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| Sonic has also been a featured character in several ] titles. The arcade '']'' had Sonic as one of three playable characters. Sonic has also been featured in some pinball games including '']''. He is also a selectable character in '']'', '']'' and the '']'' racing games. Sonic is a selectable fighter in both '']'' and '']''. He also appears as a Hero Side mission partner in the game '']''. | Sonic has also been a featured character in several ] titles. The arcade '']'' had Sonic as one of three playable characters. Sonic has also been featured in some pinball games including '']''. He is also a selectable character in '']'', '']'' and the '']'' racing games. Sonic is a selectable fighter in both '']'' and '']''. He also appears as a Hero Side mission partner in the game '']''. | ||
| Screenshots and some newly released information has revealed that a brand new ''Sonic'' game is in development for the ] and ]. Naka has claimed that Sonic Team is going back to their origins, nearly fifteen years ago, to recreate Sonic's personality and attitude, as well as the gameplay style, to make the title feel more like the original games. Another Sonic title is in development for ]'s upcoming ] console: '']'', which is, from sources, reported as an entirely different game than the one being released for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and will utilize the new functions of the Wii console. Yukaza has said that ''Chao Keys'' will be appearing in the action stages, thus further sugesting that the ''Chao'' are making their 3rd appearance in Sonic games. Details have not yet been revealed. Sonic is confirmed to be in his first PSP game ]. It is going to be a game where you race against other characters to the end of a level. A sequel to '']'' for ] and ] was also mentioned by Takashi Yuda, (creator of the original ''Sonic Riders'' game, as well as the original designer of Knuckles) but no official announcements have been made by Sega as of yet. |
Screenshots and some newly released information has revealed that a brand new ''Sonic'' game is in development for the ] and ]. Naka has claimed that Sonic Team is going back to their origins, nearly fifteen years ago, to recreate Sonic's personality and attitude, as well as the gameplay style, to make the title feel more like the original games. Another Sonic title is in development for ]'s upcoming ] console: '']'', which is, from sources, reported as an entirely different game than the one being released for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and will utilize the new functions of the Wii console. Yukaza has said that ''Chao Keys'' will be appearing in the action stages, thus further sugesting that the ''Chao'' are making their 3rd appearance in Sonic games. Details have not yet been revealed. Sonic is confirmed to be in his first PSP game ]. It is going to be a game where you race against other characters to the end of a level. A sequel to '']'' for ] and ] was also mentioned by Takashi Yuda, (creator of the original ''Sonic Riders'' game, as well as the original designer of Knuckles) but no official announcements have been made by Sega as of yet. | ||
| ==Actual Speeds== | |||
| Sonic's best speed is 760 MPH,but his 'X Factor' moves him faster than time itself. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| {{wikiquote}} | {{wikiquote}} | ||
Revision as of 17:59, 19 September 2006
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | |
|---|---|
| 'Sonic the Hedgehog' character | |
| File:Sonicnextgen.pngSonic as he appears on his 15th anniversary. | |
| First game | Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) |
| Created by | Naoto Ohshima Yuji Naka |
Sonic the Hedgehog (ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ, Sonikku za Hejjihoggu) is a video game character and the protagonist of a series of games released by Sega, as well as numerous spin-off comics, cartoons and books. The first game in the franchise was released in 1991 in order to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's flagship character Mario. Since then, Sonic has become one of the world's best-known video game characters, with his series having sold over 44 million copies.
Artist Naoto Ohshima, designer Hirokazu Yasuhara and programmer Yuji Naka are generally credited with the creation of the character, a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog, whose ability to run faster than the speed of sound is a major part of the gameplay of the series. He is 15 years old, and is significantly shorter and lighter than full grown adults, being about 100 centimeters (3 ft 3 in) tall and weighing 35 kilograms (77 lb). Recent game trailers have revealed that he is actually taller than he once was.
