Finding the Computer Room

I've always been kinda' curious as to where the line "Find the Computer Room" gained fame. Though hilarious, the line can usually only be found when on pause, as Vector's lines are variants ("We've got to make it to the computer room before this place collapses," etc).

So this is my hunt for the story behind the "Computer Room."

Timeline

Nov. 2005 (Shadow the Hedgehog is released) The original line starts here, in the level Cosmic Fall where Shadow can choose to help Vector find the Ark's "computer room."

Late 2005 The line becomes associated with Vector's mission.

Spring 2006 An hilarious but inappropriate fanfic uses the line.

Summer 2006 A fan's comic strip showing Shadow's frustration while Vector repeats the line is posted on DeviantArt.

Jan. 2007 Someone puts it on Urban dictionary.

Feb. 2007 A video on youtube used the line multiple times with clips from Sonic X.

Jun. 2007 A Youtube Account called FTCR or "Find the Computer Room" is made (and is still around).

2009 A youtube video plays the line for 10 minutes. It starts to show up in other places.

Beyond 2009 It's begining to be considered a Sonic meme and an "infamous" quote.

In 2010, the comic from DeviantArt is posted on Youtube with the Cosmic Fall music. Meanwhile in 2012 Youtubers began naming their Cosmic Fall playthroughs "Find the Computer Room." In 2015, a few also posted videos of the line by itself. In 2016, someone makes a new video with the line over Spongebob.

In more recent years, there have been a great deal of images and videos posted relating to or mentioning the phrase. The popular meme began to be considered official since it was used by the Sega/Sonic social accounts and was featured in Sonic Universe # 47.

However, while infamous in the Sonic Community, it's not considered a meme everyone would recognize.

Conclusions

I didn't even have the internet in 2005, so I'm not sure exactly how or where this found it's popularity, but it was considered recognizable by 2007. I speculate the comic strip was what initially helped it gain popularity.

It seems Vector's voice acting made the comment stand out, as well as the character's comical traits. The contrast between Vector and Shadow may have also contributed.

Personally, I thought it was because when you finally get to the "computer room," the "room" is a bizarre collection of green boxes and the "computer" is an odd shaped thing. But that just might be me.   

Seriously wth?

Best Robotnik/Eggman VA

All of Robotnik's voice actors have done a fair job, but some match the character better than others.

Best to Worst

1 Mike Pollock (Sonic X, Sonic Boom, 2005-now)

Pollock is able to switch between Eggman's evil, comedic, and crazy sides. I kind of forgot, with how the games have been written the past decade, how he can portray the character with such angry confidence.

2 Long John Baldry (AoStH)

Baldry went with the comedic route, pronouncing words in a unique way ("I wasn't supposed to pull that LEEver"). Though the result was funny, he kept the character oblivious to it with anger. If he hadn't put emphasis into the role, phrases like "I HATE that hedgehog!" (...and "snooPINGAS usual") wouldn't have caught on.

3 Gary Chalk (Sonic Underground)

Chalk put a focus on Robotnik's superior attitude and balanced the comedy with a slight edge when necessary.

4 Jim Cummings (Sat Am)

Cumming's does good job at creating a scarier Robotnik. It's hard to imagine anyone else fitting the Sat Am interpretation so well. However, that version isn't really in line with the character in general. He also voiced a few lines in the AoStH pilot, but he still didn't really show the character as funny.

5 Deem Bristow (1999-2004)

Birstrow had a powerful voice for the old egghead, but it did not match the character as well except when challenging Sonic. 

6 Edwin Neal (OVA)

Unlike most of the OVA's cast, Neal isn't that bad. It's kind of weird at points, but not bad.

7 Jim Carrey ("Sonic the Hedgehog"  movie)

It's kind of hard to judge on voice alone, here, but Carrey notably switches between a smart Robotnik and angered one. Of all the portrayals, his is the most "normal" (likely due to the fact that he was acting, not voice acting). Like with Cummings, Carrey does a good job with a different version of Robotnik, but I don't think he fits the actual character as well.

Best Cream VA

Young Cream debuted in Sonic Advance 2, but had no voice at the time. As a result, Cream was the first character to have a voice in a cartoon before a videogame.

Best to Worst

Rebecca Honig (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

Honig had an adorable voice for Cream.

Sarah Wulfeck (2003)

Wulfeck, while having a few strange sound effects, has a cute voice for Cream that sounds like the appropriate age (6).

Michelle Ruff (2010-present)

Ruff has Cream at a sweet high pitch, but it seems more annoying than the others...

