You can now view evaluations for judged entries for this year's hacking contest!

Pardon the slight delay for this, website issues (and their domino effects) are always 'fun', you know?

Anyhow, Read them here!

That’s right! The results for Sonic Hacking Contest 2025 are now available in text-form. Serious apologies for the delay in getting this out; many of us contest staff were quite busy and there were some… interesting happenings with my session cookie that nuked the first attempt to publish this. Without any further ado, here they are:

Judged Podium Trophies

Sonic Trophy (First Place)

ROM Hack: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Modern 2D: S1F: HORROR PACK
3D: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded

Tails Trophy (Second Place)

ROM Hack: Mean Bean Tsuu - SHC 2025 Demo
Modern 2D: Pac-Man in Sonic 3 A.I.R.
3D: STH2006 Project Shadow Demo

Knuckles Trophy (Third Place)

ROM Hack: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges
Modern 2D: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
3D: Complete Physics Overhaul

Community Podium Trophies

Sonic Trophy (First Place)

ROM Hack: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Modern 2D: Cold Peaks Zone
3D: Driving In My Car Right After A Beer but it's an SA2 cutscene

Tails Trophy (Second Place)

ROM Hack: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges
Modern 2D: Pooka Party!: A Sonic 3 A.I.R. Boss Bash
3D: Wii PS2 Unleashed Project Demo - SHC2025

Knuckles Trophy (Third Place)

ROM Hack: Mean Bean Tsuu - SHC 2025 Demo
Modern 2D: S1F: HORROR PACK
3D: Three-way Tie

• Complete Physics Overhaul
• RUSH TRICKS
• STH2006 Project Shadow Demo

ROM Hack Trophies

Quartz Quadrant Trophy (Best Visual)

Judged: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Community: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star

D.A. Garden Trophy (Best Audio)

Judged: Mean Bean Tsuu - SHC 2025 Demo
Community: Sonic 1 Co-op

Hexadecimal Trophy (Best Technical)

Judged: Sonic CD Respinned
Community: Sonic 1 Co-op

Chemical Plant Trophy (Best Level Design)

Judged: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Community: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star

Radiant Emerald Trophy (Best Special Stage Design)

Judged: Sonic 3 Extended World CD
Community: Sonic 3 Extended World CD

Professor Pickle Trophy (Most Entertaining)

Judged: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges
Community: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges

Polygon Jim Trophy (Most "WTF?!")

Judged: Sonic With A Pogo Stick
Community: Sonic With A Pogo Stick

Rivals Trophy (Best Multiplayer Entry)

Judged: Sonic 1 Co-op
Community: Sonic 1 Co-op

Storybook Trophy (Best Cutscenes)

Judged: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Community: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star

Emerl Trophy (Best Character Implementation)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Hatsune Miku in Sonic 1

EggRobo Trophy (Best Boss Design)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Sonic 3 Extended World CD

Motobug Trophy (Best Enemy Design)

Judged: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Community: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star

Mania Trophy (Best Fresh Concept Using Existing Concepts As A Backbone)

Judged: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges
Community: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges

Spinball Trophy (Best Entry of a Game Not Commonly Modified)

Judged: Mean Bean Tsuu - SHC 2025 Demo
Community: Mean Bean Tsuu - SHC 2025 Demo

Blaze Trophy (Most Potential)

Judged: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Community: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star

Silver Trophy (Most Improved)

Judged: Sonic Eggmans ConQuest
Community: Two-way Tie

• Mean Bean Tsuu - SHC 2025 Demo
• Sonic: Project Revenge (SHC 2025 Demo)

Green Hill Trophy (Plays Most Like a Sonic Game)

Judged: Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star
Community: Sonic Sunventure

Chao Garden Trophy (Most Potential Replayability)

Judged: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges
Community: Sonic 1: The Super Challenges

Eosian Sphere Trophy (Best New Level Object or Gimmick)

Judged: Sonic Sudoku
Community: Sonic Sudoku

Studiopolis Trophy (Best Overall as voted by the Media Panel)

Media Panel: Two-way Tie

• Sonic 1: The Super Challenges
• Sonic The Hedgehog: To Be A Star

Modern 2D Trophies

Quartz Quadrant Trophy (Best Visual)

Judged: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
Community: Cold Peaks Zone

D.A. Garden Trophy (Best Audio)

Judged: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
Community: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2

Hexadecimal Trophy (Best Technical)

Judged: S1F: HORROR PACK
Community: S1F: HORROR PACK

Chemical Plant Trophy (Best Level Design)

Judged: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
Community: Cold Peaks Zone

Radiant Emerald Trophy (Best Special Stage Design)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Professor Pickle Trophy (Most Entertaining)

Judged: S1F: HORROR PACK
Community: Two-way Tie

• S1F: HORROR PACK
• Pooka Party!: A Sonic 3 A.I.R. Boss Bash

Polygon Jim Trophy (Most "WTF?!")

