History Franchise / SonicTheHedgeHog

* ''Literature/SonicTheHedgehogAndTheSiliconWarriors''
* ''Literature/SonicTheHedgehogInCastleRobotnik''

* ''[[http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=847&page=1#2890 SegaSonic Cosmo Fighter Galaxy Patrol]]'' (often shorted into ''Sonic Cosmo Fighter'') - another kiddie ride with an embedded monitor, this time in the form of a jet. Again, Japan-only.

This [[PlatformGame platforming]] plethora of ring-collecting and badnik-charging stars the titular [[http://sonicthehedgehog.com Sonic the Hedgehog]], a real cool blue dude with SuperSpeed and a knack for taking whatever thrill rides he can find. Opposite to the blue blur is one Dr. Ivo Robotnik-- better known as Dr. Eggman-- a mustached MadScientist with a [[FatBastard big girth]], bigger [[RobotMaster robot army]] and an even bigger [[ItsAllAboutMe ego]], and a life goal of using his scientific know-how (with unique power sources like the Chaos Emeralds being a plus) to achieve world domination. Naturally, the free-spirited Sonic doesn't approve of Eggman's ambitions, and Eggman really hates that hedgehog for expressing said disapproval through scheme-thwarting time and time again, so the series follows wherever the endless conflict between fat man and kinetic FunnyAnimal will take them next.[[note]]Incidentally, [[NonIndicativeName despite being called "Emeralds", only one of them is green.]] (There are only two games where this is not the case -- ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogSpinball Sonic Spinball]]'', where none of them are green (they're all blue instead), and ''VideoGame/SonicBattle'', where ''all'' of them are green. In both cases, it's merely GameplayAndStorySegregation -- the developers just lacked the time or drive to make different-colored sprites for all of the Emeralds.)[[/note]]

* ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' (Xbox 360, [=PlayStation 3=], PC, Platform/Nintendo3DS, 2011): Eggman has unleashed the Time Eater, a mysterious monster that is erasing history! It's up to Sonic to set things right, along with his new ally...''his younger self!''

* ''VideoGame/SonicRushAdventure'' (Nintendo DS, 2007)

** ''VideoGame/BlueSphere'' (mini-game in ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''; unlocked by locking-on a ''Sonic & Knuckles'' cartridge with any other SEGA Genesis game)

* ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' (Sega Genesis, 1994): After the events of ''Sonic 2'', the Death Egg crash-lands into Angel Island. Eggman hopes to use the Master Emerald on the island to re-power it, and to further his plans, he's set the island's guardian, Knuckles, after Sonic and Tails!
** ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3''
** ''Sonic & Knuckles''
** ''Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2''
** ''VideoGame/BlueSphere''

* ''VideoGame/{{Sonic the Hedgehog|1}}'' (Platform/SegaGenesis, 1991)
* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'' (Sega Genesis, 1992)
* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'' (Platform/SegaCD, 1993)
* ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' (Sega Genesis, 1994)

* ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' (Platform/SegaDreamcast, 1998) [[/index]]

* ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' (Sega Dreamcast, 2001)

* ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' (Nintendo [=GameCube=], Platform/{{Xbox}}, Platform/PlayStation2, 2003)
* ''VideoGame/{{Sonic the Hedgehog|2006}}'' (Platform/Xbox360, Platform/PlayStation3, 2006)
* ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' (''Sonic World Adventure'' in Japan) (Platform/{{Wii}}, [=PlayStation=] 2, Xbox 360, [=PlayStation 3=], 2008)

* ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' (Wii, Platform/NintendoDS, 2010) [[/index]]

* ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' (Xbox 360, [=PlayStation 3=], PC, Platform/Nintendo3DS, 2011)

* ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' (Platform/WiiU, Nintendo 3DS, PC, 2013)
* ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' (Platform/NintendoSwitch, Platform/PlayStation4, Platform/XboxOne, PC, 2017)
* ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' (PC, [=PlayStation 4=], Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, 2017)
* ''VideoGame/SonicFrontiers'' (PC, [=PlayStation 4=], Platform/PlayStation5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Platform/XboxSeriesXAndS, 2022)
* ''VideoGame/SonicSuperstars'' (PC, [=PlayStation 4=], [=PlayStation 5=], Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, 2023)

Originally created in 1991 for the then-fledgling Creator/{{Sega}} [[Platform/SegaGenesis Genesis]] (and not-so-fledgling Platform/SegaMasterSystem) by a group of fifteen people (who were later to be named Creator/SonicTeam) tasked with creating a mascot to compete with [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros the face of video games]], Sonic quickly became the gaming company's mascot, immediately replacing Sega's previous mascot, VideoGame/AlexKidd. The spunky, ever-lovin' cobalt-blue insectivore grew in strength and speed with each sequel to put its creators into a healthy competitive spot with Creator/{{Nintendo}} (and other, lesser gaming companies, most notably Creator/HudsonSoft and {{Creator/SNK}}) during the 16-bit UsefulNotes/ConsoleWars.

Of course, SEGA's success with Sonic did not by any means go unnoticed by their competition, both in the West and in their home court of Japan, and in the wake of the release of the original trilogy for the Genesis, a slew of MascotWithAttitude platformers would hit the video game market. [[FollowTheLeader Most mascots might have taken the form of more or less subtle imitations of Sonic, but they were all pretty blatantly meant to cash on the series' popularity.]] These imitators would continue to be a somewhat dominating presence on the video game market throughout the rest of UsefulNotes/The16bitEraOfConsoleVideoGames, and the popularity of the subgenre would first truly start to wane in the late 1990s, even with how other big names like a certain [[VideoGame/CrashBandicoot bandicoot]] or [[Franchise/SpyroTheDragon dragon]] took inspiration from it.

*** ''Sonic Christmas Blast'' (1996)

A feature-length LiveActionAdaptation based off the franchise was also released by Creator/{{Paramount}} [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 in 2020]], after having been stuck in DevelopmentHell since the 1990s. Neal Moritz of ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' fame and Tim Miller of ''Film/{{Deadpool|2016}}'' executive produced this film, while Jeff Fowler, best known for the 2004 short ''Gopher Broke'', made his feature film directorial debut. In spite of an earlier controversy regarding Sonic's original design for the movie (which was later redesigned in response with input from veteran Sonic artist Creator/TysonHesse), the film released as a hit with audiences and the box office, being widely acknowledged as avoiding the issues of [[VideoGameMoviesSuck most video-game-to-film adaptations]], and launching a [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022 sequel]] in 2022, with a third movie and a spin-off live-action series currently in development.

* Film series:

** [[/index]]''Series/{{Knuckles}}''[[note]] Creator/ParamountPlus spin-off of the live-action movies [[/note]] (2024)[[index]]

** [[/index]]''Knuckles''[[note]] Creator/ParamountPlus spin-off of the live-action movies [[/note]] (2024)[[index]]

* ''VideoGame/SonicSpeedSimulator'': An official VideoGame/{{Roblox}} game of all things, created by the creator of ''Sonic Onset Adventure'', and notably not yet complete.

Since Eggman's always striking back [[VaryingTacticsBoss with another new trick up his sleeve]], Sonic's usually got some help in the form of his supporting cast, including: Miles "Tails" Prower (as in [[PunnyName "miles per hour"]]), a two-tailed fox kit serving as Sonic's trusty sidekick and HeliCritter transport; Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic's hot red foe-turned-friend with the [[SuperStrength physical power]] to match his namesake; Amy Rose, his love-struck {{Fangirl}} with a GenkiGirl attitude and [[DropTheHammer a mallet you don't wanna mess with]]; and the cavalcade of all the other friends and allies he's made over the years.

** ''Sonic Colors Ultimate'' ([=PlayStation 4=], Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, UsefulNotes/GoogleStadia, PC, 2021) [[index]]