SilverShard42

I don't really think that's true for Sonic more than any other game franchise. When a franchise has been around for a long time, new titles are almost guaranteed to be unfavorably compared to older ones. Mario, Zelda, and other games get this too. The biggest problem is some reviewers really like to bash Sonic games, for some reason.   I think SEGA makes more profit off of Sonic than anything else, especially over the long term- I highly doubt he'll be going anywhere anytime soon.   Also, in regards to the comic being an ad- like someone said earlier, that's what it's always been. The LEGO movie was a giant ad, and it won awards. Just because something was made to advertise doesn't mean it doesn't have merit...  

For the record, I only got into Sonic in 2016, so I don't really have a nostalgic bias. I'm going top 5, because I want to explain fifth. 1. Sonic Adventure 2- I love everything about this game. The story, the stages, the music- even the gem levels. I think 3D was handled the best in this game, and the learning curve was perfect. 2. Sonic 3 & Knuckles- This is my favorite Genesis game. It just nailed the classic formula. If ranked separately, they would be lower, Sonic 3 because it's so short, Sonic & Knuckles because it isn't as fun on it's own. 3. Sonic and the Black Knight- I don't get why everyone hates this game. It fixed the massively broken control system of the first storybook games (mainly, letting you control acceleration), has a great story, great music, the best voice cast of any Sonic game( Melissa Hutchinson??), playable characters besides Sonic post 2006. 4. Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity- My first sonic game, and I love it. The feeling of speed you get in the Riders games makes me love it so much, and the amazing music and the playable character selections bump it up. Also has great voice acting, and is one of the last Sonic games to acknowledge that Knuckles isn't an idiot, and does have skills. 5. Sonic Adventure- This would be my second favorite. Sonic's stages are great, the level design is well varied and fun, I love Knuckles and Amy's stages... but Big. Big's stages. I'm somewhat impatient and really hate slow games- this is why I prefer Sonic to Mario. Slow platformers just aren't fun for me. But Big's stages are SO SLOW PACED. I cannot play them.  Sonic Heroes, Sonic Riders, Sonic 2, and Shadow the Hedgehog are up there as well. Unleashed and CD have a shot- I'll let you know when I get them. (I find Sonic 1 overrated, Sonic Colors has the worst plot ever, and Sonic and the Secret Rings is nearly unplayable- Party Mode is fun, though) And because I just remembered I have a separate list for Game Gear/GBA/DS/PSP games, because I don't feel comparing them to a GameCube or PS3 game is fair- these top five are nearly tied for me: 1. Sonic Advance 2- The most successful (barring possibly Mania, which isn't out yet) recreation of the Genesis games, and gives a lot of gameplay time. Also, Cream makes her first appearance, and is hilariously OP. 2. Sonic Rush Adventure- It's close to one, but it's a bit shorter. I love Blaze and Marine, though. 3. Sonic Rivals 2- This game is so underrated. It's easily the prettiest Sonic mobile game (Great 3D graphics? FULL VOICE ACTING?), and is the most improved sequel in the franchise. They fixed almost everything people didn't like (specials being moved from power-ups to a gauge; fewer stupid "gotcha!" drops; Free Play mode). Also, several characters who don't get to be playable much (Silver, Metal Sonic, Espio) get a bit of a spotlight moment. I bought a PSP for this game, since Silver was in it (and VC2), and do not regret it. 4. Sonic Advance 3- the team up mechanic is fun, it just doesn't quite top these other three. 5. Sonic Battle- Easily the best story (barring Chronicles, which I don't own- yet), a unique and appealing art style,  and while the gameplay is a bit repetitive, it's still fun. Cream is almost as OP as Shadow in this game (any game with a heal gauge makes Cream like this). Sonic Rush is widely praised, but it winds up missing out on my top five because: A. it's really short, and B. the Sonic vs Blaze boss fight. PLEASE Dimps, don't make me button mash for a full minute! I've played every GBA/PSP/DS game except Chronicles.   Thanks for reading all of this!

Sums up my feelings pretty accurately. I'd also like to see Espio added.   As for appearing outside the series, I would love to see them. Jet is really Sonic's best rival- his genuine desire is to beat Sonic. Shadow anymore doesn't feel like a rival- he has no motivation to be a rival to Sonic, and when he does it feels a bit forced.  But Wave. Wave is the sole rival for Tails. Not a "well, Sonic and Tails rival"- just Tails. Tails is so important to the series that he really deserves his own rival. Also, they are awesome.

Oh, I hope he gets hired! Generations and Colors barely even qualify as having a plot.   Another RPG would be cool, maybe add Silver, Blaze, and the Chaotix?

  Sonic the Fighters got another rerelease in 2013, for PC, Xbox, and Playstation (consoles may be incorrect). Honey and Metal Sonic were made officially playable.    I don't think Sonic R got one though.

I have trouble remembering specific main series arcs, but my favorite main series arc has to be Champions. Awesome character interaction, Honey (who everyone wanted to make a cameo, but no one expected to make an actual appearance), Breezie (who absolutely no one saw coming and is actually one of the best villains in the comic), a cool story..... That space arc is so cringy.   As for Sonic Universe? Those I can keep straighter. I love Sonic Universe in general, because of it's focus on some of the "side" characters who don't get a lot of screentime (many of whom happen to be my favorites). My favorite arcs?  -Treasure Team Tango- all of these characters are great together, for the reasons everyone's said. Omega and Cream needs to happen in an actual game. -Sparks of Life- Everything. Everything about this arc. - Shadow vs. Knuckles- Relic and Fixit being introduced, an awesome fight, and Rouge gets to be the reasonable one, which is a nice change and develops her a bit. - Post-reboot Silver saga- Yeah, he's my favorite character..... but the arc is good too! -Issue 50- Shard is one of my favorite's too, I'm glad he got some focus. Also, Metal Sonic was cool again. Least favorite? -Mobius: 30 Years Later. Even Silver can't save this one for me. Everyone is massively out of character, the monster, while cool, makes no sense.... Tails' and Mina's  kids are adorable, and easily the best part, but that's about it.  

Really? I thought they got a lot better.   Yes, we lost some great characters (Shard and Scourge shoutout), but the universe was over-complicated to the point of confusion. Made it nearly impossible for a new reader to get into the story, because there was so much backstory.   The reboot  made the comic much more accessible.    And related to the "losing money" thing, I was under the impression that this is the most profitable thing Archie has right now. Am I entirely off-base? I don't know where I heard that.

I can say that of all of the fandoms that I am a part of (Sonic, object shows, Warrior Cats and Vocaloid) the Sonic fans are BY FAR the nicest. Most Sonic fans will have a rational conversation with you, and you can make some interesting points. Yes, there are bad fans, but I would much rather spend time in the Sonic fandom than most others.