Sonic Rush Adventure

 DS
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Sep 18, 2007
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 109
  3. Negative: 5 out of 109
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  1. MarkK.
    Dec 29, 2007
    9
    An improvment over Sonic's previous DS outing, and just the type of gameplay that fans demand of rather then the trash offered by Shadow's guns. It makes more use of the touch screen and sailing across the ocean world certainly works well. It's still as fast and frantic as ever, but my only complaint is that you still only play as Sonic and Blaze. Prehaps if you got to play An improvment over Sonic's previous DS outing, and just the type of gameplay that fans demand of rather then the trash offered by Shadow's guns. It makes more use of the touch screen and sailing across the ocean world certainly works well. It's still as fast and frantic as ever, but my only complaint is that you still only play as Sonic and Blaze. Prehaps if you got to play as Tails, Knuckels or even the new Marine it would offer a bit more.… Expand
  2. JoshR.
    Sep 23, 2007
    8
    While not phenomeonal, it is a large improvement over the last few years of Sonic games and will please anyone who wants that retro feel.
  3. DackC.
    Sep 26, 2007
    8
    The hype and spree of critical praise that briefly enshrouded Sonic Rush seemed not so much to do with its gameplay than with its breaking the chain of stale mediocrity that had bogged down the series for about the past half-decade. This feat, in retrospect, was far more impressive (Let's face facts; Shadow had a gun, for Christ's sake), but the truth is the game was simply The hype and spree of critical praise that briefly enshrouded Sonic Rush seemed not so much to do with its gameplay than with its breaking the chain of stale mediocrity that had bogged down the series for about the past half-decade. This feat, in retrospect, was far more impressive (Let's face facts; Shadow had a gun, for Christ's sake), but the truth is the game was simply decent to the Advance series' tepid. Its flaws were still there; in its buzzkill enemy placement, lackluster bosses, and of course, the abundance of bottomless pits. But some more-inspired level design, Hideki Naganuma-penned music, and higher bracket of half-baked plot helped the game feel a whole lot fresher than the shallow GBA trilogy. Well, Sonic Rush Adventure capitalizes on that freshness. In fact, it smacks the nail so square on the head that it really feels like the kind of game that should be made on the DS, instead of a lazy Genesis-glory-day-chase. Someone at either Sega or Dimps did their homework on those 90's titles and came out merely with enough inspiration to patch up the leaky spots of Rush. The result is an honest-to-God sequel. Anything and everything you liked about Rush's gameplay is in here, only difference is whatever rubbed you the wrong way is probably gone as well. Each and every one of the bosses (barring the first) is a delicious challenge because of the strategy required, (instead of the maddening necessity to avoid cheap auto-kill hits); the badniks are in the right spots (and much more interesting-looking than all that Egg Pawn inanity); and somehow surviving the plothole nexus of Sonic 360, Blaze reprises her role as the lone playable alternative, but save for some Sol Emerald boss-replay challenges, she's purely optional this time out. Meaning you only have to play the same game once this time. Sure, it's probably beginning to sound like a showcase of improvement, but if Rush Adventure has one fault, it's a refusal to say when. To pad out the skimpy seven-zone playtime, you have to access these levels by setting sail and steering some kind of vessel to each one. You'll start with a fun (but short-range) jet-ski and expand to a set of larger-range ships that seem to exist only to make you miss the jet-ski enough to not mind it's also the meat and potatoes of the special stages. It can be tedious… Expand
  4. nam1018
    Sep 15, 2007
    10
    Better than the first.
  5. TiagoMoreno
    Jul 16, 2011
    9
    After Sonic Adventure I kind of fell in love with modern sonic and the whole 3d + great graphics + even more speed as well. Not to say I dont like the classical sonic, im a fan. So I bought this game not expecting much before a long train trip in Japan. It did impress me... the trip went by quickly cause it is indeed fun! I like the modern feeling they give to 2D portable sonic gamesAfter Sonic Adventure I kind of fell in love with modern sonic and the whole 3d + great graphics + even more speed as well. Not to say I dont like the classical sonic, im a fan. So I bought this game not expecting much before a long train trip in Japan. It did impress me... the trip went by quickly cause it is indeed fun! I like the modern feeling they give to 2D portable sonic games nowadays and this is one of the best examples. Simply put: If you like sonic, you will like this game. If you are one of the gamers that USED to like Sonic, you will like this game as well. If you hate sonic... well.. I wouldnt bother. For me, though....Best surprise Ive ever had because I always think and search for info regarding games before I buy and this one I just picked up and had a lot of fun! Made me play sonic games again!… Expand
  6. SuperKurzacz
    May 2, 2012
    10
    Way better than sonic rush that explains it all.
  7. rhaynes7
    Feb 11, 2014
    8
    It meddles with the fast pace of the first by forcing you on a ship with some rhythm games. It's got a lot of filler, and it's still short.

