Sonic Superstars

Sonic Superstars is a standalone action jump 'n' run from the classic 2D line of the Sonic series. The characters run sideways through winding levels with loops, platforms and obstacles, while characters and backgrounds are fully three-dimensional. The focus is on speed, precise movement and discovering alternative routes.

Unlike Sonic Frontiers, Superstars does not focus on freely explorable island areas. The story takes Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy to the Northstar Islands, where Dr. Eggman and Fang want to exploit the islands' giant creatures for their plans. Alongside the solo game, there is a shared campaign for four players on the same device.

SEGA released Sonic Superstars worldwide on Oct 17, 2023 for consoles and PC. The Steam listing gives Oct 16, 2023 for its PC release. Both dates refer to the same game; they do not establish an additional edition or a later platform launch.

Besides the Standard Edition, a Digital Deluxe Edition is offered. It bundles the main game with additional cosmetic content and digital extras. The Digital Deluxe Upgrade adds this content for owners of the base game, but does not replace it. A pack with two different games is, in turn, distinct from a standalone Sonic Superstars version.

Sonic Superstars was released natively for Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. On PC, the game is sold through Steam and the Epic Games Store, among others. SEGA lists October 2023 as the release date for all six platforms.

The PlayStation Store version gives access to PS4 and PS5, but technically these are two native versions. Similarly, the Xbox Store lists use on Xbox One and Xbox Series. The Switch version may run compatibly on Switch 2; this does not mean a separately released native Switch 2 version exists.

The campaign follows the structure of classic Sonic games: characters run through side-scrolling zones, collect rings, avoid traps and face enemies and boss fights. High speed is useful, but skilful jumping and discovering hidden areas also play a role. The three-dimensional presentation does not change the basic 2D controls.

Your choice of character and how you use the Chaos Emeralds expand what you can do within a level. Some paths are easier to reach with a certain move, while others require attention to secret platforms or the right timing. The game combines familiar Sonic routines with extra movement options.

Extra content for Sonic Superstars focuses mainly on looks and digital extras. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the main game and the LEGO Fun Pack, along with further cosmetic content, menu wallpapers, a digital artbook and music. The separate Digital Deluxe Upgrade adds these extras for owners of the Standard Edition.

Steam also lists various costume add-ons, including LEGO Sonic, Shadow and variants for Amy. A costume or artbook is not a standalone main game and does not establish a new native platform version. Whether a specific pack is available depends on the store.

For the Windows version, Steam lists as minimum requirements an Intel Core i5-2300 or AMD FX-4350, 6 GB RAM, a GeForce GTS 450 or Radeon HD 5770, DirectX 11 and 20 GB of free storage. This configuration is listed for 720p at low settings and 60 frames per second.

For 1080p at high settings, the store recommends a Core i5-3470 or FX-6300 and a GTX 560 or Radeon HD 5870. The recommended configuration also lists 6 GB RAM and 20 GB storage. Steam lists Windows 10 or 11 as the OS.

Four well-known characters are playable from the start, and they differ in more than looks. Sonic uses the Drop Dash, among other things, to build up speed from a jump. Tails can fly for a short time, Knuckles glides and climbs walls, while Amy attacks with her hammer. This means your choice of character changes how certain sections are overcome.

The differences matter both when playing solo and in the shared campaign. If you search side paths or want to reach a tricky platform, a different character can approach the same spot in a different way. These abilities are permanent game systems, not time-limited bonuses.

The Chaos Emeralds unlock seven special Emerald Powers in Sonic Superstars. Unlike a normal movement command, they can be used deliberately in specific situations. "Avatar" creates helpful doubles, "Bullet" launches the character as a fireball, "Vision" reveals hidden platforms, and "Ivy" grows a controllable vine. There are also ways to get past waterfalls, among other things.

The powers are obtained in hidden Special Stages. Once activated, their use is time-limited; a Star Post can refill the available time. The mechanic complements exploration and boss fights without replacing the underlying 2D platformer.

The main campaign can be played with up to four people at once on one device. Friends can join during play or leave the round again. Each player controls one of the playable characters with their own movement abilities. Co-op is therefore not an isolated special mode, but extends across the entire platforming adventure.

The key distinction is between local play together and online duels: the campaign is advertised as local four-player co-op, while the standalone Battle Mode also supports online matches. Steam additionally lists Remote Play Together for the PC version, where remote participants can share the local game session.

Battle Mode follows different rules than the campaign. Instead of Sonic and his friends, participants control a customizable Metal Fighter. The contests alternate between star collecting, surviving on dangerous platforms, fighting each other and racing. Three randomly selected rounds decide the result.

Offline, up to four people can compete, and online up to eight. Characters can be customized with unlocked parts and colors. Additional parts are available in the shop, while progress in the main campaign expands the selection. Battle Mode is therefore a lasting game system of its own and not just an optional fight at the end of a level.

The journey leads through game zones designed specifically for Sonic Superstars. In Speed Jungle, vines and dark jungle sections alternate, while Pinball Carnival plays with pinball mechanics and fairground attractions. Cyber Station even changes the visual style and lets characters take on new forms in a pixel-art environment.

The zones are not a freely explorable overworld, but part of the side-scrolling level layout. Different hazards and branching paths mean that speed is not always the best solution everywhere. Character abilities and Emerald Powers open additional routes through familiar sections.

The PC version offers a German user interface according to Steam and supports twelve other text languages. The store does not label the languages as fully voiced localizations. For the Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo versions, the details from the respective regional store are authoritative.

Steam lists, among other things, achievements, cloud saves, Remote Play Together and features for local and online multiplayer games. The PlayStation product page additionally lists its own accessibility features. The scope and names of such platform services should not be confused with the mechanics of the actual campaign.

Sonic Superstars combines the classic feel with a contemporary presentation. Levels still mostly run sideways, even though characters and environments are built from 3D models. The new powers, four different playable characters and the co-op mode complement the earlier game systems.

SEGA is responsible for publishing and brand management. Arzest, led by Sonic veteran Naoto Ōshima, was significantly involved in development; Sonic Team supported production. The project thus connects personnel-wise and gameplay-wise to the series' beginnings, without simply reproducing an older Sonic.