The History Of Sonic: Birth Of An Icon (Full Documentary)

In 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog made a iconic debut with his first entry on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive!
2011 now marks the Blue Blur's 20th Anniversary and in celebration,
From the day Sonic The Hedgehog™ was released on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive back in June 1991, Sonic, the Hedgehog with attitude, became a hero for a generation and a true gaming icon.
Defined by his super-fast speed, his cool, edgy character and a readiness for all types of adventure, in the twenty years since Sonic The Hedgehog™ was released, Sonic has since notched up over 70 million sales worldwide -- becoming a global phenomenon in the process.
Born from a contest to create a new SEGA mascot by their leading designers, Sonics' first humble appearance -- as a toy hanging from the rear-view mirror in the little-known arcade racing game Rad Mobile -- has now developed into an incredible legacy. Indeed, having featured in over 65 games and fans collecting over 70 billion rings between them, it's been quite an achievement all round.
Better still, as well as video games, Sonic has enjoyed huge success in a many additional areas -- from his own line of comics, apparel and toys, to starring in four full animated TV series! And there's still much more to come...
Continuing to celebrate his 20th Anniversary in style, later this year will see the anticipated release of two brand new titles -- the incredible Sonic Generations™ and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™.
A fitting tribute to the race past another milestone for the legendary Sonic the Hedgehog!
This Documentry shows of what made sonic the hedgehog into now, the challenge with nintendo, the problems with the console making into the game making only and much more! This is something that you don't wanna miss as a sonic fan!
Happy Anniversary Sonic!
Still Unstoppable After 20 Years

[@aqua235]

Part of the reason I was such a Sonic kid is because it always had such a catchy and lively soundtrack. The way Masato Nakamura(composer) went about creating the music was amazing. He intended for it to be more than just back ground music, he treated it like a "movie". As a result, he made going to each zone a new experience and sensation. I'm geeking out about it. XD

[@caveirainvocada9438]

I also felt like that, bro. I'm not from the generation who grew on the 16-bit console wars, but i know a bit of it and the stereotyped arguments. It's incredible on how did sonic 3 made me like sonic franchise as whole. It also made me get more interested about old games, it was so captivating... i just loved it. Sonic is an epic character. The game transbords unicity and epicness

[@rossbob4215]

I remember just rewatching this video more times than anyone really needed to during the summer of 2012. Good times😌 this is going in the nostalgic sonic playlist

[@jackdeluca7498]

I like sonic this was a great documentary

[@angelahoffman270]

He also got a new balloon this year at the Macy’s parade

[@ChickenMushroomBro]

My favorite video game character of all time. Hope the franchise stays for a really long time

[@robertltf]

never stop running sonic, never stop running

[@flaggedaccount1]

The board meeting before the interviews -> "DO NOT SAY SONIC 06!"

[@HEADBOY_PHENOMENON]

I never had Sonic 06, well I played it at a Walmart games section, I always wondered why the controls are bad. But someday I'll just buy it and play through it for a week to see if eight years worth of curiosity would peaked.

[@Nonamearisto]

They must have had specific instructions to lie about every 3D Sonic game until Sonic Colors.

[@leebrandon8495]

But SA/SA2 were great! (That being said, I do like SA2 better.)

[@underscore.petrichoir546]

(Replying to a 3 month old comment because I'm bored.) I played sonic 06. In my opinion, I thought that it had good gameplay, because I understood how it was superposed to be like. They did pass their deadline,so they couldn't test it for bugs very well. I wish they had more time. Then the game would have been much better. There was going to be a rainbow gem for super sonic, but that got scrapped. (SPOILERS) The only part I think was REALLY bad, was the part where the princess kissed sonic. I can't get it out of my mind :( I had SA1DXE(Sonic adventure 1 directors cut edition), I only got to play a single mission as all the characters, but I thought it was really fun Sorry if this turns out to be a giant wall of text.

[@BrianRoediger]

I absolutely love Sonic The Hedgehog...

