This Year...

10 Super-Sonic Moments to Remember From 2018

Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces

Although released in 2017, these games were still "new" to gamers. Sonic Mania Plus was released later, and Forces kept players busy with Avatar skins/accessories.  

1 Mania's insane amount of Easter eggs and classic goodies: Super-Peel Out; CD-like opening sequence; small Amy appearance; Mean Bean; Bark, Bean, and Nack; the Metal Sonic projector and the machine in the past...the list goes on and on. 

2 It's retro style was what Sonic 4 should have been, and it pleased many.   

3 Plus re-introduced Mighty and Ray, who haven't been around since the 90s, (SegaSonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles' Chaotix). Other Note: Ray's shoes redesigned blue, in honor of his appearance in the Archie comics. 

4 Forces saw a new concept come to light: designing a character. Inspired by the amount of fan creations out there, Forces lets players customize the "Avatar," who would have their own ability and a unique look. 

5 Forces saw the return of the most characters since Sonic Generations. The only major characters absent (that had been in Generations) were Blaze (who, remember, is from another dimension) and Cream.   

6 Forces may have centered around Sonic, Classic, and the Avatar, but it also was the first time Shadow had been playable in a Sonic game since 2010 (Free Riders) and playable in a "main-game" since 2006 (Sonic 06). In addition to being playable in certain Sonic levels, he has his own "episode" (although it's very short) which serves as a prequel.   

IDW's New Sonic Comic

IDW released their new Sonic comic this year, which was released every week for 4 issues, then monthly. 

7 Sonic and friends deal with the "Fallout" from Sonic Forces. The comic slowly introduces the characters to new readers (Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Blaze, the Chaotix, Eggman, Team Dark, etc).  

8 New characters are introduced, including Tangle the Lemur, Whisper the Wolf, and (LAAAAME) trouble makers Rough & Tumble. It should be noted that Tangle will become a major reoccurring character. 

9 In addition to starting a new story arc involving a familiar mechanical villain, IDW released it's first one-shot, which is a prequel to Team Sonic Racing, the up-coming 2019 game. Curiously, it's set "in the world of Team Sonic Racing," not the "main" IDW story (why am I getting "in another time, another place" vibe?*). 

Sonic Mania Adventures

To support the release of Mania plus, a short animated series was made in the style of Mania's opening. On Youtube, it picked up directly where Forces left off (from Classic's point of view).    

10 Mania Adventures brought the entire "classic cast" of Mania together. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Ray, Mighty, Metal Sonic, and Eggman.**  

*"In Another Time, Another Place" was Archie's way of adapting the videogames. Luckily, IDW isn't just copying the game's opening cutscene and slightly shortening it. 

**Update: Mania recently added an extra addition to the series that features (previously sidelined) Classic Amy Rose.

2019

Next year we have more comics to look forward to, as well as Team Sonic Racing. What else will happen? 

• What other games will Sega be making? 
• Is Classic strictly an anniversary character or will he have his own spin-off series now that he's "from another dimension" and not just time-travelling? 
• Are they ever going to replace the current voice actors? 
• How long will Sonic Boom last? 
• Will the Archie comics be revived or left in the shadow of IDW? 
• Are we going to get more on the Sonic Movie (please, no!)? 
• Sega, can you please, please, please make a game were Sonic, Shadow, and Blaze have playable stories?

Ah, well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! 2019, here we come. 

Merry Christmas

& A Happy New Year

I've never been a "happy holidays" person. If you're Jewish, than Happy Hanukkah. Otherwise, Merry Christmas.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be watching Sonic's Christmas Blast or playing Ice Cap Zone or something... 

Quote of the Month

"This is who I am."
--Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog

Sega Characters: The Return

Although Team Sonic Racing is not apart of the "Allstars," Sonic isn't the only Sega character with a new game coming up. Surprisingly, some of his old friends have resurfaced...though no Ristar :(

Team Sonic Racing

Why is he driving a car? WHY NOT?

As mentioned, Sonic is staring in another cart-racing game. It will have team based-themes, a plot, and other unique features.

Toejam & Earl: Back into the Groove

ALIEN RAPPERS, just what this generation needs.

This game has been in the making for a long time, and it's finally coming together in 2019. Known for it's funky themes and comical plot, this new addition to the series promises to be just as "jammin'" as the original. 

