However, what was intended to be a major new branch of the series collapsed faster than anyone expected. After just three games, Sonic Rush was quietly shelved, leaving a sour taste and a reputation as one of Sonic's biggest flops.
Surprisingly, a decade has passed since Sonic Rush first appeared in stores. Has the passage of time been favorable to this short-lived series? Are there any elements worth revisiting today? Let's examine the highs, lows, and ugliness of Sonic Rush.
Danger pushes you to move quicker
The idea behind Sonic Rush wasn't too far from what we've seen before with the blue hedgehog. Sonic remained the quick-witted speedster, racing around and foiling Dr. Eggman's schemes for global control. Familiar faces Tails, Knuckles, and Amy were present too, though the latter two had slight personality tweaks from their usual game versions—for better or worse.Amy's annoying infatuation with Sonic was toned down, resulting in a more balanced character who often acted as the group's voice of reason. Knuckles underwent the most significant changes, both physically and mentally. His naivety and gullibility, traits that had been exaggerated for laughs over time, morphed into outright stupidity. He also received the most dramatic makeover, with a new muscular build to match his more dimwitted persona.
Completing the team was Twigs, an unusual, boomerang-wielding forest badger who serves as the group's wildcard—impulsive, outspoken, and perhaps a bit unhinged.
Sonic Rush marked Sega's first attempt to create a branch of the franchise specifically for Western audiences, so much so that they initially had no plans to release it in Japan (until they changed their minds). With Western tastes in mind, it made sense for Western developers to handle the new games. Who better to take on the task than Red Button Studios and Sanzaru Games, two companies experienced in character-driven adventure games?
The teams behind Sonic Rush had impressive credentials, having worked on popular series like Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly Cooper. Big Red Button took charge of the Wii U game, Sonic Rush: Rise of Lyric, while Sanzaru developed the 3DS title, Sonic Rush: Shattered Crystal.
Given this background, fans were hopeful but cautious. Rise of Lyric took cues from games like Jak and Daxter and Uncharted, focusing more on exploration and combat. This approach aimed to highlight the characters' unique traits, with fast-paced sections added for good measure. Shattered Crystal, on the other hand, emphasized exploration in a 2D side-scrolling format, giving it a more classic feel compared to its 3D counterpart.
The Ugly, the Bad & the Good
So why did Sonic Rush stumble from the start? Most of the blame falls on Rise of Lyric. The Wii U game had a tough development process. Initially planned for newer consoles, it was moved to Wii U due to the Nintendo deal. However, Nintendo's console couldn't run the game's engine, forcing major changes. The final product, while playable, was a mix of rushed ideas, unnecessary content, slow gameplay, and serious glitches.
Shattered Crystal did better, but still failed to impress due to its slow pace and dull gameplay. Both games ended up as huge failures, becoming the worst-selling titles in Sonic's history.
But let's not dwell on the negatives. Sonic Rush had its bright spots too, some of which are still appreciated today.
Alongside the games, an animated series took a more humorous approach to Sonic's adventures, showing everyday stories with some action mixed in.
Unlike the first two games, which are rarely remembered fondly (if at all), the Sonic Rush animated series is still quoted and discussed today. Don't believe it? Look up "Sonic Rush" on YouTube and see how many funny moment compilations have over a million views. The show even got a complete series SteelBook release in 2022, proving its lasting appeal.
Despite the games' poor reception, Sega wasn't ready to give up on Sonic Boom. They analyzed what worked and what didn't. With the 3DS game being better received, they used it as a foundation for Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice in 2016. Sanzaru Games adjusted the gameplay, reducing exploration and focusing more on speed and platforming.
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. Even with an improved second attempt and a popular TV show, Sega quickly shelved Sonic Boom. The bold experiment was deemed unsuccessful, casting a shadow over the franchise that took years to fade.
Like the Sonic series overall, Sonic Boom's quality varied greatly across its products. Rise of Lyric was a disaster. Shattered Crystal was mediocre but showed promise. Fire and Ice delivered on that promise, offering a more authentic Sonic experience worth playing. The TV show, however, was simply enjoyable, quality entertainment.
One can't help but wonder if Boom might have found its footing if Sega had given it more time to grow and learn from its mistakes, especially considering the franchise's recent well-received changes. But there's no use dwelling on what might have been.
If you'll excuse us, we suddenly feel like watching some "Sonic Boom funniest moments" cartoon compilations on YouTube. They'll still be just as funny in another 10 years.
