Game Overview
Sonic Colors Ultimate is a remaster that should have been a celebration of one of Sonic's best 3D games. Instead, it's a disappointing port that fails to capture what made the original special. After 6 hours of playing through this remaster, I'm left feeling frustrated and disappointed.
The original Sonic Colors was a bright, vibrant, and creative platformer that used the Wisps (color powers) in clever ways. This remaster updates the graphics and adds some quality-of-life improvements, but it also introduces technical issues and loses some of the original's charm in the process.
Technical Issues
The most glaring problem with this remaster is the technical issues. I experienced frame rate drops, audio glitches, and even a few crashes during my playthrough. The game doesn't feel as polished as it should, especially for a remaster of a game that's over a decade old.
The graphics update is a mixed bag. Some areas look better, but others lose the vibrant, colorful aesthetic of the original. The bloom effects are overdone in places, making some levels look washed out. It's not a terrible-looking game, but it doesn't feel like a meaningful improvement over the original.
Gameplay Experience
The core gameplay is still fun - Sonic Colors had great level design and the Wisp powers are still creative. But the technical issues make it harder to enjoy. The frame rate drops during fast sections are particularly frustrating, and they break the flow that makes Sonic games so satisfying.
The new features added to this remaster are minimal. There's a new Wisp power that's fun but doesn't add much, and some quality-of-life improvements that are welcome but don't justify the price tag. Overall, it feels like a lazy remaster that doesn't do enough to improve on the original.
What Works
- Core gameplay is still fun
- Level design holds up
- Wisp powers are creative
- Some quality-of-life improvements
Major Issues
- Technical issues (frame drops, glitches, crashes)
- Graphics update is inconsistent
- Doesn't feel like a meaningful improvement
- Price doesn't justify the minimal additions
- Loses some of the original's charm
Final Verdict
Sonic Colors Ultimate is a disappointing remaster that fails to live up to the original. The technical issues are frustrating, the graphics update is inconsistent, and it doesn't add enough new content to justify the price. If you want to play Sonic Colors, I'd recommend tracking down the original instead.
Rating: 2.5/5
The core game is still good, but this remaster does it a disservice. It's playable, but it's not the celebration of Sonic Colors that fans deserved.
Part of the 26 Games Challenge 2026
Game #4 • Completed January 29, 2026