Streets of Rage 4

It's back!...and wtf happened to Blaze's boobs...and what's with Axel's beard?  

Streets of Rage is back! This is one of my favorite Sega series, which follows Blaze and Axel (and other characters, like Adam, Max, Skate, and Zan) as they fight their way threw the stages to take on the corruption in their city. They're willing to risk everything...even their lives...on the...the Streets of Rage! Anyway, considering the last game was released back in 1994, this was an awesome, fresh surprise.

Space Channel 5--VR "Kinda Funky News Flash"

Up, Down, Chu, Chu! ...is she really saying "shoot, shoot?" I always heard "Chu, chu!" 

Although I've never played Space Channel 5 (--mostly because it's on the Dreamcast), I've always found it interesting. The main character, Ulala (pronounced like a quick oo-la-la), is a dancing reporter who uses her smooth moves to bring a halt to the alien invasion. It's also known for "Space Michael," a role by Michael Jackson. I've always thought that Space Channel 5 (/Sega) should pair with Just Dance (/Ubisoft). This would have combined SC5's unique plot and funky characters with JD's dance-along gameplay (and likely would have added something new to both series). Oh well. However, if done right, this new version of the game could really bring the series back. Set for a US release in 2019, it's made for the Playstation VR (virtual Reality).

Although none of the release dates are final, these are all supposedly coming out in 2019. Even though Sega can't exactly take credit for all of these (with other parties encouraging/developing), it will certainly draw some attention to the company. It's been along time since these games (minus Sonic), have gotten a chance to shine, and it's great that they have an opportunity to bring the series back. Welcome to the next level. 

Quote of the Month

"To Davy Jones with 'ya!"
--Captain Whisker, Sonic Rush Adventure

Sonic: What to watch on Halloween

Night of the Werehog

This short was made along side Sonic Unleashed. Featuring a haunted house, ghosts, and Sonic the Werehog. And Chip.
>Two of these ghosts were actually side-missions in the game.

Sonic Scream Test (Sonic X)

Featuring ghosts originally seen in Sonic Adventure 2, this episode has a spooky plot. While filming a movie, Chris' mom and others start to disappear...
>Seen it before? How about the Japanese version?
>2nd choice--Trick Sand. Mostly known as for Shadow's reappearance, it also has a creepy mansion, but not all is as it seems.

Ghost Busted (Sonic the Hedgehog--SATAM)

Ghost stories start to get the best of Sonic, Tails and Antoine. The headless gopher...
>This episode is actually the second half, as for once, SATAM had two shorter episodes rather than one longer one.

A Hedgehog's Home is Her Castle (Sonic Underground)

The gang heads to a castle they supposedly inherited. Which is freakier, the caretaker and his all-eyes owl, or the place itself?
>Of course, being Sonic Underground, there's a song in it. This time it's "Lets Do It To It" which actually matches the tone of the episode fairly nice.

Being more comedy-based, AoStH and SB don't really have a "Halloween" episode (though, actually, Mamma Robotnik's appearance might count). Meanwhile the games have their fair share of pumpkins and ghosts, from Haunted Ship to Hang Castle, so there's plenty to find there. These shorts are fun to watch, but for a real scare, just look up "Fun is Infinite." 

Sonic's Halloween Playlist

Sonic seems to really enjoy Halloween. I've been meaning to post about music in the games, and this seems like a good starting point: here are some of the creepiest and haunted tracks the Sonic franchise has to offer...

UPDATE: Here's an updated Halloween Playlist (100 tracks!)

Cryptic Castle

To match the level design, it has a spooky ring to it.

A Ghost's Pumpkin Soup...For Pumpkin Hill

This Jack-O-Lantern filled level is Knuckles, so don't be surprised at the style.

Metallic Madness Bad Future--JPN

The fast/panic sounding tone is interrupted by laughing, cruel voices. YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING SO DON'T EVEN TRY.

Hang Castle (normal, up-side-down/inverted)

Explore ghostly fears with the mysterious and funky Hang Castle.
Note: there are two versions, as it changes when the player hits a switch and is taken to the roof/floor. 

Haunted Ship (Act 1, Act 2)

The ghost/robots/pirates were enough to scare Marine!
Note: Act 2 is a slightly more fast-paced version of Act 1.

Red Hot Skull...for Red Mountain

A level with skeletons and lava? Have to add in sound effects of someone yelling...

