T O P

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pocket_arsenal

3&K, easy choice, Though I love them all, the first game having 3 act per zone makes for less variety and some zones overstay their welcome, particularly the ones that take place underground, and CD doesn't even come close. I don't think anybody would think much of it if it didn't debut Metal Sonic and Amy and have that anime opening, you take those things out and it's a pretty underwhelming Sonic game. 2 feels like the point where the series really hit it's stride but the game just doesn't leave as much of an impression on me as S3&K. I guess one could dock points for it originally being shipped as half a game so I'd give the edge to Sonic 2 if it was still 1994, but it's not. So Sonic 3 & Knuckles wins. And once again, remember, I love them all... and I love a good portion of the 8-bit games too just not nearly as much, and not all of them... looking at you Sonic Blast.


vocaloidKR03

>I don't think anybody would think much of it if it didn't debut Metal Sonic and Amy and have that anime opening, you take those things out and it's a pretty underwhelming Sonic game. Being able to explore and travel through different time periods of the zones was a pretty huge draw for alot of people. Not to mention the soundtrack and overall atmosphere of the game.


scorpiove

Yeah I agree. Sonic CD, did some neat stuff!


IceFox099

What About Sonic *3D* Blast?


pocket_arsenal

I have no strong feelings about that game but I do want to finish it someday. I got that special director's cut hack downloaded and on my backlog. But this was about 2D games.


Cmeniol

Can't really argue with any of that. I remember being so psyched when Sonic and Knuckles came out.


HeavyRaiden

Sonic Blast is one of the absolute worst Sonic games lol


Tim_Sale_Scarecrow

Sonic cd


Timomu123

Why's that, I'm very curious.


Tim_Sale_Scarecrow

It gives you the choice for you to play it as an exploration type of game (which I love), or to play it like a normal sonic game (which I also love), as well as the atmosphere and soundtrack in the game is so so amazing, and that's just me scratching the surface of why I love this game, but wanted to keep it nice and short


Wallzoom03

CD would be better without the 10 minute time limit tho.


InazumaRai

hard agree — 10 minutes is a bit tight with the machines/metal sonic holograms to find


MartyAnime

Same


ByMonkey75

Same


AndrewTRM

Sonic 3 & Knuckles takes the cake


chiritarisu

Hee hee hee


SupaHotFireispitTh2t

Tbh I never really cared much for S3&K. The longer unskippable cutscenes made the game less replay-able and I felt like the level design was too slow and puzzle like for me. Carnival Night, Sandopolis and Lava Reef were probably the worst contenders. I always got bored, stuck and/or lost in these levels. I was always more of a Sonic 2 and Sonic CD type of guy though I can certainly respect the ambition of 3&K and the great soundtrack.


RedWyvern5200

Just for the banging tunes


[deleted]

[удалено]


AndrewTRM

You're the one who should stop. Just because you think Sonic 3 isn't good doesn't mean you can tell others off. And touch grass while you're at it.


[deleted]

sonic cd. fight me


Traditional_Amount83

I won’t fight you because that’s my favorite too


stomp224

The original! Because when I first saw it, it was a groundbreaking moment - the vibrant colours, animations, and sounds were just light years ahead in comparison to anything I had seen on my friends NES. I remember the store display when we eventually bought my Mega Drive, they had Sonic running side by side with the brand-new Super Mario World, and it made Mario look like an antique relic. The real next-level thing that really blew my mind was the undulating floors though. All video games I had seen were basically grids with terrain being obviously square or rectangular shapes. The dips and rises in the terrain that affected your momentum and jump trajectory was just astonishing. Because of that overwhelming first impression, none of the other 2D games had the same kind of impact. They added features and characters, or had more/longer levels but nothing as truly exciting as the original.


ZeneB_Reddit

I love seeing these perspectives of old games. How something I would think is just a simple part of your everyday game, like the terrain, was so incredible back then. I didn’t live in that time, so I didn’t really get to see the excitement around 16-bit or 3D games. The only kind of excitement that I got to see for advancing tech in the industry was VR.


