Sonic Love

Written by Ryan Smotherman on June 21, 2001

Sonic Love: If you like him so much, then why don't you marry him......Ryan? It's an expression damnit!

Akash and Ryan both pride themselves on being the biggest Sonic Fans this side of the Pacific Ocean. Of course, we all have our reasons for loving Sega's premier spokesperson, and our two Sonic-fanatics are no exception. In this very exclusive and very original feature, Akash and Ryan will explain why they've both built Sonic shrines at which they genuflect each and every morning. Think they're crazy? So did we, but then we read this feature, and well, we still think they're crazyЕbut at least they have their reasons.

Why I Love Sonic: Ryan's Take
I'd like to start this off by thanking Yuji Naka and the rest of the Sonic Team for making me the hardcore Sega fan I am today. You see, not long ago I was a Nintendo freak, hell, who wasn't back in the late 80's and early 90's? I had never really even heard of Sega till 1991. I was only ten years old and I went to stay the weekend at a friend's house. I arrived to him playing this spectacular game that totally blew me away. Never have I seen such amazing graphics, and the sheer speed of this little blue rodent was just mind-boggling to me. The first thing I did was ask him what system that was and what game is that, I just had this overwhelming feeling that I must own this. So, like every ten year old does, I went straight home (after a weekend of some Sonic action) and begged my mom to get me a Genesis with Sonic the Hedgehog for Christmas. And thank God she came through for me, cause it was a defining moment in my gaming future, and what a great future it has been.

So, what exactly makes Sonic and his games so appealing to me anyway? Well, for the hedgehog himself, it would have to be that attitude of his. He doesn't take crap, he gives it, I remember the first time I saw him stomp his foot and look at me in disgust, I new this guy was something different. He wasn't your regular Mario goody two shoes type clone character; he defined a whole new type of videogame character, Уthe rebelФ. Sonic also gave Sega something they had needed for a long time; a Mario to call their own; a character that you would immediately associate with that company. With Sonic, Sega had done something very few companies had been able to pull off. They established a solid mascot. Take Sony for example, they have been around a good six years now in the game industry and have yet to establish a solid mascot (face it, that Crash character just isn't doing it for them nowadays).

Going along with Sonic's personality traits is a cool look. With his spiky blue fur, a cute little hedgehog face that everyone loves, and those super fast sneakers of his, Sonic definitely has the image factor down. Compare Sonic to that dorky plumber in overalls, I think we all know who the clear winner is in the image category. And not only does Sonic compete with Mario as a character, but he also stars in his own videogame that has drawn many comparisons to the Mario games. While the Sonic games have never been the deepest games out there, at least compared to Mario anyways, they have always been full of excitement and speed. If you where to put a Mario game next to a Sonic game and pick one by just how exciting it looks, then you would definitely go with Sonic. And that's what I love about the Sonic games, they're just really fun to play, and that's what videogames are about anyways, right?

You might have noticed I have made a lot of comparisons Mario, and for good reason. Him and Sonic are the greatest mascots ever. No other videogame character ever created can compete with these two guys. I just believe Sonic has the advantage in terms of his personality and the fun factor of his games, and the fact that he got me hooked to Sega helps a little. Without him, right now I'd probably be writing about why I love Mario so much, ugh, scary thought.

Why I love Sonic: Akash's Take
To tell you the truth, my love for Sonic is a recent affliction, of course, he's been my favorite videogame character since Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but it wasn't until Sonic Adventure that my Sonic-affliction reached an obsessive level. Sonic didn't really get his in-your-face attitude until Sonic Adventure. Sure, he was comparatively the bad boy mascot of gaming, but then again, he was competing with Mario, not too much competition in the attitude department. But now that Sonic is in full polygonal form, he can show a lot more of that chilidog lovin Сtude. If Sonic was just another cutesy character, I wouldn't even give him a second glance, but his attitude and flair are what make me love him.

You think I'm just a talker? That I'm not a huge Sonic Fan? Come to my house and you may think differently, my shrine to the Blue Blur grows everyday. In fact, I spent 3 hours in my local Software Etc. so that I could be the first to receive the Sonic Birthday Pack and add it to my collection. Anytime I have a mid-term or exam, Sonic goes with me and sits right next to my extra pencil, his aura and presence is enough to get me a good grade (and УspeedФ through the exam ~ haha!). Sonic lover I am, and Sonic Adventure 2 is supposed to be the best game in the series, check out my review tomorrow to see if this claim turns out to be true. All I can say is, brace yourself!