Sonic the Hedgehog is 34 years old today, and here's why I still love him

Today is important in the history of gaming. On this day, 34 years ago, Sega’s number one poster boy sped onto the Sega Genesis (Or Mega Drive if you’re not in the US), marking the beginning of an iconic franchise. Sonic the Hedgehog is a pinnacle of my childhood, though I’d be lying if I said Sonic being 34 doesn’t make me feel a tad bit old. The first Sonic game is playable on many platforms today, including the Nintendo Switch and mobile, thanks to various remasters and collections. Even today, the 1991 platform side-scroller is one of the best Sonic games you can play, and not just because of the newer platforms you can play it on. It’s one of my favorite retro games, so you’d best believe I bring out my Mega Drive when I want to revisit Green Hill. However, in my Sonic Origins Plus Switch review, I gave the collection a 9/10, so I still encourage people to have fun with the first Sonic game on modern consoles - it features a whole heap of ‘90s adventures with the Blur Blur. Not only are the original Sonic adventures fun to play, but part of why I love him so much is that there’s always a new Sonic game on the horizon. Unsurprisingly, the fastest thing alive doesn’t stand still for long, with new adventures coming nearly every year from Team Sonic. Last year, I’d say another of Sonic’s best outings debuted, and my Sonic x Shadow Generations Switch 2 review explains what makes it so great - seriously, that point gets Sonic off to a great start on Nintendo’s new hardware. Continue reading Sonic the Hedgehog is 34 years old today, and here's why I still love him MORE FROM POCKET TACTICS: Best Sonic Games

Jun 23, 2025 - 22:10

Sonic the Hedgehog is 34 years old today, and here's why I still love him

Today is important in the history of gaming. On this day, 34 years ago, Sega’s number one poster boy sped onto the Sega Genesis (Or Mega Drive if you’re not in the US), marking the beginning of an iconic franchise. Sonic the Hedgehog is a pinnacle of my childhood, though I’d be lying if I said Sonic being 34 doesn’t make me feel a tad bit old. The first Sonic game is playable on many platforms today, including the Nintendo Switch and mobile, thanks to various remasters and collections.

Even today, the 1991 platform side-scroller is one of the best Sonic games you can play, and not just because of the newer platforms you can play it on. It’s one of my favorite retro games, so you’d best believe I bring out my Mega Drive when I want to revisit Green Hill. However, in my Sonic Origins Plus Switch review, I gave the collection a 9/10, so I still encourage people to have fun with the first Sonic game on modern consoles - it features a whole heap of ‘90s adventures with the Blur Blur.

Not only are the original Sonic adventures fun to play, but part of why I love him so much is that there’s always a new Sonic game on the horizon. Unsurprisingly, the fastest thing alive doesn’t stand still for long, with new adventures coming nearly every year from Team Sonic. Last year, I’d say another of Sonic’s best outings debuted, and my Sonic x Shadow Generations Switch 2 review explains what makes it so great - seriously, that point gets Sonic off to a great start on Nintendo’s new hardware.

Continue reading Sonic the Hedgehog is 34 years old today, and here's why I still love him

MORE FROM POCKET TACTICS: Best Sonic Games