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 | Tech Radar

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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

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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.

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.

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?

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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 cast—especially 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.

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Dash is an experienced tech journalist who specializes in video games, electronic entertainment products, and the wider industry that surrounds them. He currently serves as the Gaming Editor at Tech Radar, leading our review, preview, feature, and news coverage of the latest and greatest releases.

Before joining the team, he was Contributing Writer at PLAY (formerly Official Play Station Magazine UK) and has written articles for many of the UK's other biggest gaming magazines including the likes of Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.

Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.

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Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards