides:
- Best Sonic Toys for Kids
- Best Sonic Games of All Time