Sonic Colors[note 1] (ソニックカラーズ Sonikku Karāzu?) is the Nintendo DS counterpart of Sonic Colors, marking Sonic the Hedgehog's final release on the platform. Co-developed by Sonic Team and Dimps, it was released alongside its Wii counterpart in November 2010. As with its sibling, the gameplay features Wisps, power-ups the player can use to reach new areas.
The plot of the DS version of Colors follows the same premise as the Wii version, with Sonic and Tails investigating Egg Planet Park, a park built by Dr. Eggman to harvest the energy of an alien race known as the Wisps. This title is considered a spiritual successor to the Sonic Rush series, with the levels being entirely side-scrollers unlike the Wii version. Furthermore, the DS version features an expanded story and a secret final boss, with the player being able to interact with other Sonic characters in optional missions.[3]
Sonic Colors received the same critical acclaim as its Wii counterpart, with praise for the level design, visuals, and implementation of the Wisp mechanic. Some, however, criticized the game's short length. It was also a commercial success, with the DS and Wii versions selling a combined 4 million copies as of 2021.
Plot[]
Super Sonic with Mother Wisp after an optional boss fight exclusive to the DS version.
Sonic Colors follows the same story as the Wii version, with Sonic and Tails investigating Doctor Eggman's Egg Planet Park and befriending the Wisps, alien creatures that have been kidnapped by Eggman. Throughout the game, the player can beat optional missions that feature characters not present in the Wii version, like Knuckles, Cream, Shadow, and Team Chaotix. Egg Planet Park is ultimately destroyed and the Wisps return to their home planets.
Collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds allows access to a secret boss, unlike the Wii version. Sonic uses the Emeralds to transform into Super Sonic and battle the rampaging Nega-Mother Wisp, a result of Eggman's earlier experiments. He ultimately defeats her, reversing her to Mother Wisp, who returns home.
Gameplay[]
Sonic using the Red Burst, a Color Power exclusive to the DS version.
Sonic Colors is similar in gameplay to Sonic Rush and Rush Adventure, of which it is considered a spiritual successor.[4][5] As with its Wii sibling, the player controls Sonic, who retains his moveset from the Rush games: he can perform a Boost to blast through enemies and obstacles, a Homing Attack, and a Stomp, among other moves. Unlike its counterpart, this game is restricted to 2.5D side-scrolling gameplay. During regular stages, both of the DS's screens are used to display the area, with Sonic moving between them when he reaches certain heights or depths.
Like the Wii version, Colors features Color Powers, temporary power-ups that expand Sonic's moveset. These Color Powers can be activated at will after touching a Wisp Capsule. The Color Power differs from each Wisp type. There are six Wisps in the game, most of which return from the Wii version; some are exclusive to this version.
| Image | Wisp | Color Power | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White Wisp | N/A | Replenishes the Boost Gauge, allowing the player to Boost for longer. |
|
Red Wisp | Red Burst | Allows Sonic to hover charge up explosions that destroy his surroundings and boost him upwards. |
|
Yellow Wisp | Yellow Drill | Can be used to navigate underground. |
|
Orange Wisp | Orange Rocket | Blasts Sonic upward. |
|
Cyan Wisp | Cyan Laser | Turns Sonic into a laser that bounces off solid surfaces and crystals. |
|
Violet Wisp | Violet Void | Transforms Sonic into a void that can move in midair and grow in size as it devours objects. |
Controls[]
| Button formation |  Movement
|
|---|---|
|
Walk/Run |
|
Look up |
|
Crouch |
 /
|
Spin Jump |
| +
|
Spin Attack |
| + /
|
Spin Dash |
| / (midair)
|
Jump Dash |
| / near a target (midair)
|
Homing Attack |
| (midair) + /
|
Stomp |
+ 
|
Slide |
| + / while on certain walls
|
Wall Jump |
+ 
|
Boost/Air Boost |
|
Unleash Color Power |
| START | Pause |
Objects[]
Items[]
- Chaos Emerald
- Distraction Item (only appearance)
- Exploding Balloon (only appearance)
- Mine
- Reaper (only appearance)
- Steal Boost (only appearance)
- Steal Wisp (only appearance)
- Goal Ring
- Item Box
- Prison Capsule
- Red Star Ring
- Ring
- Time Bonus
- Wisp Capsule
- Cyan Wisp
- Orange Wisp
- Red Wisp (first appearance)
- Violet Wisp (first appearance)
- Yellow Wisp
- White Wisp
Gimmicks and obstacles[]
Characters[]
Playable characters[]
Non-playable characters[]
- Amy Rose
- Big the Cat
- Blaze the Cat
- Cream the Rabbit
- Cheese
- Cubot
- Dr. Eggman
- E-123 Omega
- Knuckles the Echidna
- Miles "Tails" Prower
- Milk (first appearance)
- Mother Wisp (first appearance)
- Nega-Mother Wisp (first appearance)
- Orbot
- Rouge the Bat
- Shadow the Hedgehog
- Silver the Hedgehog
- Team Chaotix
- Yacker
Enemies[]
Areas[]
Similar to the Wii version, Sonic Colors is divided into seven Areas, all of which can be selected on the World Map. Each Area is divided into two Acts each, with a Boss Act and three extra missions, with the exception of Terminal Velocity, which has only one Act. The Areas are:
- Tropical Resort
- Sweet Mountain
- Starlight Carnival
- Planet Wisp
- Aquarium Park
- Asteroid Coaster
- Terminal Velocity
Special Stages[]
Sonic in a Special Stage.