Sonic CD Boss--USA (normal, Final Fever/Boss)

You remember our dear friend FUN IS INFINITE, right? Careful, though. What sounds like creepy laughing to one person sounds like Santa to another.
Note: The "final" version is pretty much the same as the normal version.

Almost Dead

Shadow's Dark theme is here because, well, it's dark (for a Sonic game/spin-off). And this playlist needed something with lyrics...

Mystic Mansion

Some fine haunted house music. Keep an eye out for Jack-O-Lantern ghosts! They are merciless!

Mephiles (normal, Phase One, Phase Two) 

It's only natural that one of the creepiest and most ruthless Sonic-villains has an equally chilling theme. TAKE THIS UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH!!!!!!!!
Note: There are two fights, so there's Phase one and Phase two. His normal theme, known as "Mephiles' Whisper," is played during the cutscenes.


Although not all were intended for Halloween, these really add to the holiday spirit, huh? Keep it coming, Sega. 

Quote of the Month

"You're all worthless now that I've copied all your data!"
--Metal Sonic, Sonic Heroes

Sonic 06: Who has Best Gameplay?

With 9 playable characters (13 counting transformations and Sonic carrying Elise), who stands out? Who makes the levels worth playing? 

Super Shadow

Chaos Spears are fast to charge and use. And cool. 

Shadow
Shadow could be a little faster but he's still a bit above the average pace. All the moves are great (chaos spear is especially) except the homing attack (which does not work properly with Chaos Blast). Vehicles are a little annoying--like them best when they aren't required. Although the instructions/descriptions of his moves are rather misleading, they are very useful when used correctly. Shadow's ability to easily tear through his enemies and still keep up with Sonic's speed sets him high on this list.    

Blaze
Blaze is awesome. Cool (or should I say hot) moves and a fast pace. 3D Sonic Rush! The only reason she's not above Shadow is--because of the game's volatile nature--sometimes she doesn't do her moves right. Still, I prefer glitching past Silver in Crisis City and finishing the level with her; she's much faster.

Super Sonic

A ball of power, Sonic inflicts the most damage on Solaris. He just takes along time to do so. 

Sonic

Sonic is the most basic character. The homing attack is quick, and so are his feet, but it seems like he easily runs into the line of fire. I wish the "mach speed" levels were separate so that it would not ruin the player's potential score. They can be fun, but irritating, too. It also bugs me that the gems (level-ups) aren't unlockable until the last level. They are interesting and spice up the game: the only reason Sonic is not lower on the list.   

Super Silver

His attack is similar to in his normal form, but more powerful I guess? Not quite as cool as his co-stars, but worth playing. 

Rouge 

Gliding makes Rouge a fast character, though she kind of was already. The bomb-attack defeated enemies fairly quick, but the "first-person aim" was super annoying. I try not to use it. Only other complaint is that sometimes she sticks to the walls (won't jump off) but usually moving farther along the wall solves this. She can glitch into Shadow's sections on multiple levels, but she can't get very far (she can't climb walls outside of her section/can't use vehicles).

Sonic w/Elise
Basic moves and pretty fast. Bonus shield-that's-not-a-shield thing. The levels are nice and short, too. 

Silver 

The exciting, new character is...slow. Although using techniques such as Teleport Dash and cutting past parts of the zone can speed him up, he's still not so fast. His attacks, though interesting, can leave him vulnerable. His levels can take along time, especially for newcomers. Like the concepts, and had they spent more time on the game, maybe he'd be higher.  

Knuckles

He's not playable very much, but he's a real knock-out. He seems a bit sluggish speed-wise, but all fired-up, Knux really packs a punch. Ugh, gotta' stop the puns. STONE FISTS. 

Omega

He's slow, and his weapons seem to short-out after a while. But he can dash forever (as long as the player continues to hit "X"), giving Wave Ocean and Dusty Desert much-needed short-cuts. This may not have been intentional, but it's the REASON to play as Omega.  

Amy

I like playing as Amy, but I'm not sure why. Maybe it's her speed. But her attacks and jump suck. I like the double jump idea but it tricks the player into thinking she'll go farther when she really only goes higher. The hammer? It's fine but easy to get hit when attacking. To avoid this, pressing "square" is supposed to turn invisible, but this is time consuming (and makes little sense). I'd like to place her higher on this list, but if I'm going to be honest, I really can't. 

