History YMMV / SonicGenerations

* VindicatedByHistory: Classic Sonic's half of the game, on release, was overshadowed by the Modern gameplay, with people more excited by Classic's inclusion than his actual gameplay, especially considering ''Sonic 4'', a sequel to the Classic games didn't have Sonic's Classic design in it. A couple of years later, when ''Mania'' and ''Forces'' were released, a chunk of the fandom started bashing ''Generations'' for Classic Sonic not being exactly like the Classic games (both in his design and gameplay), as well as being the game that started the nostalgia pandering in the first place, seeing ''Generations'' Classic gameplay as only slightly better than ''Forces'' Classic gameplay, if not just as bad. However, after that wave of hate died down, fans had started to realize how much effort was put into Classic Sonic's stages in ''Generations'', with all the cool camera trickery, the 2.5D elements, the composed music and the detailed graphics making it feel like a next-gen Classic Sonic game. Even his physics weren't seen as all that bad, unlike ''Sonic 4'' and ''Forces'', with many feeling the overpowered Spin Dash was satisfying to pull off. All in all, the fandom now sees the Classic Sonic half as a underrated and worthy tribute to that era of games, that evolves the forumla for the modern era; as well as what ''Forces'' could've been if it hadn't been so lazy with its Classic stages.

* AccidentalInnuendo: Be sure to include "generations" when searching for anything related to ''Sonic X Shadow Generations'', otherwise you're going to be seeing a lot of Sonic x Shadow shipping art at best and outright smut at worst.

* AccidentalInnuendo: Be sure to include "generations" when searching for anything related to ''Sonic X Shadow Generations''.

* AccidentalInnuendo Be sure to add "generations" when searching for anything related to ''Sonic X Shadow Generations''.

*** Notably, for ''Sonic X Shadow Generations'', the Biolizard returns... '''''as''''' one of Shadow's opponents, with a clearly vastly improved battle.

** Before and after the reveal of "Sonic X Shadow Generations'', some fans opted to use the title "Sonadow Generations," based on the fandom's PortmanteauCoupleName that shipped both characters, due to the usage of "Sonic x Shadow" in the remaster's title.

** When rumors of a remaster titled "Sonic x Shadow Generations'' began circulating online in January 2024, some fans opted to use the title "Sonadow Generations," based on the fandom's PortmanteauCoupleName that shipped both characters, due to the usage of "Sonic x Shadow."

* WinBackTheCrowd: A rare case of the turnaround in opinion being incredibly rapid. When rumblings of a ''Generations'' remaster first began a few days before the formal reveal of ''Sonic x Shadow Generations'', the response was one of relative disinterest for many reasons. Many took the position that a remaster was wholly unnecessary, especially given the performance on both PC and the Xbox Series consoles, and that most other games in the series would've been far more deserving of being revisited. Others expressed concern that, as with ''Sonic Origins'', the original ''Generations'' would be delisted from storefronts, cutting off the game's modding communities in the process. And, of course, considering the relatively uneven track record of ''Sonic'' series remasters to begin with, with the most recent, ''VideoGame/SonicColorsUltimate'' being regarded as a mixed bag at best, people were not keen on the idea of seeing a relatively uncontentious and well-liked entry in the series getting tarnished in some way. While a few were intrigued by the prospects of new content centered around Shadow the Hedgehog, most were unenthusiastic. And then the trailer dropped, not only showing footage of ''Generations'' that looked nicely refined, but also that of a brand-new campaign centered around Shadow, in a setup not entirely dissimilar to that of ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' and ''VideoGame/BowsersFury''. Not only were fans dazzled by seeing the ARK Space Colony, Black Doom (as Doom's Eye), and the Biolizard brought back, but it was immediately clear Shadow has a more unique moveset again, and the overall production values were strikingly high. The reception was glowing, with many immediately shifting their tunes to being, at the very least, cautiously optimistic.

