Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 49
  2. Negative: 1 out of 49
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  1. Play Magazine
    100
    Sonic Heroes will fill you with a sense of pure fun seldom seen in the annals of modern game design. [Jan 2004, p.50]
  2. Sonic may never topple Mario from the throne of excellent adventure games, but this latest attempt goes a long way to prove that there’s plenty of room for two fantastic gaming franchises at the top.
  3. I absolutely love the music in this game.
  4. Combining the classic play mechanics that made the classic series so addictive and a new set of team-based skills, this is probably the most in-depth Sonic title yet.
  5. 85
    While the game suffers from some rather terrible camera problems and the adventure itself isn’t overly interesting from a storyline sense, the gameplay and action is fast, furious and fun.
  6. Nintendo Power
    84
    As a loyal devotee of the series, I couldn't be more excited about Sonic Heroes's focus on high-speed action. I loved the "Sonic Adventure" games, but this is Sega's hedgehog at his finest. [Mar 2004, p.117]
  7. If it weren't for the sense of redundancy that comes from the too-large environments (and from playing through many of them multiple times as the different teams), this title would have been just about perfect. In the end, Sonic Heroes certainly isn't perfect. However, it's a great step in the right direction.
  8. Weekly Famitsu
    80
    8 / 8 / 8 / 8 - 32 gold [Vol 786]
  9. 80
    Still not perfect, but it's fun and there are moments in the game -- admittedly more short-lived than I'd have liked -- where the action, speed and sheer intensity approach a state nothing short of mesmerizing.
  10. Even though Sonic Heroes has its shortcomings; it is really fun to play. At times this game offers the classic Sonic feeling as you zip through some of these levels as fast as a speeding bullet.
  11. Although the character switching adds gameplay possibilities to Sonic Heroes, most of them are negated by the too-obvious clues.
  12. The new team system hastens gameplay a little more than past installments and offers a blend of elements from action to platform at the press of a button.
  13. The first game in almost a decade that feels like a return to the series' roots in any fashion.
  14. You have to have some motivation to get you through the sticky patches (a love of Sonic, or the fact that you're being paid to play it, etc), but the high points are just the platforming tonic you need if your holiday on Isle Delfino is just a fading memory.
  15. 80
    The only things that make Sonic Heroes separate from other games are its really bad voice acting, camera issues, multiplayer frame rates and the amount of time it takes to complete the single-player mode.
  16. The first game in quite some time that captures the feeling the old Sonic games gave you. It’s very fast and has pretty big levels with multiple routes through them.
  17. 80
    A creative stab at reclaiming the essence of hog; if it only had a little more faith in its own clever idea, it probably would have broken the sound barrier.
  18. In all, this is a step in the right direction for Sonic, but one that ultimately fails to thrill. [Jan 2004, p.137]
  19. If you tried hard enough, you could probably finish the game in about 7 or 8 hours. Not a terrible time, for a platformer. But, if you're spending the whole $50 for the retail price, it might just not be enough to warrant the price.
  20. If you have other gamer friends that love Sonic, you'll play these games quite a bit, especially Race mode. Non Sonic fans, though, will fail to see the novelty.
  21. Though it still exhibits many of the camera and control issues that vexed Sonic's previous forays into 3D, it's truer to its 2D roots than any other 3D Sonic game before it.
  22. 75
    I was happy to find that the game is well-balanced, requiring even use of all three abilities, and multiple pathways can be accessed by exploring areas with different team leaders. [*See GameSpy for their new 5-star conversion scale]
  23. With varying challenges, an ongoing storyline with a few twists, and the classic Sonic feel, Sonic Heroes will appeal the most to long-time fans of the series.
  24. The Gamecube version is the most stable and playable.
  25. The game is nothing if not dynamic and is worthy of any gamer, provided they have good hand-eye coordination. You’ll die a lot, but in a way that’s just like being a kid again.

Awards & Rankings

44
4
#4 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2004
2
#2 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2004
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 295 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 22 out of 295
  1. Aug 25, 2013
    10
    This is one of the first games I ever played. Even though there are flaws, my nostalgia is to strong to hate it. The game is looks amazing.This is one of the first games I ever played. Even though there are flaws, my nostalgia is to strong to hate it. The game is looks amazing. the voice acting is meh. Fantastic gameplay. Full Review »
  2. Jul 7, 2018
    1
    Why SEGA?Why? SADX and SA2 had one of the best level design in the series, and what did you to Heroes ?The level design is crap and its justWhy SEGA?Why? SADX and SA2 had one of the best level design in the series, and what did you to Heroes ?The level design is crap and its just Generations without Boost. Why do we have Team Dark and Chaotix.Why didnt Shadow can be dead? He is comepletely unuseful in the games since SA2 Full Review »
  3. Jul 3, 2016
    10
    This game never makes me mad at all. Probably cause I'm good at the game. Well anyways, the game's controls feel good and fresh and theThis game never makes me mad at all. Probably cause I'm good at the game. Well anyways, the game's controls feel good and fresh and the graphics look smooth and amazing. The story is cliche but it's alright. Gameplay is awesome and there is a lot of variety. I do recommend this game. One of the best gamecube and sega's best game of the blue blur. Full Review »