Best Charmy VA

Charmy Bee is the Chaotix youngest member. Despite being a boy, all of his voice actors have been female.

Best to Worst

Amy Birnbaum (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

Birnbaum does a perfect job off keeping the character young, boyish, and energetic. A few line of Charmy's lines in Shadow the Hedgehog make me burst out laughing ("Look. It's a WARZONE.")

Emily Corkery (2003)

At a high pitch, her version of Charmy is funny and has a lot of energy, but doesn't sound very boyish. I generally think her performance in Heroes is why some people mistake Charmy for a girl.

Colleen O'Shaughnessey (2010-present)

O'Shaughnessey has Charmy sound young and boyish as well, but in a way a bit too similar to to her Tails voice (though she did not start voicing Tails until 2014). Her voice for Charmy generally seems more annoying than the others.

Best Espio VA

Espio the Chameleon is the speed type of the Chaotix.

Best To Worst

David Wills (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

Wills gave Espio a mysterious, cool tone. He somehow seems to make the character conclusive, which goes with his role in the Detective Agency.

Matt Mercer (2016-now)

In Sonic Forces, Mercer was able to give the character a deep voice with a bit of an edge to it. If he had the chance cover lines beyond support, he might be number one, here. Unfortunately, though, Espio hasn't had much of a role as of late.

Bill Corkery (2003)

Corkey gave Espio a gruff voice that may have been a bit too tough for a speed type. Some of his comments like "Ninja Power" make me laugh...but I don't think they were meant to.

Troy Baker (2010-2016)

Baker's version is mellow. While calm, it's just kinda' lame compared to other performances.

Best Vector VA

Vector's one of the tougher characters to rank because despite having several voice actors, there wasn't a clear loser. They're all hilarious and line up with Vector's attitude in their own way.

1 Marc Biagi (2003)

A bit deeper than his replacements, Biagi combined the character's strength and comical qualities. I think he fit the "detective" role well. His ability to show more of a leader side is what makes him stand out.

2 Keith Silverstein (2010-present)

Silverstein combines what was good about who came before him and creates a unique voice that is 100% Vector. He did a good job in Free Riders and the games since.

3 James Carter Cathcart (Sonic X, 2005)

While his first appearance in Sonic X was high, annoying, and inappropriate for Vector, he changed the voice for Season 3. Handling the comedy very well, he helped expand Vector from detective to the hilarious croc he is today. As for in Shadow the Hedgehog, his version was annoyingly hilarious ("Find the Computer Room!").

4 Dan Green (2007-2010)

Green didn't voice the character often, but did so in a funny and energetic way. I like his version a lot (I didn't even realize it was Dan Green in Rivals 2), but since he didn't voice him very much I'm sorry to place him at the bottom of this list.

Best Storm VA

Storm was the only characters from each cast to share voice actors with his rival, Knuckles.

Best to Worst

1 Dan Green (2006-2010)

While using a garbled voice, Green was able to show Storm as a tough guy who's a bit of an idiot.   

2 Travis Willingham (2010-now)

Willingham does a similar voice that works just as well. It's pretty much a tie between these two, but I decided Green was the winner since "Free Riders" Storm sounds kinda' like a deeper Boom Knuckles (which in all fairness came out later, but still).

Best Wave VA

Wave has only been voiced by two different people.

Best to Worst

Bella Hudson (Erica Shroeder) (2006-2010)

Hudson puts a lot of sassy attitude into her character, giving the lines life. 

Kate Higgins (2010-present)

Similar, Higgins makes Wave sassy and her voice for the character is a bit girlish. However, she lacks some of the emphasis Hudson was able to do. 

Best Jet VA

When Riders first came to be, I think people expected Jet to be voiced in a smooth, "cool" way  (to match his appearance). But that isn't really his personality. He thinks he's the coolest. Greedy and snotty, he thinks he's the best. But his encounter with Sonic makes him question that for the first time. Having a unique voice would also distinct the character from other rivals like Shadow. 

Best to Worst

Jason Griffith

Griffith's voice for Jet the Hawk is part of the reason I love the character. He uses a hilarious, high-pitched bird voice and is able convey Jet's superior, cocky way of thinking perfectly. His version of Jet is bossy, overconfident, and doesn't accept defeat. Jet's laughter is also one of the funniest moments in the entire series.

Michael Yurchak

Yurchak's Jet...
Yeek.
Yurchak's Jet is squeaky and high pitched, but not really bird-like. More nerdy. The "nerd" sound works for Silver because he has a sense of uncertainty. Jet is pretty much the opposite of Silver, so it's hard hear Jet with a geeky voice. Another problem is that he makes the character seem younger than 14. Yurchak transforms Jet and his arrogant lines into annoying brat.