** While the era spanning from ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' to ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'' is officially dubbed the Dreamcast Era by Sega, many fans generally tend to dub the era as the ''Adventure'' Era instead due to the era spanning beyond the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast and many of the games released in that era sharing a ton of elements and ideas with the ''Adventure'' games. It has also been humorously nicknamed the "[[WebVideo/SomeCallMeJohnny Green Eyes Era]]" by some.
** The era that covers the 16-bit games is officially known as the “Classic Era”, but some fans like to call it the “Genesis Era” for two reasons. One, it refers to the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, and two is that the word “Genesis” can be used to describe the beginning of something. In this case, the genesis of the series.

** After the level list was leaked, some fans were disappointed by the lack of variety between them. At least, until it was shown that some levels were [[DivergentCharacterEvolution radically different from the originals.]] Takashi Iizuka saying that the 3DS version will ignore levels from the UsefulNotes/GameGear spin-offs didn't help much either.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Was the [[EldritchAbomination Time Eater]] [[spoiler:evil from the very start, or did it never mean to do anything wrong until it was roboticized by Eggman]]?

* AssPull: Classic Tails randomly shows up out of nowhere without any explanation after you finish the battle with the Death Egg Robot ([=PS360=]/Windows) or Big Arm ([=3DS=]). WordOfGod is that they tried to make another cutscene earlier on to give him a proper introduction, but ran out of time.

* HarsherInHindsight: At one point, when Modern Sonic leaves to his original timeline, he tells Classic Sonic "Enjoy your future, it's going to be great!" Considering the franchise has gone under a perceived AudienceAlienatingEra since the game's release, it's safe to say his future hasn't exactly been great.
* HeartwarmingInHindsight: The last line of the game, with Modern Sonic saying to Classic Sonic "Hey Sonic! Enjoy your future, it's going to be great!" was met with ''immediate'' derision amongst the fandom, both due to some of the rougher moments the Hedgehog himself faced throughout the franchise and the [[BrokenBase intensely-debated]] [[AudienceAlienatingEra quality]] with almost every game getting savaged by critics and at best very mixed reviews by fans. Then SEGA made the decision to split the "Classic" and "Modern" continuities from each other, making Classic Sonic not Modern Sonic's past self, but an alternate universal version. And the first major game for Classic Sonic after ''Generations'' (not counting ''VideoGame/SonicRunners'')? ''VideoGame/SonicMania'', which received high praise from both fans and critics alike. Suddenly, "Modern" Sonic's words to his "Classic" self [[MetaphoricallyTrue take on a whole new meaning.]]

** ''Sonic Generations'' introduces an EldritchAbomination that destroys time? ''Comicbook/SonicTheComic'' did it first--the Time Waster was an EnergyBeing that could delete entire years from history by consuming the spirit corresponding to that year.

* OlderThanTheyThink: Perfect Chaos' design in this game was actually how he was supposed to look in the first Adventure game. Technical limitations of the Dreamcast got in the way of that, and his design was scaled back considerable from the concept art for that game.

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Silver the Hedgehog went from one of the cheapest and most aggravating boss fights in the series back in his debut, to this game, where he gets a very enjoyable rival boss fight with a considerable amount of awesome. Basically, what [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 Sonic '06]] did for Shadow, ''Sonic Generations'' did for Silver.

* SoOkayItsAverage: The 3DS version gets this reaction from most. The game is derided for its even greater lack of content (even compared to the console version which already gets criticized for being short on content) as well as a wasted opportunity with not representing the handheld games save [[VideoGame/SonicRush one]]. However, the game is still considered to be perfectly enjoyable with good level design (when not recycled from the originals), with a few even considering the 3DS version to be an underrated gem with a few advantages over its console/PC cousin, most notably the FinalBoss.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: In a day and age when the fanbase can often be seen complaining about later ''Sonic'' games [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks reusing Classic Sonic and older stages over focusing on new content]], it is easy to forget that ''Generations'' doing the same was considered special and a ''celebration'' of Sonic's history rather than using it as a crutch, as the game having a post-''Adventure'' Classic Sonic appearance and focus on remixed levels was a first for the series.

** The era that covers the 16-bit era is officially known as the “Classic Era”, but some fans like to call it the “Genesis Era” for two reasons. One, it refers to the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, and two is that the word “Genesis” can be used to describe the beginning of something. In this case, the genesis of the series.

