History Franchise / SonicTheHedgehog

Originally created in 1991 for the then-fledgling Creator/{{Sega}} [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]] (and not-so-fledgling UsefulNotes/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.

Sonic, meanwhile, reached an AudienceAlienatingEra during the run of SEGA's [[UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn Saturn]] console, which was a good deal less successful than its predecessor. The spinoff game, ''VideoGame/SonicR'', was the only noteworthy Sonic game on the console. ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme'' was announced, but it was cancelled due to a permission dispute between developers, and filled in at the 11th hour by an upgraded port of the Genesis game ''VideoGame/Sonic3DFlickiesIsland''.

Around the turn of the millennium, the series got revitalized in a truly three-dimensional incarnation on SEGA's final home console, the [[UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast Dreamcast]]. ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' and ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' were noted for their production values, larger scope and ambitious plotlines, but also criticized for questionable choices and other teething problems; such as the screwy camera and awkward controls usually found in [[VideoGame3DLeap platformers that tried to make their first jump to 3D]]. Still, both ''Adventure'' games were reasonably successful for their time, with the first being the highest-selling title and resident KillerApp for the Dreamcast, and the second's port of ''[[UpdatedReRelease Sonic Adventure 2: Battle]]'' being the highest-selling third-party game for the UsefulNotes/NintendoGamecube, bringing in a [[NewbieBoom massive slew of new fans]] in the process.

And then came the game simply titled ''[[RecycledTitle Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', usually referred to as ''VideoGame/{{Sonic the Hedgehog 2006}}'' or "Sonic '06", which was released in late 2006 for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and early 2007 for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3. [[ChristmasRushed By forcing the game out for a Christmas release]], what was yet another attempt to undo the issues with the series's VideoGame3DLeap became an ObviousBeta that accentuated the issue. Among the game's many criticisms was the [[WreakingHavok Havok physics engine]] and [[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading loading times]] reaching lengths that hadn't been seen in almost a decade.

* ''VideoGame/{{Sonic the Hedgehog|1}}'' (UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, 1991)

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'' (UsefulNotes/SegaCD, 1993)

* ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' (UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, 1998) [[/index]]
** ''Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut'' (UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube, [[UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows PC]][[index]], 2003)

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

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

* ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' (Xbox 360, [=PlayStation 3=], PC, UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, 2011)
* ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' (UsefulNotes/WiiU, Nintendo 3DS, PC, 2013)
* ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' (UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, PC, 2017)

* ''VideoGame/SonicFrontiers'' (PC, [=PlayStation 4=], UsefulNotes/PlayStation5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS, 2022)

* ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog18Bit Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)]]'' (UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, UsefulNotes/GameGear, 1991)

* ''[[VideoGame/SonicPocketAdventure Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure]]'' ([[UsefulNotes/NeoGeoPocket Neo Geo Pocket Color]], 1999)

** ''Sonic Advance'' ([[/index]]UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance[[index]], 2001)

* ''VideoGame/SonicRivals'' (UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable, 2006)

* ''VideoGame/SonicR'' (UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn, PC, 1997)

* ''VideoGame/SonicJam'' (Sega Saturn, UsefulNotes/GameCom, 1997)[[/index]]

* ''[[VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix Knuckles' Chaotix]]'' ([[UsefulNotes/Sega32X 32X]], 1995)

* ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogsGameworld Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld]]'': A game for the ill-fated [[UsefulNotes/OtherSegaSystems Sega Pico]] edutainment console in 1994.[[/index]]

* ''VideoGame/TailsAndTheMusicMaker'': One of three games featuring Sonic's two-tailed friend as the star, and released for the [[UsefulNotes/OtherSegaSystems Sega Pico]] in 1994.

* ''Sonic Racing'' (UsefulNotes/AppleArcade, 2019)

* ''VideoGame/SonicDreamTeam'' (UsefulNotes/AppleArcade, 2023)

** ''WesternAnimation/SonicPrime'' (2022-2023)

** [[/index]]''Knuckles''[[note]] Creator/ParamountPlus spin-off of the live-action movies [[/note]] (2023)[[index]]

* The character himself as a VirtualYouTuber. [[https://twitter.com/SonicOfficialJP/status/1408062951769010180 Yes, really.]]

* ''VideoGame/SonicDreamTeam'' (UsefulNotes/AppleArcade, 2023)

* ''Sonic Racing'' (Apple Arcade, 2019)

* ''Sonic Dream Team'' (Apple Arcade, 2023)

** ''Sonic Racing'' (Apple Arcade, 2019)

* ''VideoGame/SonicJump'' (Mobile, [=iOS=], Android)
** ''Sonic Jump Fever'' ([=iOS=], Android, 2014)
* ''VideoGame/SonicDash'' ([=iOS=], Android, 2013)
** ''Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom'' ([=iOS=], Android, 2015)
* ''VideoGame/SonicRunners'' ([=iOS=], Android, 2015)
** ''VideoGame/SonicRunnersAdventure'' (Android, iOS, 2017)

* ''VideoGame/SonicForcesSpeedBattle'' (iOS, Android, 2017)
* ''VideoGame/CookieRunKingdom'': A crossover event with the Sonic Franchise was released from September 17, 2021 to October 16. During the event, players were able to obtain Sonic Cookie and Tails Cookie, and play in the temporary game mode: ''Sonic's Green Hill''.