Judged: S1F: HORROR PACK
Community: S1F: HORROR PACK

Rivals Trophy (Best Multiplayer Entry)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Storybook Trophy (Best Cutscenes)

Judged: S1F: HORROR PACK
Community: S1F: HORROR PACK

Emerl Trophy (Best Character Implementation)

Judged: Sonic 1 Forever X Doki Doki Literature Club
Community: Sonic 1 Forever X Doki Doki Literature Club

EggRobo Trophy (Best Boss Design)

Judged: Pooka Party!: A Sonic 3 A.I.R. Boss Bash
Community: Pooka Party!: A Sonic 3 A.I.R. Boss Bash

Motobug Trophy (Best Enemy Design)

Judged: Pooka Party!: A Sonic 3 A.I.R. Boss Bash
Community: Two-way Tie

• Cold Peaks Zone
• Pooka Party!: A Sonic 3 A.I.R. Boss Bash

Mania Trophy (Best Fresh Concept Using Existing Concepts As A Backbone)

Judged: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
Community: Cold Peaks Zone

Spinball Trophy (Best Entry of a Game Not Commonly Modified)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Sonic Jump Anniversary (Android)

Blaze Trophy (Most Potential)

Judged: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
Community: Three-way Tie

• Amethyst Earth
• Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
• Unidentified Flying Rose DEMO

Silver Trophy (Most Improved)

Judged: Cold Peaks Zone
Community: Cold Peaks Zone

Green Hill Trophy (Plays Most Like a Sonic Game)

Judged: Sonic CD's Scrapped Rounds - Demo 2
Community: Cold Peaks Zone

Chao Garden Trophy (Most Potential Replayability)

Judged: S1F: HORROR PACK
Community: S1F: HORROR PACK

Eosian Sphere Trophy (Best New Level Object or Gimmick)

Judged: Pooka Party!: A Sonic 3 A.I.R. Boss Bash
Community: Two-way Tie

• S1F: HORROR PACK
• Cold Peaks Zone

Studiopolis Trophy (Best Overall as voted by the Media Panel)

Media Panel: S1F: HORROR PACK

3D Trophies

Quartz Quadrant Trophy (Best Visual)

Judged: Eternal Highway (4-2 Port Demo)
Community: Water Temple

D.A. Garden Trophy (Best Audio)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Hexadecimal Trophy (Best Technical)

Judged: STH2006 Project Shadow Demo
Community: STH2006 Project Shadow Demo

Chemical Plant Trophy (Best Level Design)

Judged: Water Temple
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Radiant Emerald Trophy (Best Special Stage Design)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Professor Pickle Trophy (Most Entertaining)

Judged: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded
Community: Driving In My Car Right After A Beer but it's an SA2 cutscene

Polygon Jim Trophy (Most "WTF?!")

Judged: Driving In My Car Right After A Beer but it's an SA2 cutscene
Community: Driving In My Car Right After A Beer but it's an SA2 cutscene

Rivals Trophy (Best Multiplayer Entry)

Judged: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded
Community: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded

Storybook Trophy (Best Cutscenes)

Judged: Complete Physics Overhaul
Community: Driving In My Car Right After A Beer but it's an SA2 cutscene

Emerl Trophy (Best Character Implementation)

Judged: Two-way Tie

• STH2006 Project Shadow Demo
• Spark: Jester Unleashed

Community: Spark: Jester Unleashed

EggRobo Trophy (Best Boss Design)

Judged: STH2006 Project Shadow Demo
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Motobug Trophy (Best Enemy Design)

Judged: Not Awarded (Null Vote)
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Mania Trophy (Best Fresh Concept Using Existing Concepts As A Backbone)

