Nintendo Switch 2 Critic Reviews

Sonic Frontiers - Definitive Edition contains a stellar core game that performs exceptionally well on Switch 2 and, hey, that's pretty cool.

If you don't have Sonic Frontiers already on the Switch, this is the version you definitely want to get. Considering it's been four years since the game came out, though, there's a high chance you have it already and don't want to pay full price for only a slightly prettier, glitchier game. There's a small market for this game, but if that happens to be you, you'll at least enjoy what it offers all the same.

Though it is still the best way to experience this open-world adventure of Sonic, it is still an underwhelming port of a mediocre game.

Sonic Frontiers is an ambitious game with a lot of rough edges, but it’s one that I enjoy. Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition offers a graphical boost over the original Nintendo Switch version and includes much of the DLC from the get-go, and in that sense, it’s at least an improvement. Still, neither of its two graphical modes really get the job done as well as you might like. Either way, you’re making some kind of heavy compromise that affects the gameplay. Considering the lack of affordable upgrade options here, it’s really hard to recommend this to anyone but new buyers who are locked into the Switch 2 ecosystem.

Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition offers the same fun open-world story that you all know, though it still has too many empty spaces and lacks variety in activities. Furthermore, the game's performance isn't quite where it should be, especially when you consider how well Sonic x Shadow Generations runs on Switch 2. I appreciate the birthday celebrations, though.

Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition fails to live up to its title, offering an experience that does very little to improve upon the original Switch version. It retains many of the issues that this release had an opportunity to leave behind. While the gameplay can still be enjoyable, this edition is difficult to recommend, especially if you have the option to experience Sonic's adventure on another platform.

In its current state, Sonic Frontiers - Definitive Edition is not definitive in any way. It doesn't deliver the best portable version or the best way to play Sonic Frontiers on TV. It is a big upgrade over the Switch 1 version, but the lack of an upgrade path for existing owners means it is even harder to recommend for its target audience. This is only really worth getting on a discount if you only play on Switch 2 and have never experienced Sonic Frontiers before. If you have access to other platforms, it is hard to recommend this without major caveats.

So what are you getting with Sonic Frontiers - Definitive Edition? Considering all of the 'new' content is free for all players anyway, better performance and slightly improved visuals are your lot. This could have — no, should have — been a free upgrade, or at the most a reasonably priced upgrade. That Sega is asking for full price is a joke.

As both an upgrade to the problematic Switch version and a celebratory re-release for Sonic’s 35th anniversary, Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition is thoroughly disappointing. Although the game underneath is far from exceptional, its unsatisfying visuals - unaided by the new improvements - ruin the potential it actually has, making for a release that leaves a lasting bitter aftertaste.

There is absolutely no reason to pick up the Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition. It costs too much, the technical issues are too vast, and the gameplay is borderline exhausting. I wanted to be able to give the original game another chance and declare, once and for all, it was a gem of a release that got unfairly panned by critics and fans alike. Instead, I found myself with one of the worst ports I’ve ever played. I’ve been deeply interested to see where the Sonic franchise goes next, but if Frontiers: Definitive Edition is any indication, maybe the series can use a break.