Few video game characters are as iconic as Sonic the Hedgehog. The speedy little blue blur has been around for over three decades, touching every corner of pop culture along the way, from games, to comics, to TV, to blockbuster movies. But we’re here specifically to celebrate the mainline Sonic game series and pick the best of them.

Before we start, let’s quickly touch upon our criteria. We tried to rank these games based on a combination of historical significance, innovation, and how well these games stand the test of time. Some games, like Sonic Adventure 1 and the original Sonic the Hedgehog, for instance, are obviously super important to the Sonic series and set the foundation for both 2D and 3D Sonic games to follow, but we felt like they both didn’t quite hold up as well as their sequels when judged by a modern standard, which was why they just missed this list.

The 10 games on this list are the ones we feel are the best examples of both classic and modern Sonic style. So with that said, here are our picks for the 10 best Sonic Games, as chosen by a handful of IGN’s biggest Sonic fans.

10. Sonic Unleashed

Sonic Unleashed gets a bad rap, and conversation surrounding it often focuses on its weaker elements, specifically the werehog bits. A lot of the criticism is warranted, but it also shouldn’t entirely take away from the fact that when Sonic Unleashed is good, it’s some of the best 3D Sonic there’s ever been. It also remains one of the best-looking Sonic games despite being 14 years old, plus the soundtrack is fantastic, and above all else, Sonic Unleashed feels fast.

It totally nails that sensation of being the fastest thing alive as you tear through levels leaving a trail of absolute destruction full of crushed boxes, tables, enemies, and more. It’s the most uneven of the mainline Sonic games, but we still feel it deserves a spot on this list.

9. Sonic Rush

Sonic Rush somehow managed to feel like a full blown console Sonic game, paired down for the dual screens of the Nintendo DS. A worthy successor to the amazing Sonic Advance games for the Gameboy Advance, Sonic Rush achieved a spectacular sense of speed for a handheld Sonic game thanks to the “Tension Gauge,” a mechanic that would later be adapted to future Sonic games as a boosting mechanic, and when you add on top of that the awesome boss battles and the great use of the dual screens throughout levels, it more than secures its number 9 spot.

8. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is still one of the best pure experiences of the Sonic franchise. It introduced Tails, added two-player coop, and improved upon the formula established by the first game in just about every way. There were more zones, most featuring multiple paths, new enemies, new mechanics, and abilities while keeping true to the essential factor of a Sonic game: you gotta go fast.

New zones like Sky Chase gave us our first look at the Tornado (Tails' Biplane), and the Death Egg zone pitted us against an early version of an enemy that eventually became Metal Sonic. Sonic 2 also introduced the Super Sonic transformation into the franchise by having players collect all seven chaos emeralds in a new and welcomed improvement to bonus stages. Sonic 2 is still one of the best sequels with its lengthy list of improvements and additions that still holds up to this day for both newcomers and veterans.

7. Sonic CD

As good as we just said Sonic 2 was, Sonic CD feels like a more polished and confident version of that. It introduced us to Amy Rose and the version of Metal Sonic that we all know and loathe today. But the real star of the show in Sonic CD is its use of time travel, where you can go to the past, present, or future of the zone you’re in.

The thrill of starting the time travel star boost and trying to maintain your speed to make sure you properly get transported to the past or future was always exciting. You never knew if you were going to successfully get to where you were going, and that was part of the adventure. Sonic CD didn't need this extra gameplay mechanic but they did it anyway, and since Sonic is trying to collect the time stones to ensure a good future where Eggman's plans are foiled, Sonic CD basically did Avengers: Endgame in 1993. … Also that theme song? Iconic.

6. Sonic 3 And Knuckles

The Genesis-era Sonic games are well represented on this list for a reason, and each release got better while introducing new playable characters and mechanics. Sonic 3 & Knuckles feels like a superior experience of the early days of Sonic. While both are solid games as individuals, they feel incomplete, and so the combination offers a complete and rich experience. The level design is some of the best in the 2D Sonic entries. While it certainly felt built and made for newcomer Knuckles, the levels still accommodate the playstyles and strengths for that of Sonic and Tails.

