Which Sonic game would you recommend to a newcomer?

For kids? Sonic Forces. It's a very short, easy game that showcases the gist of modern and classic gameplay for beginners.

For teens/adults? Sonic Origins for the 2D games, Adventure and Colors for the 3D games.

 

Probably Sonic 1 or 2 for 2D Sonic, and Adventure 1, Colors, Generations, or Frontiers for 3D Sonic.

Sonic 1 is a good start since its more of a standard platformer compared to the rest of the 2D games and it can ease new players into the speed of Sonic games, or they can go for Sonic 2 and feel the intensity from jump. I dont recommend CD, 3&K, Mania, or Superstars since I feel like they're better to go through with some experience in the series.

As for 3D, Adventure 1 is a good pick for similar reasons to Sonic 1, its more of a standard-ish 3D platformer and can ease newbies into how Sonic's speed feels in a 3D space, though since its over 26 years old it might be a clunky experience. Colors and Gens are also good for similar reasons and they're pretty easy, though Gens might be a bit much since it is a boost game and the speed of those titles can be very overwhelming even for people used to Sonic games. Frontiers is another good pick with its similarities to popular modern AAA games along with its control sliders.

 

That's easy, all of them (except for the obvious duds like 3D Blast; come on, that's not suited for newcomers). Then I would point out that out of the three racing games, SASASRT is the best, and while we're at it, mention that Robotnik's Minions in Mean Bean Machine make the funniest faces, when they're about to get defeated.

Honestly though, probably Heroes, the storybook games, Mania, Frontiers... something that was well-received by critics.

 

Sonic Mania is the only one I have suggested to people who have never touched sonic. After that, the only 3D sonic games I really love are the two adventure games but I have a feeling it would be more of an uphill battle getting people into those these days. I'd probably recommend Generations over those.

 

I always recommend Sonic Generations. A newcomer won't care/bitch about the classic Sonic physics, or the lame ass script, and the Boost is at its best. It's enough for them to taste what both classic and modern Sonic have to offer. If they dig it I'd recommend Origins + Mania and Sonic Colors, then the Adventure saga + Heroes.

 

i feel like the list of viable candidates is very different depending on if we mean "newcomers to action games / platformers" or "newcomers to sonic."

for newcomers to action games in general, mania is probably the safest bet. that's basically the only complete slam dunk in the whole series where there isn't really any asterisk you'd need to attach before going in, and more importantly it is a very consistent experience. even many of the best sonic games are good in a pretty uneven way, where they have parts that are really, really good and then parts that absolutely blow chunks.

but if we're talking about "newcomers to sonic" who are otherwise experienced with action games or retro platformers, i think they could handle sonic 2, 3, and the boost games fine. i would definitely hesitate recommending the adventure games first due to their inconsistency - if you're not already sold on The Sonic Project as an idea i really struggle to imagine how somebody would tolerate some of the low points of sa1 (particularly big, and EDIT: that stretch starting with chaos 4 through sky deck - that's pretty rough on repeat playthroughs even for me!) and especially difficult to imagine someone putting up with shit like mad space and the mech levels (particularly tails) in sa2.

i may have an opportunity to test this theory on a real test subject sooner rather than later, so i'll update if it turns out i'm completely wrong and we should have started with sonic shuffle instead

 

Probably Sonic 2 via Origins.

Going with a classic game, because they're the best ones. Going with 2 because I think it's the easiest one (or, at least takes the longest for a true increase in difficulty, barring Chemical Plant Act 2's "casual filter" section). Going with Origins because they'll have no existing muscle memory to be ruined by the incorrect hitboxes. Also widescreen is a huge quality of life improvement, and infinite lives will make the aforementioned moment in CPZ less discouraging.

 

I'd even consider Sonic Speed Simulator as a viable option. Had a blast with this game.

