By Ben Mapp
Sonic the Hedgehog turns 23 today!
Originally developed by a mascot for Sega to rival Nintendo in the early nineties, Sonic has since become recognised as a worldwide icon during his twenty-three year tenure. Whilst his most successful streak of games were arguably the 16 bit era of the Mega Drive, the transformation of Sega to a software company after the death of the Dreamcast saw the character reach out onto other platforms. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of his more obscurer appearances over the years.
Sonic the Hedgehog turns 23 today!
Originally developed by a mascot for Sega to rival Nintendo in the early nineties, Sonic has since become recognised as a worldwide icon during his twenty-three year tenure. Whilst his most successful streak of games were arguably the 16 bit era of the Mega Drive, the transformation of Sega to a software company after the death of the Dreamcast saw the character reach out onto other platforms. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of his more obscurer appearances over the years.
Soleil
Sega Mega Drive
Also known as Crusader of Centy, Soleil was not a Sonic game but an action-orientated RPG developed for the Mega Drive and released in 1994. The game was played from an overhead perspective, and featured the adventure of a young boy named Corona who receives a sword and shield after turning fourteen. His quest sees him explore the local wilderness, interact with animals and people, and overcome monsters and puzzles. Soleil was widely seen as Sega’s answer to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which had released on the SNES only a couple of years prior. Sonic featured relaxing on a nearby beach during the opening segment of the game, as one of the many animals Corona can interact with throughout his journey. Talking to Sonic will make him say: "Tsk, tsk. I'm a gallant hedgehog. Don't mess or you'll get burned."
Sonic Spinball
Sega Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear
Released on the Mega Drive, Master System and Game Gear devices – Sonic Spinball featured simplistic gameplay compared to Sonic’s other games. The story focused on Sonic’s missions to escape Dr. Robotnik’s pinball fortress in the middle of the ocean, and so the gameplay was primarily a pinball simulation but with Sonic as the in-game ‘ball.’ The game received a mixed reception, with criticisms largely aimed at the difficulty and the choppy frame rate.
Interestingly, Sonic Spinball became the inspiration for rollercoaster at Alton Towers, a popular theme park based in Staffordshire, England. The ride opened a full decade after the release of the original game.
Interestingly, Sonic Spinball became the inspiration for rollercoaster at Alton Towers, a popular theme park based in Staffordshire, England. The ride opened a full decade after the release of the original game.
Christmas Nights
Sega Saturn
If you are familiar with the Sega Saturn then you’ll know that whilst a 3D Sonic game had been in production for a long time (Just Google Sonic Extreme) in order to combat Nintendo’s epic Mario 64, it never appeared on the console itself and was instead pushed back to be a launch title for the Sega Dreamcast. To fill in the gap as it were, and keep fans busy in the interim, Sega included a bonus level in Christmas Nights where you could play as a 3D Sonic. The level was short and was bound by the same rules as the other levels which featured Nights as a playable character, such as their being a strict time limit.
Sonic Jam
Sega Saturn
Sega continued to work on a 3D Sonic game alongside the troubled production of Sonic Extreme, and a test area was developed and included in the retail release of 1997’s Sonic Jam. The game was in fact a compilation of previous Sonic games, but more notably featured a ‘Sonic World’ 3D area for players to explore. The area included various in-game museums themed on the history of the character and franchise.
The test area was later used as a basis for what would eventually become Sonic Adventure.
The test area was later used as a basis for what would eventually become Sonic Adventure.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Nintendo Wii
Years after Sega rebooted the character with Sonic Adventure and therefore distanced themselves from the entire canon of the previous and most loved incarnation, Sonic was drafted into the line up of the latest Super Smash Bros. Personally I find this Sonic to be one of the best recent renditions of the character, as he rarely speaks and his role is strictly gameplay focused (as it was back in the good ol’ days). This wasn’t the first time Sonic appeared as a playable character in a fighting game, having headlined Sonic the Fighters across arcades in 1996. The character will be making a triumphant return to the fight in the new upcoming Super Smash Bros, due out on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS later this year.
To another twenty-three years!
Sonic has a whole franchise of games, movies, TV series and all sorts of merchandise behind him. However Sega's handling of the character is certainly questionable, at least to me, as the character is no longer seen as a rival to Mario or any other video game mascots. Do you think Sega could do better with their presentation of Sonic in his current form? Would you like to see them return to basics with his character? Get in touch with us on Twitter or via our Facebook Page. We'd love to know what you think!
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