HOME | DD

Description
June 23rd, 1991: a legend is born. Spinning onto the Sega Genesis 16-bit platform system, Sonic the Hedgehog introduced gamers to a sense of speed and a variety of colorful worlds never before seen on a videogame until that time. Hundreds upon thousands were instantly hooked to the character. I should know. I was one of them.

I may have only been a year old, but one of my oldest memories was when I happened to crawl into my mother's bedroom, where she and my cousin had just plugged up his brand new Sega Genesis. By the time I had come in, I looked at the television screen and gawked in awe. The little blue character on the screen running through this strange and colorful land called Green Hill Zone stunned and amazed me, and I looked on, jealous of not being able to take part in this fantastic display of color and speed. Then, for my 6th birthday, I was given my very own Genesis, complete with Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2.

Looking back, I'm sure that's where my love of the series and characters all began, with that day when I walked in on my mother and cousin playing it. I continued playing it myself all the way through, all the many games, beating Sonic CD at age 5 (though not completely, I knew nothing of the Time Stones or how to obtain them) and getting the bravery to face the new and improved Metal Sonic on Sonic & Knuckles. After a long time of no Sonic games being released, I moved on to playing other series like Pokemon to pass the time.

Then, in 1999, on my birthday of all days, the Sega Dreamcast was released with several games, one of them leading the way being the title we all know today as Sonic Adventure, changing the way we all saw Sonic forever. His look had changed drastically. Sonic's arms and legs were lengthened and his shape sleekened to allow better speed. In my eyes, Sonic was no longer the playful little character I grew up loving. Suddenly, Sonic really was the coolest thing I had ever seen.

Years went on and new characters were introduced, including Shadow the Hedgehog and Rouge the Bat in Sonic Adventure 2, released for the hedgehog's 10th anniversary, and Cream the Rabbit later in Sonic Advance 2. Some older characters were even brought back, including Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, and the oldest Sonic character to date, one of the original designs before Sonic was even created, Vector the Crocodile. Sonic has paved the way for all of these characters ever since his debut fifteen years ago. He still holds the admiration of many, and will hopefully continue to for future generations. Soon to be released this fall is his brand new game on the NextGen platforms, tentatively titled Sonic the Hedgehog, introducing several new characters and bringing back a few that only the die-hard fans will remember. Millions of fans anxiously await its release. I should know. I am one of them.

Here's to you, Sonic. You've been a friend to me fifteen years strong. Let's make sure it stays that way for many years to come.

Looking back from 2007...

Dude. Of COURSE it stays.

Description
June 23rd, 1991: a legend is born. Spinning onto the Sega Genesis 16-bit platform system, Sonic the Hedgehog introduced gamers to a sense of speed and a variety of colorful worlds never before seen on a videogame until that time. Hundreds upon thousands were instantly hooked to the character. I should know. I was one of them.

I may have only been a year old, but one of my oldest memories was when I happened to crawl into my mother's bedroom, where she and my cousin had just plugged up his brand new Sega Genesis. By the time I had come in, I looked at the television screen and gawked in awe. The little blue character on the screen running through this strange and colorful land called Green Hill Zone stunned and amazed me, and I looked on, jealous of not being able to take part in this fantastic display of color and speed. Then, for my 6th birthday, I was given my very own Genesis, complete with Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2.

Looking back, I'm sure that's where my love of the series and characters all began, with that day when I walked in on my mother and cousin playing it. I continued playing it myself all the way through, all the many games, beating Sonic CD at age 5 (though not completely, I knew nothing of the Time Stones or how to obtain them) and getting the bravery to face the new and improved Metal Sonic on Sonic & Knuckles. After a long time of no Sonic games being released, I moved on to playing other series like Pokemon to pass the time.

Then, in 1999, on my birthday of all days, the Sega Dreamcast was released with several games, one of them leading the way being the title we all know today as Sonic Adventure, changing the way we all saw Sonic forever. His look had changed drastically. Sonic's arms and legs were lengthened and his shape sleekened to allow better speed. In my eyes, Sonic was no longer the playful little character I grew up loving. Suddenly, Sonic really was the coolest thing I had ever seen.

Years went on and new characters were introduced, including Shadow the Hedgehog and Rouge the Bat in Sonic Adventure 2, released for the hedgehog's 10th anniversary, and Cream the Rabbit later in Sonic Advance 2. Some older characters were even brought back, including Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, and the oldest Sonic character to date, one of the original designs before Sonic was even created, Vector the Crocodile. Sonic has paved the way for all of these characters ever since his debut fifteen years ago. He still holds the admiration of many, and will hopefully continue to for future generations. Soon to be released this fall is his brand new game on the NextGen platforms, tentatively titled Sonic the Hedgehog, introducing several new characters and bringing back a few that only the die-hard fans will remember. Millions of fans anxiously await its release. I should know. I am one of them.

Here's to you, Sonic. You've been a friend to me fifteen years strong. Let's make sure it stays that way for many years to come.

Looking back from 2007...

Dude. Of COURSE it stays.