Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game) Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game) The game's development began in 1990 when Sega ordered its in-house development team to create a game featuring a mascot for the company. After considering a number of suggestions, the developers decided on a blue hedgehog with spikes along his head and spine and named themselves "Sonic Team" to match their character. "Sonic the Hedgehog", designed for fast gameplay, was influenced by the games of "Super Mario" series creator, Shigeru Miyamoto. "Sonic the Hedgehog" uses a novel technique that allows Sonic's sprite to roll along curved scenery, which originated in a tech demo created
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released in 1994, two years after "Sonic 2". The "Sonic & Knuckles" game cartridge features a special "lock-on" port into which the player can insert other Genesis cartridges. Attaching "Sonic 2" unlocks "Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2", a variation of "Sonic 2" whereby the player plays as Knuckles the Echidna, a character introduced in "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" and not playable until "Sonic & Knuckles". Though the game is largely identical to "Sonic the Hedgehog 2", Knuckles is able to glide and climb walls, allowing him access to areas previously inaccessible to Sonic or Tails. However,