Ep 65:Sonic the Hedgehog Tutorial

Topic: Sonic The Hedgehog Tutorial

 

This week, we’re discussing the fastest thing alive, or atleast as he was billed in Video Games.  Sonic has had an interesting lifespan, a popular and celebrity status in the 90s, he’s since fallen on to hard times in the transition to 3D and come to 2000s, he’s tried to reinvent himself dozens of time with little success.  But he maybe, arguably, more popular than Mario in some online outlets and circles.  So first, let’s discuss the blue blur and where he came from!

 

 

History:

By 1990, Nintendo had firmly planted themselves as the leader in Video games, and Sega wanted to catch up.  They believed that Nintendo’s strength lied with its mascot, Mario, and his game titles which helped push sales.  Up to this point, Sega did not have an official Mascot, but several unofficial mascots.  They decided to hold an internal design competition to create their own mascot to rival Nintendo, with a heavy focus on a Mascot that would appeal to a western Audience.  Among the considerations, artist Naoto Ohshima and Programmer Yuji Naka were considered for the project, having developed a prototype game involving fast moving characters.

 

They eventually settled on Sonic, a blue hedgehog, that could roll in to a ball.  His color was chosen as Blue to match the Company’s Logo’s color, and given red and white shoes to mirror Michael Jackson’s shoes on the cover of his album Bad.  The primary antagonist, Doctor Eggman, was another character initially developed for the mascot, based off Teddy Roosevelt, but was later reused as the villain. 

 

The initial game, Sonic the Hedgehog was then used as the company mascot, and tied in with their Sega Genesis (JP: Mega Drive) system, and became the killer app for the console.  Along with an aggressive marketing campaign that saw Sega Genesis mocking and claiming to perform better than the Super Nintendo, Sonic helped start the great console wars of the early 90s.  At one point, the Sega Genesis held a 65% market share of all game consoles in North America. 

 

When Sega was ready for a follow up, Yuji Naka believed he received little credit and initially quit, before being hired by US-based STI (Sega Technology Institute).    At this point, two games were in production, STI was working on Sonic 2, and a team led by Ohshima in Japan began work on Sonic CD for the soon coming Sega CD Add-on for the Genesis.  Sonic 2 would introduce Tails, a two-tailed Fox sidekick to Sonic.  Sonic CD would introduce love interest Amy and Rival Nemesis: Metal Sonic; the game also introduce a mechanic for Time travel, in which Sonic would travel through time to fix the future, and have various changes to the world based on actions in either the past or present.

 

STI would continue to work on Sonic 3, however, the scope of the game was much larger than initial anticipated.  Due to Sega wanting the game to come out early and limited cartridge space, they initially planned on the game being a two part game, with the first half of Sonic 3 being released first, and a few months later, releasing part 2.  The first part, just called Sonic 3 launched with a new rival in Knuckles; an Echidna with spiked fist gloves who was the guardian of the Chaos Emeralds.  A few months later, they released Sonic and Knuckles, the second half of Sonic 3, this time allowing you to play as Knuckles.  With the added time, they created a lock on function with the cartridge, allowing the original Sonic 3 to be connected, and released as a whole.  The lock on function allowed Knuckles to be played on Sonic 3 as originally intended, but also allowed Knuckles to be played on Sonic 2 as well, swapping out the original Sonic.

 

 

While projects including Sonic continued after the Genesis’s life span ended and the new Sega Saturn became the main console, few Sonic Games were released, mostly due to the difficulties of bridging the 2D to 3D gap and keeping true to the game’s concept and ideals.  By 1998, the new Sega Dreamcast console started the 6th generation of consoles and introduced Sonic Adventure, the first true sequel to the Genesis games.  Sonic was redesigned, and various characters added to help round out the game’s story and game play experience.  With the move to 3D, the game worked hard to try and keep the sense of speed the game series was known for, with some mixed results.  Sonic Adventure 2 was released in 2001, introducing a mirror version of Sonic, Shadow the Hedgehog.  Despite the strong sales of Sonic on the Dreamcast, the introduction of the PlayStation 2 seemed to be a nail in Sega’s console coffin, with the announcement that they would stop making the Dreamcast and get out of the Console market.

 

Following the demise of the Dreamcast, Sonic and Team began to appear on rival Nintendo’s GameCube console, along with Sony’s Playstation 2 and Microsoft’s X-Box.  Various new games included Sonic Heroes, mixing the game play of three different characters at once.  They later released Shadow the Hedgehog, giving the title character a gun and interacting with various other Sonic characters over time.  Several older titles, including Sonic Adventures, and the various Genesis games were also ported to various consoles, making Sonic a very easy thing to play despite the console. 

 

By 2005, nearing Sonic’s 15th Anniversary, Sega was in a rush to have something ready by the time of the Anniversary.  They released Sonic The Hedgehog (2005), a new game intended to return Sonic to his rightful place and reboot the franchise.  However, the game was riddled with game breaking bugs and very lack luster story and characters.  While some of the game play was fun, the many bugs in the game usually broke the immersion and fun.  It is often considered the worst game in the franchise and worst game of the year.

