History Sonic the Hedgehog

1 history

1.1 premise
1.2 sega genesis , add-on devices (1991–1996)
1.3 sega saturn (1996–1998)
1.4 dreamcast (1998–2001)
1.5 move non-sega systems (2001–2006)
1.6 seventh generation consoles (2006–2013)
1.7 eighth generation consoles (2013–present)

history
premise

almost games in series feature blue anthropomorphic hedgehog named sonic central player character , protagonist. games detail sonic , allies attempt save world various threats, evil genius dr. ivo eggman robotnik, main antagonist of series. robotnik s primary aim rule world; achieve this, attempts destroy sonic , acquire powerful chaos emeralds.

sega genesis , add-on devices (1991–1996)

sonic runs through green hill zone, first zone of sonic hedgehog (1991).

the first sonic game, titled sonic hedgehog, platform game released in 1991 featured protagonist sonic running through game s levels in order stop doctor robotnik taking on world. game focused sonic s ability run , jump @ high speeds use of springs, ramps, , loops.

its sequel, sonic hedgehog 2, platform game released in 1992, increased overall size , speed of series gameplay , second best-selling genesis game of time. game introduced sonic s sidekick , best friend, miles tails prower, followed sonic throughout game, , allowed second player control him in limited fashion. game introduced sonic s spin dash maneuver, ability allows sonic burst forwards complete standstill, unlike previous title, sonic gain speed momentum. sonic 2 followed in 1993 arcade title, segasonic hedgehog, featuring new characters mighty armadillo , ray flying squirrel.

the next console-based title, sonic hedgehog 3, released in 1994. game introduced temporary shield maneuver, called insta-shield , added new shield types series, , allowed tails playable under second player s control, adding option players utilize tails flying ability in levels. introduced character, knuckles echidna, served additional antagonist doctor robotnik game.

sonic & knuckles, platform game in sonic series, released later in 1994. game featured knuckles playable character gliding , wall climbing abilities , allowed gamers plug in sonic hedgehog 3 top of sonic , knuckles cartridge part of game s lock on functionality. allowed gamers play game intended; games intended 1 title, split due cartridge space , time constraints.

knuckles explores flying battery, second zone of sonic & knuckles (1994). use of shields, checkpoints, , these basic level design , graphical assets typical of sonic series years.

there several sonic games genesis not 2d platform games. sonic spinball, released in 1993, pinball simulation modeled after spring yard , casino night zones first 2 sonic games. game, unlike general pinball simulations, had overall goal of collecting chaos emeralds in each level , defeating levels bosses. 1 of few video games had elements cartoons sonic hedgehog , adventures of sonic hedgehog. dr. robotnik s mean bean machine puzzle game similar puyo puyo set in adventures of sonic hedgehog universe. sonic 3d blast, isometric, 2.5d platform game released in 1996 , developed traveller s tales, featured sonic running through pseudo-3d environments while trying rescue flickies doctor robotnik.

the sega genesis had add-on systems incorporated sonic titles. sonic cd, released sega cd, 2d platform game released in 1993. game introduced characters amy rose , metal sonic , featured levels differed depending upon whether sonic in past, present, or future time frames. knuckles chaotix, spin-off released in 1995 sega 32x, featured knuckles , new group named chaotix fighting against dr. robotnik. game featured two-player cooperative system in on-screen characters connected magic rings. there sonic eraser, puzzle game released exclusively on sega game toshokan in 1991.

due success of sonic games on sega genesis, series introduced sega master system , sega game gear. sega began releasing sonic hedgehog, 2d platform game, in 1991. game featured sonic s ability run , jump @ high speeds mega drive/genesis counterpart notably different level design , music. sega later released sonic hedgehog 2 2d platform game, in 1992. game differed genesis counterpart different levels , music , not including spin dash maneuver. featured different storyline in doctor robotnik kidnaps tails, non-playable in master system/game gear version. sonic chaos/sonic , tails (japan), released in 1993, similar earlier 2 sega master system/game gear sonic games, featured tails playable character. sequel, sonic triple trouble/sonic , tails 2 (japan), 2d platform game, released in 1994 game gear , introduced new character, nack weasel, who, along knuckles , doctor robotnik, raced collect chaos emeralds. 1 of last games sega game gear, sonic blast, released in 1996 , featured prerendered sprites.

