Sonic the Hedgehog

What happened

In 1991 Sega released Sonic the Hedgehog for its Genesis console, a fast, brash platform game built around a blue hedgehog created to be the company's mascot and challenge Nintendo's Mario.

Why it matters

Sonic gave Sega a hero to rival Mario and fueled the fierce 'console wars' of the early 1990s that pushed the whole industry forward.

Sources

• The Strong National Museum of Play. Sonic the Hedgehog · Reputable source