For more on Sonic Generations, check out our full Sonic Generations review. Or, for more of the best Xbox 360 games for a 10 year old, why not try our Family Game Finder
Marking the blue hedgehog's 20th Anniversary, Sonic Generations takes you through nine previous levels from Sonic games that have been reinvented for his big anniversary. From Sonic the Hedgehog in 1992, through to Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast, and the Wii's Sonic Colours, plenty of Sonic games get a look in here, all remade with dazzling graphics.
Each level is playable in two variations - as 2D Sonic, things take a steadier pace, and require slightly more thinking, as you dodge expanding pillars, spring up onto platforms, and spin around loops. Meanwhile, modern Sonic's stages are traditional 3D platforming fare, like Sonic Colours before it, which see you dashing to the end of the level in the quickest time possible.
If your child's played any of the recent Sonic games - Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colours, or Sonic and the Black Knight on the Wii, or if they've dabbled in any of the originals (Sonic the Hedgehog 1 2 and 3), which are available on the download store of the various formats, they'll likely get a kick out of Generations and its refreshing take on the Sonic games of old. If they can cope with Colours, they'll likely be able to hold their own here - although it is worth remembering that the game contains several awkward glitches in some of the stages that may be frustrating to younger players. At one point while we were playing it, the game refused to let us move forwards (even though we had to move forwards to complete the level) and so forced us to our doom. Younger children especially may get frustrated and give up on this, whilst older children will likely be more understanding.
In terms of difficulty, Sonic Generations is similarly a bit all over the place. Whilst the 2D levels are fairly straightforward, the 3D levels, with their reliance on speed, and lightning fast reactions, raise the entry bar. With some levels seemingly requiring you to read the developer's minds, and jump at exactly the right time, in exactly the right place, while moving at exactly the right speed if you want to successfully complete the jump, which may either confuse, or frustrate younger players.
As a platforming game starring the loveable Sonic, there's nothing for parents to be concerned about here - no bad language, no gore, and no violence. As Sonic, you'll curl up into a ball and bounce into enemies, but the enemies you face are mostly robotic, and so either explode, or simply disappear.
Sadly, Sonic Generations is an entirely single player experience, with no multiplayer mode whatsoever. That said, if you do have a child who's on the borderline of being able to cope with this, the chances are you may well find yourself being called on for some of the trickier stages and boss fights - so get your Sonic skills ready!
Age Ratings
Format Reviewed: Xbox 360