several spin-off sonic games not 2d platform games released. sonic labyrinth, released game gear in 1995, featured isometric view , slower exploration-based gameplay resulted robotnik s replacing sonic s shoes speed down boots. sonic drift kart racer released in 1994. later had sequel, sonic drift 2, released in 1995. tails received 2 spin-offs. tails skypatrol, released in 1995, allowed players control always-flying tails. tails adventure, released in 1995, featured mix of platforming , rpg elements.

sega saturn (1996–1998)

few sonic games released sega saturn, , none standard platform game made system. sonic 3d blast released in 1996 alongside genesis version. genesis counterpart, saturn edition used isometric, 2.5d graphics, added fmv cut-scenes, enhanced music , visual effects, , real-time 3d special stage. sonic jam, compilation released saturn in 1997, contained original sonic hedgehog, sonic hedgehog 2, sonic hedgehog 3, , sonic & knuckles, sonic world mode, allowed player control sonic in small 3d world. sonic world means of accessing disc s multimedia features, included character artwork, soundtrack, , japanese sonic videos. sonic r, foot racing spin-off , sonic series first 3d game, released in 1997 saturn , ported pc in 1998.

the sega technical institute attempted develop sonic game saturn called sonic x-treme. intended compete nintendo s super mario 64 , sony s crash bandicoot. however, due time constraints , issues between sti, japanese division of sega, , sonic team, project canceled in late 1996.

dreamcast (1998–2001)

sonic grinds rail in city escape, first level of sonic adventure 2.

sonic adventure, launch title dreamcast, released in 1998 in japan , 1999 in north america. game re-released gamecube , pc sonic adventure dx: director s cut in 2003 graphical , gameplay tweaks, and, in late 2010, ported xbox live arcade , playstation network. sequel, sonic adventure 2, released dreamcast in 2001, , last game in series released sega platform. in 2002 became first game in series appear on nintendo platform when ported – several enhancements – gamecube sonic adventure 2: battle, , in october 2012 ported xbox live arcade , playstation network version released on steam in november same year.

the other dreamcast sonic game sonic shuffle, released in 2000 , featured cel-shaded graphics , board game concept similar of mario party series. dreamcast sales began decline after launch of playstation 2, , therefore few sonic games released system.

sonic hedgehog pocket adventure released on snk s neo geo pocket color portable console, made in same style of genesis/mega drive era of games.

move non-sega systems (2001–2006)

after commercial failure of dreamcast, sega ceased producing own video game hardware, focusing solely on manufacturing software gamecube, followed releases playstation 2 , xbox.

sonic s transition game boy advance completed sonic advance, first original sonic title released nintendo console. game featured 2d platforming, similar original genesis titles, , new gameplay mechanics more recent sonic titles well, such grinding on rails. released in late 2001 in japan , 2002 elsewhere, , ported nokia s n-gage on october 7, 2003, sonicn. 2 sequels, sonic advance 2 , sonic advance 3, followed in march 2003 , june 2004, respectively.

between sonic advance 2 , sonic advance 3, 2 other sonic games released: sonic battle, 3d fighting game, , sonic pinball party, pinball simulation. last sonic game released game boy advance sonic hedgehog genesis on 2006, features original genesis game , 15-anniversary mode spin dash.

the first game released gamecube sonic adventure 2: battle, followed sonic adventure dx: director s cut, each ports dreamcast. sega later released sonic heroes, first sonic game made gamecube, playstation 2, , xbox. released on 3 systems on december 30, 2003 in japan, american , european releases following after. game similar of adventure games, although player controlled lead character of team of three, other 2 following behind. player switch new leader @ time in order use character s special abilities.

shadow hedgehog released in late 2005 in north america. built on more advanced version of engine used sonic heroes. focused on shadow hedgehog tried uncover past. game contained multiple paths , endings, player chose take or evil paths each level. added wielding weapons , driving vehicles 3d platforming.

sonic riders first sonic racing game since sonic r; in contrast previous title, characters used hoverboards, bikes, , skates rather racing on foot. last game gamecube & xbox.

due extended life cycle of playstation 2, received ports of sonic riders: 0 gravity , sonic unleashed. 2 sonic games appeared on playstation portable: sonic rivals , sequel, sonic rivals 2. both titles 2.5d style games.

