Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog is the first game about the blue hedgehog, released for the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) on June 23, 1991, a date now celebrated as Sonic's birthday. It was revolutionary for its time and soon came bundled with the console itself.

Before Tails, Knuckles and the Death Egg, it was a simple battle of good against evil. Dr. Robotnik (Dr. Eggman) has captured the animals of South Island and turned them into robots, and he is hunting for the six Chaos Emeralds hidden there. Only Sonic can stop him.

The rules are those of a classic platformer: run and jump through each act, destroy enemies and avoid traps. What set Sonic apart was speed. The engine uses momentum and acceleration, so Sonic gathers pace as you hold the direction and can race through loops, slopes and twisting tracks. The game has six zones with three acts each, and every third act ends with a boss fight against Robotnik. Collect rings to protect yourself, and enter the rotating special stages to win the Chaos Emeralds.

Huge, colorful and challenging levels still bring back a rush of nostalgia today.