We’re so excited, we could curl up into a little ball and spin like a razor through the green hills and bucolic countryside. Or maybe we’ll take a speedy trip through a carnivalesque Vegas. Or maybe we’ll get so frenzied we’ll attack an evil, ginger scientist bent on destroying the world with his egg ship. We have issues. However, in honor of Sonic’s 20th birthday, a few of us staff members at Pixelated Geek took a few moments to recall our fondest and favorite memories regarding SEGA’s tent-pole mascot. He fought valiantly in the early console wars and, though he succumbed to the might of two Italian plumbers, Sonic has never given up the fight for our adoration. Now that he’s no longer a teenager (and can almost drink legally), we’ll sneak him a drop or two of our alcoholic and nectarine praise. We heart you big, buddy. Here’s our scrapbook!
Bob B.: Personally, I never owned a SEGA anything, including the Genesis, Game Gear, and eventual-gravestone Dreamcast. However, I certainly had friends who owned SEGA products, especially those envied few who had both a Super NES and Genesis during the 16-bit conflicts. My fondest memory with our azure ally was during a period in elementary school where my mom — because of her job — couldn’t pick me up right after school. Therefore, I would get a ride back to our neighborhood with a family friend who happened to live right down the street. We would stop at Burger King (re: this area also saw me inculcating my love for the Whopper) and then head to our friend’s house, where I would first finish all my homework. I would save my Whopper for what I still dub “SEGA Time,” during which I would immediately warm up with some Golden Axe. Following a few minutes of one of my still-to-date favorite side-scrollers, I would transition to the ongoing battle with the sinister Dr. Robotnik. I played the hell out of Sonic 1, 2, and 3, beating every level, collecting every godsdamn ring, and even starting the level over if I lost a single golden prize. This part of my mother’s career only lasted about a month, but every afternoon I would rinse-repeat with my favorite video game speedster. Mario and Luigi definitely held my attention for longer, but Sonic’s and my brief affair led to a lifetime of treasured memories…and Whoppers.
Rett L.: I wasn’t a Nintendo kid growing up. In fact, I somehow missed out on the SEGA/Nintendo rivalry altogether. For my friends and I, there was only SEGA, and SEGA’s ever-present mascot Sonic. SEGA epitomized cool in the early 90’s for me. After a year or so playing my babysitter’s SEGA Genesis, I knew I had to have my own. I worked out a deal with my father: I would raise half the money, and he would cover the other half in a kind of early employer-employee retirement contribution. I scrimped and saved every bit of change I collected until finally the day arrived when I could afford a Genesis. In fact, I managed to save enough for a SEGA Saturn but I was to young to realize it was the newer console. However, I scoffed at the idea, because the Genesis had Sonic, and that was all I needed. I will never forget my first system and the sense of joy and discovery that came along with it. Who could forget discovering you could flip open the top of Sonic and Knuckles and combine Sonic games?! And I won’t ever forget realizing you could actually beat Sonic 2 and Sonic and Knuckles, making them the first games I ever completed. Soon I was moving on to other Genesis greats like Streets of Rage or Golden Axe, but I would always return to that speedy blue hedgehog. So happy birthday Sonic, and thanks for the memories.
JJ: My fondest memory of Sonic would have to be when I had to go to a party for my father’s work. Being forced to socialize with kids my own age drove me nuts, so when the hostess’ daughter gave me the opportunity to leave the kids’ room and play Sonic, I jumped at the chance. We played Sonic the Hedgehog 2 “special stages” all night. That night I wished all my video game characters could move as fast as Sonic; I made two new friends that night. Happy birthday dude!
Chris T.: I never owned a SEGA Genesis, but that never stopped me from playing Sonic. My earliest memory of Sonic is playing at my friend’s house and instantly getting hooked. I remember going up against Robotnik and developing a strong dislike for him. He was a worthy adversary, but of course no match for Sonic. My friends and I would go for hours taking turns at Sonic; when Sonic 2 came out, our lives were complete. Something about that little blue guy racking up rings at what seemed like lightning speed was always a rush. Add in the amazing music, and you can see why Sonic has become such a classic.
Some our staff chose video format for their laudations. James M., Nelson, Andrew, Anthony, and Jordan left this for our blue buddy to enjoy:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUiC7AEtpoI[/youtube]