Sonic 2 is the 90's darling, my sisters fancied Unleashed for its Disney aesthetics and Heroes for its theme song, pretty much all of my friends were into SA2 and Chaos back then... I guess the thing is, that Sonic hasn't been super representative of the platformer genre as a whole for a while now.

It's gotta be one of the newer titles.

 

Then, so be it. Maybe throw in The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog for good measure.

 

2D: Sonic 3 & Knuckles or Sonic Mania.

3D: Sonic Adventure, Sonic Generations and Sonic Frontiers.

 

Probably Colors or Generations, theyre both accessible enough that most people can play them (especially now that the latter is getting a remaster) and they're decent starting off points for what the series is all about gameplay wise. Frontiers is a good pick for first sonic game too but it really depends on how much jank the person I'm recommending it to is willing to put up with, like if they can tolerate bethesda games they'd probably like it.

 

Give us the Advance collection dammit. Sonic Advance 1-3, Sonic Battle, Sonic Pinball Party

Put them on NSO

 

Sonic 1, just so you start off on the same footing as everyone else back in 1991. :-Þ

 

Not gonna lie, I cannot imagine any scenario where a person who was recommended SA1 as their first Sonic game isn't gonna end up hating the series

 

So it definitely depends on who I'm recommending Sonic to, as others have in this thread.

If I'm dealing with someone who's never played video games before I would go with Sonic 1 8-bit. Being watered down due to limitations in comparison to it's 16-bit counterpart it provides a much more safe environment for a new video game player to develop a grasp on basic video game concepts such as collectables, their purpose, enemies, and your overarching goal of getting to the end of each level.

For someone who's familiar with video games I'd have to break it down between children and adults. For children I'd recommend Sonic Forces, due to it's highly automated gameplay, short levels (And overall game length), infinite lives, and the creativity on offer with the Avatar. The story also doesn't expect much comprehension and is edgy enough for a kid to think it's a big serious story which will keep them interested. But after that immediately cleanse their palette with Generations for some decent and challenging level design and gameplay. For an adult, just immediately have them go for Generations, it's a nice quick rundown of Sonic's history, and offering both boost and classic gameplay gives them the chance to choose what side of the fence they're on with 2D and 3D (Or both even)

Although for someone who wants to get into Sonic for the story then I'd have to start them at SA1.

 

It absolutely depends on who the newcomer is, and what their preferences are.

My wife is not a gamer, and mostly enjoys the aesthetic aspects over the gameplay, so I took her through Unleashed. She enjoyed the opening cutscene and the first few levels but didn't like boosting and didn't understand the Werehog, but she at least got through the first few levels, and was happy to play the start of Colours next time.

If it were someone who's a big 2D platformer fan, I'd probably recommend Sonic 1 8-bit - it's the most platform-y one. For someone who prefers 2D but isn't a big platformer fan, I'd go with Sonic 2 & Knuckles with its general sense of action and minimal actual platforming (especially when you can glide over everything). A racing game fan I'd naturally suggest Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed, unless that doesn't count in which case I'd go with Unleashed; an "I only play Mario" I'd push towards Colours.

Someone who likes suffering early 3D jank gets Adventure, and someone who's a masochist gets Sonic '06. There's something for everyone.

 

I'd say Sonic 2 or 3&K. Sonic 3 and knuckles is the first Sonic game I actually beat since you can save, also the final boss isn't miserable like Sonic 2, but Sonic 2, I think, is easier to get into and you don't have to learn 3 different characters.

For 3D I had my wife play through the Adventure games having really never played a Sonic game before. She beat SA1 and enjoyed herself quite a bit. She beat SA2 with minimal help from me, but did not enjoy it as much. She straight up hated the Tails levels even more than the knuckles/Rouge levels which surprised me. So as much as I love SA2 and know that it was many people's foray into Sonic, I don't think I'd recommend it as a first Sonic game.

SA1 is a better all-around experience, but I don't know that it's a great first game considering how buggy it is. I'd say either SA1 or Sonic Generations for 3D.