[@Westonpierce34]

The fact that this video was uploaded over three years ago and people are still commenting on it is something great. I grew up loving sonic and Mario but I enjoyed sonic a little more. Playing sonic so much as a child, college guy now, it brought out the creativity in me. I went on creating my very own characters which now at this moment has reached well over 500 characters with some even being slightly recognized. I hope sega gets it together with sonic because the last sonic game that was good was generations.

[@Flashenite]

+Drake West Isn't lost world good ? if it is not ... is the reason the level design ?

[@hollywheller2837]

Mike West and three years later!

[@777RDragon]

The origin of a legend

[@SonicMastr500s]

I had a Genesis and still wished I did. The first 2 sonic games were my obsession and it has become a lifetime obsession for me. I take time making levels in fan games as I want to work for sega. They have not let any of us down on sonic games ( still think sonic 06 was pretty good ) and I believe they never will. Forget Mario! SONIC WAS THE GREATEST CHARACTER IN VIDEO GAME HISTORY!

[@HikaruStudiosA_113]

Let's hope Sega knows what they are doing today and listen to their fans to make him famous as he was in the 90;s.

[@jojisradicalvoyage7347]

That..... Was........ BEAUTIFUL!!!!! This documentary made me cry! I love sonic so much. I've been a life long fan of the game and even though this is like, 3 years old, I still thing sonic is going to stay a game franchise for a very long time!!!!!

[@ladiomole]

26 people are Sonic haters. Oh well, I mean haters gotta hate! Whatcha gonna do?

[@SonicRasengan]

I am sixteen and I still love sonic and his games

[@multixloves3072]

Dang man you must be 23 now, u still living him?

[@SonicRasengan]

@@multixloves3072 I both love and live Sonic the hedgehog and yes I am 23 (if ya got a problem with that deal with it)

[@roybaker2836]

people who hate him are fools dont listen to them they dont know sonic like we do

[@BortzProductions]

I love how they don't even talk about all the shitty games before Colors lol

[@senorpato3587]

***** Stop talking about if a game was good or bad, Sonic was forgotten sice Shadow the Hedgehog to Sonic Colors

[@mrm64]

***** To be honest I loved Unleashed. Sonic 06, Black Knight, 7 rings? Ehhh....

[@MrRatchet12661]

You mean IT'S NO USE! and Time To Slow Down and Can Ya Feel the Sunshine? and Drift and Drift 2 and More... but not:CD,Unleashed,Black Knight,Rush,Rush Adventure,Rivals 2,STH4Ep:Every episode,Advance Series

[@iregretsomeofmypreviouscom3284]

Even if the games are bad, it isn't good that a docummentary skips a lot of the games .

[@SonicRasengan]

I think modern Sonic's design looks EPIC!!!

[@charleslloydjr6328]

I Love Sonic The Hedgehog.

[@charleslloydjr6328]

@Luis Guilherme ? 😕

[@jacobrivera1721]

Same

[@MrGamer1992]

13:59 THIS!!! Just because one system has inferior specs compared to the other ones, doesn't mean the more powerful ones are always going to be better. It's about *how* they make the games.

[@oppaiking1168]

yes just like nintendo vs xbox and playstion shure the others are more powerful but nintendos games a more iconic and remeberd and are so differnt and fun

[@FeelingShred]

actually Genesis was not "inferior" at all, the SNES only had more colors to select from and a bit fancier sound chip, but that's all... Genesis has more frames per second, CPU, etc etc

[@Orange_Swirl]

+FeelingShred How could something like that be?

[@Pixarprime10]

i hate documentaries and dread watching one, but i sat down and watched this and when it ended i was like "that was fast" because i enjoyed it so much

[@UGB6WX]

Such a perfect way to remind me why I grew up loving Sonic, and how he as a character has become an inspiration to me. May Sonic live on and continue blasting through to our hearts at supersonic speeds.

