How appropriate after the release of Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis/Mega Drive Collection that a list appears on the “Best Launch Titles Of All Time.” The original Sonic the Hedgehog appeared at #3 in a countdown by Blend Games’ Rich Knight.
After pretty much losing the console wars in their first battle with Nintendo with the Sega Master System against the NES, Sega knew it needed a mascot to combat the mushroom munching, Italian plumber from Brooklyn. Enter Sonic the Hedgehog, a less family friendly, more speed addicted hero than Nintendo was offering with their kid tested, mother approved system. Whereas Nintendo made it cool to hang out with the folks and play games together, Sega went in the opposite direction, creating a mascot that would appeal to young teenage boys instead. Sega’s whole ATTITUDE was in fact different than Nintendo’s, right down to the sleek design of their all black console. Like its name would imply, the Sega Genesis WAS a brand new beginning for Sega, and Sonic the Hedgehog was their trendsetting hero. No doubt about it, Sonic the Hedgehog is quite possibly the only reason why Sega is still around in business today.
Sonic the Hedgehog finished behind Super Mario Bros. for the NES and Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64, which are damn good comes to be behind. What are your top 5? Should Sonic Adventure, a game that clearly helped the Dreamcast gain mainstream popularity, be on it? Speak.