Tails
Sonic's best bud isn't at his best: he's incredibly slow in this game. Attacks aren't that great (similar to rouge but slower), and flying ain't nothing special. My least favorite "amigo mission" (Blaze, Rouge, and Tails each had a solo mission--his takes twice as long and HE WAS IN WAVE OCEAN BEFORE SO WHY BRING HIM BACK?!). Not impressed. 

Sonic Adventure: Who has Best Gameplay?

With 6 unique characters and styles (and one Super form), which adventure-seeker is keeps players coming back (or staying away).  

Super Sonic
With incredible speed and lightning fast attacks, Sonic's transformation owns the top spot of this list.

Sonic
Sonic easily picks up speed. His light dash move is a bit more time consuming then later games, but overall the spin/homing attacks were easy to control and any problems were with the level design rather than the character himself.

Amy
Amy's gameplay is cute and I love how high she can jump with her hammer. Her increase in pace and hammer attacks are great. The horrible add-on: Zero, a robot who chases her 24/7. Still, I think she's really fun to play as.

Gamma
Gamma's was unique and interesting. I like the idea of a time limit instead of the time counter, and his aim seemed okay. A little slow, though, and he sucks around water. Don't take him to the Mystic Ruins Chao Garden!

Tails
Tails races Sonic for most levels, and all are pretty easy. Not a fan of the plane sub-level (same for Sonic)--mostly because of it's length. Tails was pretty fast and his flight was cool, but he was fairly basic overall.

Knuckles
Finding the shards was interesting, but kind of boring compared to others. In some cases, the levels can seem too long, and I thought fighting bosses with Knux was a little challenging (with gliding). Not bad, though.

Big
Sega, if I wanted to play Sega Bass Fishing, I'd play that. Big can be very frustrating--it's a unique concept, but I usually don't have the patience for it. It would better if fishing was an optional sub-level or something, but instead that's the whole level. Add in the fact that Big is slow (in more ways than one), and he is easily the worst character to play as in perhaps the entire series. He's better in heroes, though. HOOHEE. 

Quote of the Month

"Bring hope to humanity"
--Maria Robotnik, Sonic Battle

Team Sonic Racing Update: Why are Blaze, Sliver, and Vector a Team?

Team...Blaze? Sliver? VECTOR?!

The latest news: Blaze, Silver, and Vector are in the game as a team. This is a little odd, but we'll go over that after the recap.

What we already know: 

1. It's a car (/kart) racing game with Sonic & Co rather than other Sega characters. 
1. The last Sonic series racing game was Sonic Free Riders. 
2. The last All-Stars series (collection of Sega characters) racing game was Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed. 
2. Unlike previous titles, Team Sonic Racing is about teamwork rather than winning. 
1. This is the first to use "team-focused" gameplay since Sonic Heroes, and the first in a racing game. 
2. All team positions count towards a total, and the team with the most points wins. 
3. There will be a story mode. 
1. This will explain "why Sonic's driving a car."
2. It's unknown if there will be a story for each team (like in the past), or if it will be tied to gameplay (such as parts of Sonic Forces). 
4. Flight characters are instead technique characters while Speed and Power characters stay the same.



TECHNIQUE

5. Team Hero and Dark are in it, as well as Team Rose minus Cream. 
1. This means Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge, Omega, Amy, and Big are all playable. 
2. Eggman and several of his robots are playable. 
3. Chao (and Omochao) have taken Cream's place in Team Rose. 
4. Silver, Blaze, and Vector have formed "Team Vector."
5. Each team have a special move.   
6. The cars will be customizable for better skills or looks. 
7. Crush 40 made the title song for the game, "Green Light Ride."
1. This is the first time they've made one since Sonic and the Black Knight.
8. Wisps will serve as power-ups.
9. A one-shot comic will be made to go along with it. 
1. With IDW (Archie's replacement), of course. 
10. The game supposedly comes out this fall.  

So why the bleep is VECTOR on a team with BLAZE AND SLIVER? 

...

Background--

Blaze is a speed character; a princess from another dimension with pyrokinetic (fire) abilities and an introvert personality.

