Best Versions Of Sonic The Hedgehog, Ranked

With his role as Sega’s mascot since 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most well-known icons in popular culture. From his rivalry with Mario in the 1990s to his present day video game outings, the so-called ‘Blue Blur’ continues to have a solid presence in the video game market.

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Sonic is famous for his speed abilities, witty attitude, and lovable cast of friends. Over 30 years, this has continued to extend his appeal to people of all ages. With such a long history, it’s no surprise that the blue hedgehog has appeared differently across various games, TV shows, and even comics. Sonic’s personality and appearance have seen much variation, with some being more loved than others.

10 The Werehog (Sonic Unleashed)

Sonic’s Alter Ego

In Sonic Unleashed, Sonic exists in two forms. Though he is his normal self by day, at night he turns into the “Werehog.” This was the result of Doctor Eggman splitting the planet from space in an attempt to release Dark Gaia, whose power he’d planned to use in building his own Empire.

The Werehog is much slower than his speedy counterpart but has greater physical strength and even arms that can stretch, giving him the ability to take out enemies from a great distance. However, though he has a burly, aggressive-looking form, the Werehog retains Sonic’s personality, with the same confidence, determination to do the right thing, and desire to help his friends.

9 Movie Sonic (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Sega’s Beloved Icon Finally Hit The Big Screen

• Released: 02-14-2020
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
• Director: Jeff Fowler

The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have forged their own canon based off that of the video games. As such, the movies introduced some new characters. Raised by Longclaw the Owl, a young Sonic was forced to travel to Earth upon being attacked by the echidnas. Sonic ends up in the aptly named “Green Hills,” Montana, and is eventually adopted by Tom and Maddie Wachowski.

The second movie sees Sonic meet Tails, and the pair begin the search for the Master Emerald. Knuckles is introduced, who Sonic must tackle frequently before he eventually helps them fight Doctor Robotnik. In both movies, Sonic can be quite childish, given he is younger than his video game versions. However, this serves for Tom to mentor him, telling him he needs to grow up first and wait for the right time to be a hero. Sonic’s movie version marked the return of his blue-furred arms, first widely seen in Sonic Boom when, most other times, they were a tan color.

8 Prime Sonic (Sonic Prime)

Netflix’s Adaptation Of The Blue Hedgehog

• Released: 12-15-2022
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy
• Creators: Duncan Rouleau, Steven T. Seagle, Joe Kelly

The TV series Sonic Prime, which first aired in December 2022, introduces alternate versions of many of Sonic’s friends, as the hedgehog is forced to navigate multiple realities. After Sonic shatters the Paradox Prism in the first episode, he ends up in New Yoke City, which turns out to be the Green Hill Zone Eggman finally conquered. He eventually meets Tails Nine and is shown to have the same power that the whole city is reliant on. Sonic must then seek to travel to all alternate realities and collect the Prism’s shards before Eggman and his variants can.

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Uniquely, it was Sonic’s fault that this whole ordeal was created. In the debut episode, he was extremely headstrong, refusing to listen to his friends’ warnings that Eggman was leading him into a trap. He also didn’t wait for his friends to help uncover Eggman’s plans but went in headfirst without knowing the doctor’s plot to use his speed against him. However, Sonic seeks to redeem himself over the course of the series and restore his homeland and friends.

7 Archie Sonic (Sonic The Hedgehog #1)

Shows Many Layers To Sonic’s Personality

• Released: 07-1993
• Genres: Action, Comedy
• Author: Michael Gallagher

The Sonic depicted in this former long-running comic book series has some stark contrasts with his video game versions. Despite the same recognizable character traits, this Sonic places great emphasis on family and a sense of duty to protect his world from Eggman, quite unlike his video game variants. Sonic’s strong will and heroics inspire those around him to establish a Freedom Fighter group, which he also partakes in. They wage a long struggle against Eggman’s oppression and eventually, led by Sally Acorn, reclaim their homeland.

Other stories involve Super Sonic fighting Hyper Knuckles, as well as various alternate versions of Sonic’s future. In one such timeline, Sonic marries Sally and has a son and daughter. This variant offers a deeper, richer insight into many layers of Sonic’s personality. It also builds off the Sonic “SatAM” TV series’ storyline, though the two are quite different overall.

6 Sonic (Sonic X)

Cares Very Much About His Friends

• Released: 08-23-2003
• Genres: Sci-Fi, Adventure
• Creator: Hajime Kamegaki

Sonic X follows the blue hedgehog and his friends when they’re accidentally teleported to Earth after activating Chaos Control. Sonic is rescued from drowning in a swimming pool by a lonely 12-year-old named Chris. Upon finding refuge in Chris’ home, the series follows Sonic and Co. on many adventures, even retelling Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 to include Chris.

