This is Sonic’s attempt at Mario Party. It has some neat ideas of its own, but the execution is not so good.

Instead of rolling a dice, you choose a card from your deck to move around. In multiplier, these are displayed on the Dreamcast memory card’s screen (if not everyone has one, then they’re shown on screen and you can shuffle them around after your turn). If you don’t have a card you want to use, you can pick a random card from an opponent and hope for the best.

After you pick your card, you then choose which way around the board you want to go, heading for the stone to collect. An action will then happen based on the tile you land one. This will mainly be gain or lose coins, but there are also ones that trigger mini events, minigames or battles – including the tiles to earn a precioustone. The battles work by the enemy showing a card and you picking a higher one. There will then be a roulette and you have to stop it on a number matching or higher than the enemy to win the prize.

The levels are a bit of a mess, though, with annoying layouts and paths that get blocked. There are also some tiles that only certain characters can get past. Sonic has none of these and instead gets double movement when playing the same number two turns in a row – which I found to get in the way more often than being useful.

Sonic Shuffle has a storyline that is not only way to complicated to explain why everyone is playing a board game (a villain has taken over the dream world and put the goddess to sleep, shattering the stones that were protecting dreams), yet it fails to explain why Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy are all competing against each other. In the story mode, if you don’t come in first place, you have to do the stage again – and this is with the full amount of stones which can take 3-4 hours to complete.

On top of this, the AI cheats at the game and will almost always win. They have the ability to pick the card they want from any player. With this and the length of time to try a stage, I instead tested the levels out in Verses instead.

With four players, Sonic Shuffle can be a really fun game with some really nice ideas that make it more than just a bad Mario Party clone, but the moment an AI is introduced, it ruins the fun.

this game is for people who couldn't wait a month to get mario party 3

to call this a "Mario Party rip-off" would be disingenuous - this was made BY hudson soft, the developers of the golden era mario party games. i guess after the masterpiece that was mario party 2 their next step was to take sonic out back and stab him in the legs so he's still functioning, but he's gonna have a few hiccups here and there that add up to him being just an unfavorable experience all around.

seriously though, it's sad. this game had potential. it just gets absolutely butchered by its flaws. flaws such as:

- the ai cheats VERY BLATANTLY
- 70% of the minigames are incomprehensible (what is even happening with the number tower one?)
- the boards after the first 3 are pretty lame
- you're punished for trying to strategize. if you're the farthest away from the precioustone when someone obtains one, you lose half of your rings. if you think you're even being the slightest bit clever you will be locked up in the eggman basement for it.
- you can't get rings for the sonic bank from versus mode. why? WHY? you could get coins for the bank from the multiplayer mode in MARIO PARTY 1 which released 2 YEARS before this. this is such a major turn off i cannot believe it made it into the final game. combined with the fact you can't have a board strategy besides "take the fastest path to the precious stone and hope you get bonus items", it turns unlocking secrets into a more of a chore than a passive experience. locking such a huge amount of essential content to the SINGLE PLAYER MODE in a MULTIPLAYER GAME is a baffling decision.

i want to end this on a positive note, though. this game is still definitely worth checking out for what it is. it's actually pretty fun when you're playing with 4 people (just make sure they're willing to learn the game). i'll admit i'm a sucker for console specific gimmicks and the VMU being used to hide your cards from other players is pretty genius (no seriously make sure you're using the vmu gimmick or you're going to hate the game). if you're going to play this with friends, don't go through the trouble of unlocking everything yourself. just download a 100% save file. this game is so close to greatness, it's just bogged down by a bunch of minor things that could easily be fixed. give me sonic shuffle 2 NOW sega

Dreams don't betray us.
When we lose ourselves...
that's when we lose our dreams.

- knuckles

Sonic Shuffle, a delightful and often overlooked addition to the party game genre, brings a refreshing spin to the table with its engaging minigames and charismatic Sonic-themed charm. While undoubtedly inspired by the Mario Party formula, Sonic Shuffle manages to carve out its own identity and leaves a lasting impression on those willing to give it a chance.