Judged: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Spinball Trophy (Best Entry of a Game Not Commonly Modified)

Judged: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Blaze Trophy (Most Potential)

Judged: Two-way Tie

• STH2006 Project Shadow Demo
• Spark: Jester Unleashed

Community: STH2006 Project Shadow Demo

Silver Trophy (Most Improved)

Judged: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Green Hill Trophy (Plays Most Like a Sonic Game)

Judged: STH2006 Project Shadow Demo
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Chao Garden Trophy (Most Potential Replayability)

Judged: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded
Community: 2P Shadow the Hedgehog Co-Op - Original & Reloaded

Eosian Sphere Trophy (Best New Level Object or Gimmick)

Judged: RUSH TRICKS
Community: Not Awarded (Null Vote)

Studiopolis Trophy (Best Overall as voted by the Media Panel)

Media Panel: Five-way Tie

• RUSH TRICKS
• Wii PS2 Unleashed Project Demo - SHC2025
• Driving In My Car Right After A Beer but it's an SA2 cutscene
• Cyberspace Backwards
• Complete Physics Overhaul

The contest week is rapidly reaching its conclusion and as such there are

ONLY 24 HOURS LEFT TO CAST YOUR VOTES!

As a a reminder, you can cast your votes on your favourite entries by heading to their entry pages and clicking on the respective trophies you wish to assign to them below their download buttons.

A Sonic Hacking Contest account is required for you to cast your votes.

The official deadline is on the 13th of October, at 9:00 AM BST! Once that passes, the voting period will close!

Play the entries! Vote for them! Watch them get played! Wait anxiously for the results!

But most importantly, and yes that needs saying twice...

PLAY THE ENTRIES!

Good day, everyone!

We bring you a big haul of information for the upcoming Sonic Hacking Contest 2025, beginning in less than one week!

(Read More)

Due to unforeseen force majeure circumstances, 3D Judge Sajid has resigned from the Judging body of the Sonic Hacking Contest with immediate effect.

They will not be voting for the Judged trophies.

It's official, you have...

LESS THAN 24 HOURS!

If you are in a situation where you still need to submit... too bad, because you've made a mistake that many others before you have made: with too many of you filing your submission at the last minute, you're putting the site under heavy load, so good luck managing your submission from here on out!

Anyway, reread this announcement, especially the bottom part, as it contains very useful information that may make or break you making it into the Contest or not.

And for those of you who are submitting an entry that appeared previously at a Sonic Hacking Contest, please write a public facing changelog from your previous appearance at the SHC! If you don't, we may be forced to reject your entry altogether!

The official deadline is on the 8th of September, at 8:00 AM BST! Once that passes, the submission period will close!

LESS THAN ONE WEEK LEFT!

Come the end of the 7th of September, submissions will close, and all that is there is considered **FINAL**.

Please remember to mark your submission as Complete, and to submit your trailer clips!

This is your reminder that you have two weeks left before the submission deadline officially expires! And yes, the deadline extension also applies to trailer submissions!

Remember: to be eligible for participation at the Sonic Hacking Contest, your entry MUST be marked as Complete.

(Read More)

We have an important announcement on the submission deadline of the Sonic Hacking Contest!

In short, it's been postponed! Effective immediately, the new submission deadline is September 7th, 2025! This affects none of the other dates of the Sonic Hacking Contest: unless otherwise stated, everything else will still happen as scheduled!

(Read More)

Tune in for a 30 minute presentation for updates on your favorite (or soon to be favorite) Sonic hacks and mods!

Please remember that, although the Sonic Hacking Spotlight is run by SHC Staff, none of the material shown is guaranteed to show up at the Sonic Hacking Contest 2025, even when otherwise stated.

The presentation begins on August 12th, 2025, at 7:00 PM CEST

You've read the title right, you've only got two weeks to submit your entry to the Sonic Hacking Contest!

We highly recommend you get to filling in your submission as soon as you can: the last few days/hours are usually when things get over capacity around here, so we highly advise filling in your entry while you still can!

If there are any concerns, you know where to find us!

We have received notice of misinformation being spread with regards to submission rules for the Sonic Hacking Contest, more specifically, about supposed restrictions, according to which, entries have to be "never before seen" to participate at the Sonic Hacking Contest.

