Created by Yuji Naka and the "Sonic Team" in Japan, "Sonic The Hedgehog" was a huge success which led to record breaking sales not only in Japan, but in Europe and the United States as well.   

Sonic made his debut in portable gaming as well with the launch of "Sonic The Hedgehog" on Game Gear in December of 1991.   
  

Sonic also introduced his new friend, Tails. About 7 years younger than Sonic, Tails is still Sonic's best friend and loyal sidekick.    
   

In '93 Sonic starred in his own television cartoon in September. And another came out later in the year.  

November 1993 brought Sonic fans "Sonic Spinball" on Sega Genesis and "Sonic Chaos" on Game Gear.   

Sonic Spinball broke away from the traditional games in a video pinball style with a Sonic twist. It propelled players through a series of great pinball worlds, packed with hidden rooms.   

Sonic and Tails teamed up yet again in "Sonic Chaos" on Game Gear. Pit against their arch nemesis, Dr. Robotnik, they blazed through six different zones of three acts (and six Bonus areas) in their quest for the Chaos Emeralds.  

In September 1993 "Sonic CD" came out on the Sega CD! With over 60 levels of adventure, Sonic fans battled Robotnik and his henchmen as they traveled through the past, present and future. And, this game was the first Sonic game to feature CD music. Many people feel that this is the Greatest Sonic Game Ever. 

In March 1994 Sonic's first racing game "Sonic Drift" was released only in Japan. Everyone drove cars in this game and it featured Amy Rose Sonic's girlfriend. 

October of 1994 Sega released "Sonic & Knuckles" It was originally planned to be a part of Sonic 3, but the Sonic Team was unable to complete it in time, so it was sold as an add-on. By plugging the Sonic & Knuckles into the Sega Genesis along with either Sonic 2 or Sonic 3, Sega created Lock-On technology. This technology introduced Knuckles into Sonic 2 and 3.  

On October 17, 1994 Sega teamed up with MTV to give the world its first glimpse of their revolutionary technology. A huge event, "Rock the Rock" was filmed at Alcatraz, the world-famous prison island near San Francisco, California. Fifty global gamers (culled from a field of more than 100,000) competed for the title of the World's Best Video Game Player and for a $25,000 grand prize. It was at this sensational event that the top-secret "Lock-On" technology in Sonic & Knuckles on Sega Genesis was unveiled.   

October also brought "Sonic The Hedgehog Triple Trouble" to Game Gear. Sonic and Tails faced three times the danger in this fast paced Game Gear game. Knuckles was back along with Robotnik and an Emerald grabbing treasure hunter named "Nack the Weasel." With 18 levels of fun and action, Sonic brought fans triple the adventure too!  

Sonic joined the 25th annual Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to help with the "Blue is Back" promotion. The 100 by 120 foot flying  
Sonic Balloon was definitely a sight. 

Sonic made history again. "Sonic the Hedgehog" became the first video game to be included in the National Film and Television Archive at the British Academy Film Institute. 

Sonic also made his first Movie. In Japan a high quality Anime was produced starring Sonic, Tails, Dr. Robotnik, and Knuckles. 

Sonic made his first appearance on the Sega Saturn in "Sonic 3D Blast," the first Sonic Game for Traveler's Tales. This game was a major disappointment for Sonic fans who were salivating over the game "Sonic X-treme" which never saw the light of day. Because of this fact Saturn continued to lose popularity. This game was also released on the Genesis and had mild sales. 

Sonic's first appearance on the PC was in the Sega CD adaptation of "Sonic CD". Here they change the soundtrack and made small changes in the game.  

Sonic's second appearance on the PC was a learning game for Children called "Sonic Schoolhouse". In this game Sonic teaches young children how to read and write. 

Sonic and Knuckles returned to Game Gear in "Sonic Blast" and for the first time Sonic appeared on Pico in "Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld", another game for children. 

In February  Sonic came  out with two  PC items, "Sonic and Knuckles Collection" and the "Sonic Screensaver" in Japan. The Sonic and Knuckles Collection incorporated Sonic & Knuckles locked on to Sonic 1, 2, and 3.  

In the Summer "Sonic Jam" debuted. This game for the Saturn had all of Sonic's classic games all on one CD, plus it had a unique collection of Sonic Info and memorabilia on the CD. 

In the Winter of 1997 Sega came out with Sonic's final game for the Saturn, "Sonic R". This incredible game was created by the Sonic Team then finished up by Travelers Tales.  It puts Sonic in a beautiful 3-D world where the whole gang races against each other. 

Sonic's reign has appeared to come to a close at this time. But, all his fans are sure that he will come back  in all his glory as soon as Sega's Katana hits the shelves.