[@simplylogan93]

I really enjoy this documentary! I grew up playing the Sonic games, and I'm 23 now.

[@brettrogers7616]

Both Mario and Sonic are revolutionary and awesome. Shut up commenters.

[@yassasloan7308]

Fuck Mario

[@SakuraAmy1293]

this was well needed thank you

[@ian612]

THANKS! I've been looking for this forever and couldn't figure out what it was. Thanks a million mate

[@jaysilva5854]

Sonic generations was my favorite.

[@TAfTfilms]

lol They skipped from Adventure to Colors.

[@themoonhasrisen2129]

Viethra Schepherd lets forget sonic 06 Lol jk 😂

[@elizabethcoen]

I'm a huge Sonic fan! Thanks so much for this documentary! I have a plush of classic Sonic from Sonic Generations that was given to me as a Christmas gift by a friend of mine. Thank you so much for this documentary!

[@dezm101]

great documentary! I love hearing thoughts directly from the creators, thanks for the upload!

[@circinus2865]

Sonic is the best thats all ok

[@saffyanimations485]

I have seen a sonic fan since I was 3 and a half. I was just watching tv and I see a sonic commercial. It was cool so I started buy figures of him. I still like him, and I am almost 12. 20 days away.

[@FeelingShred]

12 years... you're reaching the point of noticing the whole system around you (particularly school) is a fraud, but your parents will never accept that idea and will insist on you staying trapped... Search in youtube for a guy called Aaron Clarey, he talks about that very subject from the point of someone who is almost 40 years old and knows what he's talking about... Drop school as soon as you can, nothing you "learn" past grade 5 is worth anything, it will never be used and never needed. Use the remaining 6 years of school on learning professions, find a tutor and become his student, something like that... Staying in school from this point on will just murder your imagination, which is the sole thing that will give you the idea for a business which will make tons of money in the future.

[@FeelingShred]

And for more technical explanation on how school kills your brain, tell your parents to watch videos from John Taylor Gatto... That and the above will be enough for defending your case on the court

[@markkirby9621]

Thanks for this, it is exactly what I was looking for

[@NightfallFilmsUK]

I think we made a much longer version of this, I'll have to check! Nice to see people still enjoying this film!

[@wileymanful]

"Loyal fanbase" Darn, wish we had that now.

[@TheVGViking]

This makes me want a full documentary on Sega as a whole. I know that both the US and Japan branches were very hostile towards each other, and refused to work together (which gave us Sonic CD and Sonic 2... so yay conflict, I guess). I also would have loved to see more on the Dreamcast. I mean, didn't SA2 come out AFTER Sega announced they were going third party?

[@jerryorg1]

No, they announced that AFTER SA2, they were going third-party.

[@TheVGViking]

Robert Miles You're right. I just looked through an old issue of EGM, and you are right. The review of SA2 is a bit before the article that talks about Sega going third party.

[@JohnsParadise]

What a wonderful documentary. I'm glad that I was a part of the Sonic craze.

[@LunarMusician]

You posted this on my birthday. I'm supprised.

[@ShannonAllAround]

Sonic is awesome. :D I'm a fan through the Archie comics, and REALLY wanna play a Sonic game.

[@markkirby9621]

I had those comics as a kid, they were awesome, did you know they are still making them today (2014) that's like 20 years of Sonic the comic

[@ShannonAllAround]

Mark Kirby Oh, yes! I'm actually a very recent fan of Sonic. To be honest, I didn't even know he existed before I saw the movie Wreck-It-Ralph (shame on me). I figured he must be pretty big to be featured in it, so I looked him up and stumbled upon the Archie comics. I've gone back and read issues from 2007 to now and love them. :D And like I said, I really wanna play a Sonic game, like Generations or Colors.

[@Ghoul_Dust]

ShannonAllAround *a voice whispers in the distance* don't play sonic 06...

[@ninjastorm22ninja]

Nina TheWolf Sonic 06 is AMAZING! probably the best one ever! dumb butt.