This PSA is issued to remind you that this is not true. Submissions to the Sonic Hacking Contest can be or can have been released outside of the Sonic Hacking Contest before. This means that, if you are submitting to the Sonic Hacking Contest, you are not restricted from submitting in these hypothetical scenarios:

• Your entry was released to the public before you even started filling in the submission form;
• At any point between the Submission Period and the Contest Period, you decide to release your entry to the general public on any platform, including other events such as SAGE.

The only realistic restrictions apply to entries that have been submit before to the Sonic Hacking Contest, and that is by mandating that, in between editions of the Sonic Hacking Contest, they are changed enough. This change is enforced with two measures:

• Repeat submissions are tested for Quality Control against previous versions present at the Sonic Hacking Contest;
• Repeat entrants are required to supply a mandatory, public facing changelog.

You can read the relevant rules here and here.

If you have doubts with regards to the rules of the Sonic Hacking Contest, contact SHC Staff, and do not rely solely on the interpretation of the rules made by potentially ill-informed members of the general public.

When there are doubts with regards to the rules of the Sonic Hacking Contest, do remember that the say of SHC Staff trumps all else.

On top of SHC2025 submissions being open, SHC2025 Trailer submissions are also open!

To submit your trailer clips, you will have to have created an entry. Please refer to the previous post for more information on that.

Like for submissions, you have until August 24th, 2025, to submit your footage.

Apply here!

Hello, hello!

You may or may not have noticed a couple of updates to our website. All of the information pages have been fully updated for the Sonic Hacking Contest 2025! And, most importantly...

YOU CAN SUBMIT ENTRIES!

Before you do so, however, please read the rules! Things have been changed a bit since last year, so keep your eyes peeled.

If you have questions about the rules or the submission process, join our Discord server, or contact us!

You have until the end of August 24th, 2025, to submit your entries at the Sonic Hacking Contest!

As per last year, if you are trying to submit a team entry, please contact SHC Staff, and we'll have your existing entry turned into a team entry.

Hello!

As the Sonic Hacking Contest is fast approaching, we'll be closing applications for becoming Judges of the Sonic Hacking Contest! They will be reopened in November 2025, after the Sonic Hacking Contest 2025! We are currently in the middle of reviewing our final batch of trialists for the year, so look forward to the updated list of Judges coming soon!

As for the Sonic Hacking Spotlight, we regret to inform you that we won't be able to meet our promised release period of "late July". Instead, we'll have the presentation released in early August. This won't affect the opening of submissions for the Sonic Hacking Contest 2025: that's coming real soon!

Hello, this is NiphFM, and I’m glad to announce that the Mega Drive Music Contest has commenced its 8th round. For those who aren’t familiar, the Mega Drive Music Contest is a mini-contest held within the SHC’s Discord server, of which contestants compete to create the best Mega Drive music to fit the round’s prompt. In Round 7, rigid_atoms won 1st place, and with it, the choice of this round’s prompt.

(Read More)

As promised in our presentation, we are releasing ahead of time the ruleset of the Sonic Hacking Contest. All major changes made have been clearly highlighted.

Feel free to come talk to us, if you'd like to express your feedback on the rules as they stand! The best place to do so would be our Discord server!

Read here

(Read More)

And that's it for submissions at the Sonic Hacking Spotlight! We would like to thank all who decided to participate!

As said earlier, the presentation will be released at some point later in July: we'll let you know when exactly closer to release!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the double-announcement, but I wanted to add that if you were looking to submit a ROM Hack category entry to the spotlight but, for whatever reason, are unable to record at the quality necessary for the presentation (1080p resolution at 60fps), I have volunteered myself to record some gameplay footage if necessary! If you're interested, simply DM me via Discord (my handle is @naoto_ntp) a build of the submission and some clear instructions on what you would like to be shown off in the spotlight and I'll find some time this week to play through it and record some footage in your stead. I will also work with you to ensure that it is to your liking.

Please note that I am only one person and my time is limited, so I will likely only be able to record footage for a few submitters in total. As such, this will be done on a "first come, first served" basis and your submission must clear quality-control as well. I also unfortunately cannot offer this for entire in the Modern 2D or 3D modding categories, as I am ill-prepared to record for those categories; I personally don't own enough of the games under those categories to confidently extend the offer that far. Of course, if there are any judges in the Modern 2D or 3D categories that are willing to do this as well, they are free to comment under this announcement as well.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you all have in store! Happy hacking.