Sonic the Hedgehog

For fighter info, see Sonic (SSBB), Sonic (SSB4), and Sonic (SSBU).

For the universe, see Sonic the Hedgehog (universe). For the smasher, see Smasher:Sonic.

Sonic the Hedgehog
File:FrontiersSonic.png Official artwork of Sonic from Sonic Frontiers.
Universe	Sonic the Hedgehog
Debut	Rad Mobile (cameo, 1991) Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
Smash Bros. appearances	Brawl SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Sonic Frontiers (2022)
Console/platform of origin	Arcade (cameo) Sega Genesis
Species	Hedgehog
Gender	Male
Place of origin	Christmas Island
Created by	Naoto Ōshima
Designed by	Naoto Ōshima (Classic artwork) Yuji Uekawa (Modern artwork)
English voice actor	Jason Griffith (Brawl) Roger Craig Smith (SSB4/Ultimate)
Japanese voice actor	Jun'ichi Kanemaru
French voice actor	Alexandre Gillet
German voice actor	Marc Stachel
Spanish voice actor	Jonatán López
Italian voice actor	Renato Novara
Article on Wikipedia	Sonic the Hedgehog (character)

Sonic the Hedgehog (ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ, Sonic the Hedgehog) is the titular character of the Sonic the Hedgehog series and the mascot of Sega. After making a cameo in 1991's Rad Mobile, Sonic debuted a few months later in his eponymous game. In addition to succeeding Alex Kidd as Sega's mascot, Sonic was also the company's attempt at rivaling Nintendo's mascot, Mario, during the fourth and early sixth generations of video games.

Sonic made his Super Smash Bros. debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in which he and Solid Snake notably became the first third-party characters to appear in the Super Smash Bros. series. Sonic has since reappeared as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Origin

Sonic is a 15-year-old anthropomorphic hedgehog who, as his name suggests, is capable of running at supersonic speeds. He is 3 ft, 3 in (1 m) tall, weighs 77 lbs (35 kg), and has large quills, blue fur, and green eyes. Sonic also wears a pair of Power Sneakers alongside a pair of white gloves.

Before the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic debuted in the arcade racing game Rad Mobile as an ornament hanging on the driver's rearview mirror. Self-described as "The Fastest Thing Alive", Sonic is confident, quick-witted, carefree and virtuous, yet he can also be impulsive, hot-headed, snarky, and cocky. He is also adventurous to the point that he hates being constrained. On a related note, Sonic's love of freedom is a primary reason behind his campaigns to stop subjugation of any kind, most notably the plots concocted by his arch-nemesis, Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik.

Sonic's most defining feature is his speed, as it was his main gimmick and driving force during his inception. Sonic is constantly seen outrunning traditionally fast objects like cars and trucks, rockets, fighter jets and even time and space itself. This even applies to gameplay, with players often finding ways to glitch and sequence break several games by simply going fast enough. Aside from his speed, his main ability is to curl up into a ball and effectively make himself a projectile that can damage enemies. His most iconic method of achieving this state is the Spin Dash, where Sonic curls up into a ball and spins around in place enough times to launch forward at high speeds. A variant of this technique called the Super Peel-Out exists, which has a similar effect except without curling into a ball. While Sonic initially could only jump and land on the heads of enemies, later games introduced the Homing Attack, where Sonic will lock on to the closest enemy for a near guaranteed hit. Later games also introduced a boosting technique, where Sonic can further increase his speed by using a resource that varies depending on the game.

Sonic gathers golden rings for his primary source of health and energy. If he takes damage, the rings will fly out of him, the amount fluctuating depending on the game, and he has a few seconds to get them back before they disappear. Sonic also collects power-ups such as Power Sneakers that increase his speed further, various elemental shields that let him interact with the level in unique ways and allow him to take a hit without losing rings, invincible boxes that temporarily turn him invincible, several permanent power-ups that let him perform new techniques and access new areas, and wisps that temporarily change Sonic's abilities.