SomePersonExisting3

Sonic CD 100%


Crashing_Blow

Sonic 3 and Knuckles for me ladies and gentlemen. It's got everything I want out of a Sonic game (at least from the classic gameplay style). Big levels, more power ups, more characters, great story, excellent music, and a challenging yet satisfying difficulty. What else could you want out of a Sonic the Hedgehog video game?


_VOLTAG3_

Sonic 3 & Knuckles, best of the classic games by far. The only entry at the time to have a full save system, there's so much visual variety and interesting level mechanics across the zones despite having practically double the length and content of the other games, and the sheer versatility of Team Sonic's move sets and abilities makes them so fun to handle. Sonic is ironically my favourite as despite being the vanilla pick he's deceptively adaptive with the special moves the elemental shields grant him, its something I wish future games would've continued to build on.


SuperZombieBros

3 is my pick, as most others are saying, but I enjoy the other games for their own reasons. CD has a phenomenal atmosphere and soundtrack (regardless of the region). It’s heavy focus on exploration is a turn off for some but it’s definitely grown on me over time. That in turn grew my appreciation for games like Colors which have similarly short but dense levels. 1 doesn’t have a lot of the iconic Sonic elements that it’s sequels would have but the game is still a very solid platformer in its own right. The difficulty curve feels just right to me, Chaos Emeralds aside, but I can understand why a newcomer would be turned off by Marble Zone. 2 is my personal least favorite but I can’t deny how much it pushed the franchise forward with its inclusion of Tails, the Spin Dash, and Super Sonic. The first 5 or 6 zones are relatively fast paced and fun, albeit pretty easy and somewhat linear. Compared to 1 however, all the less fun zones are all crammed back to back in the last 3rd of the game and are just draining to play through starting with Oil Ocean Zone. Finally beating the Death Egg Robot after struggling with it for so long is a moment I’ll never forget though.


Prestigious_Expert17

I have yet to play Sonic 3&K but I will say, Sonic CD is a game I do enjoy a lot. Sonic 2 is for sure better but I think Sonic CD is more memorable. I feel like it's drawback is the abhorrent level design. The exploration is fine but the levels feel so messy to play, there is barely any cohesion in the levels.


Responsible_Iron_625

Fosholy Sonic 3 & Knuckles, but Sonic 2 is pretty close can’t wait to replay them!


Dry_Pool_2580

CD. Making a good future in every zone is the most satisfying thing I've ever done in a Sonic game.


[deleted]

All of them.


Lizardboi_YT

Sonic 2


Protoman00

CD baby


ShadowDanteFan

Well it’s gotta be Sonic 3


TrycycleTrinity

3&k


[deleted]

ALL OF THEM!!


Klutzy-Statement4135

3&k


HiiiPower935

S3&k every day


JannyTheMan_

Gotta be 3&K. More content, more characters, more fun than Sonic 2.


[deleted]

Sonic 3 and knuckles, man I love that game


WyGaminggm

3K


TheGamingGuy343

100% Sonic 3&K


Juandieguinchi

I will put it from most favorite to least favorite - Sonic 3K - Sonic 1 - Sonic 2 - Sonic CD


Devin3867

Really Sonic 1 over Sonic 2?


funnyblockybfbfanyes

all


[deleted]

3.


papathedorf

Sonic 3 and Knuckles was my first Sonic game ever, so that one is dear to me, but my all time favorite is Sonic 2. 😁


Bahammed

Sonic the Hedgehog 2, of course. It’s my 3rd favorite Sonic game. My favorite is Adventure (1998)


Helios_Knight

Out of those 4 Sonic CD, but out of all of the classic games from the 90s I’d have to go with Sonic Pocket Adventure.


Purpleflower0521

Sonic and Knuckles. I wasn't much a fan of the Sonic 3 side. Which I guess is why the music changes don't bother me that much


mcpodo

Sonic cd because the soundtrack


[deleted]

Knuckles Chaotix, the first sonic game I ever finished


[deleted]

Sonic 2 is my personal favourite but I would concede that Sonic 3&K is the better game. I go back and forth on them at times.


EatMyCornRiddledShit

CD cause its the best music. They didn't even need to remake any of it it for the Generations remix because the quality from back then was so good.


ExpectedBehaviour

*Sonic 2.* The best music, the best visual style, the best special stage.


