For the first time in five years most of the cast is being played by new voice actors (in English) with the exception of Mike Pollock who has been playing Dr. Eggman since 2005.
The binary code on Tails' translator in the final scene of the game: "If you can read this, you're a geek."
The first 3D Sonic game to allow players to become Super Sonic in normal game play. Previous titles had only used Super Sonic for a final boss battle.
There was a revelation of the game having a hidden path to a certain Aquarium Park Act 3 leading to a certain goal ring, specifically one consisting of a quick step, 2D paths, 3D paths, enemies (with a boost), speed pads, speed ramps, springs, and pulleys (note: there was also a revelation of a hidden path to enter a certain Aquarium Park Act 4 by which a player would need to perform certain physics over land similar to physics that certain living beings could do under water).
This was the first game of its series to involve certain characters named "Wisps" and "Cubot".