History
In April 1990, Sega requested a game capable of selling over one million copies and a character to replace Alex Kidd as the company's mascot. Several character designs were submitted by its AM8 research & development department, including an armadillo (who was later developed into Mighty the Armadillo), a dog, an over-sized Theodore Roosevelt in pajamas (which would later be the basis of Doctor Eggman's design) and a rabbit (intended to use its extendable ears to collect objects; these aspects were later incorporated into Ristar). Eventually, Naoto Ohshima's spiky hedgehog was chosen as the new mascot. A group of fifteen started working on Sonic the Hedgehog, and renamed themselves Sonic Team. The game's soundtrack was composed by Masato Nakamura of the band Dreams Come True. Sega sponsored the group's "Wonder 3" tour, painting Sonic on the tour bus, distributing pamphlets advertising the game, and having footage of the game broadcast above stage prior to its release.
Sonic's precise age, weight, height and other physical characteristics vary depending on the continuity in which he appears and the style in which he is drawn. In the videogames, Sonic's original design by Naoto Ohshima was quite short and childlike, with short quills, a round body, and no visible irises. Artwork featuring this design and drawn by Akira Watanabe was displayed on the package artwork for Sonic the Hedgehog, and most subsequent Sonic videogames featured similar designs. Beginning with Sonic Adventure in 1998, Sonic was redesigned by Yuji Uekawa as a taller character with longer legs and a less spherical body. His spikes were made longer and more drooping, and his eyes were coloured green. Further changes to the character's design were made for the 2006 Sonic game. Spin-off media such as comics and cartoons have featured variations on all these videogame designs, with restrictions set by the standardised model sheets.
His cobalt blue pigmentation has never been explained in the games; however, explanations were offered as the character was transferred to other media. One origin story was provided in a promotional comic for the original game featured in Disney Adventures, Garfield Magazine, and other children's periodicals, which was later elaborated upon in Mike Pattenden's Stay Sonic, a book about the character published in the UK. This explanation, in which the shockwaves Sonic experienced when he first ran at supersonic speed turned him blue and streamlined his spikes, later became the basic origin for many subsequent UK publications. For example, in Egmont Fleetway's Sonic the Comic, a slight deviation from this was that Sonic was able to transform from a brown hedgehog into his form seen circa 1991 because he exceeded the speed of sound in one of Dr. Kintobor's machines while in contact with a Chaos Emerald.
Appearances
Games
Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog series
Sonic started his battle against his nemesis Doctor Eggman in Sonic the Hedgehog for the Mega Drive/Genesis. After venturing out on his own in the first game, he was given a sidekick in Miles "Tails" Prower for the sequel Sonic 2, who would run behind Sonic as they continued their fight against Eggman. The sequel was also the first game to feature Sonic's Super Sonic form. Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles would see Sonic and Tails battle Eggman yet again, with the additional threat of Sonic's newfound nemesis, the misguided Knuckles the Echidna. Sonic would eventually team up with Knuckles to defeat their mutual foe.
Sonic would be solo once again for Sonic CD, in which Sonic would use his unrivaled speed to travel through time to defeat Eggman and ensure a good future for the world. Sonic CD also introduced Amy Rose, Sonic's self-proclaimed girlfriend who only played minor roles in several Sonic-themed spinoff games until Sonic Adventure. It also introduced Metal Sonic, who wouldn't have another major role until Knuckles Chaotix. Sonic 3D Blast, the first Sonic game to feature 3D pre-rendered graphics was a diversion for Sonic as he rescued birds called Flickies on an island.
Sonic Adventure featured Sonic returning from vacation to find the city of Station Square under attack by a new powerful foe named Chaos, under the control of Doctor Eggman. The game was the first true 3D Sonic game and was the debut of Sonic's homing attack (although it could be used in Sonic 3D after acquiring a power-up, Sonic Adventure was the first title to feature it as a standard move). In addition, Sonic was also able to collect power-ups that gave him extra abilities. The game also featured Sonic interacting with non-playable characters and objects in 3D "Adventure" sequences, where the game world could be freely explored. Sonic Adventure was the first video game title that featured a voice-over for Sonic.
Sonic Adventure 2/Battle involved Sonic being framed for a robbery he didn't commit and on-the-run from the military. He also faces a new rival, Shadow the Hedgehog. However, the two put their differences aside and save the world from destruction. Super Sonic makes another reapearence, and it's also the first appearance of Super Shadow.
