What is the pinnacle of the Sonic franchise?

[Rayek]

I say Sonic 3 and Knuckles (if I can say that...)

The reason I say that is it's 2D (which is a must, as far as I'm concerned), it has three different power-ups to choose from which do different things, it has a save function, fun bonus levels (four, if you count the special stages), three playable characters and different level sets for each, or at least different areas for each, and a motive to complete the game wholly with everybody to get Hyper Knuckles, Hyper Sonic, and Hyper Tails. Besides, it has the best music of all of them.

What do you think?

[Elusive]

I'm the complete opposite - Sonic 3/Knuckles is my least favourite game of the series. The levels were too long and convoluted (honestly, Sandopolis Zone 2 makes my blood boil even today - the ghosts and the slides aaaaargh); it was trying to be a Mario game. You can't out-Mario Miyamoto. Sonic 3 was also the game that went overboard with characters and story and powerups first. Knuckles was entirely not needed - Metal Sonic is the only anti-Sonic needed, and he already existed. Much how Shadow is seen today, I guess. Three shields? Sure, chuck any ideas you have into the game.

Not a terrible game by any means, but it's EASILY where the 'Sonic style' hiccuped.

As for the pinnacle, I'd go with Sonic Adventure. Six different stories about six different characters, with little plot intersections at key points. An utterly awesome soundtrack. A great big world to run around in, and some clever gameplay ideas - I love the 'walking on the wall' parts in the Lost Ruin, and the section right at the start of the game where you race a whale that's tearing up the scenery behind you. Plus there's the optional cart race section and Chao system to keep you occupied.

It's also the world's first 128-bit game too B)

[Joe Redifer]

I have never been a huge Sonic fan, but I enjoy the first game a lot. Sonic Adventure was good, too. Though the Dreamcast certainly wasn't 128-bit. Nor was the Neo Geo 24-bit.

[j_factor]

Sonic 3 sucks. I hate its unnecessary characters, overblown story, and superfluous powerups.

Sonic Adventure is awesome. I love its extra characters, new powerups, and magniloquent plot.

contradiction much?

[Demonic Weasel]

Sonic 2 for me. Mostly because it's still simple, but has a couple of new additions. Namely Tails and the spindash.

[Kikoskia]

Sonic 2 and Knuckles. For some reason, I love playing through it as just Knuckles.

[Obviously]

I still consider Sonic 3 and Knuckles as the peak of the series. It managed to tell a great story without words, had awesome length and great levels and graphics. The gameplay had slowed down a little bit from Sonic 2 but the sheer size of the levels made up for it and I still remember having to pick my jaw up off of the floor when I unlocked the Doomsday Zone for the first time. Man, sometimes I really miss the simpler times.

Sonic 2 comes in a close second, it was an instant classic that improved upon the formula of the original game in every way.

[Genesisdoes]

how about Sonic 1 and Knuckles? :-)
http://www.sws2b.com/forums/index.ph...ST&f=13&t=5379

[janus]

Sonic 2 is a 10/10 game.

... but I've spent more time with Sonic 3 & Knuckles. It easily has the best art design of all the Sonics and possibly the best audio (after the original anyway), and Sonic 2 is pretty uninspiring in these departments. It's an ambitious and frustrating game that would have been better with some editing, but I still find it fun.

[Kikoskia]

how about Sonic 1 and Knuckles? :-)
http://www.sws2b.com/forums/index.ph...ST&f=13&t=5379

O_O...

You sir, are my new best friend.

WOW. I love this already. Now, if only this could be put into a cart... I'd buy one for sure.

[lordofduct]

I have never been a huge Sonic fan, but I enjoy the first game a lot. Sonic Adventure was good, too. Though the Dreamcast certainly wasn't 128-bit. Nor was the Neo Geo 24-bit.

Dreamcast CPU spec:
CPU: SH-4 RISC CPU with 128 Bit FPU functions for 3D graphics computations (operating frequency: 200 MHz, 360 MIPS, 1.4 GFLOPS)


128-bit FPU. As Floating Point Arithmetic is the beef of work done in 3D games and computation... I'd probably consider that 128 freaking bits!

If you wanna say because it memory was 64bit or that it has a 32-bit core for simple computation would be like debating a x86 platforms true multi-ghz capabilities when utilizing 400mhz FSB speeds... or 64-bit AMD capabilities when utilizing 32-bit memory.



Anyways... Pinnacle and best are big differences. My all time favs are a toss up between Sonic3/Knuckles and Sonic CD.

SK3- The multiple characters were implemented very well allowing for high replay value, different paths, slight difference in gameplay feel without deterring to far from the main gameplay formula (unlike in the Adventure series where each characters gameplay were TOTALLY different making it feel like 6 different games in one.) The levels were long but stayed fast paced the entire time. Difficulty had a great curve on it. And most of all, there were tons of secrets to unlock and play with.... DOOMSDAY ZONE! need I say more!?
The best part of all is that it had extra stuff like shields and characters that weren't all that necessary. You could get all of Sonic's secrets with out ever playing as Knuckles or Tails... you can beat the game without ever using the electric shield (or like me refusing to use the water shield). It allowed for different styles of gameplay. I bet none of you use the same paths, shields, style of gameplay that I use to play it. Maybe not as competetive as say MegaMan and it's different ways of beating it... but it allowed for some customization in your gaming experience in a day and age of very simply gameplay.

Sonic CD - Soundtrack... SOUNDTRACK! Special zones were addicting. Art was beautiful and the levels were immense and intriguing (though I admit the level designs of paths and the sort were really half hazard). I love this game a lot because the music engrossed you more and Metal Sonic was just sexy looking! I don't have a lot of valid reasons for why... it is just that this game holds a special place in my heart. It was the first ever video game I bought with my own hard earned cash and it was the first time I could walk around my school and say "HA! Look what I HAVE!". NO ONE had this game.... NO ONE! And yet they still desired it (unlike if I carried around my Phantasy Star games... people would just shake there head at those... not many 10 year old PS fans)



As for Pinnacle... Sonic Adventure was the turning point (as that is what a pinnacle is... the height... the maxim at which the rise begins to fall). It hit big, people were excited, it was Sonic! You got it home and it was interesting and pretty... but it wasn't Sonic anymore... it fell down some notches and began its roll towards the spike pit.

[Genesisdoes]

O_O...

You sir, are my new best friend.

WOW. I love this already. Now, if only this could be put into a cart... I'd buy one for sure.

According to wikipedia they also have one with Tails, but I haven't found it yet.

[David J.]

There is a Tails one, but no rom linking so I can't give it to ya.

[Obviously]

The Metal Sonic hack was a good idea but it came out pretty lousy.

[Kikoskia]

True, that was well intentioned but very sloppy. Gotta love Knux though.