[@jonathanamalidosan5476]

Sonic 06 has so many glitches, that it's considered one of the worst games of all time

[@looker999997]

I'm pretty sure Sonic has survived only because of the first few great games and the iconic character. If most other franchises put out a string of crap games, they'd be dead. But Sonic has an inexeplicable fanbase that carries them through even horrible instalments.

[@LARK-ht7kd]

Damnn lol

[@Blaze33405]

Very nice Documentary. Shows lots of history in not just sonic but how he effected video game industry.

[@rosalbaromero2371]

Since sonic can break metal with his spin attack,and he runs as fast as the speed of sound, sonic can eliminate mario.

[@cataligpo]

I can see that almost all the viewers here are sonic fans and think that sonic can still beat mario, sorry but I'm going to disappoint you guys cause sonic's fame had already ended and mario's fame is still on going, the Sonic series had sold over 80 million copies (holy $#!% thats alot) and the Mario series had sold over 210 million copies O_O, and almost every site's with a top 10 well known video game character list considered mario to be on the top spot and sonic in the sixth spot, I don't hate sonic and I'm not a mario fan either, but fanboys should stop acting like sonic is the most recognizable video game character cause his not my grandparents don't even know who sonic is but knows who mario is, a plus point for mario if you ask me and stop saying that "sonic started with a lot of things that were never done by other video games" bitch please Mario entered every video game genre you can think of and even every job professions, sonic isn't in the same league as mario anymore, sonic is three steps behind.

[@cataligpo]

***** Already checked that one out buddy and guess what it wont help sonic on beating the mario franchise.

[@jerryorg1]

At least Sonic tries to stay original. Mario is recycled, recycled, recycled, but Sonic tries to keep original. Not a Sonic fanboy or Mario. I tell as is.

[@ninjastorm22ninja]

Mario is not original at all, after sonic got popular, nintendo started copying sonic, riping off sonic shuffle with mario party, sonic adventure 2 with super mario galaxy, etc.

[@galaxy_kitten95]

I can honestly care less about who sells the most games. That doesn't even PROVE who's the better character. How unfair is that? Ever since I was kid, I always prefered Sonic over Mario. To this day, I still like Sonic more.

[@anonymoosegr1802]

***** word

[@neetrab]

Loved this game..ESPECIALLY the music (I only had Sonic 1). So glad the see the documentary. This is probably the 3rd time I watched it in the last 2 days. So glad to see the composer of the music for sonic 1 and 2. I love how I'm seeing how this all came together. Thanks so much for posting!!.

[@Wismer1987]

the guy made a perfect job on the music every theme is a masterpiece and fits perfectly so good memories

[@deannamccrimmon7805]

Sonic will FOREVER be a legend and a hero for gamers everywhere. A beloved character regardless of his bad games

[@__cosmicstar__]

Thank you so much this helped me to have ideas for my own game!

[@darkshadow_7409]

Roll around at the speed of sound for more years to come Sonic!

[@katakisLives]

Great documentry!

[@Thedraconicwerewolf]

Wow, Sonic sure has done well for twenty years of life in the gaming industry. My first Sonic game was Sonic Adventure which I first played back in 2000 when I was 8. To be honest, it was the songs that caught my attention what with the rock style that I now love. Thanks for that and seriously inspiring me to become a runner like you, Sonic! Not as fast as you, but good enough to have been in my high school track team. Boy, so much memories and inspirations from this one franchise for me...!

[@ranmo4615]

SONIC TEAM was one of the most creative teams in the industry. This team had been crafting SEGA in every possible way. Beside SONIC, Phantasy Star Online (PSO) is my favorite video game that SONIC TEAM created. I was totally blown away when I played PSO on DC... I could not believe that you can play ARPG like this, online multi-play!!! I just wanna salute SONIC TEAM. YOU ARE THE BEST.

[@starsammy1231]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EPIC VIDEO :DD

[@Flegan777]

It's fascinating watching how everything started from sketches, artwork and ideas.