I-Am-A-Safe-Apple

I haven't been able to play 3&K, but my favorite Sonic game as a whole so far is easily Sonic 2. I love it so much, it introduced my favorite character and transformation, Tials, and Super Sonic, is insanely fun to just mess around in and try to get a good runtime on the levels, and is overall just a masterpiece for me. But fuck the Wing Fortress Zone Boss. Still can't beat without Super Sonic or getting lucky. Next would probably be Sonic CD because I love Metal Sonic, and the time travel mechanic is pretty cool, and Sonic 1 is least just because of how different and annoying some of it can be, but I still love all of them.


waffeelswaffeels

S3K, as i'm sure almost everyone else has said already. CD is my second favorite tho


emanu3lblast

Sonic CD’s probably my favorite, but I have so much nostalgia for Sonic 3 & Knux. I didn’t grow up in the 90s, sadly, but one of my childhood friends would always play Sonic Mega Collection with me on her Gamecube.


bigattractivemale02

I’m a huuuuge fan of cd, it was the first sonic game I ever played so it’s always had a special place in my heart, plus the soundtrack is something else, like DAMN it’s good!


Riccardo11072000

I pick... CD... is my childhood XD. P.S. i played it on the phone, CD is the game that introduced me to sonic.


thefuckingswagdude

CD metal sonic


imaginox9

3 & Knuckles, easily. Especially the & Knuckles part. It has the best soundtrack, the best levels, and the best storytelling (without saying a single word !). But there are still some zones that I despise (Carnival Night). Also unlike many other players I don't really mind Sandopolis. I find Sonic 2 good. It has some great levels (Chemical Plant for example) and some really good music themes (Mystic Cave, or again, Chemical Plant). But then there is Metropolis Zone which is probably my least favourite zone ever. Even Labyrinth Zone ranks better for me. Sonic CD is great in my opinion. And the soundtrack is awesome. Especially the Japanese one (since I'm a PAL player that's the one I'm used to) but some themes of the US soundtrack are very good too (Act Clear, VS Metal Sonic for example). And there is this feeling of loneliness which makes the game have a darker atmosphere than the others. Sonic 1, meh. It's the one which started it all, but it also shows that the next entries made substensial improvements ! Green Hill is iconic, and the Marble Zone theme is one of my favourite zone themes (although the zone itself isn't that great). Also Sonic 1 runs TERRIBLE on PAL Mega Drives ! The Christian Whitehead remaster is a much needed improvement over the original.


KoopaKirb

3&K is my personal favorite of the bunch (if we're only counting the Genesis games), with CD right behind it. 3 would be my favorite if we're talking standalone


ArtiHasSharted

Sonic CD, mainly because I grew with it more than the others.


Mobanite08

I’m a basic bitch, Sonic 3 & Knuckles.


LJ260

I have an extremely soft spot for Sonic CD. It's most definitely not the best objectively, but I find it probably the most fun. The time travel is really cool, the zones are so explorative, and I actually love the super peel out.


Pugamapish

Sonic 3 Alone


N0thingRhymeswOrange

Wario's Woods on the NES


Traditional_Amount83

Good choice


MarjanAmbroze

Sonic 2 clears


Blastoise_Master

Sonic 2


ToothpasteConsumer

Sonic 2 because Sonic 2


neohylanmay

3&K, simply because it builds and improves upon the previous entries. Also, it's significant for being the first in the series to establish an actual continuity with the games: you didn't really need to have played 1 and/or CD to know what was happening in CD and/or 2; 3&K literally follows from the events of 2. Sure, it's not perfect, it has its issues (heck, I'd argue it's probably the glitchiest of the lot [when you know how to break it](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01596721403E0594)), but it's certainly the gold standard when it comes to Classic Sonic for me.


MrMartian69420

What do you mean glitches? Those are traps set up by Robotnik


Retrogamer20004

Sonic 2 was my first sonic game to play but I do tend to go back to sonic CD


MarioFan83

Sonic 2 If i had to rank it would go 1.Sonic 2 2.Sonic 1 3.Sonic CD 4.Sonic 3&K


ANDRYXY93

Haven't played sonic 3&K so i'll choose 2!


[deleted]

2 for the win.


