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In the Sonic part of Sonic X Shadow Generations, you will face three Rival Bosses before you confront the final boss. This guide will detail how to unlock each Rival Boss and offer strategies to defeat them.
The Rival Bosses in Sonic Generations are Metal Sonic, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Silver the Hedgehog. Here’s a breakdown of how to unlock and defeat each one.
How to Unlock Rival Bosses
Sonic Generations features nine levels split across three different areas, each representing a unique era from Sonic’s history. Every area has its own Rival Boss, who guards a Chaos Emerald.
A Rival Boss in an area becomes accessible once you complete all three stages located within that area. Specifically, you must finish both Act 1 and Act 2 of each level.
Once you’ve wrapped up every stage, challenge gates will emerge on the map, allowing you to face the Rival Bosses. You’ll encounter each Rival waiting for you on the map. Just approach them to start the battle.
You can skip facing Rival Bosses until later in the game, allowing you to progress all the way to the final boss. This is when you’ll need all seven Chaos Emeralds.
Metal Sonic represents the classic era, tracing back to Sonic CD from 1993.
In Metal Sonic’s stage, you’ll navigate a 2D platform as he chases you. He starts by dashing directly at you. To avoid getting hit, jump over him and then land on his head to inflict damage. After getting hit, he will unleash an energy wave. Adjust your speed to dodge this and jump on him again once the wave is cleared.
Next, he will try throwing objects at you. During this phase, managing your speed is key. Either accelerate or slow down to dodge the obstacles.
Afterwards, he will combine his attacks, charging toward you while energized. Run away from him until his energy wears off, then jump on him one last time to defeat him.
How to Beat Shadow
The fight with Shadow draws inspiration from his debut in Sonic Adventure 2, playing out like a race.
In this battle, you’ll race against Shadow to collect energy orbs. Gather two orbs to gain a temporary boost.
If Shadow gets two orbs first, he unleashes his power, which means you’ll have to dodge a barrage of Chaos Spears. This can be managed with the quick step maneuver (using back triggers on your controller).
Although dodging Shadow’s attack is straightforward, it can prolong the battle unnecessarily. To prevent him from charging his attack, stay in front and collect the energy orbs first by gathering rings and performing tricks off ramps.
To defeat Shadow, you’ll need to charge an attack. Once charged, it leads you to a new area where you must boost into asteroids. Sending the asteroids flying into Shadow will slow him down. When he’s sufficiently slowed, keep boosting into him to drain his rings and score a victory.
How to Beat Silver
Silver is the third and final Rival Boss in Sonic Generations, and his level harkens back to the infamous 2006 game, Sonic the Hedgehog (commonly known as Sonic ‘06).
This encounter revolves around speed management, so you’ll want to use your boost efficiently, especially for the fight’s last phase.
Your initial chance to attack Silver will come when he’s manipulating debris. Boost close to the first piece, execute a homing attack on it, and keep going until you reach Silver for a direct attack.
Between your attacks, make sure to keep your boost meter filled. Collecting rings helps, or you can bump into the scattered debris, as long as it’s not the debris Silver is controlling.
Your second chance to attack occurs when he lifts debris to form a ramp. Boost so you land on that debris, then continue until you’re back in range to hit him again.
Sometimes, Silver will float three pieces of debris above you, with one crashing down first. When this happens, rush to the spot where that debris fell to dodge the incoming pieces. He can also launch energy blasts your way as you close in, which can be dodged using the quick step method.
After hitting him four times, he enters his final phase. Silver will gather a massive pile of debris, and the perspective shifts so you are running away from it. Here, having a charged boost is crucial for survival. If you do, keep boosting while dodging the falling debris. Eventually, reach him and land one last homing attack to win the fight.