 

After the Sonic The Hedgehog(2005), Sonic has been in a constant space of trying to rebooting and reimagining itself.  These include:

 

Sonic Riders – A racing game

Sonic and the Secret Rings – Set in Arabian Nights, an on rail runner

Sonic and the Black Knight – Sonic in Medieval times with a sword

Sonic Colors – Similar rail runner

Sonic Unleashed – What if Sonic turns in to the Hulk

Sonic Lost World – Similar to Mario Galaxy, but with a tube world

 

By 2011, for Sonic’s 20th anniversary, Sega released Sonic Generations, a mix of the classic 2d Sonic with the more recent Adventure 3d Sonic.  Classic levels were recreated, with some elements purely 2d over some elements 3d.  This concept was much better received over others. 

 

Sonic also began partnering with Nintendo more frequently, with Sonic being introduced in to Smash Brothers Brawl.  Sonic and the gang then joined with Mario and company for Olympic style games for both winter and summer, and have released periodically.

 

In 2014, Sonic was re-imagined and rebooted again in to a new series known as Sonic Boom: Rise of lyric, with an accompanying TV Show called Sonic Boom.  The game was just as poorly received as Sonic’s 2005 reboot, while its accompanying TV show fared better than the game.  The game became the lowest rated in the Franchise, as well as the worst selling.

 

By 2016, for the 25th Anniversary, Sega released Sonic Forces and Sonic Mania.  Sonic Forces allowed players to create their own Sonic-universe character for the first time, allowing you to play as them, but with added gadgets and abilities; the game also brought back many elements from Sonic Generations.  Sonic Mania is a pixel based sequel to the early classic 2d Sonic Games, created by a team primarily consisting of Sonic Fans who has been making their own custom Sonic games and levels.  Forces had mixed reception, mostly due to the short length, as where Mania was praised as a return to form. 

 

 

 

Premise:

Nearly All Games in the Sonic Franchise take place on a fictional Planet of Mobius, where the evil Doctor Eggman (Doctor Ivo Robotnik) is trying to conquer the world.  To do so, Dr. Eggman seeks the Seven Chaos Emeralds: gems with mystical powers that can do just about anything (Think Infinity Stones/Gems).  Dr. Eggman uses an army of Robots with trapped animals inside to carry out his plans.  Sonic is always tasked with Stopping Dr. Eggman as a result. 

 

Typical Sonic games have Sonic running through the level to get to the end as quick as possible. This can be through loops, corkscrew pipes, grinding rails, and if Sonic gets himself in to a ball, he goes even faster. As Sonic progressed through the level, he’ll hit various check points, allowing Sonic to return should he lose a life along the way, with a final checkpoint/banner that Sonic hits at the end of the Act/level.  As Sonic’s main goal is speed: the faster he completes a level, the more points he will receive.  Various Badniks, robotic bad guys, litter the level, and Sonic can typically roll through them as a ball, or Jump on to them in a ball form.  At the end of each Zone, there is typically Dr. Eggman as a final boss of the Zone, usually in some vehicle/machine intended to finish off Sonic.  If Sonic beat Eggman, he can run to the end of the stage and free animals that have been trapped.

 

Littered throughout the world of Sonic are Golden Rings, or just Rings, that Sonic can collect.  Rings serve three different functions:  one as a collectable to receive additional points at the end of the level, secondly by collecting 100 rings, Sonic gets an extra life, and lastly, as a health pot.  If Sonic gets hit, land on spikes, or lava, all of the rings he had collected get lost and are scattered throughout the area; players have a limited window in which to collect some of them again, otherwise they are lost.  So long as Sonic has atleast one Ring, he won’t lose a life to damage.  Sonic can also find various item boxes through the game that provide power ups and bonuses.  Common boxes include additional rings, some include Shields so that Sonic won’t lose his rings to damage, short term invincibility, or extra lives. 

 

Sonic can also enter the mysterious Special Stage area, which allows Sonic to transverse the stage and collect additional rings for lives.  At the end of each Special Stage is a Chaos Emerald.  Upon collecting all Chaos Emeralds, Sonic gains the ability to transform in to Super Sonic, which gives unlimited in invincibility, he accelerates much faster and has a higher top speed, and turns golden.  Sonic must have atleast 50 ring to turn in Super Sonic, and each second, he loses a single ring.  If Super Sonic loses all of his rings, he’ll revert back to regular Sonic, and have no rings left.

 

Later games give the ability to play as various characters, with new game play abilities:

 

Tail – Can Fly and even lift Sonic up. 

Knuckles – Can punch enemies and climb up walls

Amy – Carries a hammer and can strike enemies

Shadow – Plays just like Sonic

Characters:

 

Sonic The Hedgehog – a Blue, anthropomorphic hedgehog, and series protagonist.  Sonic is described as a wild drifter and a staunch defender of freedom.  He can be a trickster and rebel, but always does the right thing.  He is best known for his running speed, of which makes him the fastest thing in the world.