    However, it has some improvements to Sonic Rush, and provides a great sense of speed. However, I couldn't fall in love with it, like the first one. Perhaps it was Marine that really did this game in, along with the useless locals.
  8. Ichigo75
    Nov 9, 2014
    9
    This is the second time I have played through the game, and I can say really good things about it!

    Story: The story is a continuation of the original Sonic rush albeit tropical island themed this time around. Sonic and Tails meet up with this racoon named Marine and a whole new venture starts from there! You will see a few familiar faces along the way, but the game does boast quite a    This is the second time I have played through the game, and I can say really good things about it!

    Story: The story is a continuation of the original Sonic rush albeit tropical island themed this time around. Sonic and Tails meet up with this racoon named Marine and a whole new venture starts from there! You will see a few familiar faces along the way, but the game does boast quite a few new characters!

    Graphics: This game looks very good for a DS game. Sonic and Blaze are full 3D models while everything else is 2D sprites. Just like the first game, this setup works very well; the colorfulness of some areas are baffling! Some cut scenes are full rendered while some are static character portraits. They both look very good, and keep the story moving along at a nice pace.

    Sound: Probably the best part of the game. Everything sounds WONDERFUL from the level themes, to the main hub world theme. Sound effects sound great; like Sonic destroying an enemy or his boost, and all these sounds keep you immersed in the game, and really makes you WANT to keep playing. I would highly recommend looking up the soundtrack for this game!

    Gameplay: This game plays GREAT! It plays like an old Sonic game from the genesis days, albeit the physics are a little off in comparison. This was probably due to the fact that they wanted to keep speed in the game in emphasis (It is called Sonic Rush lol). The boost mechanic returns from Sonic Rush, and it works just as well as it did in that game. The level design is built around using it strategically, so if anyone says "Boost to win" That is not a proper argument here. The only thing that is a complaint is that they have added vehicles sections to the game. They really are not bad at all, but they do cut into the actually meat of the game towards the end. The saving grace of the vehicles sections is that they control good, and are fun to play.

    Replay Value: This game is very repayable. With the ranking system, missions, and material gathering; there is PLENTY to do in this game! After finishing the main story, there is plenty more content to get your hands on! See if you can get all S ranks! That will prove that you mastered the game!

