Sonic X Shadow Generations on Nintendo Switch 2 review — SupPORTing Me

3D Sonic has had a rough transition… to Nintendo consoles during the Wii era. Outside Sonic Unleashed (which was more of a version by name), the Wii compensated with its lack of power by having its own original titles, and missed entries on the HD systems. As someone who only owned Nintendo consoles at the time, it took me years to get an Xbox 360 to finally play 2011’s Sonic Generations on a home console. 

Fast forward to the Switch era, and we’re back to each 3D Sonic title being released across every system. Even Sonic Generations got a spotlight with 2024’s Sonic X Shadow Generations; celebrating the past with a remaster of the original game, and pushing towards the future with a brand new campaign starring the Ultimate Lifeform himself. While the entries on Nintendo’s console/handheld hybrid had downgrades in their resolution and framerate, they were still the same exact game at their core with the option of handheld play. Thanks to the Nintendo Switch 2, SEGA has re-released their recent title for Nintendo’s shiny new console, boasting an increased resolution and frame rate similar to current gen systems, on top of the portability the Switch offers. Did it succeed? I’d say yes with a major asterisk. 

Similar to the PS5 version, Shadow Generations has both a Performance and Quality mode. The former runs at 60 fps, whereas the latter runs at 30 fps to compensate for a sharper image. I was largely satisfied with the Performance mode. The framerate is smooth the entire way through, even when Black Doom non-consensually acid trips Shadow into his love for Radical Highway (it’s so cool!). This improvement from the original Switch’s locked 30fps was a given thanks to the bump in power between Nintendo’s two systems.

However, what I found most impressive is how Shadow Generations on Switch 2 also runs better than the PS4 and Xbox One versions, which also remained at 30fps. Moreover the load times are nearly as fast as the PS5 version, making restarting or hopping in and out of stages a breeze. 

However, the biggest drawback to Performance mode is the consistency of the image quality. I don’t mind the slightly brighter image and the lower resolution. For me, the blurriness of distant objects is worth the tradeoff of a smoother framerate. The issue is how the resolution will fluctuate constantly. While it is noticeable when Shadow is blazing through a level; the issue is especially bad when Shadow is performing a light jog during his acceleration. Not even standing still keeps the resolution from blurring constantly. Again it wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but it is a noticeable distraction I find baffling.

Thankfully these issues are nonexistent in Quality mode, which keeps the resolution remaining sharp through the entire playtime. While it isn’t for me personally, this mode is still a fantastic alternative for those who don’t mind playing a Sonic game at 30 fps. 

Performance aside, Shadow Generations remains one of the best Sonic games ever made. I share many of the sentiments with our reviewer, Jack Zustiak, who gave high marks in his review for the remaster’s release last year. Each stage provides a superb balance between speed, spectacle, and skill expression; whether it’s Act 1’s high-octane 3D action or Act 2’s fast paced platforming. The level design realizes the full potential of the boost formula, finding a fantastic balance between player interaction and automation. I actually struggled to write this review because of how addicting the “just one more run” mentality is trying to get a better time.

Additionally, Shadow’s expanded moveset with the Doom Powers freshens up a formula that has largely remained unchanged since 2008. Each skill compliments Shadow’s base moveset, having abilities that require split second reactions, or enhances the black blur’s mobility and platforming options. Moreover, the open hub area serves as a playground to practice Shadow’s new moves to obtain collectables. 

There is one gripe I have about the Switch 2 version in both modes. An issue that carries over from how the game played on Nintendo’s former system. Mainly how the Joy-Con are not a great fit for this type of game. In both Sonic & Shadow’s campaigns, the sensitivity is so high that tilting the control stick even a smidge will make the two hedgehogs fly in whatever direction they are pointed at. Going in a straight line is much more difficult in comparison to using the Dualsense on the PS5, or even the Switch Pro Controller. This is less of an issue with the game itself, and more so with how Joy-Con are designed. Regardless, as someone who primarily plays handheld, this was still a mild bummer.

As for Sonic’s side of the package, the game runs beautifully, which is the bare minimum for a remaster of a decade and a half old game (glares at Sonic Colors: Ultimate). Still, I find it hard not to feel impressed by it all. Unlike Shadow Generations, Sonic's side does not have any performance or quality toggles. The game runs at 1080p 60fps through and through. I did not notice any resolution or framerate drops. Whether it’s flying through the water surface in Seaside Hill, or causing an abundance of property damage in Speed Highway, Sonic’s campaign is buttery smooth. The image quality makes the gorgeous coloring of various stages pop, especially playing undocked with the handheld screen.

I have always dreamed of playing Sonic Generations portably ever since I first booted up the game (that wasn't the DIMPS 3DS version). I was even willing to take a hit in visual quality and framerate on the base Switch. But now, with the Switch 2 version, seeing one of my favorite games run this well is a younger me’s wish fulfilled. 

As for the game itself, the flaws have been more noticeable over the past few years, especially compared to how Shadow Generations plays. The movement at lower speeds feels way too stiff, resulting in trying to make turns, or readjusting the blue blur’s position after running into a wall or taking a hit, pretty much a lost cause. It mildly dampers mostly superb level design for Modern Sonic stages. As for Classic Sonic, his physics aren’t super accurate to the Genesis games, especially in a post Mania world, but his stages are still fun, and most importantly functional 2D romps, and that’s what matters.  

With all this praise, you may think I would call Sonic X Shadow Generations on Switch 2 a slam dunk, even in spite of my gripes with the resolution and the slipperyness of the Joy-Con control method. I sincerely wish that was the case; to praise the Switch 2 version as a way for original Switch players to experience the better performance of its current gen counterparts. No strings attached.  

Unfortunately, it’s time to talk about the egg shaped elephant in the room. Radical Highway may be so cool, but the way SEGA handled this release is not. For Switch owners who own Sonic X Shadow, their save data can be transferred over to the Switch 2 version. Awesome right? Well not so fast. Baffingily enough, not only is there not a paid upgrade path, but if you want to play the game on the Switch 2 with your old save file, you have to rebuy the entire game again. This is in addition to the physical edition being a Game Key Card. 

All of these anti-consumer drawbacks make recommending a great game more murky than it needs to be. For primarily Nintendo players who haven't picked up Sonic Team’s latest title, and don't mind the game not being on the cartridge, then the Switch 2 version is a no brainer. For those who have played the game on current gen consoles and are looking for a portable alternative, then the Switch 2 is a viable option. Regrettably, for players who want to experience the improvements of a game they already paid for, one that is already playable on the new system thanks to backwards compatibility, I cannot recommend dropping full price.