Sonic the Hedgehog

About

Sonic the Hedgehog ^[1] is a popular video game franchise developed by Sonic team ^[2] and Sega ^[3]. The games within the franchise revolve around completing courses in an allotted time span, and collecting rings, similar to games within the Super Mario franchise. Depending on the game, certain courses also have challenges or quests. Sonic, the main character of the franchise, is a blue hedgehog who is constantly fighting against Dr. Eggman, also known as Dr. Robotnik.

History

Early Years

The first Sonic game titled Sonic the Hedgehog ^[5] was released on the 23rd of June on Sega’s console the Sega
Genesis ^[6], in 1991 coming one year after the European release of the console and two years of the North American release.

Sonic the Hedgehog was released in 1991 to compete with Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. It was published and developed by Sega. The game featured Sonic attempting to stop Dr. Robotnix (Named Dr. Eggman in the Japanese release) from taking over South Island by collecting the 6 Chaos Emeralds. The game featured platforming, high speed after running for a distance and power-ups. The game became the Genesis’s best selling game of all time and critically acclaimed.

Sega would use the high speed associated with Sonic to launch a false marketing campaign advertising called “Blast Processing” which Sega claimed made the Genesis superior to its competitor, the NES at the time.

Sonic the Hedgehog received two more direct sequels on the Genesis titled Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ^[7] and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ^[8] The two sequels introduced new playable characters, Tails and Knuckles the Echidna respectively. Other games such as Sonic CD ^[9], a game that required the Sega CD add-on and Knuckles Chaotix ^[10] released on the Sega 32X, another Genesis add-on came out during this time.

3D Era

The Sonic franchise received many spin-offs on numerous Sega systems with Sonic 3D ^[11] being the first Sonic game playable in 3 dimensions. Another notable 3D game, Sonic Adventure, a launch title for Sega’s ill-fated and final console, the Dreamcast ^[12] was released. Following Sega’s withdrawal from making consoles many Sonic games made their way onto non-Sega Systems with many of the console titles being in 3D.

On the PS2, Xbox and Nintendo Gamecube Sega released several Sonic ports such as Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut ^[13] and and spinoffs such as Shadow the Hedgehog ^[14]. The 3D games were notable for not having the same high quality of the 2D games or the 3D games launched on Sega’s consoles.

The first Sonic game to launch on the next generation consoles was the infamous reboot, Sonic the Hedgehog ^[15], launched in 2006 on the Xbox 360 receiving a port for the PlayStation 3 in 2007. Sonic the Hedgehog is known as one of the worst Sonic games in existence and one of the most hated games of all time. The games featured a poor Final Fantasy reminiscent story, many glitches and unreliable controls.

Back to 2D

No 3D Sonic games were released post 2007 but Sonic would return in the downloadable direct sequel to the series, Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Episode 1 of Sonic 4 ^[16] was published on October 7th, 2010. The game was a return to Sonic’s origins using only 2D game play with the levels and level design based of the original games.

Half of Sonic Generation’s game-play consists of “Classic Sonic” which is played in 2D view. Some plot elements of the game focus on parodying the modernization of Sonic in recent years.

Present day

Newer retail Sonic releases such as Sonic Colors ^[17] and Sonic Generations ^[18] have had 3D gameplay seen as enjoyable and very improved compared to the previous 3D games. A new episode to Sonic 4, Episode 2 is expected to release on PC and PS3 in May 15th of 2012 and the Xbox 360 on May 16th.

Fanbase

Within the many years of new characters being introduced into the series, a large number of fans of the series began creating their own characters as well, using them as characters for online roleplay, and also as subjects for fan art and fan fiction. The fandom has connections to the Furry fandom, as well, as both the games and fan content feature anthropomorphic animals.

Criticism

The “Sonic the Hedgehog” fandom is often critiqued by other groups on the internet for it’s behavior and attitudes. Many fans have made original characters, and have high opinions of the franchise in situations where others view it as unsuccessful, which has led to negative commentary from others.

Fanart

Related memes

Tails doll

The Tails doll is a creepypasta that revolves around a stuffed doll-like version of Tails Prowers, which first appeared as one of six characters in the racing game Sonic R^[19], originally release on the Sega Saturn in 1997. Multiple versions of story and fan art can be found online.

Gotta Go Fast

Gotta Go Fast is a catchphrase commonly associated with a poorly-drawn image of Sonic the Hedgehog. The phrase itself was taken from main theme for the english dub of the Japanese animated series Sonic X ^[20]. The drawing has since became a subject of parody and tribute after being circulated on Tumblr on 2010. Meanwhile, the quote became an inside joke within the community of the online multiplayer video game Tribes: Ascend.

Sonichu

Sonichu is a fan-comic series that was written and drawn by vlogger Christian Weston Chandler. The comic’s main character, Sonichu, is a hybrid character of Sonic the Hedgehog and Pikachu, from the Nintendo video game series Pokemon. After its discovery by members of 4chan and Encyclopedia Dramatica in 2007, criticism towards both the comic and it author rose for being its terrible artwork and its disturbing storyline. At the same time, fan art, parodies, and remakes of the comics can be found online.

You’re Too Slow!

You’re Too Slow! is a taunting phrase used by Sonic’s character in the fighting game Super Smash Bro. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii, released in 2008. The phrase managed to become a source for remix and parody after Youtube user ElboTheHedgehog^[4] uploaded a video titled “Sonic Brawl Glitch – You’re Too Slow UNLEASHED!!”, which featured Sonic repeating the phrase through out the video, two months after the game’s released.

Pingas

Pingas is a misheard phrase first uttered by Dr. Robotnix in an episode 27 Boogie Mania, from the animated adaptation Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. The phrase has since became a staple within the Youtube Poop community.

Green Hill Zone remixes

The Green Hill Zone is the first stage for the original Sonic the Hedgehog on the Sega Genesis. Often considered as the series’ most memorable stage, remixes, YTPMV and musical tributes of the background theme can be found on Youtube.

Search Interest

External References