Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game franchise created by Sega that features an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog named Sonic as its protagonist. The character was introduced in 1991 with the release of the game "Sonic the Hedgehog" for the Sega Genesis (known as Mega Drive outside North America).
The creation of Sonic was spurred by Sega's desire to compete with Nintendo's Mario. Originally, Sonic was conceived by Naoto Ohshima and later designed by Yasushi Yamaguchi. The game was directed by Hirokazu Yasuhara and programmed by Yuji Naka. The first game introduced players to Sonic's world, where he must stop the evil Doctor Eggman (also known as Dr. Ivo Robotnik) from taking over the planet.
The core gameplay of Sonic the Hedgehog focuses on speed and momentum. Sonic can run at supersonic speeds, collect rings for protection, and perform various moves like the spin dash, homing attack, and light dash. The games often feature loop-the-loops, springs, and other elements designed to enhance Sonic's speed. The series has evolved over time, incorporating 3D environments, new gameplay mechanics, and expanded storylines.
Sonic the Hedgehog quickly became a cultural icon and helped Sega achieve significant success in the early 1990s. Sonic was pivotal in establishing Sega as a major player in the video game industry, particularly with the competition against the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Over the years, Sonic has appeared in numerous sequels, spin-offs, and multimedia projects including:
While the series saw a decline in popularity after the Sega Saturation and the transition to third-party development, Sonic Team has continued to innovate. Titles like Sonic Adventure, Sonic Colors, and Sonic Mania have been critically acclaimed for their return to form or fresh approaches to the gameplay.