Sonic the Hedgehog has been a popular icon in media and gaming since his debut in the early 1990s. Starting out as a titular video game character, he would move on to TV shows, comics, movies, and of course, more video games as the years marched forward. The franchise has only grown in popularity, and it has impacted my life as well.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was one of the first video games I have ever played, and I remember loving the fun characters and gameplay. I didn’t really get into the franchise until many years later, but when I did, I fell fast and hard for all the characters, media, and most everything that had to do with the blue hedgehog. There’s just too much to talk about, so I will review my experience with the Sonic franchise as a whole; there’s a lot to talk about!
Characters
The characters of Sonic the Hedgehog are many and far between. There are the classic characters that appear the most, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, Miles “Tails” Prower the fox, Amy Rose the Hedgehog, and the human Dr. Robotnik (or Eggman, if you prefer). There are also other recurring characters, such as Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, the Chaotix team, and many more.
When done well, I love the characterization of these anthropomorphic animals. There are a lot of complex and nuanced storylines that they have been through, a popular and favorite story of mine being the one in Sonic Adventure 2. They have great dynamics with each other, and there is someone to relate to for everyone.
The designs are also great: the art style of Sonic is very distinct and fun, I find it very appealing to the eye as well as very distinct and dynamic in all its media forms. The voice acting – this adheres more to the video games and TV shows/movies – is also something I find excellent and well done. The characters convey a lot of range of emotion through their dialogue, and even if it can be corny at times, there is a lot to admire and a lot of heart present in their adventures. And that brings me to something else I enjoy about Sonic: its stories.
Storylines (and TV Shows and Movies)
As briefly mentioned, there are many stories that have been told throughout all mediums of the Sonic franchise. Ranging from more serious to lighthearted, my favorites are usually the former. The story of Sonic the Hedgehog (referred to by the community as Sonic ’06), despite its infamous faults, is one of my favorites, and is what got me really into the series again later on.
There are also the storylines explored in the TV series: season three especially of Sonic X has a particularly compelling storyline, as does the latest show in the franchise, Sonic Prime. Fast-paced, lighthearted, whimsical, serious, and emotional, I enjoy the complexities of the different stories and, just like the characters, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The recent movies that have come out are also enjoyable, and luckily stopped the curse of bad video game movies. Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which introduces Tails and Knuckles to the mix, is a particularly good Sonic movie, with compelling character moments, great action, and fun acting.
Video Games
While I haven’t admittedly played every game, there are some that I would consider favorites. The aforementioned Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is definitely one, along with the latest release, Sonic Frontiers. The fast-paced style of gaming is different to anything I’ve played before, and the level designs and challenges are fun in a unique way that I enjoy. Being a fast-based game, once I find the quick routes and shortcuts to get an “S” time rank on a level, I feel invincible and proud, even exhilarated. The small puzzle games in Sonic Frontiers are also fun, I enjoy completing worlds and levels at 100%, so when I get them all I feel rewarded. And I get to play as the fastest hedgehog in the world! What isn’t there to love?
Overall Thoughts
I’ve used the word “fun” a lot in my review of this franchise, because overall, I think that’s exactly what it is! There have definitely been ups and downs, but I think the characters especially are what draws in most fans. And there is something for everyone, whether you’re a gamer or just looking for a new TV series or comic series to get into, Sonic has a rich history and a lot to get out of. There are also plenty reviews of the games, character analyses, and guides for how to get into Sonic if you’re interested. If you do decide to engage in this world, just remember: gotta go fast!
I'll borrow one of your words: This was such a fun review! Sonic is such an enduring icon. Thanks for sharing that "A Beginner's Guide To Sonic the Hedgehog" video too!
Hello! Great post I found this topic to be very interesting as I have never really known much about sonic. But I do know this is a very popular one. It’s cool to see people different interest. Thank you for sharing this post I enjoyed learning about this video game.
Sonic is a classic! I haven't played a ton of the games, but I used to be hypnotized by the blue sphere minigame in Sonic 3. It's been a while since I've thought about the series, but now you've got me reminiscing about the Sonic comics we used to have at home.
I had an old Sega plug n’ play back when I was a kid, and the game I played the most was Sonic & Tails. All the old sprites with their bright and flashy designs, the punchy upbeat music, and the fast gameplay made it one of my favorites as a child. I’m not super familiar with much of what came after, but I still recognize Sonic and several of the other characters in the games to be cultural icons alongside the likes of Mario and Pikachu.
Sonic is such an iconic game in the industry ! My personal favorite game of the franchise is Sonic & Knuckles which I played on a gameboy growing up. I haven't seen much about Sonic Frontiers but you've convinced me to look up more about it.