Sonic the Hedgehog
Gotta go fast
Sonic the Hedgehog established SEGA's mascot and created a new approach to platforming focused on speed and momentum.
Overview
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) was SEGA’s answer to Nintendo’s Mario, designed to showcase the Mega Drive’s processing capabilities. Programmed by Yuji Naka and designed by Hirokazu Yasuhara and Naoto Ohshima, the game introduced a new approach to platforming built around speed and momentum.
Design Philosophy
Unlike Mario’s precise, methodical platforming, Sonic emphasised:
- Momentum physics: Building and maintaining speed
- Risk/reward: Fast routes require skill and knowledge
- Spectacle: Loops, springs, and pinball-like mechanics
- Attitude: Marketing positioned Sonic as the “cool” alternative
Technical Achievement
The game’s signature loop-de-loops required careful sprite rotation and collision detection. The Green Hill Zone became iconic for demonstrating the Mega Drive’s parallax scrolling and colour capabilities.