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Honey, they shrunk the hedgehog - Sonic the Hedgehog, that is.

Sega’s number one son returns for more mischief in Sonic N, one of the most delightful launch titles for Nokia's new N-Gage mobile gaming deck. An old-school arcade experience in every sense, the game never fails to delight, mainly because of its sheer speed.

At the start of the game, you pick one of four characters: Sonic, Knuckles, Tails and Amy Rose. Each character pursues the same adventure, but each possesses unique attributes, such as Amy Rose’s hammer smash or Knuckles’ fists of fury. As a result, it’s worth going back and playing through the game with each character.

While surprisingly short - expect roughly two hours’ gameplay from the product - you’ll nevertheless find the outing worth every penny. The setup is simple. Heroes speed through expansive, corkscrewing levels in classic side-scrolling fashion. Power-ups such as invulnerability or temporary shields can be had along the way, and protect against encounters with enemies, lava or spring-mounted spikes.

Collecting rings as you zip through rolling green hills, icy mountains and casino-themed environments is also essential. Run into a mishap without any and you’ll die, while those in possession of at least one of these valuable items will watch as their collection goes flying in every direction.

The ultimate goal is to complete all zones, or stages, as quickly as possible while avoiding various deathtraps, a process aided by bumpers, conveyor belts, turnstiles and other momentum-enhancing objects.

Luckily, levels are vast and expertly designed. Between neon-drenched pinball table layouts and rolling hills rife with verdant growth, you’ll never be at a loss for colorful scenery. All backdrops were planned with multiple pathways, guaranteeing that no two play sessions are ever the same. Enemies such as a giant mechanical pogo stick and tank with mounted hammer aren’t as clever, but do present a worthy challenge to cap each level.

>From staying alive underwater with limited oxygen to sliding down tightropes, Sonic N proves a thoroughly entertaining ride. Even the soundtrack is surprisingly lively. While not as fulfilling as its Game Boy Advance cousin, and cursed with occasional bouts of slowness, the title will satisfy.

Easily the most imaginative and entertaining of the games debuting with the N-Gage, it’s a must-have purchase for portable gamers, and one that's appropriate for all ages.