Play Sonic Advance Online

Sonic Advance came out for the Game Boy Advance in 2001, developed by Dimps and published by Sega. It was one of the first games to really show off what the GBA could do with fast, colorful 2D action, arriving at a time when portable gaming was starting to feel more like the console experience. For anyone who grew up with the Genesis titles, it felt like a proper return to form, just smaller and in your hands.

You control Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or Amy Rose, each with unique movement abilities, as you race through multi-path stages filled with loops, springs, and enemy robots. The main goal is straightforward: get to the end of each act, defeat Dr. Eggman’s machines, and collect the Chaos Emeralds by completing special stages. Key mechanics include the trademark high-speed platforming, pinball-like bumpers and ramps, and character-specific skills like Tails’ flight or Knuckles’ wall climbing. The pacing is relentless; you’re encouraged to maintain momentum, though some slower, more precise sections force you to ease off the gas. It feels responsive and chaotic in the best way, like you’re barely in control of a blue blur that just happens to be going the right direction.