Sonic the Hedgehog cover
FranchiseSonic The HedgehogSeriesSonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog

Critic score2 critics
Be the first to rate
First release
Jun 23, 1991
Developer
Sonic Team
Publisher
Tec Toy, Sega
Genres
Platform · Action, Fantasy, Science fiction
Platforms
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Wii, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, iOS, Arcade, Xbox 360

Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2D side-scrolling platformer developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Genesis/Mega Drive. Players control Sonic the Hedgehog, who can run at near supersonic speeds and sets out on a quest to defeat Dr. Robotnik, a scientist who has imprisoned animals in robots and seeks the powerful Chaos Emeralds.

Also known as STH, Sonic 1, Sonic The Hedgehog

Attributes

No Attributes added.

Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
In his attempt to steal the six Chaos Emeralds and harness their power, the mad scientist Doctor Robotnik has trapped the animal inhabitants of South Island inside aggressive robots and stationary metal capsules. Sonic the Hedgehog sets out to thwart Robotnik's plans by freeing his animal friends and collecting the emeralds himself.Read more

In his attempt to steal the six Chaos Emeralds and harness their power, the mad scientist Doctor Robotnik has trapped the animal inhabitants of South Island inside aggressive robots and stationary metal capsules. Sonic the Hedgehog sets out to thwart Robotnik's plans by freeing his animal friends and collecting the emeralds himself.

Release dates
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Jun 23, 1991
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Jul 24, 1991
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Jul 26, 1991
All 12 release dates
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
1991
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Jan 01, 2000
Xbox 360
May 2007
Wii
Aug 04, 2008
Wii
Aug 05, 2008
Wii
Sep 19, 2008
iOS
May 20, 2009
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Oct 26, 2010
PlayStation 3
Mar 02, 2011
Time to beatIGDB · recorded
Main Story
1h
Main + Extras
2h
Completionist
3h
Game modes
Single player
Perspective
Side view
Where to buy
Keywords
anime, 16-bit, 1990s, robots, dolphin
… All 29, action-adventure, multiple protagonists, talking animals, boss fight, digital distribution, protagonist's name in the title, hedgehog, virtual console, motion blur, sprinting mechanics, playstation plus, real-time combat, underwater gameplay, male antagonist, same name reboot, pinball stage, xbox one backwards compatibility, adapted to - tv show, adapted to - anime, sega forever, male protagonist, wii virtual console, fan translation - portuguese, fan translation - scottish

At a Glance

Critic Score
85
Main Story (IGDB)
1h
Main + Extras (IGDB)
2h
Completionist (IGDB)
3h
OverviewHow it playsMediaCommunityBehind the gameRelated

Overview

Steam review summary

Steam users rate this Positive, 42 reviews in all languages, recorded 16 October 2026

Valve's summary of Steam user reviews. Valve counts only reviews from purchases on Steam, not key activations, and leaves out review periods it has marked as off-topic. It isn't part of the CritScore score.

Review summary: SteamSteam data provided via the Steam Web API (opens in a new tab)Not affiliated with Valve →

About storefront and compatibility information

Compatibility, feature and availability information shown on this page is recorded from the storefronts and services named against each fact, on the dates shown. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks of Valve Corporation; Steam data is provided via the Steam Web API. Other product and service names are trademarks of their respective owners. CritScore is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by or certified by Valve Corporation or any other storefront or platform holder, and does not itself test or certify any game.