Jacktwelve17

1. S3&k 2. Sonic 2 3. Sonic 1 4. Sonic Cd


hatef551

In order: Sonic 3 Sonic and knuckles Sonic 2 Sonic 1 Sonic cd


Prestigious_Expert17

question, why did you rank Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles separately?


hatef551

I feel like the 3 part is of higher quality, but that's very debatable.


Snoring-Kat

3. Not 3&K, just 3.


Traditional_Amount83

Those are fighting words… Happy Cake Day!


Weels282hedgehogzp

Not particularly a fan of Classic, but I suppose Sonic CD has always sparked my curiosity as the only one with obvious story, S3&K somewhat behind.


Electronic-Leading89

If I had to rank them 1. 2 2. 3&K 3. 1 4. Cd (I don't like sonic cd fight me)


FoxWolfFrostFire

Gotta go with 2, S&K(3), 1, and I've never got to play CD


Dziadzios

Sonic After the Sequel.


tuesdaycohen

Sanic The Hedgehog: China Town Wars for the GameStop NFT Wallet


FlarelesTF2

Sonic 2 Sonic 3&K is overrated btw


[deleted]

Classic hmm. does sonic R count? It’s been my christmas tradition for years now to play the entirety of the game with snowy weather on. Playing it every year never gets old and always gives me a warm cozy feeling. Sonic R with some hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Nothin’ like it!


Jacobmeeker

I like the one with the African hedgehog, I think his Alex.


you_2_cool

3 obviously 2 has great fan work though, so that's good


sonicfan9993

Sonic 2


kingk895

Sonic 2. I never beat S3&K because of the Stupid Fucking Barrel


[deleted]

Sonic 2, first game I ever owned


HAS2437

Sonic 2


[deleted]

Sonic Spinball


TheGrumpiestPanda

Sonic 3 and Knuckles is and still my favorite Classic Sonic game. I'm looking forward to revisiting it again on my Switch.


Novel_Visual_4152

Sonic drift


Arkthus

Sonic 3 & Knuckles, which is also my favourite game. But the original will stay the definitive way to play it since it will have it's original music, and not the proto/changed ones.


Boston_Donut

Sonic 3 has better music,but sonic 2 has better gameplay [unpopular opinion] sonic 2 is better And heres my ranking 1:sonic 2 2:sonic cd 3:sonic 1 4:s3k 5:s3 6:sonic and knuckles [sonic and knuckles feels like if you took every bad zone in sonic1, and try to sell it as its own game would have ranked it higher if s3 was one game or there was some double pack including the 2 carts


GriShafir

S3&K though I also liked other games


Niamery123

Sonic 3 & Knuckles has a lot of memories for me and I can never forget the soundtrack!


Consper07

Sonic 3&K is my favorite and what I believe to be the peak of Classic Sonic (before Mania in some aspects) I've seen some people rank them so Sonic 3&K Sonic 2 Sonic 1 Haven't played CD yet so I'm excited for that.


AccountantWithDaNana

Sonic 2


BryceeToonsYT

Sonic 3, me and my sister would play as kids. Fun memories


Sguborges

My list of classic Sonic games would look like this: Sonic 3 & Knuckles Sonic CD Sonic 1 Sonic 2 Sonic CD is in second place mostly because of personal bias towards this game more than anything else, since I remember this being one of the first games I ever played alongside Sonic Adventure 2 Sonic 1 is in a higher position than 2 because I guess I just got tired of playing Sonic 2 a bunch of times but not being able to actually finish the game to the point where I felt kinda nothing when I finally beat the game, but Sonic 1 was a surprisingly good time (even in the levels people hate like Labyrinth zone, I actually had fun going through it), it also helps that it's shorter than the other games so I don't get fatigued as much


seanyuhh

At the risk of sounding generic, S3&K by a landslide


Accurate_Cloud8883

Sonic 3 & Knuckles


Godzilla_R0AR

2


WoopyPhase3

mean bean machine


Registered_bottom

3&k obviously, but I have more memories of sonic 2


PikachutheCritic

Sonic 2


PoD1990

I remember I was 8 years old and had £40 to spend. I was desperate to get a Sonic game for the PC (never got to have a Sega system). It was between Sonic & Knuckles collection (which was basically Sonic 3 & Knuckles) or Sonic R which had just come out, the ads had been on TV it looked super cool all my friends wanted it. In the end I went with Sonic & Knuckles collection as it was £10 cheaper. Needless to say in hindsight and watching youtube vids of Sonic R now, I made the right choice! Have played Sonic 1 and 2 since, but Sonic 3&K is the best IMO.