• She's good friends with Sonic, Cream, and Marine.
• Her nemesis is Dr. Eggman Nega. 
• In the Oylmic games she was in the "All-around" category rather than speed (because Sonic, Shadow, and Metal Sonic already took up the Sonic-side of the Speed types). She filled in as the power type for Team Rose in Sonic Runners, even though she's faster than Amy (I'm not sure Runners that canon because it seems very inaccurate).

Silver is a flight character from the future. He has psychokinesis, so he can move items with his mind and hover through the air for short periods of time. Despite being fairly fast he's no match for Sonic.

• He knew Blaze once but that time-frame was erased, although they both admit a familiarity with each other (the meet up again in Sonic Colors DS and Sonic Generations, and they both made appearances in the Riders series). 
• He is also enemies with Nega for unrelated reasons, and with Iblis, a being he later destroys. 
• Silver will likely be taking the technique role.

Vector is a power character, a detective, and the leading member of Team Chaotix (him, Espio, and Charmy). He and his team have been around since the "classic" days.

• Despite dreaming of riches and "the big case," Vector isn't nearly as ruthless as Rouge or Jet the Hawk, and will help anyone. 
• He previously filled in as the power type for Team Rose in Sonic Free Riders, hoping to win prize money. 
• Rumors say Vector's the leader, so he must get this team together for some reason. 

I get Silver and Blaze being put together because of their roles in Sonic 06, but I sure didn't except Vector to step in. 

1. He's clearly taking the power role so that the group fits.
2. I'm guessing there's no Cream, Charmy, or Marine because they're "too young" to drive (even though Tails is eight). 
1. This would explain why the Chaotix don't have a team. 
3. I'm also guessing that Silver and Blaze are more popular/recognized than the Chaotix or that Vector's the favorite of that team. Espio has been on solo missions, too, but he's a speed type, and they don't need one.   
4. It could also be story motivated--maybe Eggman Nega kidnaps Charmy or something (doubt that guy will show up on a console game, though). 

I'm not sure why this bunch came to be, but I'm glad to have them in the game. And after Sonic Forces, especially Blaze (she wasn't in it BUT SILVER WAS). 

WHAT?

Reference or Ripoff: "Mech Suits Me" (Sonic Boom)

Yet another Sonic Boom Episode.

"Mech Suits Me"

Sonic & crew find an old "suit" that Sonic immediately loves. Unfortunately for his friends, it takes over his personality.

Conclusion: Reference

The beginning was clearly playing out Predator, even calling the game "jungle predator."

Heat Vision

At first, when Sonic was attacking Eggman, I though that the mech was fueling Sonic's negative emotions like some of his past transformations--Evil Super Sonic (Sonic the Comic), Dark Sonic (Sonic X), Darkspine Sonic (Sonic and the Secret Rings), or even Sonic the Werehog (Sonic Unleashed).

IT'S BETTER THAN ANYTHING TAILS COULD EVER INVENT, AM I RIGHT?

Afterwards it soon became clear that they were aiming for something else. That's right, Spiderman 3.
Sonic acts rude to the locals, acts "friendly" with the twins (Perci and Staci)--in front of Amy, and is a jerk to his closest friends. And all this happens with music suspiciously similar to what it plays when Peter goes around New York...
 

No one can think "Spiderman 3" without it. 

To see what I'm taking about, here is the episode (5:22) and, in case you've forgotten, that part from Spiderman 3.

Then Tails gets into how it's a "symbiotic technology" which defiantly rings a bell (with the "venom" symbiote). Of course Sonic doesn't listen and his friends have to save him.

Moving on!

Quotes:

Amy: "Studios should stop recycling the same, tried old property and make something original for once."

• A number of possibilities, here. The fact that a lot of movies and shows nowadays are reboots or remakes, that Sonic Boom is the 5th Sonic cartoon, or simply that they were reenacting predator.   

Eggman: "200 and 50 channels and finally something interesting to watch! Well aside from that guy who goes to failing restaurants and yells at everybody. Love that guy."

• Clearly Chef Ramsey and Kitchen Nightmares, or his more recent show, 24 Hours to Hell and Back. I'd have to check the air dates. 

Sonic: "I like it better with my feet on the ground."

• Sonic says something similar in Sonic X: "Space is fine, but I like my feet on the ground." 

Oh I remember the twins alright--[AMY'S PISSED LOOK]--I-I mean I remember how much I disliked them!

The references combined with the dialogue makes this a really funny episode (if you can get over how ugly the Mech is). Not bad, Sonic Boom. Not bad.