5. Sonic Colors

When it comes to imaginative and thrilling level designs, Sonic Colors is top tier as far as Sonic games go. Aquarium Park is arguably the best water level throughout the whole series, Asteroid Coaster is just phenomenal in every aspect, and while it’s heavily on-rails, the sheer spectacle of Starlight Carnival is a sight to behold. Sonic Colors does an excellent job of blending that high-speed boost-centric style with more methodical platforming and puzzle segments, while also filling every level with multiple paths. It checks all of the boxes, on top of having an impressive soundtrack, great visuals, and smooth gameplay that still holds up to this day.

4. Sonic Advance

Sonic's 10th anniversary saw the release of Sonic Adventure, but 2001 also saw the release of a 2D Sonic game, Sonic Advance, for the GBA — marking the first time the blue blur made his way onto a Nintendo console. Sonic Advance kept the heart and soul of Classic Sonic, while also updating his sprite and his abilities to be more in line with the emerging modern Sonic design. Sonic could grind rails, there was a Tiny Chao Garden, and just overall, Sonic was far more expressive than he had ever been in the older 2D Sonic games.

While the entire Sonic Advance trilogy includes some of Sonic's best 2D outings from the post-Genesis era, Sonic Advance remains the best in terms of consistency. It is not only a great starting point for the GBA series but also had some of the best level variety out of the entire Sonic Advance trilogy, and it is a shame that Sega has yet to re-release these games beyond the Game Boy Advance.

3. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle

Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the Gamecube improved the base game with better textures, multiplayer, new upgrades, and exclusive characters. That base version of Sonic Adventure 2 was already damn good, and still stands tall to this day as one of the most beloved 3D Sonic games of all time.

While the Sonic and Shadow stages are obviously the highlights, with their fast-paced action heavy gameplay, there’s a great blend of gameplay stylings between the various different playable characters as well. On top of all of that, Battle added characters like Metal Sonic and Amy Rose in foot races, the ability to challenge friends in Kart Races, or have their Chaos compete. And then of course there’s both the much-beloved Chao Garden, and that unforgettable soundtrack that echoes in every Sonic fan’s mind.

2. Sonic Mania

What is there to say about Sonic Mania that has not already been said? It is easily one of the best 2D Sonic games we have received after Sega pivoted to strictly third-party. A game made by fans for fans, Sonic Mania, is a love letter to the blue hedgehog. Mania offered a fresh perspective of what put Sonic on the map —remixing the classic formula while offering fast-paced gameplay, superb level design, and excellent pixel art.

Sonic Mania would’ve been great even if it just stuck to the remastered and new versions of previous Sonic zones, but what truly makes it sing are the entirely original stages. Levels like Studiopolis and Mirage Saloon Zone offered the perfect counterpart to the comforting familiarity of the remastered stages. Replayability is also among the highest compared to other 2D Sonic games, thanks to the multitude of collectibles and rewards found off the beaten paths.

For those reasons, Sonic Mania is our pick for the best 2D Sonic game you can play, and it is, wholeheartedly, a Sonic game that every fan should play at least once.

1. Sonic Generations

Even in 2022, Sonic Generations remains the greatest celebration of Sonic’s history, and in our opinion, the best combination of both classic and modern Sonic gameplay stylings. Sonic Generations was a game designed to evoke nostalgia, but it never fell into the trap of relying entirely on fuzzy feelings from the past. The 14 levels based on prior Sonic zones incorporated elements of those past stages, but always found a way to make them feel distinct and fresh, which resulted in an unforgettable Sonic game that, at the time, was simultaneously a throwback to the past, a glimpse at his future, and our pick for the best Sonic game to date.

And that’s our list! What do you think? Let us know in the comments, and for more Sonic, make sure to check out all of our Sonic Frontiers coverage for IGN First.

This review contains full spoilers for episode six of Ms. Marvel, "No Normal", now available to view on Disney+. To remind yourself of where we left off, check out our Ms. Marvel episode 5 review.

Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) has traveled to her ancestral home of Karachi — not to mention going back to the past — but the first season of Ms. Marvel ends with the Jersey City community standing as one against a pervasive threat. Unlike the fragmented penultimate episode, “No Normal” is fast-paced, action-packed, and cohesive. It lands the emotional punches and includes a fight sequence that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (aka Adil & Bilall) return, immediately creating stylistic symmetry with the opening episode. The duo set a visually striking tone, which they utilize through sweeping camera movements. This is particularly noticeable when Kamala crosses the city using her powers and throughout the high school sequence. The mix of live-action and animated elements didn’t feature in the series as much as I might have liked, but it is fitting to see it incorporated during the planning stage of the stand against the DODC.