Despite critics being divided on the series, especially upon its release, Sonic X gives fans a glimpse into Sonic living in the human world. Sonic still retains his cool attitude but shows a more caring side. He watches out for Chris’ welfare and even that of Chris’ friends, too. Sonic’s new portrayal quickly became well-loved and stands out as iconic to this day.

5 Sonic (Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog)

This Sonic May Never Have Met His Best Friend

• Released: 09-06-1993
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy
• Creators: Kent Butterworth, Phil Harnage, Bruce Shelly

The very first Sonic TV series follows Sonic and his best friend Tails on their ever-present quest to stop Eggman, then called Robotnik, from taking over their homeworld. Sonic himself is very proud of his speed, being impatient with anything he considers slow. However, unlike his video game versions, this Sonic is interested in romance. Robotnik uses this to his own advantage to lure Sonic into a trap, as was the case with secret agent Breezie. However, Breezie is so touched by Sonic’s love and kindness that she intervenes to save him from certain death.

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Sonic also shows a strong dislike of infants, which nearly results in him and Tails never forming a friendship. At first, upon meeting Tails as a baby, Sonic tried to get away from him. However, Tails started crying, creating a stream of tears Sonic began to slip on. However, due to his flight abilities, Tails saved him from falling off the precipice, and from that point on, he became his younger brother. This same Sonic also appears in the ‘SatAM’ series.

4 Super Sonic (Sonic The Hedgehog 2)

Able To Defeat The Strongest Villains

After Sonic collects all seven Chaos Emeralds, he is able to use their power to transform into a Super form. As Super Sonic, the hedgehog has even more power and speed than his usual self. Sonic has needed to transform in order to bring down a host of strong and intimidating villains over the years. In this form, he’s even been able to gift his power to others, namely Shadow and Silver, when the three stop Solaris from destroying time itself.

On one occasion, Sonic has surpassed the abilities achieved in his super form by becoming Hyper Sonic. As a result of collecting the Super Emeralds, Sonic’s Hyper State can obliterate all surrounding enemies, and he will not drown underwater. However, both Super and Hyper Sonic rely heavily on Rings, and the count gradually goes down as long as he remains in either form.

3 Sonic (Sonic Boom)

Sonic May Have A Scruffier Look, But He Retains The Same Attitude

Sonic Boom was a spin-off from the main series, with its own games and TV show. Sonic and his group of friends, which now include newcomer Sticks the Badger, reside on Bygone Island, with Eggman having his own lair. As this spin-off exists in an alternate dimension, they all received slight redesigns. Most notably, Sonic had blue arms.

Each character maintains distinct personality traits but with a greater focus on humor and breaking the fourth wall. Sonic himself is more alike to his earlier 3D video game portrayals, being arrogant yet heroic and full of snappy remarks towards Eggman and his other foes. He even volunteers to babysit Lady Walrus’ infant, showcasing a big difference to his Adventures variant. The Sonic Boom TV series is very comedic, with many Easter eggs and puns for fans to enjoy.

2 Classic Sonic (Sonic The Hedgehog)

The Character That Spawned A Huge Fan Following

Sonic’s very first character version was designed in such a way to help Sega market the Genesis console to teenagers and adults. The hedgehog was shown to be cheeky, quick-witted, and impatient. He also had an attitude. Though he doesn’t speak, these personality traits strongly define the character, and it succeeded in appealing to Sega’s target market.

Players get a strong sense of Sonic’s personality in the classic-era games. Sonic will look towards players and tap his foot, look at his watch, or even lie down as a way of showing his impatience at being left idle. Sonic’s classic design carried through both the Genesis and Saturn eras of gaming. Classic Sonic also made appearances in Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces, wherein he crossed over with his Modern version.

1 Modern Sonic (Sonic Adventure)

In His World, Life’s An Open Book

In the Sega Dreamcast era, Sonic was redesigned to exist in the 3D realm. It was essential that Sonic maintained the cool and edgy attitude that saw so much appeal with teenagers and adults. Thus, it would be consistent with the classic-era games. Yuji Uekawa was tasked with this redesign, which included giving Sonic longer quills, a slimmer figure, and being drawn in such a way that it oozed a sense of confidence and coolness. The result was the Sonic players still see today.

Since being in the 3D realm, Modern-era Sonic’s outings have involved much deeper storylines, with a larger cast of both friends and enemies. Sonic has been on adventures involving time travel, storybook worlds, and resolving past tragedies affecting the present day. Modern Sonic’s life really is “an open book,” as the theme song “His World” echoes, since the Blue Blur has had the chance to experience many adventures, living free and going wherever he wants.

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