Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

Sonic the Hedgehog, also known as Sonic 1, is an action platformer developed by Sega Team and published by Sega. It is the first installment in the Sonic series. It was released in 1991 exclusively for the Sega Genesis.
== Plot ==
Sonic, a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog, is living happily in his home on South Island with his animal friends. Sonic encounters an evil doctor, known as Dr. Robotnik (Eggman in Japanese localizations), who is genetically altering the animals of South Island into robots known as the Badniks. Robotnik is searching for the Chaos Emeralds on South Island to build Robotnik Land.
Realizing of the doctor's evil intentions, Sonic pursues him through the many zones and eventually defeats him at the Scrap Brain Zone. Following the defeat of Robotnik, Sonic returns home to rejoin his friends and resume his life. If all of the Chaos Emeralds are collected, a bonus ending is unlocked where the Chaos Emeralds produce new plant-life, to the amazement of Sonic. 
== Gameplay ==
In Sonic the Hedgehog, players play as the titular hedgehog, Sonic. Sonic has the ability to run at incredible speeds, jump and roll to destroy enemies. Sonic must traverse the hazards, which include the Badniks, rows of sharp spikes, bottomless pits and other elaborate death traps.
Sonic must traverse each of the six worlds, known as "Zones". Each zone is split into three acts. At the end of the third act, Sonic battles Dr. Robotnik, who has an elaborate vehicle to destroy Sonic with. Scattered around each zone are numerous rings which protect Sonic from being defeated. Sonic can be protected as long as he has one ring on him. Bubble shield and invincibility boxes are also scattered throughout each stage which add another layer of protection and limited time to not be harmed and destroy enemies by touching them.
There is also a lamppost in each act, which are used as the checkpoint. If Sonic completes the act with fifty or more rings, he is granted access to the Special Stage, where he can collect more rings to earn lives and collect the Chaos Emerald to unlock a bonus ending.
== Reception ==
Sonic the Hedgehog was a critical success. It was well-received with many perfect scores. Eventually, the Sega Genesis was bundled with the game due to its success. Sonic the Hedgehog sold fifteen million copies and allowed Sega gain 65% of the market share against Nintendo, their competitor at the time.
Category:Stubs
Category:Sonic series
Category:Games by Sega