    As you can see, the game is very good, the only thing that keeps it from a perfect score would be vehicle sections popping up a bit too much, and material gathering during the story can be a little bit of a downer (Though playing through levels again is good way to practice for the S rank). So, I would give this game a very strong recommendation!    … Expand
  9. Yayo
    Jul 1, 2016
    9
    Sonic Rush Adventure is a Good Sequel and a Good Sonic Game, but most of all It's a Great Nintendo DS Game, It make use of the Touch Screen on various right ways, not only to show the game to the player, (the levels are shown to the player in both screens) but to make the player travel across the sea in the different aquatic vehicles during the game, being this little travels the preludeSonic Rush Adventure is a Good Sequel and a Good Sonic Game, but most of all It's a Great Nintendo DS Game, It make use of the Touch Screen on various right ways, not only to show the game to the player, (the levels are shown to the player in both screens) but to make the player travel across the sea in the different aquatic vehicles during the game, being this little travels the prelude to the main levels in the game, making to the player feel that they are discovering the sea and the islands, and giving variety to the gameplay, that the main levels have by their own, even when there's levels that can be removed and no affect the game at all, there's a bunch of others that you really go to enjoy all along the game with great variety of environments and mechanics that mix the high speed of Sonic with exploration, one of the games in the Sonic Franchise that make better this mix and that the 3D main series have been looking to consolidate for so long.… Expand
  10. SonicDude
    Apr 28, 2015
    10
    This game is spectacular ‼️ the music is good for a Ds game, not to serious or to dum, fun missions , good story, etc. Sonic rush adventure is a game worth money
  11. Signas501
    Mar 30, 2015
    10
    Sonic Rush Adventure follows Sonic after Sonic Rush, in which Tails and Sonic are pulled into a tornado, and into the Soul dimension, an alternate version of Sonics world, consisting of 12 hidden islands, and 8 level areas. In order from Plant Island, Machine labyrinth, Coral Cave, Haunted ship, Blizzard peeks, Sky Babylon, Pirates island, and Big swell. The plot of the game is that anSonic Rush Adventure follows Sonic after Sonic Rush, in which Tails and Sonic are pulled into a tornado, and into the Soul dimension, an alternate version of Sonics world, consisting of 12 hidden islands, and 8 level areas. In order from Plant Island, Machine labyrinth, Coral Cave, Haunted ship, Blizzard peeks, Sky Babylon, Pirates island, and Big swell. The plot of the game is that an eggman robot look alike named whisker and his companions mini, mum, and Jhonny have risen Coral Cave to steal the jeweled scepter to obtain the power of the stars, immense power that ensures the existence of parallel worlds. Its up to Blaze and Sonic to find the chaos, and sol emeralds to stop Whiskers plan.… Expand
  12. Sontate72
    Jul 3, 2015
    9
    Although the plot is a bit too detailed for my liking, this game counters that with fun gameplay, good graphics, and decent music (although not as catchy as Colors's). There are a lot of missions, and the boss battles are creative and not too easy. The boost formula is neat, and tricks are very satisfying. But this game has some problems. The first is the sea element. The 4 minigames youAlthough the plot is a bit too detailed for my liking, this game counters that with fun gameplay, good graphics, and decent music (although not as catchy as Colors's). There are a lot of missions, and the boss battles are creative and not too easy. The boost formula is neat, and tricks are very satisfying. But this game has some problems. The first is the sea element. The 4 minigames you play to travel to different islands/zones felt kind of unnecessary, and it gets repetitive if you plan to find all of the islands. Another issue is the R button, which is needed to get to some pathways. Why not map this to the X button? The game never uses X in-game. Rolling into a ball, even on slopes, normally slows me down if I've been boosting, and the level design usually only contains one or two pathways. You have to be good if you plan to 100% complete this game, and sometimes that requires me to be persistent and patient, two qualities a kid likely won't want to use in a video game. But that doesn't stop me from reccomending this game, and it honestly is entertaining. As a Sonic fan? Try it out. As a casual gamer? Start with another Sonic game. As a Sonic hater? No. As a Sonic fan who despises every game other than the classics? Try it out. This is a game that will be best enjoyed if you are familiar with the franchise, but it is good fun overall.… Expand
  13. GamecubeLover
    Jul 21, 2016
    9
    Now this game has to be amazing for so many reasons. Good story, good characters, great levels, fast paced, awesome boss battles, and way way more. This game is great but not as great as Sonic Rush the original.
  14. MrTacoBob
    Aug 30, 2017
    9
    Basically the original Sonic Rush but with a few upgrades a lot people think it's unoriginal I think it got better. The new character Marine is very creative and fresh. I totally recommend Sonic Rush Adventure.
  15. RealNova
    Aug 24, 2020
    8
    It's fun, it works, the bosses are pretty hard, there is gameplay outside the stages and an overwolrd, the emerald finaly got a fun way to obtain, it have all the pros of the first Sonic Rush and none of the flaws, if I have to find a negative aspect maybe the quests are sometimes stupidly hard and sometimes easy as they can be, also the finale could have been a bit more epic but it wasIt's fun, it works, the bosses are pretty hard, there is gameplay outside the stages and an overwolrd, the emerald finaly got a fun way to obtain, it have all the pros of the first Sonic Rush and none of the flaws, if I have to find a negative aspect maybe the quests are sometimes stupidly hard and sometimes easy as they can be, also the finale could have been a bit more epic but it was fine I guess. It's a simple game but it's not simple to finish it, but lets be clear, is not masterpiece.… Expand
  16. Mutty99
    Jan 17, 2021
    9
    Even if it's less iconic that its predecessor, this title holds its own very well. The music is good enough for the most part, and the gimmicks improved a lot.
    I think it's a tad bit harder than the first Rush title though.
  17. spencerplewe
    Oct 3, 2022
    8
    With better level and boss designs, Rush Adventure also adds some decent sailing mechanics over its predecessor, but the repeated grinding for building and upgrading ships, while not ruining the experience really, does slow things way down.
  18. drywall
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    holy s word. SONIC can RIDE on a WATER BIKE? no way dude! best game ever created by human beings.
  19. nahobino5_
    Jun 26, 2021
    10
    The best Sonic game in my opinion. Blaze the Cat is such a good character that should really be used again. The rush-gameplay is so unique and it's fun to constantly do tricks and boost. This game is a major upgrade to Rush. It's way longer and I only really miss Cream, her mom and Cheese because they really went well with Blaze. Other than that, the levels are fun. The bosses are easierThe best Sonic game in my opinion. Blaze the Cat is such a good character that should really be used again. The rush-gameplay is so unique and it's fun to constantly do tricks and boost. This game is a major upgrade to Rush. It's way longer and I only really miss Cream, her mom and Cheese because they really went well with Blaze. Other than that, the levels are fun. The bosses are easier than in Rush (which I appreciate). I felt like the overall difficulty was more forgiving. There was just way more to do. Also, I loved unlocking stuff on the island in return for doing missions! The exploration mini games are also pretty good. Absolutely amazing game that really deserves a remake.… Expand
  20. E102Gamma
    Nov 15, 2021
    10
    Here it is. My very first Sonic game and the only one in the entire series where nostalgia clouds my analytical lens. Sonic Rush Adventure is easily my favorite Sonic game of all time. It takes the levels from Sonic Rush and smooths out the difficulty curve with less inconvenient enemy placement and death traps. There are also plenty of exciting set pieces much like any game in the series.Here it is. My very first Sonic game and the only one in the entire series where nostalgia clouds my analytical lens. Sonic Rush Adventure is easily my favorite Sonic game of all time. It takes the levels from Sonic Rush and smooths out the difficulty curve with less inconvenient enemy placement and death traps. There are also plenty of exciting set pieces much like any game in the series. Rather than focusing on two sides of a story, like Sonic Rush, Sonic Rush Adventure follows one continuous story front to back all while retaining both Sonic and Blaze as playable characters (you unlock Blaze after beating the third boss).