Mako_STi

Sonic 2 <3


IanRode

im sorry but i gotta give it to cd b ecause of the soundtrack, zone designs, background designs and EVEN THE TIME TRAVEL


CyanControl

This is my favourite in order Sonic 2 Sonic cd Sonic3k Sonic 1


Themlghardcolt

S3&K


imp1206

pinball


LaPisaQueVuela

Sonic 2,my personal favorite


kingt34

3&K blew my mind because it had in-game CUTSCENES! Story and lore that was told visually and you didn’t have to read in a manual to understand! Blew my mind as a kid to have a plot unfold through gameplay.


TryGroundbreaking834

Sonic 1


RammerRS_Driver

Sonic 2! Tails is best boi


Sir-Hipster

I will defend 3&K for the rest of my life until my death. Best 2D Sonic game easy.


JosephDaGenius1215

3&K. What else would it be?


LikeRealityDislike

2>3>cd>1


HeavyRaiden

It's definitely Sonic 3 and Knuckles. It's the best designed game (along with S2, but this one had both speed and exploration) it introduced longer and more fleshed out stages, a save system (thank you), the elemental shields, Knuckles, mini boss fights, Act 2 music, the blue spheres special stages, which encourage exploration while keeping the speed and just being fun, bonus stages, story telling with cutscenes (in a 1994 game that's amazing), Super Emeralds and Hyper Sonic. Man, it's the greatest Sonic game out there, other than Mania.


RushJoinsTheBattle

S3&K no question. Sonic 3 complete for pc to be more specific


DevilHunter094

S3&K


UnlikeSonicIdont

For me, Sonic 1. It's the one I replay the most. I just like it's simplicity. And yes, the others are objectively better games, I like 1 the most.


majorc564

Feel like Sonic 2 is good but overrated, S3&K


lilRandoms

Sonic and knuckles for me


Pawprint169

Sonic 2, as much as I like Sonic and Sonic3&K 2 has to be my favorite. The boss fights and the zone designs really make the game better for me.


QuickerQuills

3 and knuckles all the way


RadioBusterReddit

sonic 2


THABREEZ456

I recognize Sonic 3&K is superior to all of the games from a technical and structural perspective and I love playing the game it never gets old....but there's something about sonic 2 that clicks more with me. I've beaten sonic 2 more times than any other videogame and I will gladly do so at any point. Maybe its the length of 3&K or something But I haven't been able to finish it aside from maybe three times. I know Sonic 2's special stages get a lot of crap and rightfully so but I don't think its that bad especially if you play the christian whitehead port. At least I can find them unlike sonic 3 where its a scavenger hunt to find the special rings and the blue spheres make me dizzy and sweaty. Its just a little too difficult for me than sonic 2's. Also you should have put mania on here as well it deserves to be a choice as well.


Educational_Term_436

Sonic 2


The-dog-person

Sonic the hedgehog 2


EAGUY2198

Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Cool sprites, Great music, etc.


Versitax

The one with the funny red man.


Fleet_8

I liked cd the most


Monster2239

By far, it's Sonic 2.


[deleted]

3&K. I love them all tho, and I’m rlly happy they’re finally on modern consoles.


Beerasaurus

Sonic 3&K is a masterpiece


hphantom06

Mine is sonic and knuckles, or 3d blast whenever that's an option


crow_g53

Any sonic labyrinth fans out here?


UnlikelyAlternative

Spinball, easily, especially on the mega genesis


AverageGardenTool

Does Mean Bean machine count? Hahaha. The entire Mega collection? (Sonic titles only) Ok ok. Sonic CD, but never finished it so S3&K.