The minigames within Sonic Shuffle are undeniably the stars of the show. From heart-pounding challenges like the trampoline escapade with Dr. Eggman's laser antics, to rhythm-infused moments reminiscent of Sonic's adventures, the diversity and creativity of these challenges truly shine. One standout favorite involves bouncing on a trampoline while dodging Eggman's laser onslaught, simultaneously keeping an eye on a chess game unfolding on a second screen – a surreal yet oddly captivating combination. The fusion of dexterity, strategic chess moves, and rhythm synchronization may seem bewildering at first, but once embraced, it adds a layer of engaging complexity that sets Sonic Shuffle apart.

The quirky rule where the winner of a minigame corresponds to the day of the week played, and the ingenious tiebreaker mechanism based on dental records (or vowel count!) infuses the game with an unpredictable and often hilarious competitive edge. These unique mechanics, while occasionally eyebrow-raising, undeniably add an eccentric charm that's hard to find elsewhere.

Nobuaki Kanazawa, the mastermind behind Sonic Shuffle, deserves recognition for crafting a distinctive and engaging experience. The minigames, combined with the unexpected chess integration and rhythm challenges, are nothing short of a stroke of genius, offering players an exciting and unforgettable gameplay tapestry.

However, Sonic Shuffle does have its quirks. The complexity of some minigames and rule intricacies might deter casual players, making it more appealing to those who enjoy diving deep into a game's mechanics. Additionally, the amalgamation of elements might feel overwhelming at times, especially during your initial playthrough.

In conclusion, Sonic Shuffle may not have received the spotlight it deserves, but it's an undeniable masterpiece in its own right. With its captivating minigames, quirky rule mechanics, and a fusion of gameplay elements that might seem odd at first but ultimately work together harmoniously, Sonic Shuffle provides a fresh and exciting alternative to the more well-known party game titles. It's a must-play for Sonic fans and party game enthusiasts alike, offering a unique and memorable experience that's truly one of a kind.

Score: 8.5/10

I HAVE COME TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT! HARD CPU KNUCKLES IS A BITCH ASS MUTHAFUCKER! HE PISSED ON MY FUCKING RINGS! THATS RIGHT HE TOOK HIS DOGSHIT NONSENSICAL MINIGAMES HE WINS AT AND SAID THEY ARE "Thissss Easssy" AND IM LIKE: "THATS DISGUSTING!" SO IM MAKING A CALLOUT POST ON MY BACKLOGGD.COM TO SAY HARD KNUCKLES CPU YOU HAVE SHITTY RNG MECHANICS! THEY ARE AS SHIT AS ROLLING FOR A STAR TO WIN IT INSTEAD OF FUCKING BUYING CUZ RINGS ARE USELESS BUT WAYYYYY SHITTIER! AND GUESS WHAT?! HERES WHAT MY PARTY GAMES LOOK LIKE: THATS RIGHT ALL FUN NO BULLSHIT NO "1, 2, 5, G7KINGME ITS NOT TUESDAY PATRICK" LOOK AT IT! IT LOOKS LIKE TWO AAA GAMES AND QUALITY ASSURANCE! YOU FUCKED MY ENJOYMENT IN GAMES SO NOW IM GOING FUCK SHOVELWARE!!! THATS RIGHT, THIS WHAT YOU GET, MY SUPER EMULATOR SPEEDHACK PISS! But im not gonna piss on shovelware im going higher... IM GOING TO PISS ALL OVER BACKLOOOOOOGGD! HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW MR PROG?! I PISSED ON BACKLOGGD YOU IDIOT!!! YOU ALL HAVE 23 HOURS UNTIL EGGMAN HAS THE PISS DRRRRRROOOOOPLETS HIT WHO EVER IS IN LAST PLACE AFTER SOMEONE GETS A PRECIOUSTONE FOR SOME STUPID FUCKING REASON! SO GET OUTTA MY SIGHT BEFORE I PISS ON YOU TOO!

I got hit in the head very hard and woke up here...

I have a bad relationship with Mario Party and have already written several incendiary reviews on that series. I'll never apologize for those, because Mario Party has hurt me in ways both psychological and physical. The same can be said about Sonic the Hedgehog, so Sonic Shuffle is a real "worlds colliding" moment, smashing me between two points with such force that all my internal organs are emulsified on impact. Welcome to Maginary World, it fuckin' sucks here.

