Sonic Generations is a platform game in which characters control the titular Sonic the Hedgehog in two forms: Classic and Modern, in which they must collect the seven Chaos Emeralds, free their friends and stop a mysterious entity from creating time holes. The game features levels derived from 20 years of Sonic history, spreading across three eras, each having three stages and two bosses from previous games: Classic, Dreamcast and Modern, which are played as either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic. Classic Sonics levels are strictly two dimensional side scrolling stages, using classic moves like the Spin Attack and Spin Dash, while Modern Sonics levels follow the 2D/3D style gameplay of Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors, featuring techniques such as boosting and homing attacks. As well as classic power-ups such as Invincibility and Speed Shoes, certain levels have unique power-ups, such as skateboards in City Escape and Wisp powers in Planet Wisp.\r
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Classic and Modern Sonic begin the game with six lives, which are lost when they suffer any type of damage with no rings in their possession, or fall into a pit. More lives can be earned by getting 100 rings or finding a symbol to collect their lives. If the player runs out of lives, the game is over. However, the game can be continued by selecting Yes at the Try Again screen.\r
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Each zone consists of a main act for each Sonic, as well as 10 challenges such as beating an opponent to the goal or finishing a stage with limited rings. A Skill Shop allows players to use points earned from high scores to unlock upgrades such as abilities, shields, and even the original Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis game. Completing challenges, as well as finding Red Star Rings hidden in each of the main Acts, unlocks additional skills, as well as bonus concept artwork and music. The music can then be played in any stage, challenge, or boss fight. There are also online leaderboards for two modes: Ranking Attack, which challenges players to obtain the best time and score on each level, and 30 Second Trial, which challenges players to see how far they can get through a level in 30 seconds.\r
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The 3DS version follows similar gameplay to the Sonic Rush series for Modern Sonic, and features a different set of levels to the console and PC versions, some of which directly recreate the layouts of classic Mega Drive levels. As opposed to the Skill Shop in the console version, abilities are unlocked as the game progresses, with Classic Sonic learning a Homing Attack and Modern Sonic learning a stomp. Exclusive to the 3DS version are Special Stages, similar to those of Sonic Heroes, in which players must collect spheres in order to gain boost to chase after a Chaos Emerald. The game features 100 mission stages that are unlocked either by progressing through the game, meeting other players on Streetpass, or spending Play Coins, as well as both wireless and online multiplayer modes, in which two players can race against each other.\r
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Sonic Generations (ソニック ジェネレーションズ Sonikku Jenerēshonzu?) is a platform video game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo 3DS platforms. Released in 2011, it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the original Sonic the Hedgehog games release. On July 2, 2012, the game was made available for digital download on PlayStation Network, and was made available on the Games on Demand service on October 16, 2012. It is also available on the Nintendo eShop.\r
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The Japanese releases are each given subtitles: the Xbox 360/PS3 version of the game is given White Spacetime (白の時空 Shiro no Jikū?) while the 3DS version is given Blue Adventure (青の冒険 Ao no Bōken?).