* ItsEasySoItSucks:

* SoOkayItsAverage: The 3DS version gets this reaction from most. The game is derided for its even greater lack of content (even compared to the console version which already gets criticized for being short on content) as well as a wasted opportunity with not representing the handheld games save [[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries one]]. However, the game is still considered to be perfectly enjoyable with good level design (when not recycled from the originals), with a few even considering the 3DS version to be an underrated gem with a few advantages over its console/PC cousin, most notably the FinalBoss.

** Many fans were expecting the 3DS version of the game to celebrate the lesser-but-still-fun handheld platformers in the franchise, as the 3DS is a handheld itself. However (probably because Dimps is no longer allowed to make their own games anymore), it turned out that it would just use different levels from the games the "main" version already represented, only representing [[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries one handheld game]] out of many.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Was [[EldritchAbomination Time Eater]] [[spoiler:evil from the very start, or did it never mean to do anything wrong until it was roboticized by Eggman?]]

** The entire cast during the final battle in the console version. Not only is the Time Eater also a GoddamnedBoss, but the ''one'' hint you really need, namely "aim at the core and boost", gets drowned out by a dozen repetitions of "that looks like a homing shot". Equally useless is the final instruction, which tells the player to ''press'' two buttons at the same time to combine the two Sonics' power. You are actually supposed to ''keep holding'' them until the cutscene ends in order for it to work.
* AssPull: Classic Tails randomly shows up out of nowhere without any explanation after you finish the battle after Death Egg Robot/Big Arm. WordOfGod is that they tried to make another cutscene earlier on to give him a proper introduction, but ran out of time.
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[AwesomeMusic/SonicTheHedgehog Naturally]].

** In the Console version, Shadow for being filled with fanservice to ''Sonic Adventure 2'' fans, Silver for being genuinely enjoyable to fight despite his infamously bad boss level in ''Sonic 06'', and Perfect Chaos because it shows Sonic's growth by having you take him on without the assistance of the Chaos Emeralds.
** The 3DS' Egg Emperor is considered an improvement over its original boss fight, due to having a fair attack pattern and lacking the massive health bar it had in ''Sonic Heroes''. The Time Eater, unlike its Console counterpart, has also received praise, due to its varied attacks, good use of both Classic and Modern Sonic, and the absence of the secondary characters' commentary.

** The Biolizard boss battle in the 3DS version. On the one hand, it's probably the most climactic fight in the Adventure era other than Perfect Chaos (which was already taken by the Console version), and the circular arena it's fought on matches the design of boss battles from previous portable Sonic games. On the other hand, the Biolizard was really ''Shadow''[='=]s nemesis in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', making this encounter with Sonic seem forced at best. Also, the battle has been heavily watered down from the original version, as a result of it being demoted to only the second boss in this game.

** While the Console version treats ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' as a Dreamcast Era game (for the sake of having each era have an even number of levels, and Heroes being part of the same console generation as Adventures 1 and 2), the 3DS has it be a part of the Modern Era. The main point of contention is the Egg Emperor being the third boss in the 3DS version. Some find it a perfectly fine battle by itself, while others wish it had been replaced by a boss from a handheld title or from a more recent game, such as the Egg Wyvern.

** The last part of the game has levels that take a huge spike in difficulty, and both Classic and Modern Sonic have to drag themselves through really [[MarathonLevel long levels at the end.]]
** Whereas most levels are actually expanded upon, making them more grand and interesting, it can be said that Planet Wisp (the last proper level before the final boss) suffers from the opposite. Where in ''VideoGame/SonicColors'', most stages had two to three different Wisp powers on average, each stage (Classic or Modern) only uses a single Wisp power-up. If that's not bad enough, the levels are also some of the [[MarathonLevel longest in the game]], making sure to overuse the gimmick Wisp power well before you reach the end.

