Which Sonic Sprite Is Best?

This is it, a very important debate is now settled. 😌 Jk I just wanted to talk about Sonic sprites for a bit.

Music:
Sonic 3: Angel Island - Prototype Carnival Night - Prototype Super Sonic
Sonic 2 SMS & GG: You Can Do Anything

[LapperDev]

THEY ARE ALL AMAZING THOUGH! I love them all I promise!

What is your favourite?

[JORISGUYXD]

I always saw the mouth pixels on the Sonic 3 Art as a smirky smile.

[GameApologist]

The editing and effects on this is just a feast for the eyes.

[filletofish]

I swear he's getting more shinier for each installment

[dakingofyeet]

I think you made the best design of classic sonic I'm my opinion. It takes the small, chubby look of sonic 1, 2 and mania, the tough stance of sonic 3, and the fluent animation and bright colors of sonic mania. It also gives a hint of ova/cd cutscene sonic as well.

[DreamcastGenesai]

Honestly, I always liked the S3 sprite, I feel it gave just a tad more personality and seemed more animated. But that's just me

[futabamajima]

I personally think Sonic 3's my favorite. It feels more animated, while the original design kind of feels flat and stiff in comparison. I'm not trying to offend anyone here btw, just stating my opinion

[SouthernSteamPlayz]

Sonic 3 design is my favorite tbh it's up there with Sonic Mania sprite and Sonic 2 sprite but Sonic 3 just looks like what started the Modern Sonic look.

[KalokesMysteries]

I like the mood change they have Sonic from S1 to S3. In the first two games, how sprites portrayed him as being focused and determined, while being impatient in a sort of "yo, get going, we have to save the world!" way.
In Sonic 3, he looks a lot more laid back and confident. He's cocky to a fault with that grin in his standing and running sprites, as if to say, "I've done this twice before... Let's do it again!"

[jdub]

When it comes to official Sonic sprites, Sonic 3 is my favorite, as it is the one I feel captures the personality of Sonic from the sprite design alone.
However, Mania is super close due to the smooth animation

[smugshrug]

how could you leave out the OBJECTIVELY best Sonic sprite ever, the "Sonic in a mine cart" sprite from Sonic The Hedgehog for Game Gear?

[viperneongaming]

I always liked the S3 version. I like to think that song aged along with the time span of the releases.

[CatWachristmashat]

3:00 his legs are only 1 pixel thick, his legs will break from the weight of his own body ;-;

[legendarysonic]

The fan made sonic sprite looks amazing

[NotTerravin]

I'll be holding you to that 4 hour Knuckles comparison video, I expect great things.

[SPEEPSHighway]

The lowest spine on the head of the 1/2 sprites attaching to his neck is correct for how Sonic was designed at the time in Japan, it wasn't fully changed to attach to his head until after 2's release.

My main problem with 2's sonic is all of his new sprites created for that game have the american mohawk. It's easily visible when he runs on a strip but you can see it in every sprite - even the walking ones when comparing how the back of his head is animated between 1 and 2. These are mixed with reused 1 sprites (Such as pushing) that leave the design inconsistent depending on the animation.

3's have issues of their own but you can read about that on the Sonic 3 Unlocked blog.

[MegoZ_]

What are you talking about!? Of course the best 2D Sonic design is Sonic the Hedgehog 4 and Bubsy

[slaphappy]

Im always happy to be reminded about this project. Lovely stuff, man, can barely wait to get my hands on it

[nfesxvw]

I like the sonic 1 sprite the most because it’s type of blue is the one that looks more natural.

[Karanthaneos]

I think I'm more used to Sonic 3&K sprite, because of how absolutely solid the game is and how everything around it is so amazing. I guess that's why I love S3&K's sprite, because of what it represents and the game it comes from (Which is pretty much my favourite ever). Now from a purely design standpoint I understand your points, which I guess are things that you notice how deformed it is when split from the rest of the elements of the game, but when paired with everything else those are some things that you don't really notice. Also never been able to seen the mouth as a frown, but as a smirky smile. I guess we all been brainwashed by the european-american always smiling Sonic.
And yeah, of course, Mania is amazing but it's a bit unfair because of much more resources the dev had compared to the Genesis era. Still, can't say no to the S3&K, and will always love it for what it is