The game also features a mission system, giving players an objective to target as they play the game. Accumulated rings and red star rings can be used to purchase power-ups, upgrades, or unlock additional playable characters. Rings can be collected throughout the levels or purchased via microtransactions, along with red star rings. The game features 3D graphics, including a level set in an environment based on the Seaside Hill level of Sonic Heroes. Players are able to share and compete for position on leaderboards. Unlike other games in the series, Sonic automatically moves forward at all times, similar to Sonic and the Secret Rings.

The player directs Sonic or another character through levels, collecting rings and avoiding obstacles and enemies. Sonic Dash is an endless runner, similar to Temple Run (2011) and Rayman Jungle Run (2012). Above, Sonic the Hedgehog is running in the left lane on a beach In Sonic Dash, players select a lane to run in to collect rings and avoid obstacles. Sequels have also been produced based on Sonic Boom and Sonic Forces. Hardlight continues to support the game with updates, additional characters, and features. Although the game received mixed reviews, Sonic Dash reached 500 million downloads in September 2021. Selection of the game for development came from the insistence of parent company Sega Sammy Holdings president and COO Haruki Satomi. Hardlight, a British development studio owned by Sega, began developing Sonic Dash after completing Sonic Jump. Rings, which can be earned through gameplay or purchased in app, allow access to upgrades and additional characters. Players can compete for higher positions on leaderboards. In mission mode, players must complete objectives. The goal of Sonic Dash is to avoid obstacles and enemies while collecting rings. It was initially released as a paid application, but was made free-to-play a month after its iOS release. The game was released in March 2013 for iOS, November 2013 for Android, and December 2014 for Windows Phone and Windows, along with an arcade release in November 2015 as Sonic Dash Extreme.

It is Hardlight's second Sonic the Hedgehog game, the first being 2012's Sonic Jump. Sonic Dash is a 2013 endless runner mobile game developed by Hardlight and published by Japanese game studio Sega.

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