Sonic's third 3D action game was Sonic Heroes, which featured four different teams made up by three characters in each. This game marked the return of the group of characters known as Team Chaotix, as well as Metal Sonic.
In addition to these games, Sonic has been featured in a variety of 8-bit console and handheld games as well. Sonic Triple Trouble saw Sonic and Tails face off against Fang the Sniper for the first time. Sonic Advance and Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure for the Game Boy Advance and the Neo Geo Pocket respectively were the first games to feature Sonic on a non-Sega game platform. Two sequels to Sonic Advance were released and Sonic has continued his appearances on Nintendo handheld game units with Sonic Rush for Nintendo DS.
Sonic has also been a featured character in several spin-off titles. The arcade SegaSonic the Hedgehog had Sonic as one of three playable characters. Sonic has also been featured in some pinball games including Sonic Spinball. He is also a selectable character in Sonic R, Sonic Riders and the Sonic Drift racing games. Sonic is a selectable fighter in both Sonic Battle and Sonic Championship. He also appears as a Hero Side mission partner in the game Shadow the Hedgehog.
Screenshots and some newly released information has revealed that a brand new Sonic game is in development for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Naka has claimed that Sonic Team is going back to their origins, nearly fifteen years ago, to recreate Sonic's personality and attitude, as well as the gameplay style, to make the title feel more like the original games. Another Sonic title is in development for Nintendo's upcoming Wii console: Sonic and the Secret Rings, which is, from sources, reported as an entirely different game than the one being released for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and will utilize the new functions of the Wii console. Yukaza has said that Chao Keys will be appearing in the action stages, thus further sugesting that the Chao are making their 3rd appearance in Sonic games. Details have not yet been revealed. Sonic is confirmed to be in his first PSP game Sonic Rivals. It is going to be a game where you race against other characters to the end of a level. A sequel to Sonic Riders for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 was also mentioned by Takashi Yuda, (creator of the original Sonic Riders game, as well as the original designer of Knuckles) but no official announcements have been made by Sega as of yet.
Actual Speeds
Sonic's best speed is 760 MPH,but his 'X Factor' moves him faster than time itself.
See also
References
In addition to information taken from the Sonic the Hedgehog games themselves, the instruction manuals of the US and Japanese versions of the games were also used as references for this article.
- Kennedy, Sam. "The Essential 50: Sonic the Hedgehog". 1up.com. Retrieved 2006-06-03.
- "Sega Announces Sonic's charge onto the Wii Console". Sega of America. 2006-05-09. Retrieved 2006-06-17.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Horowitz, Ken. "Sega Stars: Yuji Naka". Sega-16. Retrieved 2006-06-20.
- Matte, Jared. "Sonic Encyclopaedia: Sonic the Hedgehog". The GHZ. Retrieved 2006-02-17.
- Davies, Ben. Lopez, Miguel. "History of Sega, part 4". GameSpot. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - His age is given as 15 in Sega Japan's Sonic profile and other recent sources such as the English language instruction manual for Sonic Heroes. Older products such as Sonic Jam and certain issues of the Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comic previously stated that he is 16 years old.
- Sonic Team. "Sonic's official character profile". Sega of Japan. Retrieved 2006-04-12.
- Matte, Jared. "1990: The Conception". The GHZ. Retrieved 2006-06-03.
- "Sega Visions Interview with Yuji Naka". 1992. Retrieved 2006-03-06.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - "Masato Nakamura interview" (flash). Sonic Central. Retrieved 2006-02-07.
- Sega Video Game Illustrations. Nippon Shuppan Hanbai (Deutschland) GmbH. 1994. ISBN 3-910052-50-9.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Pattenden, Mike (1993-03-25). Stay Sonic. Fantail. ISBN 0-14-090390-9.
External links
- Official sites
- Sonic Central - Official Sonic the Hedgehog microsite at Sega.com
- Sonic Channel - Official Japanese website
- Sonic City - Official European Sonic the Hedgehog website
- Fan sites
- Sonic Ultimate - Containing information mostly about Sonic from the comic book
- Concept-Mobius Research-based character profile (fan site)