Sonic Turns 20!

• 22nd Jun 2011

20 YEARS OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

For two decades he has sprinted faster than the speed of light across our computer screens, launched his trademark spin attacks and collected millions of gold rings – and today Sonic celebrates his 20th anniversary.

From the first day of the release of Sonic the Hedgehog back in 1991 on the SEGA Mega Drive console, Sonic the Hedgehog quickly became a popular gaming icon due to his super fast speed and his cool, edgy character.

Since then Sonic has become a hero for a generation and a gaming icon, featuring in more than 65 Sonic games. As well as videogames, SEGA’s iconic blue hedgehog has enjoyed huge success in areas such as comics, apparel and toys and even starred in his own animated series.

Despite 20 years of fame, the prickly creature is just 15 years old and has not aged since his first appearance on the SEGA Mega Drive.  With over 70 million copies of his games sold worldwide, and two more coming out this year, Sonics’ domination looks set to continue.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SONIC:

1. Over 70 million games have been sold worldwide.
2. “Project Needlemouse” was the name given to the Sonic project.
3. Sonic is 15 years old and has never aged.
4. An estimated 60 million people have played at least one Sonic game.
5. Sonic runs faster than the speed of light and is officially the fastest videogame character of all time (Guinness Book of Records).
6. Sonic was voted number one video gaming icon of all time* (msn poll 2009).
7. Sonic’s shoes were inspired by a combination of Santa Claus and the colour red for speed and fire.
8. Sonic originally had a girlfriend called Madonna and was in a rock band.
9. Sonic’s first ever appearance was a humble one – as a toy hanging from the rear-view mirror in the little-known arcade racing game Rad Mobile.
10. Sonic has starred in his own line of comics and in four animated TV series.
11. Sega sponsored the Williams Grand Prix team and the team’s lead driver, Alain Prost during the 1993 Formula One championship.
12. Sonic fans have collected over 70 billion rings between them.
13. Sonic was the first video game character to have a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
14. Sonic has made cameos in various games including, The Simpsons Game, The Incredible Hulk, Tom and Jerry: The Movie and he also featured in the Simpsons show.
15. Sonic has appeared in over 65 games.
16. Dr Eggman has an IQ of 300.
17. Sonic the Hedgehog’s personality is a juxtaposition of kindness and ferocity, as on one hand he does all in his power to snuff out evil, but he also can’t look away when somebody else is in trouble.
18. Sonic hates boredom and being tied down, so much of his time is spent running towards the next danger or adventure.
19. Sonic’s favourite food is chilli dogs.
20. Sonic cannot swim.

Born from a contest to create a new SEGA mascot by their leading designers, Sonic’s first humble appearance – as a toy hanging from the rear-view mirror in the little-known arcade racing game Rad Mobile – has now developed into an incredible legacy that has spanned two decades.