* ''VideoGame/SonicDreamTeam'' (UsefulNotes/AppleArcade, 2023)

* ''VideoGame/SonicDreamTeam'' (UsefulNotes/AppleArcade, 2023)

** ''Sonic Dream Team'' (Apple Arcade, 2023)

* ''VideoGame/SonicDreamTeam (UsefulNotes/AppleArcade, 2023)

** ''Sonic & Friends'' (2023-)

Creator/{{Sega}}'s flagship franchise, one of the most popular video game properties of all time.

>''"[[VideoGame/SonicJam And SONIC continues to spin towards the future. Nothing will stop him!]]"''

* ''VideoGame/{{Sonic Rush|Series}}''
** ''VideoGame/SonicRush'' (Nintendo DS, 2005)
** ''VideoGame/SonicRushAdventure'' (Nintendo DS, 2007)

As the ire towards the 3D Sonic games reached its peak, Sega went for a simpler route with ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' in 2008, [[PutOnABus getting rid of much of the main cast]] and completely revamping the gameplay to a simpler style involving "boosting", much like Creator/{{Dimps}}' 2D ''VideoGame/SonicRushSeries'', while pairing it with a completely different gameplay style for variety. The tone was also considerably lighter than the progressively [[DarkerAndEdgier serious tone]] that characterized the previous games. ''Unleashed'' received a mixed reception for the latter style, but it was considered a step in the right direction for giving the series the exhilarating speed experience it needed and addressing much of the problems that previous ''Sonic'' games had.

** ''Sonic Rush'' (Nintendo DS, 2005)
** ''Sonic Rush Adventure'' (Nintendo DS, 2007)

* ''[[http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=705&page=1#2891 SegaSonic Popcorn Shop]]'' - basically a popcorn vending machine with a game for kids to play while they wait for their popcorn to be ready.

And then came the game simply titled ''[[RecycledTitle Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', usually referred to as ''VideoGame/{{Sonic the Hedgehog 2006}}'' or "Sonic '06", which was released in late 2006 for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and early 2007 for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3. [[ChristmasRushed By forcing the game out for a Christmas release]], what was yet another attempt to undo the issues with the series's VideoGame3DLeap became an ObviousBeta that accentuated the issue. Among the game's [[BlackSheep many]] criticisms was the [[WreakingHavok Havok physics engine]] and [[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading loading times]] reaching lengths that hadn't been seen in almost a decade.

And then came the game simply titled ''[[RecycledTitle Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', usually referred to as ''VideoGame/{{Sonic the Hedgehog 2006}}'' or "Sonic '06", which was released in late 2006 for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and early 2007 for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3. [[ChristmasRushed By forcing the game out for a Christmas release]], what was yet another attempt to undo the issues with the series's VideoGame3DLeap became a ''very'' ObviousBeta that actually ''accentuated'' the issue. Among the game's '''[[BlackSheep many]]''' criticisms was the [[WreakingHavok Havok physics engine]] and [[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading loading times]] reaching lengths that hadn't been seen in almost a decade.

** ''Sonic Origins Plus'': An update that will have Knuckles the Echidna playable in ''Sonic CD'', Amy Rose playable in the four main titles, and the inclusion of all 12 Game Gear Sonic titles. (Nintendo Switch, [=PlayStation=] 4 and 5, Xbox One & Series X/S, PC, 2023)

* ''VideoGame/{{Flicky}}'' (Arcade, 1984): Technically not a ''Sonic'' title and it predates the franchise by seven years, but it does feature the first appearance of Flicky, who would go on to become one of the franchise's main animal buddies. Its gameplay would also inspire ''Sonic 3D: Flickies Island'', which acts as a pseudo isometric reimagining of the game.

** ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoTetris2'' (Nintendo Switch, [=PlayStation=] 4 and 5, Xbox One & Series X/S, PC, 2020): Sonic appears as a GuestFighter in this game, likely as a homage to the aforementioned ''Mean Bean Machine'', plus the fact that ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'' is also made by Creator/SonicTeam. Sonic is actually the first proper GuestFighter the series has ever had.

Creator/{{Sega}}'s flagship franchise, one of the most popular video game properties of all time, and one that is both famous and [[BrokenBase/SonicTheHedgehog infamous]].

** ''Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence'' (2022)

'''Sonic:''' What you see is what you get — just a guy that loves adventure. I'm Sonic the Hedgehog!