Thirty Years and Counting

The possibilities are never-ending? 

In 1991, thirty years ago, Sonic the Hedgehog was released in North America. Flash forward to now, and that blue cartoony hedgehog is still one of the most recognized and beloved videogame characters ever invented. There has been over 50 game titles, five (soon to be six) cartoons, two (soon to be three) movies, three major comic series. 

But how did it all start? Let's look back...

Sonic Origins

Many characters including a rabbit and Mighty the Armadillo were considered for the game. Even Dr. Eggman was a contender for the hero's spot. Sonic was one of many designs. 

Sega's Concept Art

While cartoony and almost "micky-mouse-like" with his gloves, Sonic was designed with several different real-world people in mind. Sort of... 

• Michael Jackson inspired Sonic's slick kicks. 
• The colors of his shoe, though, were from jolly old St. Nick (red/white, like Santa). 
• His attitude was originally actually inspired by...Bill Clinton (yikes). 
• The blue color was due to the company, Sega, being blue. 
• Though having a red-white-and-blue mascot certainly didn't hurt the appeal to American audiences, I'm sure.         

As a part of the plot, Sonic was going to have a girlfriend named Madonna. She was later rejected for being "too Japanese" and being too similar to a certain Mario character. However it is largely believed Madonna inspired other characters, especially the human character Elise in Sonic 06, and possibly Amy's 2000s redesign.  

Amy Rose (Sonic Heroes)

Sonic was also going to be in a band in the games sound test. This feature was replaced by the "Sega" chime. However one band member would be seen again: Vector.  

Proto-Vector

Originally the game's attack idea included stretching to grab an enemy, (the rabbit was to use its ears). The concept was later added to the Sega character Ristar (arms) and IDW's Tangle the Lemur (tail). However the concept actually was used with Sonic, in his Unleashed Werehog form (arms).  

Instead Sonic attacked in a ball form, inspired by real life hedgehogs. However when it came to watery levels like Labyrinth Zone, Sonic Team did not realize that real hedgehogs can swim, so Sonic is slowed by the wet zone (and is often portrayed with a fear of water). 

Later in 98, Sonic was given his slimmer look, and the design has grown from there (although the original "cute" 91 design would be revisited in the 2010s). 

Sega's Concept Art

So...

There has been praise, there has been rejection. There has been respect, and there has been memes galore. Some games were experimental, others just stuck with what worked. 

Through it all this, the character has survived and reached fans new and old. Happy anniversary, Green Hill. 

Please no more Green Hill. GIVE ME EMERALD HILL.

Also...

Enjoy the vocal songs of the different eras with this epic complication video by Green Joker. 

Sonic enjoying his early retirement