 

Reference or Ripoff: "Knuck Knuck! Who's Here?!" (Sonic Boom)

We're looking at another episode of Sonic Boom.

"Knuck Knuck! Who's Here?!"

Knuckles. WHY DOES THAT NAME HAUNT ME? It's the only thing I can remember...and that gruesome redesign. 

Knuckles gets amnesia and when he recovers he realizes he's that last of his kind. Saddened, he hunts for a new family.

Conclusion: Both. 

There are some obvious references, but the second part of the episode is stealing ideas from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

• To an outsider, the title looks like a knock-knock joke, but to meme-fans, it's clearly alluding to the infamous "Knock Knock it's Knuckles."  
• The characters poke fun at the idea of amnesia (specifically on TV sitcoms), possibly with the 90s Sonic cartoons in mind as each had an episode where a character lost their memory/identity ("Blank-Headed Eagle," "No Brainer," and "Who Do You Think You Are?").
• Or Shadow the Hedgehog, who lost his memory in Sonic Heroes. 
• However, considering how common that situation is on shows, they could simply be making fun of TV in general (and themselves). 
• The ending where Knuckles (well, Amy, technically) concluded that Sonic/Tails/Sticks/Amy was his family was reminiscent of when Manic realized that his true home was with his siblings in Sonic Underground (Mobodoon).     

Group hug!

"Tails' New Home"

Didn't see that one coming. Not at all. 

After Tails is hurt, Sonic sets off to find him a new family so he'll stay out of harm's way.

Just simply the idea of finding foster parents (and ending up with "parents" that where actually bad guys). Combine this with "The Sidekick," another similar episode, and AoStH was completely ripped off.

Reference or Ripoff: "Shadow Boxing" (Quote)

In this case, we're looking at a line of dialogue.

Sonic Boom's "Eggman the Video Game Part 1"

STONE FISTS

Eggman tricks Shadow, who, feeling insulted, takes revenge on Team Sonic by beating each of them to a pulp. When it was Knuckles' turn to fight, he said, "Good thing I took that shadow boxing class."

Conclusion: Reference

Sonic X's "The Cosmo Conspiracy"

STONE FISTS

Shadow wrecks havoc on the Blue Typhoon when he finds out some information about Cosmo and tries to take her out. While defending her and Tails, Knuckles says, "I've always wanted to shadow box."

I find it unlikely that the writers on Sonic Boom (a show that lives off it's Sonic related inside-jokes) would come up with a pun so similar on accident. This allusion was probably made because (cartoon-wise) Sonic X was the only time Knuckles and Shadow ever fought.

Also, Shadow beat him both times.

THE ULTIMATE

An Addition: 

I came across another case of this line in the Archie comics... 

Sonic Universe's Total Eclipse: "Part Three: Shadow Boxing"  

THE EMERALD STAYS, YOU GO!

Shadow, convinced that Eclipse (of the Dark Arms) will steal the Master Emerald, wants to move it to a secure location. Knuckles? NOBODY MESSES WITH THE MASTER EMERALD! In this case, "Shadow Boxing" is the name of the issue.

I'm assuming this was between Sonic X and Sonic Boom, so I guess Sonic Boom could be referencing this (or both). These three events are the only significant times the characters fight--maybe in Sonic Battle--I'd have to check. But given that, I doubt it's a coincidence. 

Pretty interesting how a mediocre pun can link three continuities...    

Ugh. ALSO it's a trophy for defeating Shadow in Sonic Generations. Guess it does link to the games (though that was Sonic vs Shadow).

Reference or Ripoff: "The Sidekick" (Sonic Boom)

I decided to point out parts in various Sonic games and media. In some cases, these are Easter Eggs/inside jokes for the fans, and in others, it's pretty much just a re-hash of something we've seen before. 

Today we're looking at Sonic Boom's "The Sidekick."

The Sidekick

After Tails gets hurt in a plane wreck, Sonic looks for a new sidekick so that Tails will stay safe.

Conclusion: (mostly) Ripoff.

• There are a few "references."
• Tail's plane crashing (happens often in the games--Sonic Adventure, Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic Unleashed). 
• Tail's being bandaged up (Sonic X) 
• Sonic fearing water (established in Sonic X and Sonic Underground, hinted in the games since he cannot swim). 
• However, the main plot was suspiciously similar to "Tailss New Home," an Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog episode. 

