Eras UPDATE: Transitional Classic

ALL about the "forgotten" era

Era: Transitional-Classic

Main Years: 1995-1999

Gameplay Type: While still mainly 2-D with gimmicks like rings and power-ups, new experimentation was done. For example, Knuckles Chaotix used a team-like idea where characters are linked together. 

This era also saw the debut of 3D games. Sonic 3D Blast was technically the "first." Several 3D game ideas were planned but scrapped. A portion was used in Sonic Jam. The main "first" 3D game would be Sonic Adventure (a game on the line between this era and the next).     

Character Designs and Personalities: While early games and Game Gear tiles mostly kept Sonic's design the same, he and the other character would be made a bit taller (inspiring the change in Sonic Adventure). The art shifted into a more "3D" style. 

Although the different expressions in Sonic the Fighters gave a hint at personality, overall the characters' attitudes and motivations were less defined. For example, Knuckles dedication to his island and emerald is forgotten or at least set aside so he could make his appearances in these games. On the other hand, it does hint at the shift from Knuckles being an antagonist to a protagonist.   

Story Type: Generally because of the game gear titles, most of the plots are simple. Other characters like Tails and Knuckles, however, are given more time to shine. 

Some games, like Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic Labyrinth, had a plot more tied-into the gameplay, but overall the games were casual, like with Sonic the Fighters and Sonic R. 

Staring with Sonic Adventure, the stories would become more in-depth. This was change planned much earlier, however. Plots including Sally Acorn and the Freedom Fighters, a new love interested named Tiara, and a deadly virus were scrapped along the way. One concept would be passed into Sonic Adventure: breaking the Master Emerald.  

Visuals: Much as everything else in this era, the graphics were experimental, varying bits and trying more computer-created images. The types of settings did not change much, though.  

Music: The 8-bit titles are a bit improved from the previous era, but still limited. Likewise the Genesis games are impressive but still trademark Genesis. As the era came to a close, clearer OSTs would be made, including the Saturn version of Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic R, and the arcade game Sonic the Fighters. Sonic R became infamous for its many vocal songs. 

Voice Cast: Through the 90s, Sonic's main recognized voice was still Jaleel White. Interestingly, White voiced Sonic's siblings, Sonia and Manic in Sonic Underground (but did none of the singing). The cartoon would include a "DiC era" voice for Knuckles, Brain Drummond (no relation to Ryan) as well as a new voice for Robotnik, Gary Chalk. 

The American dub of the OVA, "Sonic: the Movie," was done by a different company and hired a different cast, including new voices for Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Robotnik as well as original characters like Sara. This Sonic was voiced by Martin Burke. 

Finally soon after both of these releases and a year after its Japanese release, Sonic Adventure came to America. With it was yet another cast and a new voice for Sonic, Ryan Drummond.   

Main Voice (Sonic): Martin Burke 

Memorable Theme Song (for Sonic): "Super Sonic Racing" (from Sonic R). 

Memorable Catchphrases (Sonic):  "Aw yeah, this is happening!" (Sonic Adventure)

"I'm waiting!" "Game over Robuttnik!" "Bummer Majors! (pronounced may-hor-es)" "SHUT UP TAILS!" "Strange, isn't it?"  (cartoon/OVA)

Cartoons and other Appearances: A short animation was released in Sonic Jam along with several commercials. Jam also released enhanced versions of the Sonic CD animations (which are the ones used in later releases such as the 2011 version). 

Sonic Underground and the dubbed Japanese 2 parter OVA ("movie") were released in 1999. 

The Archie comics took a new turn after issue 50 (which the writers originally expected to be the last of the series). Interestingly, Sega prevented the death of a major character (Sally Acorn). As the comics entered a darker chapter, a spin-off based on Kncukles debuted. 

Sonic the Comic would end after its Sonic Adventure adaptation. 

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. 

Battle of the Voice Actors: Sonic

With all those comic-posts I was starting to feel like the Comix Zone. So this time we're jumping into one of the greatest Sonic debates, who is the best Sonic voice actor? We'll start with the games first, then add in the others (but just the main ones, not like, Sonic's Schoolhouse--that doesn't count).

First off, the contestants!

Ryan Drummond--Known for being the first in-game voice actor, Drummond voiced Sonic until 2004. He also stepped in for Knuckles in one game, and voiced Sonic's robot double, Metal Sonic, in Sonic Heroes.