** [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics Comic Book Writer]] Ian Flynn [[http://www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=310881&sid=81c452737bcb2fd7acd4e7b56badd48b#p308664 believes]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150721165838/http://www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=310881&#p308664 that]] Creator/{{Sega}} intended to imply that the [[EldritchAbomination Time Eater]] was leftover matter of [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgeHog2006 Mephiles]]. As such, he stated that the Time Eater is an alternate state of Mephiles that "slipped through a crack in time". This could explain their purple aura and similar ability to [[TimeTravel travel through time]]. However, this has yet to be confirmed in-universe or by any material produced by Sega.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: Listed on the [[FranchiseOriginalSin/SonicTheHedgehog franchise page]].

** Classic Sonic's Spin Dash is ridiculously overpowered in the Console version, covering a huge distance, giving a massive boost of speed, and obliterating almost every enemy in his path. Also, unlike Modern Sonic's Boost, there is no gauge to limit its usage. Careful usage of the Spin Dash makes beating the classic stages in seconds a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F4gp5fCkac breeze]].

** The Time Eater in the Console version. Awkward controls, lack of clarity on what exactly to do, a cluttered screen, the standard ring-draining mechanic as the rest of the series, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Sonic's friends never shutting up]].

** After being beaten once again, [[ItMakesSenseInContext Eggman asks himself if he ever beats Sonic, to which he replies with a defeated "no"]]. [[LittleDidIKnow Little did he know]] [[VideoGame/SonicForces he was only two games away from achieving world conquest]].

** After being beaten once again, [[ItMakesSenseInContext Eggman asks himself if he ever beats Sonic, to which he replies with a defeated "no"]]. Little did he know [[VideoGame/SonicForces he was only two games away from achieving world conquest]].

* VindicatedByHistory: Classic Sonic's half of the game, on release, was overshadowed by the Modern gameplay, with people more excited by Classic's inclusion than his actual gameplay, especially considering ''Sonic 4'', a sequel to the Classic games didn't have Sonic's Classic design in it. A couple of years later, when ''Mania'' and ''Forces'' were released, a chunk of the fandom started bashing ''Generations'' for Classic Sonic not being exactly like the Classic games (both in his design and gameplay), as well as being the game that started the nostalgia pandering in the first place, seeing ''Generations'' Classic gameplay as only slightly better than ''Forces''s Classic gameplay, if not just as bad. However, after that wave of hate settled down, fans had started to realize how much effort was put into Classic Sonic's stages in ''Generations'', with all the cool camera trickery, the 2.5D elements, the composed music and the detailed graphics making it feel like a next-gen Classic Sonic game. Even his physics weren't seen as all that bad, unlike ''Sonic 4'' and ''Forces'', with many feeling the overpowered Spin Dash was satisfying to pull off. All in all, the fandom now sees the Classic Sonic half as a underrated and worthy tribute to that era of games, that evolves the forumla for the modern era; as well as what ''Forces'' could've been if it hadn't been so lazy with its Classic stages.

* VindicatedByHistory: Classic Sonic's half of the game, on release, was overshadowed by the Modern gameplay, with people more excited by Classic's inclusion than his actual gameplay, especially considering ''Sonic 4'', a sequel to the Classic games didn't have Sonic's Classic design in it. A couple of years later, when ''Mania'' and ''Forces'' were released, a chunk of the fandom started bashing ''Generations'' for Classic Sonic not being exactly like the Classic games (both in his design and gameplay), as well as being the game that started the nostalgia pandering in the first place, seeing ''Generation'''s Classic gameplay as only slightly better than ''Forces'''s Classic gameplay, if not just as bad. However, after that wave of hate settled down, fans had started to realize how much effort was put into Classic Sonic's stages in ''Generations'', with all the cool camera trickery, the 2.5D elements, the composed music and the detailed graphics making it feel like a next-gen Classic Sonic game. Even his physics weren't seen as all that bad, unlike ''Sonic 4'' and ''Forces'', with many feeling the overpowered Spin Dash was satisfying to pull off. All in all, the fandom now sees the Classic Sonic half as a underrated and worthy tribute to that era of games, that evolves the forumla for the modern era; as well as what ''Forces'' could've been if it hadn't been so lazy with its Classic stages.