"Tails' New Home"

Tail's New Home

When Tails gets hurt, Sonic searches for foster parents to raise Tails to keep him safe.

Yeah.

Of course, both take different paths and there's no harm in finding inspiration from a past Sonic source, but considering it was the first episode I was pretty annoyed.
   

HARDEST Sonic Bosses

This is going to be a hard one...lol. Sonic bosses are typically either extremely easy (like fighting Sonic as Silver in 06), are easy once you figure out the weakspot (literally all the classic bosses), or are so frickn' hard it makes one want to throw their controller, have a tantrum and yell that they "aren't weak."

One of the only problems I have with the Sonic series is that in most cases the bosses are strict--it doesn't matter how far Sonic is to defeating the boss--if he dies, he gets to restart. There is one bright side to the final bosses, at least. The intense version of the game's main theme. Yeah...First our line up, and then I'll go over a few that didn't make it on this list.

1-3 

Perfect Dark Gaia/Dark Gaia/Egg Dragoon (Sonic Unleashed) 

(this seems like cheating my list, here, but how can I not think of them as one?) 

60 times, damn it, 60 times.

These three have are separate bosses, but they're all unrelenting torture.

• Sewn together at the end of Sonic Unleashed, right after the longest and most difficult level in the game, these all must be beat in order to win the game. 
• Meaning if one runs out of lives, one must start all over. 
• Done right, they can be easy, but one slip up and the fight will become a long, angering, and tedious process.  
• To top it all off, you have to press the square button (or whatever button it asks for) 60 times in what seems like five seconds. Failing to do so results in automatic death. 

Tip: If you don't know you're controller buttons by now, you better learn.

4

Great Eggman Robo (Sonic and Knuckles)

Ouch.

After escaping the already super-hard bosses of the Death Egg Zone, Sonic gets to challenge this bad boy, in a lovely, ring-less environment. Defeating this boss is necessary to move on to the final boss, another difficult challenge, and to win the game.

• With several parts and a totally evil laser, this ugly fella' almost seems invisible. Perfect timing is required for success.  

Tip: You can manipulate the level select and debug mode "for practice." If you're playing on  a re-release that allows you to save at what ever point you want (Like the Sonic Mega Collection or Classic Collection), you can keep redoing this point without starting over or (potentially) losing lives. Listening to the sound effects is the key to avoiding the attacks. 

5

VS Sonic/VS Blaze Normal Mode (Sonic Rush)

IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY. 

At first, the rival boss fight is as easy as ever.

• It's a simple fight...then Sonic and Blaze argue some more, and suddenly the two start boosting each other. 
• The result is pure button-smashing for the player as they frantically hit A and B. 
• Well, that's it. It may not seem like much, but once the player's thumb starts to numb, they're reconsidering. 

Tip: The mode can be switched to "easy," which make this boss along with all the others much easier to handle, but in time-attack the boss is reset to the normal mode no matter what. 

6

Eggman (Sonic Battle) 

Red. Original. 

The real monster in this game was beating the Guard Robos within the time limit Rouge assigns Emerl (in her story), but that doesn't really count as a boss. However, I consider Emerl vs Eggman and later Sonic vs Ultimate Emerl bosses, since it's not just training, it's important to the story, and it leads to the ending.

• At first it's not so bad, but as with all bosses, it gets difficult as it progresses. 
• Eggman is able to attack while flying. Hitting him back without Emerl taking damage can be a real challenge.

Tip: Use cheat codes to gain Emerl's combo moves and enable one of them. It will make life a whole lot easier.

7

Egg X (Sonic Advance)

Orange. Original.

All the bosses in Advance are harder than expected, especially for Amy and her specific hammer attacks. I've never gotten all of the Chaos Emeralds for this game, so I can't judge the final boss, but Egg X was pretty menacing.

• It alternates its attacks, only becoming vulnerable at quick moments. 
• It is very easy to lose all rings, largely due to it's arm attack. 
• If the player dies, they have to go through the previous bosses, although they are very short/easy (and throw-backs to the classic games).

Tip: First off, don't try to attack it right away--you can't, so when you land it will harm you and you'll drop your rings. Perfectly avoiding attacks can make this easy, but goof up and it become a real problem.

8

Metal Madness/Overlord (Sonic Heroes)

That's Metal Sonic?