The Precious Stone, which governs the world of dreams, has been shattered by Void, a spirit who's only sin is being an avatar for the dark half of man that exists within us all and who the game repeatedly tells the player had the audacity to even exist. Not going to say this silly little story is offensive or anything but it is also really funny when your heroes are like "the world of dreams was once a beautiful place, and then Void had to be born..." Even Sonic gets in on this savagery, dogpiling the poor guy and going so far as to assault him before finally growing a conscious and realizing Void just wants to be embraced and made whole.

Look, there's something to be said here about stones and glass houses, because after slogging my way through Shuffle's story mode, I wanna jump the guy, too.

Sonic Shuffle forgoes dice rolls in favor of a card system, removing some of the random chance present in Mario Party for something more strategic. You can move a set amount of spaces based on what's available in your hand, or draw a card blindly from your opponent's hand, and on paper this actually sounds like a good system. Indeed, it might be if you're playing with friends, but every time I politely requested Fightcade to "ADD SONIC SHUFFLE OR I WILL DO SOMETHING WE BOTH REGRET" I was curiously met with silence. It's like they don't appreciate it or something. Very strange.

The AI is so brutal that the Sonic Wikia has a whole section dedicated specifically to combating it, something that is absolutely not the responsibility of an encyclopedia article to do. Even the Wikia admits the AI is skewed upwards, and from personal experience I can confirm the computer on "normal" is able to read everyone's hands and will routinely pick the cards that are the most advantageous, either for their personal benefit or by anticipating what you need and making the choice to kneecap you. Though it's noted as a characteristic of hard mode, on several occasions the computer veered away from a precious stone to camp out near where the next would spawn, and since Eggman will drop a fucking 16-ton anvil on the head of the player furthest from the last collected stone, this meant being actively punished for grabbing a stone only for another character to claim the next before I even had a chance to move.

At least playing in Redream bestowed me with the ability to cheat. Oh, the AI can see all my cards, can they? Well, if I just habitually load a save state, I too can know the placement of every card! I don't have to finish each level with six precious stone pieces, or the most rings and mini-game wins-- I don't need things, I want them. Now I am become Mario Party.... How the tables have turned.

Being allowed to tap into my own disgusting sadism aside, it is worth having this level of insurance to insulate you from the computer, as in true party game fashion, you might just lose to some bullshit and have to replay the entire board. The only difference here is that Sonic Shuffle drops any pretense of being random, it doesn't care to veil itself in the illusion of chance and is upfront with its cruelty. I gotta respect that.

It also just feels bad to play regardless of how conniving the AI is. Mini-games are uninspired and control poorly, and they fall into the Mario Party trap of not filtering previously played games out of the rotation. After beating the story mode, there were still thirteen mini-game I hadn't even seen. At least Sonic Shuffle has the decency to not end every turn with a mini-game, instead having them trigger by landing on an event space. Unfortunately, this also means you can roll a turn where you end up playing four mini-games, so fuck, I don't know! There are also "Accident!" games which trigger randomly and are unique to the board, but these lack any kind of preamble to convey the rules, instead placing them on the bottom of the screen while the game is underway. Not gonna complain about reading subtitles, but this is like trying to process information while a brick is being thrown at you just outside your periphery.

Mini-games aren't the only thing that feels insipid about Sonic Shuffle. Even the boards themselves are dull, with extremely trite gimmicks like not being able to step across alligators if their mouths are open. Fuck that. I'm gonna lay down, let the jaws of the beast take me. That's far more preferable to listening to lumina explain each board's unique spaces which, it turns out, just warp you to a random location. That's it, that's what all of them do. The final board is laid out like the Vortex World from Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne and it is absolutely confounding. Probably spent more time just looking at the map counting spaces to figure out the most efficient route to a precious stone piece only for the math to never work out with how many spaces away the game claims I am, and I have to think it's just miscounting and judging distance through some other metric. Or maybe it's not, I can't tell!

I remember my first experience with this game. I was at Wal-Mart probably a month or two after it released. Sonic Shuffle, a Sonic game I hadn't heard of?? How is that possible...? I begged my dad to buy it, went home, popped it in the Dreamcast, and had a truly miserable time. And yet, I played it to completion. You'll just have to trust me on this because the battery to my VMU has long since died, and though I still own the game, I can't really prove that I unlocked every character and every item in Sonic's room. But like a man possessed, I did. This time? I settled for beating the story mode.

"See you again..."

No, you won't.