Sonic 3D Blast, an isometric pivot at the console's twilight. Original, pretty, slower than 2D Sonics, lovely for fans seeking something else.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Sonic battles Dr Robotnik in isometric 3D levels in this original Traveller's Tales Mega Drive platformer. Published by Sega, released in the United States in November 1996. Isometric platformer with Sonic collecting emeralds and freeing animals in varied zones.
Sonic 3D Blast review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
In the hands of Jun Senoue and Richard Jacques, the music trades the pop of the classics for more melodic, atmospheric moods. Each isometric zone pulses with a polished theme, from the most playful to the most dreamy. This sonic elegance, often hailed as the best of the game, still appeals to Sonic fans.
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Tilted into an isometric view and a more contemplative pace, the hedgehog swaps pure sprinting for exploration and freeing Flickies scattered across each zone. The shimmering scenery and ring-hunting set a soothing, addictive rhythm. The fun is in poking around and refining your paths, and this oddball take still holds plenty of charm.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Rounding up the Flickies of each zone from an isometric view, then dashing for the exit sets up a calmer yet strangely gripping loop of exploration. Bonus stages, emeralds and secrets chain little goals with rewards. The perspective makes jumps imprecise and the pace less frantic, but the methodical collecting and the colorful art direction keep a catchy appeal.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Reinventing Sonic in isometric 3D views opens wider levels, packed with Flickies to free and passages to explore before moving on. The collecting, the bonuses and the steady difficulty invite you to restart to find it all. That more elaborate structure, singular in the series, offers a lifespan that holds the platformer-curious.
An isometric platformer by Traveller's Tales released at the very end of the Genesis's life, here in its North American edition. A late, technically ambitious release, this 3D Sonic adventure was produced in limited quantity as the console declined. Its desirability rests on its status as one of the last major Sonic releases on the machine, sought by collectors.
Is Sonic 3D Blast still worth playing in 2026?
An isometric variation of the saga from Traveller's Tales, Sonic 3D Blast swaps the headlong rush for an isometric exploration where Sonic frees Flickies to collect in order to clear levels. The polished art direction, the colourful environments and the visual effects push the console to its limits. The more measured pace and a sometimes tricky handling in isometric view divide fans of the hedgehog. For someone curious about an offbeat take on Sonic or a fan of 16 bit technical feats, the title keeps a visual charm and a singular proposition to rediscover.