[@AlySonikku]

22 years going and Sonic isn't stopping anytime soon! Sonic forever!!

[@BurritoDeVegito]

I always remember Sonic 2-3 when I was a child because it was always that wonderful feeling getting your Saga Mega Drive out just to play games as you remembered a long time ago. Now I have Sonic Generations for the xbox it feels like you just been brought into your Favorited moments of all the games.

[@aidanlynch99]

Thanks for sharing

[@Fizzlefuse]

I grew up with sonic, it was awesome. Watching this makes me want to dust off my old genesis/megadrive and play these games again.

[@Jbelnap510]

As much as I love Sonic, I can't help but notice they skimmed over all his speedbumps

[@JovialNightz]

oh God ... just the beauty of the character he took so much work to put out there, he competed for his title, and got it

[@thetraveler9]

There's something about these video games that we played as children. They hold a place in our mind. A fairy tale world that we used to live in.

[@missvaultgal]

I almost squealed when they finally talked about Sonic Adventure because I was so anxious to hear them talk about it. I had a gigantic smile when they showed it. I really love Sonic Adventure. ...SONIC ADVENTUUUUREEEEEE

[@quentin1374]

25:40 "One of the biggest turning points was 'Sonic Adventure' in 1998" ... Yeah, no kidding...

[@rulebrad333]

all i can remember is playing sonic from a kid all the way to now.when i play generations, every time i pick a stage a think back to what i was doing around that time.

[@CarnageBros]

These Sort of Games Are Legendary

[@xX2kawaii4uXx]

Oh man, Sonic on the Genesis had so many memories for me, them feels man.

[@winie2thepooh]

Sonic Adventure 2... Just amazing memories :')

[@MegaDrew102]

Thank you Ze

[@sonicdude0115]

I once saw a LittleBigPlanet fan playing Sonic Generations. He was absolutely in awe. He wouldn't stop playing Rooftop Run modern Sonic.

[@mac397]

It gives me great hope that sonic will continue is legacy. Why? This video has ZERO dislikes!

[@mdstevens0612]

I have *BEEEN* looking for this video.

[@richieinkwell]

they need to make like a "behind the music" kinda thing for video games. so they can also talk about each major sonic game specifically. Also to talk about their high point and the lowest point(Shadow the Hedgehog the game and Sonic the hedgehog 2006) I think it would be cool to a full documentary like that.=]

[@h20DDs]

So, Masato Nakamura, You gave birth to one of my favorite 8-bit video game themes, Green Hill Zone theme, Wow. Isn't that something.

[@JustAFanGamer]

My childhood was dedicated to both!

[@Thebestone25lego]

Wow...I'm writing a paper about sonic for school!!! This helps a lot!!!

[@NigheluxTrinity7]

i am really happen to be a sonic fan when i got my first sonic game which was sonic heroes and that game really inspired me to play and love the game as well so i can play for their new releases. Then i heard about his old games which really got my good side for how amazing it was. so thank you sega for making the sonic games and hope it gets better in the future

[@theindiediary5950]

+Shilv_Gaming The Shilvaneonwolf unfortunately the people that made all the great sega games of the past. Are long gone. Tell me. What greatness has sega went on to make since the failure of their hardware? I had a dreamcast and it was incredible. The only problem was nobody was buying it because of how badly they fucked up with the sega saturn. Which sucked because the dreamcast was incredible. Any time people come to my house it's all they ever want to play. And I own every console that ever existed basically. :)

[@NigheluxTrinity7]

I enjoy the classic games sonuc 1,2,3 and dreamcast was awesome

[@the_worst_one_8760]

when I played a Sonic game I was 4, it was Sonic 1 my second game was Sonic Aventure Aventure, to me is the best! I played unleashed too I not liked... now i'm 11 and completed a generations Sonic game.

[@MeltingComet]

I read this big history book about gaming, and they only told me how sega was made, not anything about Sonic. The only thing they said about him was how they dominated the market. Anyway, this was great.