Sonic's most iconic power-ups are the seven Chaos Emeralds, which appear in most games as either collectibles or plot devices. Sonic has been shown to know how to perform Chaos Control, which is using the energy of at least one emerald to warp the fabric of reality, usually resulting in time slowing to a crawl or stopping entirely. If Sonic collects all seven emeralds, he can transform into Super Sonic, which grants him flight and invincibility so long as he has a sufficient number of rings.

Initially, early Western profiles sometimes portrayed Sonic as being from the fictional planet Mobius. However, Japanese profiles (which Western territories would follow starting with Sonic Adventure) and Yuji Naka, the former head of Sonic Team, have since stated that his birthplace is Kiritimati (also known as Christmas Island), one of the numerous atolls that comprise the real world sovereign state of Kiribati.

In Super Smash Bros.

Although Sonic does not make any sort of appearance in Super Smash Bros., the game's Japanese website included his results from a poll to gauge interest for potential playable characters in a sequel.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

Despite Sega and Nintendo being hardware and software rivals at the release of the Nintendo GameCube, Yuji Naka claimed that it was possible to include Sonic in Super Smash Bros. Melee. However, time constraints apparently caused these plans to fall through. It would later be revealed that both Shigeru Miyamoto and Masahiro Sakurai would have approved the idea of adding Sonic to Melee.

An infamous hoax claimed that Sonic and Tails were unlockable in Melee. Despite having been proven as false, the hoax became well-known in both the Super Smash Bros. community and the wider world of gaming.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

As a playable character

Sonic, as he appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Sonic makes his debut in the Super Smash Bros. series as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and was confirmed on October 10th, 2007. According to Super Smash Bros. series creator Masahiro Sakurai, Sonic's inclusion was not guaranteed; as a result of his last-minute inclusion, the delay of Brawl's release date was announced alongside his confirmation.

According to Sakurai, he played a number of both classic and modern Sonic the Hedgehog games in order to develop a basis for Sonic's appearance in Brawl. He was primarily focused on the classic games and based him on their gameplay style as one-button games. Aesthetically, Sonic's design is from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), and his dashing animation is his Super Peel Out from Sonic the Hedgehog CD. Mechanically, his moveset largely consists of his attacks from Sonic the Fighters, although two of his special moves are the Homing Attack from Sonic Adventure and the Spin Dash from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Sonic's Final Smash, Super Sonic, functions almost identically to its appearances in his home series: he is rendered invincible and can fly, yet his transformation has a fairly short duration. Possibly as a result of his last-minute inclusion, Sonic also appears very late in Brawl's Adventure Mode, The Subspace Emissary. Ultimately, he plays a pivotal role in the defeat of the Subspace Army's leader, Tabuu, during the final battle.

Sonic fittingly possesses the fastest dashing speed in the game, as well as among the fastest walking and air speeds. His blisteringly fast mobility is further accentuated by Spin Dash and Spin Charge, which enable him to blitz an opponent and are integral to his solid combo game. Sonic also possesses an excellent recovery, courtesy of his aforementioned air speed and the considerable distance granted by Spring Jump. However, Sonic's strengths are almost completely offset by his severely unimpressive KO potential, and most of his moveset generally has minimal utility.

Despite his flaws and the general consensus that he lacks truly advantageous and disadvantageous matchups, Sonic has nevertheless managed to achieve decent tournament results, even at the national level. As a result, he is currently ranked 22nd out of 38 on the tier list; this places him in the D tier, and posits him as a mid tier character.

Trophy

Sonic the Hedgehog's trophy in Brawl

Sonic the Hedgehog

The world's fastest hedgehog, who can run at supersonic speeds. Generally speaking, he loves being able to do what he wants and loathes being constrained. Holding still is something he would never consider. He's got a bit of an attitude but can't pass by someone in trouble. When he collects the seven Chaos Emeralds, he transforms into the mighty, gold Super Sonic.

