SONIC SUPERSTARS: CLASSIC SPEED, FOUR FRIENDS, AND ONE CAMERA TOO MANY
7.0 of 10 bananas. A bright 2D Sonic in the classic style with four player co-op and new Emerald Powers. The zones look lovely and the music hits, but the bosses drag and co-op shares one camera that cannot keep up with Sonic.
By the Alpha. PS5 disc listing. Updated Oct 29 2026.
Honest note: This is not a fresh hands-on playtest. I built this verdict from launch reviews, critic consensus, update history, and what is known about the game today. If I put real hours in on stream, I will update the score and say so.
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC (developed by Arzest and Sonic Team, published by SEGA, released October 17 2023). The Amazon button is the PS5 Standard Edition disc. At my Oct 29 2026 check it was sold and shipped by Amazon.com at a low price, with few units left, so it may sell out. Sellers and prices change, so look at the seller before you pay.
Get Sonic Superstars for PS5 on AmazonStore check, Oct 29 2026: new copies on offer, sold and shipped by Amazon.com, and stock looked low. Prices and sellers change, so look before you pay.
Sit with me a moment. My first Sonic was a cartridge and a TV the size of a fridge. Every few years SEGA promises that feeling again. Sonic Superstars gets closer than most, and then it hands the controller to three more friends and forgets that only one of them can be in the shot.
What It Wants To Be
Sonic Superstars is a 2D side scrolling platformer in the style of the Genesis games. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy race through new zones on the Northstar Islands against Dr. Eggman, Fang, and Trip. Each Chaos Emerald now grants an Emerald Power, like cloning yourself or swimming up waterfalls. Up to four players can play the story together on one screen, and there is a separate online Battle Mode.
What Works
Critics placed it in the low 70s on Metacritic. The zones are colorful and full of alternate routes, the soundtrack is strong, and the classic momentum is mostly right. Emerald Powers add fun puzzle shortcuts, and playing as Trip after the credits adds more to do. The PS5 price is now low.
What Breaks
Listen well. Boss fights are long and repetitive, and some later ones drain the fun. Four player co-op shares a single camera, so the leader drags everyone and the screen gets messy. Physics feel slightly off next to Sonic Mania, and the online Battle Mode is thin.
Who Should Play
Play it if you grew up on Genesis Sonic and want something new in that style, or want a cheap co-op game for kids. Skip it if you want the best classic Sonic; Sonic Mania Plus is the king.
STRENGTHS
- Bright, varied 2D zones
- Strong soundtrack
- Emerald Powers add new routes
- Sold by Amazon at a low price at my check
HONEST COSTS
- Long, repetitive bosses
- One camera for four players
- Physics a step behind Mania
- Thin online Battle Mode
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