[@KumoriAcrux]

Sonic is amazing! I know he'll live forever, he's the best C:

[@xjuggaloryda1991x]

Sonic has always had a place in my heart an he always will. Thank you Sega

[@obamabread9698]

this need more views

[@DjSplashFan123]

I remember that I was like 3 years and a half when I got my first Sonic the Hedgehog game.... I didn't even know how to read or use a controller correctly so I just started pushing buttons, hehe and saw the Game Over screen over 1000 times A DAY. Aaah, memories.

[@CardCaptorDeadpool]

Thank you!!!

[@fs400ion]

Just Amazing!

[@supercj12]

Other than Sonic CD not being on here, it s great to see the full history behind Sonic, even if i already lived it.

[@AgentRoadblock]

Well these games are a born of a new sonic era

[@Dark0niro]

Now I want to see a Sanic documentary

[@Sparkstorm1000]

make that 22 years hes still unstoppable

[@sungiveslighttomoon]

i got classic sonic tattooed on my arm,he was apart of my childhood in the early 90's... i dont just get anything tattooed on my arm, sonic has earned his place!

[@Sodaman99]

Even after the train wreck that was sonic 06 he's still going strong with a brand new game coming out this year! :D I hope this game keeps the dark age from returning

[@aleksandarmilosevic4414]

Long Live Sonic! The best adventure game ever! I grove up with Sonic games!

[@darknid158]

2001: Playing City Escape from SA2 on Dreamcast in Wal-Mart. I will never forget that day, making City Escape my most favorite stage for all the memories it has given me.

[@SmoshFanX95]

I ❤ sonic the hedgehog keep going buddy your never gonna end

[@chubomikz7104]

21 minutes in and they FINALLY start talking about Sonic 2.

[@BariBariKawa]

Metal Harbor.. Ah, brings back great memories :)

[@zannleft7117]

I do have the mod btw. And i like it! Thumbs up for the unleashed team!

[@spark12222]

HA HA!! I PAUSED IT WHEN HE WAS RUNNING AT THE END!! he was really blurry..... BUT STILL AWESOME!!

[@malice1337]

9:56 "It was REARRY tough job for me" lol

[@Supermex700]

I'm a big Mario fan, but I gotta say that Sonic does deserve some huge respect too because of his awesome games like sonic 1,2,3,knuckles and many others...so I could say Iam a sonic fan too... Sonic has helped me shaped up my childhood in a vary cool way! SONIC FOR EVER!

[@JokerXDHaHaHa]

What?!? No Sonic CD mentioned? The REAL Sonic 2.

[@HEADBOY_PHENOMENON]

Sonic 2 was the first game I ever had, that was and still my favorite classic sonic. I'm curious to know why people aren't fond of sonic heroes? That was a great game!

[@michaelbyef1]

Are you still playing Sonic Allstar Racing, Taylor. I'm having trouble connecting with the online multiplay. It completes the search but just hangs on the connecting screen and doesn't seem to connect. Does it work for you?

[@HEADBOY_PHENOMENON]

Mike Bye Yeah I still play it, I have been having the same problem lately.

[@michaelbyef1]

Oh thanks mate, it's a cool port though isn't it, it looks better than I remember and better than the youtube android gameplay video I saw too.

[@HEADBOY_PHENOMENON]

Yeah it's awesome :) I had the DS version and this port is way more fun.

[@michaelbyef1]

I just sat there to see what happened when trying to connect and after a while it says lost connection to other players, I think if you set up a race between friends, instead of quick match, it'd be ok.

[@arkama67]

"Sonic's move to 3D was a big success" No it was not, sonic 3D blast was awful to play. Sonic racing which is kind of the real first sonic in 3D was not really good (I'm being pc here). I really liked Sonic adventure but it was not enough to wipe the bad taste of the previous games out of my mouth. I like how the saturn's chapter is NOT MENTIONED at all lol.