Sonic the Hedgehogis currently running better and faster than the franchise has for years. These heights are only growing thanks to theshared spotlight between Sonic and Shadowin current series projects. Not only hasSonic X Shadow Generationsbeen released to positive reviews and praise from fans, butSonic the Hedgehog 3sees the two famous hedgehog rivals duke it out on the silver screen this December.
2024 was dubbed the Year of Shadow early on, which led to the release ofSonic X Shadow Generationsback in October, giving the remasteredSonic Generationsa new recent counterpart in the form ofShadow Generations. Shadow’s new solo campaign is the shining jewel of the collection, earning the set an 80% rating on OpenCritic, the second highest on the review aggregator underSonic Mania. Despite this, somehow theSonic the Hedgehogfranchise has only one nomination through theKnucklesTV show at The Game Awards, rather thanSonic X Shadow Generations, which highlights some strange trends for the hedgehog and his friends at the ceremony.
Sonic’s Game Awards Nomination History and Why It Stands Out
Throughout The Game Awards' going-on ten-year history, theSonicfranchise has only gotten a proper nomination four times. While the fact that these nominations are more common recently seems to suggest that the series is getting noticed as its newest era is just beginning, thepieces ofSonicmultimedia get nominated at The Game Awardsare a bit strange when looking at fan and critical reception. Currently,Sonicis regularly found in the Best Family Game and Best Adaptation categories as of 2022, but only once, no matter what projects the franchise had at the time.
Sonic the Hedgehog’s Nominations at The Game Awards
Fans could argue thatSonic ManiaandSonic the Hedgehog 2deserve their nominations. However,Sonic SuperstarsandKnucklesare a bit more questionable when looking at critical and fan reception.Superstarsis a great 2D romp with friends, but it arguably wasn’t an installment worth nominating quite likeSonic Maniaseven years prior.Superstarssits at a 60% on OpenCritic. Meanwhile,Sonic X Shadow Generationsearned higher reviews without getting a single mention from The Game Awards 2024.
This is made even stranger by the fact thatKnucklesgot nominated, when critics and fans have pointed out that the show hardly focuses on the titular echidna at all. It’s often derisively called “The Wade Whipple Show” by fans, and apart from featuring Pachacamac fromSonic Adventureand The Flames of Disaster and Iblis fromSonic the Hedgehog 2006, it did hardly any proper adaptation of the games to really qualify for the video game adaptation award. That makes the fact thatSonic X Shadow Generationswent without a nomination even harder to accept.Knucklesgetting recognition for hardly featuring oneSoniccharacter while Shadow’s campaign earns praise as a new gold standard forSonicrereleases seems like a baffling contrast at first glance.
Sonic X Shadow Generations' Absence at The Game Awards May Be For a Reason
While it may be easy to feel frustrated at the lack of appreciation thrownSonic X Shadow Generations' way, one could argue that there was no place for it at The Game Awards this year. Sonic may have a place in the Best Family Game category sometimes, butShadow Generations' heavy themes of loss may have firmly kept it out of that category, alongside the fact that the collection is a single player experience.
In terms ofthe other categories at The Game Awards, it’s hard to say ifSonic X Shadow Generationsmeasures up to other well-received titles likeFinal Fantasy 7 RebirthorAstro Bot,as 2024 was a great year for plenty of other games than just Sonic and Shadow’s revisited adventure. Fans who wish to see the two hedgehogs gain some recognition should keep their eyes on the Players' Choice award once again this year, just in case it’s one of the 30 voting options yet to be revealed.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
WHERE TO PLAY
THE RETURN OF SHADOWIn this new standalone campaign, Shadow’s nemesis, Black Doom, has reemerged and threatens to take over the world once again. Shadow must journey into his past, confront his painful memories, and unlock new dark powers to save the world.
SHADOW EVOLVEDHarness Shadow’s new Doom Powers to battle hordes of enemies and tackle platforming challenges like never before. Surf on water, fly over obstacles, and stop time with the return of Chaos Control!A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND DIMENSIONSExperience the ultimate showdown between Shadow and Black Doom in a new boss battle that will test your skills and reflexes. Use all of Shadow’s abilities to defeat Black Doom and save the world!EXPLORE THE NEW WHITE SPACEStretch your legs in an all-new hub world inspired by the open-zone gameplay of Sonic Frontiers. As Shadow gains new powers, he can explore further and uncover the secrets hidden throughout!