    Perhaps the biggest point of contention for most are the boat rides. You probably already guessed my stance on these. I love them. I find them a lot of fun and they make excellent use of the DS touch screen. Having to actively ride to the next level increased the scale of Blaze's dimension. It also added to the thrill that a grand adventure should have. The bosses are, once again, excellent. My favorite being the Ghost Condor. For years, I've tried my best to defeat the boss without falling back down to the runway bellow.

    I've speed ran this game and tried my best to get the highest score on every level. I've experienced everything this game has to offer. But no game is perfect and there are some flaws I can't overlook. Entering the final levels are kind of a pain as you need to back track to abandoned islands where you will find stone relics. You use them to unlock the door to Pirate Island where you face off against Whisker and Johnny, the fake out villains of this game. This decision would've been more digestible if the game had levels on each of these islands. Actually, there are hidden islands all throughout the game most containing one bonus level. These bonus levels are meant to challenge the player's skill but they also feel very unfinished. Most of these bonus levels are riddled with bottomless pits and cheap obstacle placement, reuse assets, and are so short they leave no impression at all. Hidden levels is something I always appreciate in a game and I've gotten used to these levels faults but their presence is worth a mention (especially considering you play one right before Coral Cave). The Chaos Emeralds make a return and you collect them by racing Johnny, some green prick with a jet ski for a head. When I was young, I hated these. Collecting the Chaos Emeralds was a nightmare because of how unfair this seemed. There are races where Johnny has infinite boost. The only way to stand a chance is to upgrade your jet ski using minerals from previous stages but the game never tells you this. Thank god I talk to every npc on South Island as they give you missions. Some of them give you rewards such as the Sol Emeralds, medals and decorations for the island. Unfortunately you can only have access to the missions menu by talking to Marine the Raccoon and the missions menu is so bland and uninteresting. This is also a nitpick but sometimes the cut scenes go on too long. Characters will ramble on and on and I'm usually very patient when it comes to these. I do remember there being a skip feature but I haven't played through the campaign in a long time.

    Starting with Sonic and the Secret Rings, Sonic stories started having fake endings in order to make up for the loss of multiple stories and campaigns. In Sonic Rush Adventure, you unlock the true ending by collecting all the Chaos and Sol Emeralds. The Jeweled Scepter, the Master Emerald of Blaze's dimension, is stolen by Dr Eggman and Eggman Nega. This reveal caught me off guard: one because I genuinely thought Johnny and Whisker were the big bads of this game and two because I've never seen Eggman Nega before. Now that I'm older and have played many games, read many books, and watched many movies I can say for sure that the Eggmen being here in the finally feels completely phoned in. These two appear completely out of nowhere as they played no role in the story before. I thought this could've been one of the few Sonic games where Eggman played no role at all but I was wrong. They're here and the final boss with them was fine.

    When it comes to world building, I believe Sonic Rush Adventure is among the best the series has to offer. It is simple, yet ambitious. Dimps did everything they could to improve and add to Sonic Rush. It may falter but I will never forget the experience I had with this game. Its faults will not suede me from giving it the highest score I can offer. It's a score that is share by only one other Sonic game and it's a game that isn't even on this website. Compared to all other games in the series, Sonic Rush Adventure comes the closest to finding that balance between world building, storytelling, challenge and fun. There is no doubt in my mind that it sets that bar incredibly high.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best DS Game of 2007
10
#10 Most Discussed DS Game of 2007
9
#9 Most Shared DS Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    Like these guys say, the standard Sonic action is easily the main draw, especially when it gets more challenging--and satisfying--toward the end. [Oct 2007, p.102]
  2. Games Master UK
    88
    A reminder why Sonic has lasted 16 years. Fast, frantic and, most importantly, fun. [Oct 2007, p.71]
  3. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    92
    A consummate Sonic experience, reminding us exactly why the blue blur was great in the first place - plus, it's got tons of replay value tucked inside. [Oct 2007, p.84]
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