After last week’s abrupt conclusion to the Clandestines opening of the veil between dimensions, it became apparent that the threat would revert to the agency claiming to have US citizens' best interests as their mandate. In this case, the DODC take on a similar role to Homeland Security, and their surveillance and subsequent search of the mosque are not trying to be subtle in their parallels to the real world.

Kamala is the first Muslim superhero in the MCU, and her community is subject to the same prejudicial scrutiny as those in the real world. The moment when everyone has their IDs ready before Agent Deever (Alysia Reiner) even asks to see them says so much without having to utter a word. Deever’s overzealous actions and refusal to obey an order from a superior later in the episode also feel pointed.

Weaving recognizable experiences within the fantastical world help keep Ms. Marvel grounded. It is a Pakistani American coming-of-age story and a superhero origin. Atrocities like the Partition inform Kamala’s past; however, her present is not free from prejudice or snap judgments. The deep-rooted power of a community grows louder in the finale, and they find a way to wield social media as a weapon for good.

One such case is Zoe taking back control of her narrative when the DODC treat the unidentified Kamran (Rish Shah) as a threat rather than a scared teen. It remains refreshing that this character didn’t turn into the quintessential Queen Bee bully. The reason she is at the high school is rather convenient, but using her voice to get the community down to this location is an organic use of her popularity.

The action set-piece is a classic outgunned and outmanned scenario, using methods straight out of the Home Alone and The Thomas Crown Affair playbook. It’s is a surefire crowd-pleaser and, when it drops “Anthem” by Swet Shop Boys, is a fun callback to the second episode and is another Ms. Marvel soundtrack banger.

The amusement can only last long for so long until this plan comes apart. Kamala and Kamran’s heart-to-heart adds to the romantic tension, before being interrupted by Bruno. I was concerned his jealously would manifest in a way that I would describe as “pulling a Xander” from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Ms. Marvel continues to zig when I expect it to zag, and Bruno doesn’t sell out his friend because of envy.

The effects-driven second half of the fight is not as attention-grabbing as everything that occurs inside the school. However, Kamran’s muddle of emotions after finding out his mother is dead is well performed by Shah, as is the quiet moment in the chaos when Kamala implores that he heads to the harbor. It is a somewhat expected turn as he eventually retreats, and the highlight occurs within the cosmic energy bubble rather than the fight scene itself. The community forming a protective shield around Kamala is reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man, but thankfully isn’t as cheesy as the New Yorkers against Green Goblin moment.

Ms. Marvel remains at its strongest when humor and heart are combined, which is no more accurate than when Kamala breaks her big superhero news to her family. Of course, Muneeba (Zenobia Shroff) has already spilled and this mother/daughter dynamic, with its ups and downs, is incredibly rewarding. Every scene is infused with the pain and joy that has come before, which makes what follows so joyful to watch.

How a hero gets their costume is an integral part of the origin story. Kamala goes from wearing a forbidden Captain Marvel suit to Muneeba having one made for her, which is indicative of this powerful arc. Incorporating the red scarf is a brilliant touch that mirrors the comic book design. Costume designer Arjun Bhasin has nailed this evolution, running parallel with the teenager’s personal style, and the red Converse signifies her identity is coming together as one. What we wear speaks volumes, and Kamala is no longer getting pulled in multiple directions.

Similarly, a conversation with her father also highlights how far they have come since she rejected Yusuf’s (Mohan Kapur) homemade costumes. It is another conversation about identity; her mother gave her the costume she now wears and her father gifts her the meaning behind her name. Some of this dialogue is lifted straight from the first Ms. Marvel comic (which shares the same name as the season finale), but the reflection that it means “Marvel” in Urdu is new. As with any adaptation, there is an expectation that some will be unhappy about changes to the source material (particularly how Kamala gets her powers), but this only adds to the sweet moment.

