Sonic Dash

Sonic Dash put the speedy hedgehog into the endless runner genre, controlled with a single screen touch – tapping makes him jump, swiping down slides him under obstacles, and side swipes switch him between three lanes of the track. Sonic keeps running on his own, ever faster, and the player only reacts to what's rushing toward them, while the pace and music gradually build up just like in classic Sonic levels, only without an end and without a goal – it's just about how long a stretch of track the player can survive.

The game was developed by studio Hardlight in collaboration with Sega and built as a typical representative of the genre then dominated by titles like Temple Run – the difference comes from the familiar character, iconic sounds from the series, and rings as a collectible currency, thanks to which the game immediately feels like a Sonic title, even though it's a completely different type of gameplay than the classic platformers. Over time, more playable characters from the Sonic universe were added, new environments inspired by various games in the series, and regular themed updates that keep the game alive for years after release.

It's a typical free-to-play title: basic play is free, but the game counts on ads between runs and microtransactions for in-game currency, additional characters, or continuing right after death on the spot. Anyone who doesn't want to be limited by waiting or watching ads will sooner or later run into an offer to pay, which should be taken as a fixed part of the experience, not an unpleasant surprise that comes only after installation.

Why play: Suitable for moments between other activities and for Sonic fans who accept that smooth play without interruption by ads or waiting costs something.