the 2D Sonic formula had been nailed. These games were all about speed, with just a bit of precision platforming as a punishment for missing the top route. Not to mention, they had incredibly good ...

were given free reign to continue the breakaway ... Dig that game out now and all the new bits (such as Metal Sonic, in-game time travel and, ahem, Amy Rose) look a little less shiny, but are ...

If you want a single platform to play games ... Sonic Mania. Each game in the compilation features new animated cutscenes at the beginning and end done by the incomparable Tyson Heese to connect ...

and she's since become a staple of nearly all Sonic games as well as the female lead of the franchise (sorry Rouge fans, maybe one day soon she'll get some proper respect from Paramount).

Most of the games above can be found on modern platforms, too, we’ve just listed them all by their original release dates and consoles. There are also loads more Sonic spin-off games.

All these games arrive just in time for ... and we’ve included those titles (as well as the free monthly games) in this list. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is headed to theaters this Christmas, so ...