Sonic the Hedgehog different media including animation, comic books, and a Hollywood film. The first "Sonic" game, "Sonic the Hedgehog", is a platform game released in 1991. Players control the anthropomorphic blue hedgehog Sonic, who can run and jump at high speeds using springs, ramps, and loops. Sonic must stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world using the Chaos Emeralds. "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" (1992) increased the overall size and speed of the series' gameplay and was the second best-selling Genesis game. It introduced Sonic's sidekick and best friend, Miles "Tails" Prower, who followed Sonic throughout the game, and allowed a second
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to it. Connecting the "Sonic 3" cartridge creates a combined game, "Sonic 3 & Knuckles". The lock-on function is available in some digital releases of the games, such as the Virtual Console service for the Wii. "Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles" allows the player to play "Sonic 3" levels as Knuckles or "Sonic & Knuckles" levels as Tails or both Sonic and Tails. Other new features are the ability to collect Super Emeralds, unlocking new "Hyper" forms for Sonic and Knuckles and a "Super" form for Tails, improved save options, access to new areas that Sonic or Tails could