seventh generation consoles (2006–2013)

there number of different sonic games released nintendo ds. first sonic rush, released in 2005, featuring gameplay similar sonic advance series. received sequel, sonic rush adventure, in 2007, featured additional new elements, such driving of jet skis , submarines. along wii, nintendo ds saw beginning of mario , sonic crossover games. first, mario & sonic @ olympic games, released in late 2007, , featured characters both series competing in olympic-themed mini-games. sequel, mario & sonic @ olympic winter games, released in october 2009, , featured emphasis on winter-based sports. sonic chronicles: dark brotherhood, spin-off released in september 2008, turn-based role playing game developed bioware.

during timeframe, sega took franchise in number of different directions. first sonic hedgehog, released in november 2006 xbox 360 , december 2006 playstation 3. continued in sonic adventure direction, critically panned result of glitches , rushed release. sonic unleashed released in 2008 xbox 360, wii, playstation 2 , playstation 3. while possessing same name , rough themes, xbox 360 , playstation 3 versions markedly different games wii , playstation 2 versions.

while prior game in era continued use of numerous playable characters , play styles, following games return have sonic playable. sonic hedgehog 4: episode i, episodic high-definition 2d game akin 16-bit sonic games, developed playstation network, xbox live arcade, wiiware. sonic hedgehog 4: episode ii released in 2012 playstation network, xbox live, android, ios, , windows phones. sonic colors, game wii , nintendo ds, released in november 2010. introduced power-up system in form of alien beings called wisps . sonic generations developed sonic team xbox 360, playstation 3, pc , dimps nintendo 3ds released in november 2011, featuring both modern , classic interpretations of sonic.

during time, franchise moved several new spin-off series. storybook series, combines sonic gameplay story , setting of famous books, comprises 2 games released wii: sonic , secret rings (released in 2007) , sonic , black knight (released in 2009).

another spin-off series resulted sega s collaboration nintendo , mario series of video games. in mario & sonic titles, characters sonic , mario universes compete in olympic games-themed minigames. separately series, sega collaborated nintendo include sonic in 2008 wii fighting game super smash bros. brawl.

sonic colors, released in november 2010, expanded further on rush series gameplay addition of use of wisps , gave sonic various new power-ups , gimmicks. sonic free riders released in november 2010 follow-up sonic riders series, , developed exclusively xbox 360 s kinect system. later on, sega superstars tennis wii, xbox 360, playstation 3, playstation 2 , nintendo ds released in 2008 , sonic & sega all-stars racing wii, xbox 360, playstation 3, nintendo ds , pc , ios released in 2010, followed sequel in 2012.

even in system s life cycle, number of sonic games announced nintendo 3ds. @ e3 2010, untitled sonic game announced system, later turned out portable version of sonic generations. third installment of mario & sonic crossover series, mario & sonic @ london 2012 olympic games released nintendo 3ds. sonic & all-stars racing transformed released nintendo 3ds in february 2013, , playstation vita in november 2012. in october 2012, sonic jump released on ios, , in march 2013, sonic dash released.

eighth generation consoles (2013–present)

in may 2013, sega announced partnership nintendo, established next 3 sonic titles developed exclusively nintendo 3ds , wii u, nintendo publishing titles in europe , australia. first games released sonic lost world in 2013, followed mario & sonic @ sochi 2014 olympic winter games end of year. sonic boom: rise of lyric wii u, , sonic boom: shattered crystal nintendo 3ds, based on new sonic boom franchise, formed final installment(s) in exclusivity agreement. @ end of 2014, sonic returned fighter in both installments of super smash bros. nintendo 3ds , wii u. sonic added playable character in lego video game, lego dimensions, in november 2016; distributed via level pack includes additional sonic hedgehog-themed level , vehicles.

two sonic games revealed @ sonic 25th anniversary event during san diego comic-con 2016. first game sonic mania, emulates gameplay , visuals of original sega genesis titles, , released in august 2017 critical acclaim, critics hailing return form sonic. development done pagodawest games, christian whitehead, , headcannon s simon thomley. second game developed sonic team , titled sonic forces, , released in november 2017. sonic forces brings dual gameplay of sonic generations, along third gameplay style featuring avatar , customizable third character uses special gadgets. both titles released playstation 4, xbox one, nintendo switch, , microsoft windows.