Sonic Superstarsdoes a lot of things differently than the rest of the series. For example, it introduced a four-player co-op into a mainline 2D game which is a huge deal. It also changed the way Chaos Emeralds worked in the series.
From day one, Chaos Emeralds were like the Triforce ofThe Legend of Zeldaseries. They were the objects that Dr. Robotnik wanted to steal to power up his machines to dangerous levels. When Sonic got ahold of them, he could turn into Super Sonic. Well, inSonic Superstars, that supercharged ability still exists but each indivisible Chaos Emerald has an associated power too. Here’s how all eight abilities rank based on their usefulness and power.
8Vision
Vision is one of the more boring powers players can get from Chaos Emeralds. Turning it on will give players a timed resource that can detect hidden objects in the environment. The tutorial for the power, for example, will highlight some platforms that are normally invisible.
There are tons of secrets hiding inSonic Superstars, but all players have to do to find them is to be proactive with exploring stages. The invisibility doesn’t come into play much, but the developers get a slow gold clap for trying to give these heroes Detective Vision like Batman has in theBatman Arkhamgames.
7Water
Water is one of the scariest things in the Sonic games. 90s kids can remember that timer getting faster and faster as Sonic was losing oxygen back in the Sega Genesis days. Well, water is still scary inSonic Superstarsbut Water is also a Chaos Emerald power.
It can turn the user into liquid, making water stages not so alarming anymore. Also, players can glide up waterfalls naturally sort of like thearmor Link can get from the Zora tribe inThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
6Ivy
Ivy is a fun name for this Chaos Emerald power as it turns players into a more innocent-looking version of Poison Ivy. Players can make a giant vine sprout up anywhere they please as long as there is something beneath to anchor it. This can help players to bypass some difficult platforming sections if they wish.
Although, another trick to avoid platforming troubles is to play asAmy inSonic Superstars. She has a double jump and is sort of the MVP of the game sort of like how Peach was OP inSuper Mario Bros. 2. But, Ivy is a good alternative to using Amy.
5Bullet
Bullet is a handy Chaos Emerald power because it can help with traversal and it can slay enemies. Activating it will turn the user, like Sonic, into a ball of fire. Players can then manually direct where they want their fiery character to go in midair.
It’s a good power to use if players are about to fall into a pit and likeany good platformer,Sonic Superstarsis riddled with pits. Simply activate Bullet to speed out of harm’s way. Again, it’s also just a good move to use if there are a bunch of enemies ahead.
4Avatar
Avatar, unfortunately, is not going to unlock Air, Water, Fire, or Earth Bending powers like in the cartoon for the heroes ofSonic Superstars. Avatar instead is a Chaos Emerald power that can clone the character with at least a dozen copies.
Activating this ability will launch the clones at an enemy with wonton abandon, so it is good to use on a big boss. It’s sort of likeNaruto’s Shadow Clone Jutsuthat he uses constantly in his titular anime. Avatar breaks if the player character takes any damage, but other than that, the clones can last a while.
3Slow
Slow feels like the penultimate ability for a character like Sonic and it is weirdly hiding behind a metaphorical wall. Activating this Chaos Emerald power will slow everything around Sonic, or any of the other characters chosen.
Players can imagine the ability working like how it was depicted in the bar scene in thefirstSonicmovie. There are a lot of bosses in the game who shoot a ton of energy blasts at players. It’s not easy to dodge these blasts either, making Slow a must-have ability to even the playing field.
2Extra
Extra is the only Chaos Emerald power in the game that changes depending on the user. Once activated, it will give the corresponding hero a temporary extra ability. Sonic can use his homing attack like he can in the 3D games.Tails can launcha mini tornado at enemies.
Knuckles can do what he does best, punch, but it will have more of an impact than normal. Finally, Amy can throw her trusty hammer at enemies. There is an unlockable character inSonic Superstarswith their own power too, but saying who that is would be a spoiler.
1Super
When it comes toSonicgames, there is not a more satisfying feeling than going all Super Saiyan as Sonic. The other characters can take on this form as well and the power is rightfully just called Super. Players first have to collect all seven Chaos Emeralds to unlock this option.
Once that goal has been achieved, Super can only be activated if players have 50 or more rings in their position. Characters that go into Super mode will get their defense and speed raised along with a whole swath of overpowered traits. It is the ultimate ability that can make short work of bosses inSonic Superstars.