The scene where Bruno tells Kamala there is a mutation in her genes, over which a few bars of the “X-Men 97” theme play, will no doubt set pulses racing. Ditto the mid-credits scene featuring the one and only Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) herself. Both are fun teases that hint at what’s to come on the MCU slate, but there are plenty of other loose ends, including what the Khans will do next and whether Kamran and Kareem (Aramis Knight) will end up as friends or foes. Kamala is the tie that binds them, and Vellani has more than earned her place among the heroes she reveres in this exciting and emotional conclusion.

Amazon Prime Day 2022 is now officially at day two, and what a rollercoaster of a shopping event it has been. We've had items go out of stock, some come back, some brand new deals, and as many brilliant discounts as you could possibly ask for. Going into the second day, right now the most popular items are pretty easy to see. In the IGN audience, we all love the PS5 compatible WD Black 1GB SSD with Heatsink for just £99.

Prime Day 2 has also brought with it some exciting Call of Duty news. If you've been waiting for the right time to slap down a pre-order for Call of Duty Modern Warfare II, then now is your chance. It's down to £59.95 as part of a deal for Prime Day.

See below for the details on this Prime Day deal, as well as some other exciting deals that we think you'll love. Make sure you're following @IGNUKDeals for even more updates.

Prime Day: Call of Duty Preorders

There's still a bit of a wait before you can get your hands on the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, but your chances of getting a pre-order in just got a lot better. As part of Prime Day this year, Amazon are offering pre-orders for the game at £59.95. Those of you that cop this offer will also be given early access to the open beta.

More Prime Day Deals: Best PS5 Accessory Deals in the UK

Why not get ready for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II with some brand new PS5 accessories. PlayStation gamers are in for a real treat this Prime Day, with some absolutely incredible deals to check out. You can currently get a DualSense Wireless Controller once again for £44.99 (a deal recently seen during the Days of Play sale).

Mass Effect developer BioWare never intended to make the now-beloved Garrus a romance option in the second game and was "blindsided" when fans asked for it.

In an "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit, Mass Effect writer Drew Karpyshyn was asked if the BioWare team always intended to bring Garrus and Tali back in the second game or if it was decided later as a response to players' positive reactions towards them.

"We always knew they'd come back as companions," Karpyshyn said. "I was a bit surprised fans wanted the romance options. Tali I could sort of see. You never saw her face, so it was easy to imagine something vaguely human (but she had those weird feet). Garrus blindsided me," he added. "But once we saw what fans wanted, we decided to deliver."

Though Mass Effect 2 was released more than a decade ago in 2010, conversations around the game were rekindled last year when the trilogy was released in one package as Mass Effect: The Legendary Edition.

BioWare has also been teasing more about the fifth game recently and revealed earlier in July that Guardians of the Galaxy and Deus Ex prequel writer Mary DeMarle had joined the team as its senior narrative director.

Mass Effect 5, for lack of an official title, was being "actively prototyped" as of February 2022 and first announced in December 2020. BioWare also released a new teaser image that includes a handful of secrets for fans to decipher and was later forced to address (and deny) an apparent leak that suggested original protagonist Commander Shepard was returning in the new game.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who occasionally remembers to tweet @thelastdinsdale. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

Solo star Aldren Ehrenreich has landed a "key role" in Marvel's upcoming Ironheart series at Disney+, though it's currently unknown which character he will be playing.

According to Deadline, Ehrenreich has become the latest member of the Ironheart ensemble and will star alongside previously announced cast members Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, and Manny Montana. Thorne is headlining the series as Riri Williams, "a genius inventor and creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man."

The character made waves in the Marvel universe in 2016 in the pages of The Invincible Iron Man, and will now make her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever this November. Thorne is said to have shot her scenes for the upcoming sequel before reuniting with director Ryan Coogler on the Ironheart series, for which he serves as an executive producer.

As for Ehrenreich, he will next be seen in the Elizabeth Banks-directed thriller Cocaine Bear. He also recently wrapped production on Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer for Universal Pictures. Ehrenreich's past credits include Solo: A Star Wars Story, in which he played a young Han Solo, as well as the Coen brothers comedy Hail, Caesar! and Peacock's Brave New World.

While Marvel hasn't yet confirmed a release window for Ironheart, the studio has plenty of Disney+ projects on the horizon. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is coming up in August as the next live-action Disney+ series in the MCU following Ms. Marvel. There are also a few specials along the way in addition to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever landing in theaters in November.

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.