Jason Griffith--Taking over by voicing Sonic in Sonic X, Griffith voiced Sonic until 2010. He voiced Sonic's transformations as well as rivals Shadow the Hedgehog and Jet the Hawk.

Roger Craig Smith--The current voice actor, who also voices Sonic in Sonic Boom. He voices Dave the Intern and other characters on the show.

The Evaluations:

Winner: Jason Griffith. 
Griffith voices Sonic with with enthusiasm and feeling. From making Sonic the adventure-loving traveler in Sonic Unleashed to the "bring it on" racer in Sonic Riders. He is able to show Sonic's more serious side like with Darkspine Sonic, and his final boss battle in Sonic and the Black Knight. He greatly improved his voice acting since the beginning of Sonic X, giving Sonic the illusion of maturing. His only faults are a few odd-ball lines and phrases that sounded corny, mainly in Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 and Shadow the Hedgehog. 

Second: Ryan Drummond.
I often think the reason Drummond often gets credited as the best voice actor is because he's the first. Sort of the Connery of Sonic. But, not really because he had a voice in the cartoons. Anyhow, Dummond easily transformed Sonic into the easy-going, "it doesn't matter" hedgehog he needed to be. He was at his best in Sonic Heroes, where Sonic sounded excited and ready for the challenge ahead. He was at his worst at his start, though, in Sonic Adventure, where Sonic lines seemed a little weird (not to mention his mouth movements). The main problem later on seemed to be with sarcasm--Sonic would say something saracastic, but he wouldn't sound sarcastic. Still, Drummond easily got Sonic's style and attitude down pat.

Loser: Roger Craig Smith.
I hated Smith's voice. When playing Sonic Colors, when Sonic did the "BWAH" sound effect when he died, I'd say "Damn it RogerCraigSmith!"--it's one of the reasons I hate that game. It was bad enough they had to replace Griffith, but they replaced him with THIS? Combined with the trashy jokes the writers started throwing in the games, it was a disaster. Sonic was now a lame, emotionless jerk, bored with life. Luckily when Sonic Boom started, Smith began to improve a bit. When I watched the cutsecnes of the Sonic-Lego Dimensions game (because there was no way I was going to buy that) I was surprised to find that Smith did a pretty good job. Going into season 2 of Boom, the same reaction. He was able to make Sonic funny and sympathetic. So I was satisfied with his work in Forces, but there were still lines that weren't "Sonic," and I never really felt the guy matched Sonic's personality to begin with. Which is why he's the "loser."

Now for our cartoon and movie add-ins...

Jaleel White--Voiced Sonic in the first three cartoons. In Sonic Underground, he also voiced Sonic's siblings, Sonia and Manic. But the singing was done by some other people.

Martin Burke--Voiced Sonic in the OVA/"Sonic: the Movie."

Ben Schwarts--Announced as the voice of Sonic in the upcoming film, Schwarts is excluded from this until 2019 (when the movie comes out). I've never heard of this guy: no idea what to expect.

The Evaluations:

Winner: Jason Griffith 
Ultimately, Griffith was the perfect Sonic. He combined what was great about the actors before him and yet made it his own. Griffith's Sonic is exactly the what Sonic should be: funny, friendly, and dynamic.

Runner-up: Jaleel White
White set the bar for what Sonic should sound like. He made Sonic thick with attitude--clever, smart, and heroic in a 90s kind of way. If Classic Sonic spoke, we all know who'd be voicing him.

Lucky Third: Ryan Drummond 
Drummond did a good job. Just not as good. He fit the role and, even though I consider Griffith better, I agree that it was a shame he didn't get to voice more games. 

Loser: Roger Craig Smith
Although he improved, Smith is far from perfect. Smith has been voicing Sonic for a while now and I think that's in part because of Sonic Boom (Sega wants Sonic to sound the same in all media and it would be weird for Sonic to change voices on mid-show). So we'll probably be stuck with him awhile.

Dead Last: Martin Burke
Burke tired, and he still captures Sonic's cocky personality. He's just...bad. Maybe it's not fair because he only voiced Sonic once, but when I hear him I either want to cringe or ignore how "anime dub" he sounds. Compared to all the other voice actors in the movie, though, he was pretty good.

Some people prefer Sonic silent. Those people are *ssholes. It's important to have good animation and expressions, but a voice can add so much more. Determination, courage, anger: true emotions. Part of that is on the script, and on the people who make the game, but the rest of it is on the actors. Sonic has had some great versions of his voice, and I'd rather have to deal with his current one than have him say nothing at all. 

No offense, pal.