Sonic Rush is a 2D side-scrolling platformer developed by Dimps and published by Sega for the Nintendo DS in 2005. The game follows Sonic the Hedgehog as he races through fast-paced stages to stop Doctor Eggman from stealing the Sol Emeralds, powerful gems from another world. Dimps, the studio behind the Game Boy Advance Sonic titles, brought a fresh energy to the handheld formula by introducing a new playable character named Blaze the Cat, a princess from a parallel dimension. Players can switch between Sonic and Blaze across separate story campaigns, each offering its own stages, boss encounters, and narrative perspective. The Nintendo DS hardware plays a central role in the design, with the game spreading its action across both screens, making boss battles and certain stage sections feel far larger than a single display could hold. A new boost mechanic lets players charge up a tension gauge and blast through obstacles at high speed, giving the core gameplay a sharp, momentum-driven quality that sets it apart from earlier Sonic handheld releases.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots

64 MB · NDS ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | NDS ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action |
| File Size | 64 MB |
| Release Year | 2005 |
| Developer | Dimps |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
Sonic Rush is a 2D side-scrolling platformer developed by Dimps and published by Sega for the Nintendo DS in 2005. The game follows Sonic the Hedgehog as he races through fast-paced stages to stop Doctor Eggman from stealing the Sol Emeralds, powerful gems from another world. Dimps, the studio behind the Game Boy Advance Sonic titles, brought a fresh energy to the handheld formula by introducing a new playable character named Blaze the Cat, a princess from a parallel dimension. Players can switch between Sonic and Blaze across separate story campaigns, each offering its own stages, boss encounters, and narrative perspective. The Nintendo DS hardware plays a central role in the design, with the game spreading its action across both screens, making boss battles and certain stage sections feel far larger than a single display could hold. A new boost mechanic lets players charge up a tension gauge and blast through obstacles at high speed, giving the core gameplay a sharp, momentum-driven quality that sets it apart from earlier Sonic handheld releases.
Sonic Rush features two distinct single-player story modes, one for Sonic and one for Blaze, each with seven zones split across multiple acts. Completing both campaigns reveals the full picture of the story, giving players a strong reason to run through the game twice. Each character controls differently, with Sonic relying on his classic spin dash and the new boost, while Blaze uses her fire abilities and a slightly different feel on the ground. The game also includes a multiplayer mode that works over local wireless, letting two players race head-to-head through selected stages. Collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds as Sonic and all seven Sol Emeralds as Blaze opens up the true final boss, rewarding players who push for full completion. Boss battles stand out as some of the most creative in the series, often sending the fight across both DS screens in surprising ways. Sonic Rush holds up as one of the best Sonic games on the Nintendo DS, delivering tight controls, bold stage design, and a genuine sense of speed throughout.