For gamers who love playing both at home and on the move, the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic choice. And if you’re a Sonic fan, it’s even better! Since its launch in 2017, Sega has consistently brought Sonic games to the hybrid console. Last year saw the exciting release of Sonic x Shadow Generations, coinciding with the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, proving that Sega’s beloved speedster is more popular than ever.
With the recent launch of the Switch 2, you can expect even more Sonic titles heading your way. While the next major release, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, is still launching on the original Switch system, worry not! Thanks to backward compatibility, all your current Sonic favorites will seamlessly transition to the new console. So, whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, prepare to explore the modern era of Sonic and his friends with this complete list of games currently available, plus a peek at what’s coming to the Switch 2.
How Many Sonic Games Are There on Nintendo Switch?
A grand total of nine Sonic games have graced the Nintendo Switch. This impressive collection spans from the console’s debut year in 2017 right up to the latest title, Sonic x Shadow Generations, released in October 2024. Please note that this count does not include the classic games accessible through a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Every Sonic Game Released on the Switch (in Release Order)
Sonic Mania (2017)
Sonic Mania was a heartfelt tribute to the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games from the Sega Genesis and Sega CD eras, co-developed by PagodaWest Games and Christian Whitehead, a prominent member of the Sonic fan-game community. Picking up after the events of Sonic 3 & Knuckles, this game masterfully reimagines eight iconic levels, such as Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant Zone, while introducing five exciting new ones, including the vibrant Studiopolis Zone and the serene Press Garden Zone. It also introduces a formidable new group of Eggbots, the Hard-Boiled Heavies, for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to challenge.
Sonic Mania is widely celebrated as one of the best Sonic games of the 2010s, praised for its innovative approach of letting fans create a game they’d adore, its striking neon graphics, and the fresh challenges embedded in every stage.
Sonic Forces (2017)
In Sonic Forces, Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic unite to form a resistance movement against Dr. Eggman, who has conquered most of the world alongside Infinite, a mysterious masked jackal wielding the Phantom Ruby to generate doppelgangers and manipulate reality. The gameplay fluidly transitions between high-speed Boost sections with Modern Sonic, classic side-scrolling levels with Classic Sonic, and unique stages featuring a custom avatar character. This avatar, which you can design as any animal, utilizes Wisp power-ups for its weapons. While the game’s writing and visual presentation have received mixed reviews, many players still find it enjoyable.
Team Sonic Racing (2019)
Team Sonic Racing elevates the kart racing genre by focusing on cooperative play rather than direct competition. Drawing inspiration from Sonic Heroes, this game features a cooperative gameplay mechanic where players form teams of three characters and work together to secure victory. Success hinges on closely monitoring your teammates’ performance and strategically sharing Wisp power-ups to boost their speed and improve your team’s standing. With most karts resembling sports cars, you’ll also have ample customization options, allowing you to personalize your vehicle with flashy gold rims and a paint job of your choice, West Coast Customs style.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019)
Released a year ahead of the actual Tokyo Olympic Games (which were later postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 reunites the iconic red plumber, the speedy blue hedgehog, and their diverse cast of friends on the global stage. This installment introduces exciting new events like surfing, skateboarding, karate, and sport climbing, alongside a host of bonus features. The game’s story mode transports Mario and Sonic back to the Tokyo 1964 Olympics, featuring their classic 2D sprite appearances, while their companions in the present day strive to bring them back. This title offers a delightful blend of both gaming eras, coupled with engaging history lessons about the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate (2021)
Sonic Colors: Ultimate is a vibrant remastered edition of the original Sonic Colors, developed by Blind Squirrel Games to celebrate Sonic’s 30th anniversary in 2021. This remaster significantly enhances the graphics, bringing even more brilliant colors to Eggman’s sprawling interplanetary amusement park and refining the character models. New gameplay additions include the Jade Ghost Wisp, which allows Sonic to phase through walls and ceilings, and mini-races against Metal Sonic. Traditional lives have been replaced with a rescue system featuring Tails. Players can also collect Park Tokens to deck out Sonic in a variety of outlandish shoe and glove designs.
Sonic Origins (2022)
Sonic Origins brings together the first four classic Sonic games originally released on the Sega Genesis and Sega CD, meticulously remastered for contemporary consoles and a new generation of players. This compilation caters to both veteran fans seeking a nostalgic experience and younger audiences eager to discover Sonic’s rich history. Players can choose between Classic Mode, which preserves the original 4:3 aspect ratio, or Anniversary Mode, where lives are replaced by collectible coins and Sonic gains the Drop Dash ability, reminiscent of Sonic Mania. The collection also features brand new animated cutscenes by the acclaimed Tyson Heese, seamlessly weaving all four games into a cohesive narrative when played in their original release order.
Sonic Frontiers (2022)
Sonic Frontiers marks the franchise’s bold foray into open-world gaming – or rather, “open-zone” – a style often compared to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In this adventure, Sonic explores the expansive Starfall Islands, engaging in battles against cybernetic foes, solving diverse puzzles, and speeding through Cyber Space levels that pay homage to past Sonic titles. His ultimate goal is to rescue his friends from a digitized dimension. Both long-time Sonic enthusiasts and newcomers will find joy in traversing this mysterious island, accompanied by a soundtrack that perfectly balances serenity with thrilling chaos.
Sonic Superstars (2023)
Sonic Superstars is a collaborative effort between Sega and Arzest, introducing stunning 3D graphics to a Classic Sonic game – a move that surprised many at the 2023 Summer Game Fest. For the first time, Classic Sonic appears as a CGI character, and familiar levels are revitalized with new music and updated designs. The game supports local multiplayer for up to four players, allowing Sonic and his friends to team up across 11 levels set in the Northstar Islands. Collecting Chaos Emeralds grants new powers, helping players overcome obstacles.
Sonic X Shadow Generations (2024)
Team Sonic’s latest offering is Sonic X Shadow Generations, a remastered version of the 2011 hit Sonic Generations. Beyond updated graphics and quality-of-life enhancements, this edition introduces an entirely new campaign featuring reimagined Shadow stages from previous Sonic games. These two campaigns together provide 15-20 hours of content across over 150 stages. Our review of Shadow x Generations for IGN praised it, stating that it “soars far and above previous enhanced versions we’ve gotten in the Sonic franchise.”
More Sonic Games Available with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
If you’re looking to dive into more classic Sonic games, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription grants access to several titles within the SEGA catalog. Here’s a glimpse of what’s available:
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sonic Spinball
Upcoming Sonic Games on the Switch
2024 was an eventful year for Sonic fans, with a new game (Sonic X Shadow Generations) and a movie (Sonic the Hedgehog 3) hitting the scene. An exciting new Sonic game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, was unveiled at the 2024 Game Awards and is slated for release on the Switch (along with PC, PS5, and Xbox) on September 25.
This title builds upon 2019’s Team Sonic Racing, featuring the complete cast of Sonic characters along with exciting new crossover racers like Joker, Hatsune Miku, and Steve from Minecraft. IGN’s review of Cross Worlds commended the game for “firing on all cylinders with a fantastic roster, excellent courses, and lengthy list of customization options.”
Beyond gaming, Paramount has confirmed plans for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, with a targeted Spring 2027 release window.
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. She has contributed her work to various publications, including Digital Trends, TheGamer, Twinfinite, Mega Visions, and The Escapist. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. You can find her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.