Sonic Pico Park trades fast-paced platforming for cute co-op puzzling and was one of the most charming things I played at SGF 2026

Date:
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Description:
We go hands-on with the cute upcoming co-op crossover platformer Sonic Pico Park at Summer Game Fest 2026.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter I had no idea what to expect when I accepted the invite to demo an unannounced Sonic crossover game at
this year's Summer Game Fest (SGF), but the reveal that it would be Sonic
Pico Park still took me by surprise.

I don't think anyone really saw this crossover coming: one of the biggest and most historic platforming franchises joining forces with a burgeoning indie puzzle series. Slow down, Sonic (Image credit: Sega) If you're not familiar with the original games, Pico Park was released for PC back in 2016 and challenged up to eight players with about two hours' worth of neat little co-op puzzles. It proved a surprise hit, racking up thousands of positive reviews on Steam and prompting the development of an expanded 2024 sequel in Pico Park 2 . Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Now we're getting Sonic Pico Park , which brings the blue blur, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy into the playable character roster (alongside some of the original Pico Park cats) and incorporates a load of key mechanics from the platformer series.

But how well does the fast-paced action of Sonic gel with the more considered puzzling of Pico Park ? You may like Pragmata is one of the most original games I've played in years, and I'm not just talking about its unique puzzle combat After months of waiting, I've finally played Yoshi's new game on Nintendo Switch 2 and its whimsy-filled world and engaging exploration have me feeling hopeful Rhythm Heaven Groove is on track to become my favorite Nintendo Switch release of 2026

After playing through a selection of eight levels while sprawled on a comfy sofa with a few other members of the press at Summer Game Fest 2026 Play
Days, I can confirm that the two disparate properties have been blended together wonderfully. (Image credit: PICO PARK Inc.) Your objective in each level is simple: get to the end (represented, of course, as the trademark Sonic end signpost). Standing in your way are various challenges that require full cooperation, and the odd bit of strategy, to complete. Get daily
insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Sonic mechanics are smartly integrated into many of them. One stage, for example, needed everybody to hold on to a single gold ring so we could pass through a deadly laser without triggering a game over. Another featured
spring pads to bounce off in order to navigate some big chasms and even a few loop-de-loops to sprint through.

Every character in the game can perform a spin dash, but Tails and Knuckles both get their own extra abilities to play around with. Tails can fly, obviously, and pick up fellow team members, while Knuckles get a little bit
of a glide to extend his leaps. (Image credit: PICO PARK Inc.) Sonic fans
will obviously love these references, but the mechanics are all simple enough to grasp to ensure that Sonic Pico Park can be enjoyed by anyone regardless
of their level of experience with the franchise. What to read next The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales trades turn-based combat for real-time action Dead as Disco is the Hi-Fi Rush successor I've been waiting for The 27 best Nintendo Switch games in 2026

The minimalist art direction further enhances the approachability, with
easily understandable visuals that are predominantly blue but with occasional splashes of red to highlight key objects. I also can't help but love the
super cute renditions of the Sonic castespecially Tails, just look at that face!

Although I was playing with a group of strangers, we soon found ourselves all chatting and laughing together like we'd been friends for years. It was a highlight of my SGF and, honestly, can you really want much more from a co-op puzzle game like this?

Sonic Pico Park is expected to release later this year, though there's no firm date quite yet. You can currently add it to your wishlist on Steam . Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/sonic-pico-park-trades-fast-paced-platforming -for-cute-co-op-puzzling-and-was-one-of-the-most-charming-things-i-played-at-s gf-2026


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)