This is yet another case of not necessarily bad acting, but bad casting. 

Best Silver VA

Best to Worst

1 Pete Capella (2006-2010)

Although his take on Silver can sometimes be annoying (I'm actually thinking of Zero Gravity, not 06), Capella is defiantly the best Silver. His voice is youthful, pitiful, and naive. In particular, he does a very good job with the lines in his opening cutscene (06) that establishes the scene just as well as the location's design.

Besides, "annoying" has kind of become a part of his character by now, hehe.

2 Bryce Papenbrook (Team Sonic Racing)

I didn't like Papenbrook's voice at first because it sounded nerdy, kinda' like Silver had braces? On the other hand, it seemed cute. His version of Silver is young and confident with just a twinge awkward geekiness. 

3 Quinton Flynn (2010-2017)

Flynn is an okay Silver. Sometimes, he acts Sliver-ish, such as speaking to Infinite. Yet in the same game he constantly fails to bring the needed emotions that come with the situation. Flynn's Silver sound effects can be irritating, and it seems to vary whether he tries to make the character young or more mature.

Best Blaze VA

Best To Worst

1 Bella Hudson (Erica Shroeder) (2005-2010)

Hudson was able to show emotion even with the limited voice clips in Sonic Rush (such a sad yet hopeful "again"). She was able to portray her both as feisty and fiery as well as calm and focused.

2 Erica Lindbeck (Team Sonic Racing)

Lindbeck had similar take on the character that wasn't quite as good but still likable. She was generally able to match Blaze's personality.

3 Laura Bailey (2010-2017)

Bailey's version of Blaze is more girlish. Her slow attempt at sounding elegant almost comes off as stingy. Her yelling voice ("Call me with the Triangle button!") is about as close to Blaze's personality as she gets...she isn't bad, but isn't as good as Hudson or Lindbeck.

Omega Best VA

Though Omega's voice would be edited to sound more robotic, his voice actors still had an impact on how the character sounded.

Best to Worst

1 Jon St John (2003)

St John was the perfect voice for Omega, able to add anger within Omega's robotic tone while staying in-character.

For as further evidence, it's apparent in an unedited version that he could do a good job even without the electronic changes in vocals.

2 Jeff Kramer (Shadow the Hedgehog)

Kramer does a similar job that fits Omega, just not as well as St John.

3 Aaron LaPlante (Team Sonic Racing)

LaPlante has proved to be a good voice for the role. I like how he is able to show the character's glee in destroying fellow robots, and look forward to hearing him as Omega in the future. Still, St John and Kramer win out for now.

4 Vic Mignogna (2010-2017)

Mignogna's initial run as Omega in Sonic Colors DS was lackluster. However, in Forces he did a better job, generally giving Omega a strong voice and impressively changing the character in Infinite's illusion.

5 Maddie Blaustein (2006, 2009)

Maddie Blaustein's first attempt at Omega sucked. For Omega, at least. It was an emotionless, robotic monotone that was at a higher pitch than previous attempts.

However, she greatly improved when voicing Omega in the Winter Olympics Games, to the point where some fans didn't even recognize her as a the same voice. I'm not sure if they were experimenting in 06, or if they were limited by the type of editor they were using at 4kids (as many of the robots from Sonic X sound high pitched, notably Gamma).

Though the second attempt was far more appropriate for the killer-robot, 06 had a bigger impact so that portrayal lands Blaustein in last place.

Best Rouge VA

Best to Worst

Kathleen Delaney (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

I think I generally like Delaney's work in the games over her appearance in Sonic X. Might be a script difference, though, rather than voice acting...hmm...

Anyway, Delaney fit Rouge's personality very well, giving her a smooth tone. She's also able to change from that tone to a concerned or angry one with ease. I especially how she acts in 06. She's able to combine the smart GUN secret agent, the sassy jewel-obsessed bat, and the Team Dark member that's willing to show a little empathy. 

Lani Minella (2001-2004)

While showing some potential, Minella's performance in Sonic Adventure 2 wasn't the best. I think the main problem was that she couldn't imitate sarcasm well. However she did a great job in Heroes and Sonic Battle, to the point that I was considering having her as number one.

However, even though Minella's take on Rouge is likable and sounds younger, it doesn't match Rouge's situation as well as Delaney (as a spy/theif...she does the treasure hunter side great, though).

