Run in style with Sonic and the gang
Sonic Dash – Endless Running is SEGA’s free behind-the-back endless running game featuring not only the titular blue hedgehog but also other characters in the beloved franchise, including Cream, Rouge, and many more. Its mechanics bear similarities with popular endless runners, such as Temple Run and Subway Surfers.
As Sonic sprints forward, the player swipes the screen to move or jump over obstacles while collecting rings and power-ups along the way, with the goal of getting the highest possible score in a single run. Combined with its leaderboard system, Sonic Dash – Endless Running makes for a fun competitive game.
Epic boss encounters
As with the above-mentioned endless runner titles, Sonic Dash’s controls are based on touch gestures—swipe left or right to move Sonic in either direction, up to jump, and down to roll. By rolling, you can go under obstacles and even eliminate baddies, like crabs, on the track. While the touch controls are responsive, you won’t find tilt-based controls in this game.
Collecting gold rings—which is one of the game’s currencies—will fill up the “Dash Meter,” which in turn, will let you activate Dash—a power-up that allows Sonic to run faster, crushing numerous enemies and obstacles in his wake. There are other power-ups, too, including magnets and shields. If Sonic reaches the end of a track, he will be suspended in mid-air and arrow prompts will appear on the screen.
Swiping in the appropriate direction will make Sonic do all sorts of aerial poses before landing on the other side of the track. Think of this segment as a breather from all the running. The boss fights are a nice addition, too. Featuring Dr. Eggman and other notable antagonists, these bosses test your ability to avoid the obstacles they put on the ground as well as time Sonic’s mid-air attacks.
Play as different characters
Sonic’s Store includes not only limited-time offers and virtual currencies, but also unlockable characters. Metal Sonic, Popstar Amy, Sir Lancelot, and other premium characters are obtainable by spending real money. Blaze, Cream, Rouge, and Silver—on the other hand—require red star rings, a virtual currency. You can earn red star rings by playing advertised apps, buying them from the store, and many more.
A successor to Sonic Dash
The second season of Sonic Prime has been released along with Netflix’s Sonic Prime Dash, a new game that shares similar mechanics with Sonic Dash. Launched on July 13, 2023, this new iteration includes Sonic Prime-inspired skins and requires players to have a Netflix subscription. Thankfully, it is free to download and promises an ad- and microtransaction-free experience.
A delight for fans of the franchise
Overall, Sonic Dash – Endless Running is a treat for fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Though it’s akin to other endless running titles, it still tries to stand out from the crowd. For instance, the boss fights—which feature the franchise’s antagonists—add to the game’s fun and thrill factor, ensuring less monotonous runs. Though it doesn’t support tilt-based controls, the game makes up for its responsive touch gestures.