Smash Ultimate doesn’t care about old rivalries — just the ones you make with your friends along the way. That must be why Nintendo includes Sonic, once a would-be competitor to the console platformer throne, in its latest crossover fighter. Hopefully this will give fans something to cling to when that bizarre-looking live-action movie comes out. If nothing else, this version of Sonic the Hedgehog at least looks closer to his original incarnations.
Smash Ultimate sports 74 different playable characters at launch — including every single previous character from the super-franchise and a bunch of fresh faces. That’s not even including the glut of DLC fighters, assist trophies, and more. There’s so much that no one person could possibly keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to every single character.
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Sonic is, if you couldn’t guess, known for his speed. So the blue hedgehog is appropriately one of the more nimble characters in Smash Ultimate — at least thematically. He spins, dashes, and spin dashes into battle with bull rush-style moves that knock foes around. Just don’t expect much from his ranged abilities (or lack thereof). He needs to use his speed to close that distance.
According to Sonic’s official Nintendo character description…
This speedy fighter has a lot of rush-type attacks. His final smash, Super Sonic, lets him fly around the stage at an incredible speed!
Sonic Moves
Homing Attack (B) – Leaps into the air, then homes in on the nearest fighter if one is close enough.
Spin Dash (Side + B) – Rolls forward at high speed. Can be charged, redirected, and linked to other attacks.
Spring Jump (Up + B) – Creates a spring and leaps up high. The spring sticks around if used on the ground.
Spin Charge (Down + B) – Dashes forward rapidly. Can be powered up by repeatedly pressing the special-move button.
Super Sonic (Final Smash) – Sonic uses the Chaos Emeralds to turn into Super Sonic and then dashes left and right, crossing through the stage at supersonic speed. You can adjust the angle at which Sonic moves through the air slightly up or down.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
The blue speedster and the new star of a viral cursed image is a hit-and-run fighter. Sonic takes the “death by a thousand cuts” route, pestering you with constant, unpredictable motion and attacks. He picks away at you and then dashes in, lands a devastating strike, and sends you flying away with one less stock.
Weaknesses
Where Sonic lacks is getting back on the stage, as his recovery isn’t too hot. He also isn’t a big fan of projectiles or any amount of decent keep-away, preferring opponents who have to fight him toe-to-toe. Samus and Simon are better options against the hedgehog than a close-range combatant.
Outfits
Sonic doesn’t get much in the way of alternate costumes. Although, like a lot of other simple character designs, he benefits from a clean, bright color scheme. It’s not all palette swaps, either. Sonic’s bracelets very clearly alternate between each costumes. He’s also clearly based on one of his more iconic designs, rather than the edgier Sonic Boom incarnation. Although his mouth looks strangely inexpressive — almost painted on — in his neutral stance.
And that’s all there is to say about the blue speedster! Just remember that velocity can be just as deadly to the user as the enemy in Smash Ultimate. Don’t go spin dashing or sprinting off any ledges while trying to line up the perfect charge against your friends. That may be a problem, thanks to Sonic’s reliance on up-close combat. Remember to enjoy yourself while mastering this somewhat tricky combatant!
All of our Smash Ultimate guides created with the help of Eric Van Allen.