Karen Strassman (2010-now)

Strassman does a good Rouge voice that matches her age and flirty personality. But her acting doesn't really go beyond "flirty," not really even in Forces and TSR. The sneaky, ambitious Rogue who secretly cares about her team is gone. Strassman has potential, but she's needs to become the Rouge that would throw together a team with a robot and an amnesic. She needs to expand beyond "flirty."

And, to be fair, SEGA needs to write Rouge that way. 

Best Shadow VA

Best to Worst

1 Jason Griffith (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

Although his initial voice for the character during the Sonic X arc "the Shadow Saga" was slightly off, by Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic X season 3 it was spot on.

The ultimate voice for Shadow, Griffith was able to hit Shadow's different emotions perfectly, from threatening to sad to determined. He was often able to switch between making the character's voice  rough or soft depending on the situation.   

2 David Humphrey (2001-2004)

Shadow's first voice helped establish his memorable character traits. I especially like how he is able to show empathy for Maria through his voice. He got even better by Sonic Heroes. Humphrey did a great job as Shadow, just not as good as Griffith.

3 Kirk Thornton (2010-now)

Thornton's rough Shadow voice is okay. In Forces his take on the character was pretty good, but in the past he's done little to impress. The recent games haven't given Shadow much of a role, anyway, though.

Best Amy VA

Best to Worst

1 Lisa Ortiz (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

Ortiz did a wonderful version of Amy. She was able to sound cute, girlish, and peppy. Her version also showed Amy's "fan-girl" and angry sides the best.

2 Cindy Robinson (Sonic Boom, 2010-now) 

Starting out, her high pitched Amy sounded annoying and like Minnie Mouse. Since voicing Boom Amy, though, she improved and has showed a mature side to the character. Luckily her changes were extended to the games as well.

3 Jennifer Douillard (1999-2004)

Although her voice was youthful and she improved a lot by Heroes, her appearances in the Adventure series weren't that good and lacked the personality the others had.

Best Knux VA

Knuckles was originally supposed to be Jamaican, but that didn't happen. Time for figure out Knuckles' best voice:

Best to Worst:

1 Travis Willingham (Sonic Boom, 2010-2017)

While his voice initially seemed mediocre, it wasn't as bad as some of the others from the "2010" group. His voice acting for the character improved with Sonic Boom, where he somehow made (the drastically different) Knuckles funny and likable. I also like how mature he portrayed the character in Sonic Forces.

2 Dan Green (Sonic X, 2005-2010)

Green was able to portray Knuckles' hot-headed personality the best. He also was able to make the character comical by keeping his voice completely serious.

3 Scott Dreier (2001-2003)

Dreier's Knuckles seemed kinda' weird at first, but he seems enthusiastic and still sounds tougher fellow characters.

4 Ryan Drummond (Sonic Shuffle)

Surprisingly, Drummond does a good job matching Knuckles' personality for only voicing the character once.

5 Dave Mitchell (Team Sonic Racing)

Mitchell manages to keep his voice similar to the others, but so far doesn't stand out much.

6 Michael McGaharn (Sonic Adventure)

McGaharn doesn't capture Knuckles' fired-up attitude as well, but does a decent job showing the explorer side of Knuckles.

7 Bill Wise ("The Movie"/OVA)

Wise has the oddest version, with a strange accent. It's not as bad as some of the other OVA actors, but it's strange for Knuckles.

8 Brian Drummond (Sonic Underground)

Brian Drummond (no relation to Ryan Drummond) makes Knuckles seem younger than the rest of the actors. While he tries to make the character have a threatening tone, the higher pitch makes it hard to take serious.

Best Tails VA

Tails has had the most voice actors in the entire series. He would often be voiced by a young boy, and then their voice would change...Tails has almost been voiced by girls as many times as by guys...

Since there are so many for Tails, I'm ranking them all at once (games and cartoons).

Best to Worst

1 Christopher Welch (AoStH)

Tails' first voice actor remains the best in my opinion. He sounds young but not babyish, and is able to show affection and admiration for his "big bro" very well. Though this version of the character was about 4-5, I think the voice would have fit the games fine.

2 Colleen O' Shaughnessey (Boom, games since 2014, Sonic movie cameo)

Shaughnessey does an admirable job of making Tails sound cute, smart, youthful, and boyish at the same time. This "Tails" combination is something that others have struggled with.

3 Kate Higgins (games 2010-2013)

Higgins gave Tails a boyish voice and was able make poorly written lines comical. However her lower pitch makes Tails sound older, and I don't get as much of an emotional bond with Sonic as with the others.

4 Amy Palant (Sonic X, games 2005-2010)

Her voice for Tails is adorable, though it can be kind of annoying in some cases. She does a good job of making Tails sound smart, and (after a few years of speaking too high) she was able to improve and make him sound more like a boy. Had it been that way the whole time, Palant would be in third.


