Sonic the Hedgehog, the iconic blue speedster created by Sega, has reached a new milestone in his long-running career. According to Sega, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has moved 1.6 billion units as of March 2023. This figure has risen 7% compared to last year, and that’s thanks to the release of multiple Sonic games across various formats.
The 1.6 billion units include both full game sales and downloads of free-to-play mobile titles, such as Sonic Dash, Sonic Forces, and Sonic Racing. While Sega did not provide the exact breakdown of the numbers, it is clear that Sonic has a loyal fan base that spans across different platforms and generations.
Sonic’s Success in Movies and Comics
Sonic’s popularity is not limited to video games. The character has also made a splash in other media, such as movies and comics. The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie, released in 2020, was a surprise hit that grossed over $300 million worldwide. The sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, is scheduled to release in April 2023, and will feature fan-favorite characters such as Tails and Knuckles.
Sonic has also been a staple in comic books, with various publishers such as Archie Comics and IDW Publishing. The latter has been producing Sonic comics since 2018, and has recently announced a new miniseries featuring Fang the Sniper, a villainous bounty hunter who debuted in Sonic the Triple Trouble in 1994. The comic will explore Fang’s backstory and motivations, as well as his rivalry with Sonic and his friends.
Sonic’s Future Plans and Goals
Sega has big plans for Sonic’s future, as the company aims to surpass Mario, Nintendo’s flagship mascot, in both movies and games. Sega’s chief creative officer, Toshihiro Nagoshi, said that Sonic has the potential to be more appealing than Mario, because he is more human-like and relatable. He also said that Sega wants to create Sonic games that are more innovative and challenging, and that appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers.
Sega has already revealed some of the upcoming Sonic projects, such as Sonic Colors Ultimate, a remastered version of the 2010 Wii game, and Sonic Origins, a compilation of the classic Sonic games from the Genesis era. Sega has also teased a new 3D Sonic game, codenamed Sonic Rangers, that will feature an open-world setting and a mysterious new gameplay mechanic. The game is expected to release in 2023, as part of Sonic’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most successful and beloved video game franchises of all time, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With a loyal fan base, a diverse media presence, and a ambitious vision, Sonic is ready to take on new challenges and adventures in the years to come.