With the final boss in the game, the teams have to come together and defeat the power-hungry "Neo" Metal Sonic.

• Team Rose? A breeze, as usual. Chaotix is where I started having trouble. 
• Risking the Homing Attack is rewarding...but not when Espio jumps right off the platform! 
• That's the main problem throughout Madness--falling off. 
• Repeating the same proccess of rotating attacks gets frustrating fast, and the attack that traps the player's allies is terrible, mostly as a flight character because it's hard to free them and avoid becoming caught. 
• Do Super Sonic and his bubble-buddy pals have it any easier? No, not really, because they have to keep their ring count up, counter the beast's attacks, and charge their Team Blast to hurt it. 

Tip: In Metal Madness, there seems to be an order to attack in (such as flight, power, speed). Figuring this out can reduce the time spent on this portion of the boss. No wasting time on the easy ones--your seconds spent in Madness are used in Overlord, too. Use the Team Blast as much as possible, and move quickly. 
   

9

Mecha Sonic/Death Egg Robot (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)

Double Trouble. 

Back in the day, this would be at the top of my list. Thanks to the amazing powers of the internet, though, it's here at number nine.

• No rings, so one false move means an automatic death and a return to the start of the level. 
• A creepy robot copy is there to eat up Sonic's lives, and after managing to move on, fat old Ro-buttnik runs ahead and jumps into a huge, dangerous robot that take 16 hits instead of the standard 8. 
• His arms are fast, sharp spikes, and stomping on Sonic isn't any less lethal. Generation's version is cake compared to this.

Tip: You look it up, genius. Learn the attacks, avoid them, and be careful.

10

Sonic and Diablon (Shadow the Hedgehog)

You Devil!

Now that I think about it, this wasn't that hard, just long. Getting an A rank--that was why I had trouble with this one. Eh, oh well.

• Sonic is invincible, just a nuisance that's ready to knock the rings out of you, so he's not the real boss, here. 
• It's Diablon, the experimental robot...thing, that the revenge-seeking Commander is controlling. 
• Fought three times, the main conflicts are attacking it without being hit. Sometimes its laser, or Sonic, will cause Shadow to fall out of the area and die. 

Tip: Use the weapons to your advantage and feed the Dark Gauge. Save up the ammo for Chaos Blast, then fire on it and use the invincibility to get close. Only use the blast before it's about to run out. This will do more damage than only using the blast.    

Why, why, why: the almost-s. 

Egg-Wyvern (Sonic 06)--I have a great memory of getting an S-rank after a few tries, completing Sonic's story, and watching Sonic and Elise laugh in a semi-creepy way. Replaying it, I found it to be more of a challenge, and it is probably the hardest in the game (Solaris is cake, and the others aren't too bad once the player figures out how to win). Still, that S-rank reminds me that it couldn't have been that hard. 

Egg Viper (Sonic Adventure)--I haven't played this game in a while, but I remember having trouble with this one. Still, that might have been because Eggman was repeating himself, and that can get annoying fast.

Egg Dragoon (Sonic Generations)--When replaying Sonic Generations, Egg Dragoon and the Time Eater were the only bosses I had trouble with. Toughest of them all, and fought in a different style than it's Unleashed counterpart, it was defiantly considered for this list. Eggman, say that phrase again and I'll...

Ifrit Golem (Sonic and the Secret Rings)--I just remember having a tough time. Lava, unreliable platforms. Giant enemy. Not cool, Sega.

Lancelot Returns (Sonic and The Black Knight)--The first time I fought him, it took like, 5 seconds and immediately gave me 5 stars. Lucky I did that then, because replaying it I could barley hit him.

Hot Mobile/Lava Reef Boss (Sonic and Knuckles)--I used to think this was hard. Before I discovered the shields, BOOYAH.

And anything from the 8-bit games...those things are murderous, alright. But I'm not as familiar with them, and they aren't very memorable.

Bosses are more or less required in a Sonic game. I think I could do without them, since it just slows everything down and make the game irritating. But I do like some of them, considering a half are fun or easy. The rival battles are great. Sonic CD and Forces have really easy bosses, and I think that's the way I like it. A little challenge is fine. But those hour-eating ones? No thanks.
   

ITSNOUSETAKETHISITSNOUSETAKETHISTAKE--Urgh, NO!