5 William Corkery (2003-2004)

While cute and friendly, Corkery's Tails is simply too young sounding (which is somewhat ironic because his voice actor was actually 8 at the time). His sound effects in Sonic Heroes can get annoying.

6 Chris Turner (AoStH-Christmas Blast)

Turner sounds similar to Welch--a good choice--but he's not as quite as likable. His Tails acts the appropriate age, but lacks some of Tails' personalty traits.

7  Bradley Pierce (Sat Am)

Pierce has the same problem as Corkery of sounding too young for the role. But it's even more bothersome when this version of Tails is supposed to be ten.

8  Corey Bringas (1999-2000)

His version of Tails is fair. He matches Tails' age nicely, but at points seems...immature? It's not really his voice but his acting, I guess.

9 Conner Bringas (2001)

The lines sound more awkward and unnatural from Connor Bringas than most of Tails' other voices.

10 Lainie Frasier (OVA)

Tails has probably never sounded more annoying. High, her version of Tails is babyish, or maybe sick.

So the best all-time voice for Tails was Christopher Welch. Being a young boy when voicing the lines, it's understandable why he'd (likely) never reprise the role.

As for the best in the games, it's Colleen O' Shaughnessey, which is suiting because she's the current voice for Tails.

Best Sonic VA (Recap)

I decided who was Sonic's best voice actor once before...but now that the Sonic Movie has come out, where does Ben Schwartz stand?

Best to Worst:

1 Jason Griffith

"Alright. Bring it on."

2 Jaleel White

"I'm WAITING."

3 Ryan Drummond

"Let's blast through with Sonic speed!"

4 Roger Craig Smith

"No copyright law in the universe is going to stop me." 

5 Ben Schwartz

"There's a fish on my head."

6 Martin Burke

"SHUT UP, TAILS."

Ben Schwartz isn't bad. It takes a bit of getting used to. He's able to switch between emotions easily and also manages to be comedic without trying too hard.

Still, in my mind he's movie Sonic, not Sonic. I'm not sure if he'd be as likable in the games.

Had this been a few years ago, I would have ranked him above Roger Craig Smith, but as of Team Sonic Racing, I've decided Smith isn't as bad anymore. My ranking between Drummond, Smith, and Schwartz is very close.

However Jason Griffith and Jaleel White are still the best by far, and Martin Burke is still at the bottom of the list. 

Quote of the Month

"That's a Chaos Emerald...collect 7, and a miracle's supposed to happen."
--Blaze the Cat, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

Sonicomics: IDW Changes...

Info

It's been announced that Evan Stanley (Creator of the fan comic "GOTF;" writer of "The Silver Age" issues/co-writer for "Victory Garden;" and a "fan favorite" Sonic artist) will be taking over as main writer for the Sonic the Hedgehog IDW comic series starting in issue 33.

The issue also features art by "fan favorite" Gigi Dutreix ("TMOM" fan comic; co-writer for "Victory Garden"), who will assumingly start penciling for the series more often. 

Current writer Ian Flynn will still be involved; it's more of a partnership. However, it is a big step in the world of Sonic comics since there hasn't been a main comic written without Ian Flynn since 2006 (and none "main" in the IDW series).

The success of "Tangle and Whisper " apparently opened the door for more spin-off material. There will be new mini-series focusing on sub-villain Dr. Starline. Written by Ian Flynn, it's titled "Bad Guys." Also, this year's Annual has been given a new release date in June (as it and most of the issues were delayed by the REAL WORLD virus).

Thoughts    

I'm happy with the change in writing. Though I don't hate Flynn, as some fans do, I've often felt that others should be involved for a better balance. I also believe that Stanley has a better grasp on how some of the characters act. Neither are perfect, but working together could turn out to be a great idea.

So many...

I'm less pleased with this "Bad Guys" idea. The Sonic cast is large and there are many amazing characters to base a story around. Most probably deserved a story more than Tangle/Whisper, but they were new, very popular characters. It made sense for IDW to show-off it's original characters in a original story.

But Starline? I don't think he's done anything to deserve a series. He's rather bland and lacks the popularity to support him. What's more, the series will deal with "the aftermath" of the Metal Virus saga...MORE OF THE D@^# M@%$@! F*&$!^% METAL VIRUS SAGA?!

Starline and fellow worthless characters (excluding maybe Mimic)

Look, Flynn has managed to make unique stories about villainous characters before. But it's defiantly not the angle I'd choose for the series' second spin-off, and I'm not interested.