Welcome to the story of Sonic the Hedgehog! Get ready to speed through the history of this iconic gaming franchise, from its humble beginnings to its global impact.

It all started in 1991 with the release of the first Sonic the Hedgehog game on the Sega Genesis. This game, created by Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and Hirokazu Yasuhara, was designed to rival Nintendo's Mario.

Sonic's high-speed gameplay and unique character design quickly captivated players, helping Sega gain significant market share against Nintendo.

The Sonic universe didn't stop at platforming. Let's explore the diverse games and characters that make up this vibrant world.

Sequels like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic & Knuckles built upon the original's success, introducing beloved characters like Tails and Knuckles.

The franchise branched out into 3D with Sonic Adventure, and continued to evolve with titles like Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations.

The core cast of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, along with memorable villains like Dr. Eggman, have become iconic figures in gaming culture.

Sonic's influence extends far beyond video games. Let's look at the franchise's impact on other media.

Numerous TV shows, from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog to Sonic X and Sonic Prime, have brought Sonic's adventures to life on screen.

And of course, the live-action Sonic movies have been a massive success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide!

The Sonic franchise has sold over 140 million copies worldwide and continues to be a cultural icon.