Unlike the Wii version, Sonic Colors features seven Special Stages in which by completing each, a Chaos Emerald will be received. It is entirely similar to the Special Stages that were used in Sonic Rush, except instead of collecting Rings, Sonic will have to collect Spheres. The player needs to collect the spheres that are the same colors as the top screen displays. The rainbow spheres can be collected at any time and count as two spheres. If they have a number on them, they will count as the number they have. There are also checkered ones, and if the player has collected all of them, a ten sphere bonus will be received. Also, there is a special checkered sphere before the end of each round (there are three rounds, each one requiring a different sphere color), and if the player touches it, many required colorful spheres will roll from one side to the other. But the player has to be careful as touching any balls that are not in the right color of the top screens will shove them out of the course, disabling their collection.
Bosses[]
- Globotron (Tropical Resort)
- Captain Jelly (Sweet Mountain)
- Frigate Orcan (Starlight Carnival)
- Drillinator (Planet Wisp)
- Admiral Jelly (Aquarium Park)
- Frigate Skullian (Asteroid Coaster)
- Nega-Wisp Armor (Terminal Velocity)
- Nega-Mother Wisp (extra boss)
Other modes[]
Quick Select[]
Quick Select is an additional mode where the player has quick access to the Acts they have already cleared. To access to its menu, the player must press 
while at the World Map. At the Quick Select menu, the player can press 
left/right to select the Area and up/down to select the Acts and Missions, which also show the player's statistics. To go back to the World Map, the player can press .
Gallery[]
Gallery is an extra mode in Sonic Colors where the player can watch many extras they have collected throughout the game- To access to it, the player must press whilst at the World Map. It features the following options:
- Events: Plays an event movie. These are unlocked as the player progresses through the game.
- Sound: Plays the game's various music tracks. These are unlocked as the player progresses through the game.
- Illustrations: Allows the player to see many images of the game. These are unlocked as they progress through the game.
Game Land[]
Versus mode[]
In Versus mode, the player competes against an AI or another player to see who can beat the Acts faster. The first player that makes to the goal will be the winner. It features the following options:
- Single-player: The player races against an AI.
- Muti-Card Play: The player plays against a nearby Nintendo DS player who has a Sonic Colors Game Card. it features the following options:
- Host a Game: The player hosts the match. They must wait for other player to join.
- Join a Game: The player joins a match.
- Single-Card Play: The player plays with a nearby Nintendo DS player who does not have a Sonic Colors Game Card.
- Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: The player plays online against other player. It features the following options:
- Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Battle: The player connects online.
- Grand Prix: The player plays against another Nintendo DS player online.
- Friend Match: The player plays against one of their Nintendo DS friends. This option will be disabled if the player does not have any friend in their Friend Roster.
- Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings: The player changes their Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection settings.
- Versus Records: The player views their Win/Loss records.
When the player has selected their opponent, both will select an Act to play. If the choices do not match between both, the game will randomly choose one to play in.
In gameplay, the player will appear on the top screen, while their opponent can be seen at the bottom one. The first player to finish three laps will be the winner. However, if both opponents finish at the same time or the time runs out before either of them get to the goal, it will considered a draw.
Both players have unlimited lives. However, if they die, they will restart at the latest Checkpoint they touched.
Versus mode features Distraction Items, power-up items the player can use to their advantage against their opponent. If the player has one Distraction Item in their possession, it will appear in the top right corner of their opponent's screen. To use a Distraction Item, the player has to press the L button.
After the match, the player will have the following options:
- Retry: Restarts the Act.
- Change Act: Changes an Act to play in.
- Quit: Leave the game. Note that if one player quits, the other one will as well.
Time Attack[]
In Time Attack, the player needs to beat an Act as fast as possible. It features the following modes:
- Time Attack: The player selects an Act and plays it. The player has only one try to get to the goal. Should they fail, they will be given the following options:
- Retry: Restarts the Act.
- Change Act: Changes an Act to play in.
- Quit: Leave the game.