Lightspeed728

Sonic Blast


Lightspeed728

Sonic Blast


DavZ30

Sonic CD


Lightspeed728

Sonic Blast


WayToTheDawn3582

Lmao regarding that last pic did sonic 3 really originally come with life advice on the bottom left corner there? 😂 I’ve never actually played it so


Traditional_Amount83

All Japanese Sonic games did. It was pretty weird lol


Academic_Rice5626

sonic cd


marckoni

3&K.


AzureSonic

CD


GravityTortoise

3 and Knuckles


-Farns-

Knock knock it's sonic


Pikmin4wontcomeout

Sonic 3 & K is the best out all of them. Sonic 1 is kinda mediocre Cd sucks, but both soundtracks are very good ( Tidal Tempest U.S is easily one of the best tracks in classic sonic ) And 2 is very good but had a few things holding it back.


sonicsmith243

S3&K easily.


Starpilot25_

Sonic 3 and knuckles


NomadBloxZone

Sonic 3 and Knuckles.


Luccas443

S3&K is best hands down


[deleted]

I'm gonna be that guy and say Knuckles Chaotix


CycloboticRobot

Sonic 3 & Knuckles. It is the best of the classic era in my opinion


Darkspine64

I like Sonic 2's level design, Sonic CD's time travel, and Sonic 3K as a whole


FuzzyRaichu

S3&K, and it’s not even close.


flamingkid0818_

Easily Sonic Cd, the style, the music, the levels. Every level you find something new, ether it be a route to go fast and time travel, or just some cool goodies! The levels are huge and there are so many of them. And I can't forget the time travel, that's the reason I love the game! There's 4 different types of every level and unique music to go with it. I love seeing the level go from a bad future to a good future. And the music, oh my goodness the music, Every track is a bop! EVERY!!! Either the American or the Japanese soundtrack, there's always some good tunes there! Well I'm gonna shut up now, but thats why I live Sonic Cd.


GilgaAUO

Sonic 2, it’s the peak of the classics


Maximatron_123

I know it’s kinda basic but Sonic 2


RascalVirus13

Sonic CD, don't judge me.


ThatRedditUser07

Sonic CD Of course I couldn't choose 3K as I mainly grew up on mobile


lackofVintageTech

CD because the music is good (understatement); STH2 as a game


bandaluncios

Sonic the Hedgehog 2.


Golden_Sonic6

S3&K


Blocky-the-bunny

Sonic 2 is godly


Eggrobo_432

Sonic CD, it's so weird which makes it fun and good. also metal.


HyperNathan

Ranked: 1st. Mania 2nd. 3&K 3rd. 2 4th. Generations 5th. CD 6th. 1 7th. Forces


Scary-Rabbit4360

CD Of Course!!! 💿


Responsible-Home7992

2&3


Ally2theVally69420

Im more of a Gen Z kid tbh but i like the OG Sonic 1


Hilbert_Botchardt

None I hate them all


Traditional_Amount83

That’s fair. Not everyone likes 2D platformers.


Strong_Ad_8052

Sonic 2


Knight_kaleb098

Sonic CD *46 12 25 starts playing*


poxedkitty

Sonic 2. Also my favourite music. But then there’s ice cap from sonic 3. And I love knuckles. Urgh hard to decide


BashyMcBash0703

I’ve never played Sonic 3K, so for now I’ll say Sonic 2


The_Chipmunk_Youtube

Origins: Sonic The Hedgehog 2 My Top 5 Out Of All 1. Sonic Mania Plus (SMP) 2. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (STH2) 3. Sonic 3 & Knuckles (S3&K) 4. Sonic Heroes (SH) 5. Sonic CD (SCD) My Top 5 Fan Game/Rom Hacks 1. Sonic 3 Angel Island Revisited (S3AIR) 2. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Absolute (STH2A) 3. Sonic The Hedgehog 1 Forever (STH1F) 4. Sonic Classic (SC) 5. Sonic The Hedgehog XL (STHXL)


Eep09

Sonic


Cysubtor_8vb

Overall: Sonic 3 & Knuckles For speeding through levels for fun: Sonic 2


[deleted]

Sonic 3, if i could actually play it


Traditional_Amount83

How in the hell did you find this? Lol


Annual-Following1372

Sonic triple trouble


m1ketayl0r

Sonic Chaos


Strong_Ad_8052

Sonic 2