Sonic Card Match

Sonic the Hedgehog is the main character and star of the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series from Sega. He’s a blue, anthropomorphic hedgehog with the ability to run at supersonic speeds and curl into a ball to take down enemies. In most of his games, Sonic races through levels, collecting power-up rings and dodging obstacles and enemies. Yuji Naka, a programmer, and Naoto Ohshima, an artist, are credited with creating Sonic. Most of the games are developed by Sonic Team.

The first game, Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), was created to give Sega a mascot to compete with Nintendo’s Mario. Sonic got a redesign by Yuji Uekawa for Sonic Adventure (1998) to give him a more mature look for older players. Sonic quickly became one of the world’s most recognized video game characters. By 2011, the Sonic series had sold over 80 million copies. In 2005, Sonic was inducted into the Walk of Game, alongside Mario, Link, and Master Chief.

Sonic made his first appearance in a video game in Rad Mobile (1991), where he was just a decorative hanging ornament in the rearview mirror. His first playable appearance was in the Sonic the Hedgehog platformer for Sega’s Mega Drive/Genesis, which also introduced his main villain, Dr. Robotnik. Sonic's two-tailed fox friend, Tails, made his debut in the 1992 sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In Sonic CD (1993), Sonic was introduced to Amy Rose, his self-proclaimed girlfriend, and Metal Sonic, his robotic rival, as Sonic traveled through time to ensure a good future for the world.

Sonic 3 and its direct sequel Sonic & Knuckles (both released in 1994) featured Sonic and Tails battling Dr. Robotnik, who manipulates Knuckles into believing Sonic is the enemy. Sonic 4 (2010–2012) continued the Sonic 3 storyline and was released in episodic installments, with Tails and Metal Sonic both returning. Other 2D platformers in the series include Sonic Chaos (1993), Sonic Triple Trouble (1994), Sonic Blast (1996), Sonic Advance (2001), Sonic Rush (2005), Sonic Colors (2010), and Sonic Generations (2011), most of which were released on handheld consoles.

Sonic Adventure (1998) was Sonic Team’s big return to the series, with Sonic saving Station Square from an evil force named Chaos, controlled by Dr. Eggman. It was the first game in the series with full voice acting. In Sonic Adventure 2 (2001), Sonic was on the run from the military after being mistaken for the anti-hero Shadow the Hedgehog. Sonic Heroes (2003) saw Sonic teaming up with Tails and Knuckles against the reborn Metal Sonic, who plans to take over the world.

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), Sonic finds himself in the water-filled city of Soleanna, where he must rescue Princess Elise from Dr. Eggman while dealing with Silver the Hedgehog, a new threat. Sonic Unleashed (2008) introduced the "Werehog" form, where Sonic gains strength and flexibility at the cost of his speed after being fused with the power of Dark Gaia. In Sonic Colors (2010), Sonic battles Dr. Eggman, who is trying to use alien creatures known as Wisps for world domination.

Sonic Generations (2011) brought together two versions of Sonic—classic Sonic with gameplay reminiscent of the old 2D games and modern Sonic using the 3D style from Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors—to save their friends and celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary. In 2013, Sonic Lost World was announced for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, continuing Sonic’s adventures.

Sonic has also starred in several other spin-off games across different genres, including racing games like Sonic Drift (1994), Sonic Riders (2006), and Sonic Free Riders (2010), fighting games like Sonic the Fighters (1996) and Sonic Battle (2003), and even a role-playing game with Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (2008). Other spin-offs include Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (1993), Knuckles’ Chaotix (1995), Tails Adventure (1995), and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), where Sonic often makes a cameo appearance.