 

Miles “Tails” Prowler – a two tailed Fox that is Sonic’s best friend and sidekick.  Tails is often portrayed as a child science prodigy, making various inventions to help out Sonic.  He can use his two tails to create a helicopter like effect, which allows him to be lifted off the ground for short period of time.  He can also point them horizontally, acting like a fan boat to propel him forward.

 

Knuckles the Echidna – a bright Red Echidna with enlarged fists with spikes on the end, he is the guardian of Angel Island and the Master Emerald, which controls the chaos Emeralds.  One believing that Sonic had stolen the Chaos Emeralds, he later becomes a friend to Sonic and Company.

 

Amy Rose – a Bright Pink Female hedgehog who wears a red dress and gold bracelets.  She is known for following Sonic around and acting as his love interest, even if Sonic doesn’t reciprocate.  She is known for her huge hammer, which she uses to smash down on to enemies and alike. 

 

Dr. Eggman (Dr Ivo Robotnik in America) – An evil genius with an IQ over 300, he is depicted as being portly/overweight, wearing a red jacket and black slacks.  He is most well known for his bald head, goggles, and comically large, red/orange/brown mustache.  He is the primary Antagonist of all games in the Franchise and is seen riding around in his Egg-mobile.

 

Metal/Mecha Sonic – A mechanical creation by Dr. Eggman, Metal Sonic mimics the look of Sonic, albeit in a robotic form, and mirrors his abilities.  Though cold and emotionless, the robot seeks to only compete with Sonic and defeat him for his master. 

 

Shadow the Hedgehog – Initially thought to be the most powerful experiment ever, he is revealed to possibly be a clone of a clone.  A black and red Hedgehog, he wears hover boots and appears to skate to gain speed.  His abilities match Sonic, though he has greater knowledge and control over the Chaos Emeralds.

 

Rouge the Bat – a white female Bat introduced in Sonic Adventure 2.  She acts as a femme fatale like character, claiming to be the world’s greatest jewel hunter.  She can fly and is renowned for her ability to find/steal jewels.  She a Freelancer, working for either good guys or bad guys, depending on the right amount of money.

 

 

Other Media:

TV: Sonic has had several Tv Series over the years.  These include:

 

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog(1993) – a Satirical take on Sonic and his many adventures.  It was known for a very slapstick animation style and often nonsensical story lines.  Each episode was a standalone episode and did not play into a larger narrative. 

 

Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) (1993-1994)- This series more closely follows the Video Game and related Archie-Comics version of Sonic that was currently running at the time.  The narrative follows Sonic and a collection of freedom fighters who fight against Dr. Robotnik, who is bent on capturing the various people(Who are animals) and turning them into robots.  The story is typically more dramatic and darker than the more light hearted adventure series that ran along the same time.  It’s on as SatAM as it was typically shown only during Saturday Morning Cartoons.

 

Sonic Underground (1999) – This series had a separate canon and continuity from other Sonic media at the time.  It starred Sonic and his siblings, the last of Mobius’s ruling family, as they fight against Dr. Robotnik and attempt to reunite with their mom, in order restore her to the Throne.  To Aid the siblings, they’re given magical pendants that transform into musical instruments.  Each episode was known for having its own song. The series is not well regarded, mostly due to an overly complex plot, not following established lore/continuity, and lacking any feeling from the original games.

 

Sonic X (2003-2006) – Created by Japan, It’s Sonic as an Anime.  Much of the characters are transplanted in to modern day Japan, using a majority of their Sonic Adventure designs/models.  The series even replicates the two adventure games at one point, along with several original stories.  The show has generable favorable response to it.

 

Sonic Boom (2014-2017) – Meant to coincide with the 25th Anniversary, it star Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles on Seaside Island, Protecting the island from Dr. Eggman.  The series garnered favorable reviews for the most part, and was notable for being made entirely in 3d.

 

 

Comics: Sonic has had a long running Comic series through Archie Comics.  The story is reminiscent of the Saturday Morning Cartoon Incarnation of Sonic, but expands on the mythos and storyline.  The comics continued well into the 2000s, adding elements of the games in to the world as the popped up.  The Comic is known for having darker tones than other series, and is a fitting follow up to Sonic SatAM.

 

 

Movie: Sonic the Hedgehog movie came out in 2020.  The film was originally intended to be released in late 2019, however, after the release of the trailer, fans were upset about the look and design of Sonic, remarking how Human he looked.  A major overhaul of the character postponed the movie to early 2020, with a much more cartoony and videogame inspired look.  The movie is also notable for having Jim Carrey as Dr Robotnik, who basically chews up the scenes every time he’s on screen.

 

 

 

Homework

Sonic Movie

Any Sonic Games

Recommend: Sonic Mania/Classic Sonic