- Time Attack Records: The player can see their best Records from the Acts. To access to it, they have to press
/. If they wish, they can also press START to submit their Record online on the Leaderboard. - Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Ranking: The player can see the best Records from the Acts on the Leaderboard. They can press START to download the Leaderboard Rankings. By pressing left/right, they can switch between TOP3 and ME.
- TOP3: Shows the best Records worldwide on an Act.
- ME: Shows the five closest Records to the player's.
- Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings: The player changes their Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection settings.
Options[]
Options is the settings mode of Sonic Colors. It features the following options:
- Change Player Name: The player changes their in-game name. This name will be used for Versus mode.
- Infinite Boost: The player can toggle the Infinite Boost. It can be unlocked by collecting every Red Star Ring on every act and mission. When Sonic stops boosting, the Boost Gauge will fill up automatically without needing any White Wisps.
- Set Time Limit: The player can toggle the Time Limit option. If it is in ON, the player will lose a try when the time count gets to 9'59"99.
- Delete Data: Deletes the player's data. It features the following options:
- Delete Story Mode Data: Deletes the player's progress in Story Mode.
- Delete All Data: Deletes all of the player's data.
- Quit: Takes the player back to the Options menu.
Cast[]
This is the first handheld game to feature the Studiopolis voice actors, following the departure of the 4Kids voice actors.
Reception[]
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 77.07% |
| Metacritic | 79%[6] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1Up.com | B+[7] |
| Game Informer | 8.5/10[8] |
| GameTrailers | 7.9/10[9] |
| IGN | 8.5/10[10] |
| Nintendo Power | 85%[11] |
| Official Nintendo Magazine | 85%[12] |
| WiiMagazin | 92%[13] |
Like the Wii version, Sonic Colors was praised by both critics and fans alike, with Metacritic giving it a critic rating of 79 out of 100,[6] and GameRankings giving it a rating of of 77.07%.
IGN gave both the Nintendo DS and Wii versions versions a score of 8.5 and an Editor's Choice Award, calling them "the best Sonic game in 18 years" and praising their gameplay, level design and vivid graphics, while criticizing some difficulty spikes later in the game.[10] Nintendo Power gave Sonic Colors a rating of 85%, criticizing its short length.[11] Official Nintendo Magazine gave the game 85%.[12] 1UP gave the game a B+ rank, calling it "the best 3D Sonic in ages."[7] WiiMagazin, a German gaming magazine, gave the game a 92% rating while praising the game by saying that "there is a God, and he's a Sonic-fan".[13] GameTrailers gave the game a rating of 7.9, preferring it over the Wii version.[9] Game Informer gave the DS version a score of 8.5, saying that "Dimps continues its run of entertaining titles with Sonic Colors."[8]
Trivia[]
- This is the first time Sonic can perform a Stomp attack on a handheld console.
- In this game, Cheese is missing their bow-tie.
- This game takes the drowning tune out of the drowning music "I Wanna Breathe" from Sonic Rush.
- Bella Hudson is incorrectly credited as the voice of Blaze, instead of Laura Bailey.
- This version of the game uses the gameplay engine from Sonic Rush, except the trick system is removed, the homing attack is mapped to the jump button and Blaze the Cat is non-playable.
Videos[]
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See also[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Spelled Sonic Colours in British English
References[]
- ↑ 超音速アクションがカラフルに生まれ変わる (Japanese). Sega. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sonic Colors DS. IGN. Retrieved on 5 May 2014.
- ↑ Higham, Rupert (6 October 2010). Interview: Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka. Kikizo Archives. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved on 22 February 2022.
- ↑ Raze, Ashton (18 November 2010). Sonic Colours (DS) review. The Telegraph. Retrieved on 17 January 2025.
- ↑ Sterling, James Stephanie (14 November 2010). Review: Sonic Colors DS. Destructoid. Retrieved on 17 January 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sonic Colors for DS. Metacritic. Retrieved on 8 January 2011.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cocke, Taylor (16 November 2010). Sonic Colors Review for DS. 1UP. Retrieved on 8 January 2011.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Turi, Tim (9 November 2010). Dimps Crafts Another Amazing 2D Sonic Game. Game Informer. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved on 8 January 2011.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sonic Colors Review Pod (DS). GameTrailers (9 November 2010). Retrieved on 8 January 2011.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Gallegos, Anthony (8 November 2010). Sonic Colors DS Review. IGN. Retrieved on 8 January 2011.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Nintendo Power Gives Sonic Colours 9/10.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Oliver, Tristan (28 October 2010). ONM: 86% for Sonic Colors Wii, 85% for DS. TSSZ News. Retrieved on 8 January 2011.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 WiiMagazin gives Sonic Colors 92%. TSSZ News.
External links[]
- Official website (Japanese)
- Official website (English) (archive)
- Sonic Colors at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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