The world's fastest hedgehog, who can run at supersonic speeds. Generally speaking, he loves being able to do what he wants and loathes being constrained. Holding still is something he would never consider. He's got a bit of an attitude but can't pass by someone in trouble. When he collects the seven Chaos Emeralds, he transforms into the mighty, golden Super Sonic.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (1991)

: Sonic and the Secret Rings

Stickers

Name	Game	Effect	Characters
Classic Sonic	Sonic the Hedgehog JP Ver.	AttackArm+021 Attack +21	Sonic
Classic Sonic	Sonic the Hedgehog US Ver.	AttackThrowing+020 Attack +20	Sonic
Sonic the Hedgehog	Sonic the Hedgehog	AttackBodySpin+032 Attack +32	Sonic

Classic Sonic (Sonic The Hedgehog JP Ver.)

Classic Sonic (Sonic The Hedgehog US Ver.)

Sonic The Hedgehog (Sonic The Hedgehog)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

As a playable character

Sonic, as he appears in Super Smash Bros. 4.

Sonic appears as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4, with his return being confirmed during a Nintendo Direct on October 1st, 2013. Unlike in Brawl, his design is now based on his appearance as of Sonic Unleashed onwards. This is further reflected by him now being voiced by Roger Craig Smith, who succeeded Jason Griffith in 2010. On a related note, Sonic is now fully voiced in Spanish, French, Italian, and German.

Sonic has been heavily buffed in the transition from Brawl to SSB4. Sonic's previously abysmal KO potential has noticeably improved, and a number of his moves have improved utility. Outside of this, Sonic's outstanding speed and mobility have improved even further, thanks to his air and fast falling speeds becoming noticeably faster. Although Sonic's recovery was slightly weakened and some of his moves, particularly his KOing options, had their lag increased, these nerfs are largely outweighed by his aforementioned buffs.

Thanks to his improvements and consistent tournament success at all levels of play, Sonic is currently ranked 7th out of 55. This places him in the A tier, which ties him with Fox and posits him as a top tier character.

Trophies

Sonic the Hedgehog's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Sonic the Hedgehog's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic

The main star of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. He's an easygoing hedgehog who blows past the competition with his speed. Seriously, on the ground he's faster than anyone else in Smash Bros. Use this to your advantage, avoiding blows while landing lightning-fast attacks.

The star of the Sonic The Hedgehog series. He's an easygoing hedgehog who blows past the competition with his speed. Seriously, on the ground he's faster than anyone else in Smash Bros. Use this to your advantage, avoiding blows while landing lightning-fast attacks.

A certain hedgehog from a certain series you just might have heard of. Unlike most hedgehogs, he's incredibly fast. Like most hedgehogs, however, he can't swim. He's by far the fastest runner of all the fighters, so take advantage of that by making sure no one gets the chance to hit him. (Just try not to end up in the water.)

Sonic The Hedgehog (06/1991)

: Sonic Lost World (10/2013)

Sonic (Alt.)'s trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Sonic (Alt.)'s trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Sonic (Alt.)

Sonic's up special Spring Jump lets him reach great heights by jumping on a spring, becoming invincible for a moment. He can't use any other specials during the jump, but he can attack or dodge. This move's great for returning from a long launch. Other fighters can use the spring, though!

Sonic's Spring Jump up special lets you bounce to great heights and briefly makes you invincible at the start. You can't use other specials while in the air, but you can use normal attacks, dodge and so on. It's great for getting both back to the stage and out of tough spots, but just remember that everyone else can use the spring too!

Sonic The Hedgehog (06/1991)

: Sonic Lost World (10/2013)

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

As a playable character

Sonic, as he appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Sonic appears as an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with his return being confirmed during Nintendo's E3 2018 presentation on June 12. Due to being the first character in Mario's Classic Mode character unlock tree, Sonic can potentially be the first character unlocked in the game.

