Sonic Rush
Sonic Rush answered one burning question that hadn’t been considered up till that point – what if Jet Set Radio composer Hideki Naganuma scored a Sonic game? Suffice it to say that the results were simply stellar. Aside from this, Sonic Rush was just an incredibly sharp, well-made 2D platformer when it released on the Nintendo DS. It featured an incredible sense of speed and level design while introducing some interesting twists.
Sonic and newcomer Blaze the Cat had a Tension Gauge, which could be used to Boost for a sudden burst of speed. This could be refilled by performing tricks and destroying enemies, lending a nice rhythm of speed and precise platforming. Depending on how quickly the player cleared the stage, they would be graded and even access the Special Stages. In terms of standout 2D Sonic platformers, Sonic Rush is an enjoyable albeit underrated experience.
