This week is a history check. It’s a dedication to possibly the single most important video game in history. Without this game, there would be no SNES, no Playstation, and no XBOX. We still may be playing our NES with those cursed toy robots to this very day if it weren’t for this 3 foot savior.
Before Sega first released the Genesis, not long after rising from an exclusively Japanese pinball manufacturing company, they were troubled trying to find a more successful mascot/character to replace Alex Kidd, their mascot at the time. They were looking for something to stop the show and topple the red plumber that had invaded everyone’s homes.
The character took on many forms while in idea-stage (including a dog, rabbit, armadillo, and Theodore Roosevelt look-alike) before being decided upon. In the end, it was agreed that Sega would be represented by a blue hedgehog named Sonic (blue to match the company’s logo).
Sonic the Hedgehog was released in 1991. Multiple games have followed up to the present, carrying Sonic to the league of household names. Although he has yet to dominate Mario, he remains a serious contender. In fact (and this is where his major impact is hardly realized), he was so popular upon release, Nintendo was forced to fight back, leading to the SNES. Due to a disagreement over an add-on to the SNES with Sony, the Playstation was created. Of course, if it weren’t for the fierce competition adding to the blooming industry, Microsoft would have never taken interest and created the XBOX.
So here’s to golden rings, emeralds, and those annoying monkeys that always hit me with coconuts.