Sonic was nerfed slightly overall in the transition from SSB4, with the changes he received demanding a more aggressive playstyle. Most notably, Spin Dash and Spin Charge can no longer cross up shields or be charged indefinitely, with Spin Dash also losing its ability to be shield-canceled. As a result, both moves have become noticeably less effective as both neutral and camping options. Up aerial's angle and knockback adjustments have worsened its hits' consistency when Sonic is ascending, as well as its KO potential. However, it remains a useful combo starter when SHFF'd, thanks to its noticeably lower landing lag and the retention of its excellent auto-cancel window.

Despite these nerfs, Sonic received some noticeable buffs. Homing Attack is faster and more controllable, giving it greater combo potential and neutral utility. Adjustments to Spin Charge's angles, knockback, hitlag and SDI have improved its consistency significantly, while Spring Jump is even more useful for recovering thanks to reverting to its Brawl vertical height. Most of Sonic's standard attacks have also been strengthened or boast greater utility. Sonic has also been indirectly buffed by gameplay changes: he benefits the most of any character from the expansion of dash-canceling's utility because of his unrivaled dashing speed, and the reintroduction of directional air dodging allows him to extend his already impressive recovery.

Spirits

Fighter spirit

• 

  775. Sonic the Hedgehog

Primary spirit

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability	Series
778		Super Sonic		★★★★	3	3970	9927	2215	5537	1603	4009	Speed ↑	Sonic The Hedgehog Series

Support spirit

No.	Image	Name	Class	Cost	Ability	Series
796		Sonic the Werehog	★★	1	Physical Attack ↑	Sonic The Hedgehog Series

Names in other languages

Language	Name
Japanese	ソニック, Sonic
English	Sonic
French	Sonic
German	Sonic
Spanish	Sonic
Italian	Sonic
Chinese	索尼克, Sonic
Korean	소닉, Sonic
Dutch	Sonic
Russian	Соник
Portuguese	Sonic

Trivia

• Sonic has made the most Super Smash Bros. appearances out of any third-party character that has been playable in the series, having appeared in all games since his debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
• Sonic is the only third-party character to undergo a redesign between games. He uses his Sonic and the Secret Rings design, but with the colored shading from Yuji Uekawa's artwork, in Brawl. From Super Smash Bros 4 onwards he uses his standard look as of Sonic Unleashed (previously used in pre-rendered cutscenes of other Sonic games), with his smirk looking closer to Yuji Uekawa's artwork.
  • Additionally, he is the only third-party character to have their voice actor changed between installments, switching from Jason Griffith to Roger Craig Smith in SSB4. However a few of Griffith's voice clips, such as Sonic's snoring and water surfacing sound, are still used in SSB4 and SSBU.
• Although he is unable to do so in his home series, Sonic can swim in the Super Smash Bros. series. However, to reflect his adverse mobility in water in his home series, his very frantic swimming style makes him among the slowest swimmers in the series. In Ultimate, this trait is further accentuated, as Sonic receives damage while swimming.
  • Ironically, real-world hedgehogs can swim, but have difficulty getting out of water.
• Sonic is the only playable character to debut on a Sega console.
• Sonic is one of only four playable characters in the series (the other three being Mewtwo, Joker, and Terry) with more than one reveal trailer.
  • Of those four, he is the only one who was not DLC at the time, whose trailers both contained actual gameplay (the latter three only had gameplay in their second trailer), whose trailers were for two separate installments (being Brawl and SSB4), and whose trailers did not have splash art.
  • Both trailers feature the ending segment of the song that is not included in-game for the Super Smash Bros. series.
  • Furthermore, in the case of SSB4, he was the first veteran in the series to have a dedicated reveal trailer, followed by Mewtwo, Lucas, and Roy. Of those four characters, he is the only one who is not DLC and whose trailer lacked both splash art and a tagline.
• Sonic is one of the only two non-Pokémon playable characters to have a voice actor for the French, Spanish, German, Italian versions of SSB4 and Ultimate. The other being Wii Fit Trainer (both Male and Female).
  • On a related note, he was only voiced in English and Japanese in Brawl, making him the only playable character to start out voiced in two languages for their first Super Smash Bros. appearance, and then be voiced in more languages in their next one.