Sonic the Hedgehogturned 31 this year (feel old yet?), and he threw the house out with anew game:Sonic Frontiers. Though well-received by game critics, this entry was celebrated not so much for its originality and quality but for being a solid and playable game, something Sonic has been able to do only a while ago. On the other hand,Sonic the Hedgehog 3will hit theaters in December 2024, sealing the success of its cinematic universe after two popular prequels. Furthermore,Netflix’sSonic Primewill be available to stream on December 15, giving the blue mammal a healthy future in home media.
It has not always been this way, however.TV shows in the ‘90sfeaturing the blue blur were rather hit-and-miss. Whereas some gained either popularity, cult following, or both, other franchises fell short of doing justice to the high-selling video game entries from the decade. However, the equation seems to be turning today, with Sega’s mascot being more sought after by viewers than players. Has Sonic become a movie and TV hero rather than a playable character? Let’s focus on his late media appearances to reflect on this question.
The Transition From Video Games to Media
Despite the Sonic franchise being relatively popular from its beginnings to the present time, the blue blur has had its fair share of ups and downs. In the video game industry, since its first entry until today, a new entry was released almost bi-annually, making it a popular character among kids due to its sassy attitude and cool vibe. This made possible a dozen TV series and movie depictions, allowing him to transcend the Sega Genesis owner’s screen. Almost any kid knew who Sonic was, eager to hear the backstory of the fastest hedgehog around.
Related:Sonic The Hedgehog Cast and Character Guide
However, Sonic’s thriving success stumbled upon Sega’s complicated history as a player in the gaming business. The company that used to compete with Nintendo struggled with the 3D era of consoles, with its lackluster Dreamcast losing to the Nintendo 64 and Sony Playstation. Sega was in no condition of jumping to the next generation, having to convert itself to simply a video game-developing company. Luckily, far from being out of competition, its mascot was popular enough to endure this new era.
Moreover, Sonic entered its dark phase. Games likeShadow The Hedgehog,Unleashed, andSecret Ringswere panned by critics, with most of this era’s games being regarded asthe worst from the franchise. The Sega team seemed unable to get a break, trying to please adamant fans with no success. On the other hand,Sonic X, a TV series based on the last successful entry (Sonic Adventure), made a good impression on 2000s kids, spanning through 3 seasons of an expanded universe. Characters like Amy, Knuckles, and Shadow were popular among young viewers who may have not played a Sonic game before but enjoyed the cartoon.
Almost ten years later,Sonic Boom, a rather odd but interesting rebirth of the brand, made it again through 3 seasons, while video games such asSonic Generations,Forces,orLost Worldweren’t particularly successful on any console. Those were weird times for the hedgehog, with an unclear future ahead.
The Little Sonic Movie That Could
The ball started to roll in early 2019 on an upcomingSonic movie. The air was tense as fans did not know what to think. Video games were not that great at that point, and a film could beSonic’sultimate flop that could make him a minor character once and for all.
Related:Will The Super Mario Bros. Movie Launch the Nintendo Cinematic Universe?
Above all, the first teaser gave viewers a glimpse of Ugly Sonic, a poor design of the blue blur that didn’t even impressYuji Naka, its creator. The intense fan backlash had the movie delayed a year for redesign purposes. The film finally hit theaters in early 2020. The result? A family feature with Michael Marsden, Ben Schwartz, and Jim Carrey that revitalized Sonic’s franchise.
Two years later,Sonic The Hedgehog 2was equally laughable and popular as its predecessor. Setting a warm welcome for the then-upcomingSonic Frontiers, the character had regained popularity because of its media counterpart. One of the main draws is probably a fandom raised with Sonic’s ’90s video game glory, now parents of kids who adore the blue blur. Nostalgia drives a crucial part of the hedgehog’s fans, whereas today’s gaming industry might offer bigger thrills than a fast mascot. That is to say, its gaming reputation is not that bad, but it fell short from its first decade, back when even Mario felt threatened by Sonic popularity. Twenty years later, Its media appearances keep the character alive and lovable, extending its longevity to a new generation.
Anyone who grew up with Sonic holds hope for him to reinvent himself in the gaming industry.Sonic Frontiersis probably a step in the right direction, but it’s far from being the hedgehog’s main draw. It’s hard to say if Sonic’s admiration will remain intact in twenty years, yet the next five to ten years are secured, not thanks to fast-paced video games starring the blue blur, but for an up-and-coming movie and TV career.
Right now, Sonic is equally known for games as well as movies, something unthinkable only five years ago. Let’s ask the same question in a decade and see what the answer is.
