Sonic the Hedgehog


 * For fighter info, see Sonic (SSBB) and Sonic (SSBWU/3DS).

Sonic the Hedgehog (ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ, Sonikku za Hejjihoggu) was first introduced by Sega in 1991 as a mascot similar to Nintendo's Mario. He is the company's most famous mascot, and is often thought of as Mario's unofficial rival. He makes his first Smash appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, as the second third-party character in Super Smash Bros. after Solid Snake and before Mega Man, Pac-Man, Ryu, Cloud, and Bayonetta.

Description
Sonic is a male, teenage anthropomorphic Hedgehog. He has spiky blue hair, green eyes, and red running shoes. He is only one meter (3ft 3in) tall (though, in his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, his height is obviously increased). As his name suggests, he is capable of running at supersonic speeds. The self-described "coolest, blue-est hedgehog alive", he has a bit of an attitude and is impatient, but cannot resist helping someone in need.

He values freedom above all else, and constantly campaigns to free animals imprisoned by the evil Dr. Robotnik (also known as Dr. Eggman). Generally speaking, Sonic loves being able to do what he wants and loathes being constrained. He gathers golden rings for energy, and when he collects the seven Chaos Emeralds, he becomes Super Sonic, with yellow fur and red eyes, capable of flight. Most of the time, every challenge he faces seems fun to him; another chance to get moving. However, he does take time to relax once in a while.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

 * See also: Sonic & Tails Rumor

Sonic, along with Tails, were rumored to be unlockable in Super Smash Bros. Melee by defeating 20 Fighting Wire Frames in Cruel Melee. This turned out to be an April Fools' Joke by EGM.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

 * Main article: Sonic (SSBB)

Sonic was confirmed to be a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, on October 9th, 2007. He has the fastest running speed in the game, with attacks based largely on his earlier platforming games, and some from the obscure game Sonic the Fighters. During Sonic's Final Smash, Super Sonic, he says "Now I'll show you!" and allows the player to fly around the stage at incredible speed. However, he is not a starter, and can be quite difficult to control, but works extremely well if mastered. His recovery consists of making a natural spring beneath his feet, allowing him to jump exceptionally high. He can charge into a ball and ram oponents, which if they are at high damage, is able to knock them off the screen.

Sonic also appears very late in Subspace Emissary, the game's story mode, helping to defeat Tabuu in the final battle.

In Super Smash Bros. for WiiU/3DS

 * Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog (SSBWU/3DS)

Sonic was revealed as a returning character for the next installment of Super Smash Bros. in a Nintendo Direct in October of 2013. There was also a trailer for his reveal.

Trivia

 * Sonic's appearance in Smash is a throwback and reverence to a long time standing rivalry between Nintendo and Sega during the long standing rise of the video game giants during the 1990's; Sega's campaigns in the US often involved tongue in cheek jabs at Nintendo, including commercials boasting Sega's "Blast Processing" in comparison to Nintendo's systems, stating "Genesis Does what Nintendon't", and the Super Mario Bros parody of the Super Marxio Bros in the Sonic Archie comic. Their rivalry long stood fierce even in the face the rise of poorly applied gimmicky CD based fare and the infamous supposed hype of the 64 bit Atari Jaguar, but would come to an end in the New Millenium due to another competitor that would claim Sega's glory- Sony.
 * Before fighting alongside Mario in Brawl, the two characters' universes formally met in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, which, true to its title, was set at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, and featured various characters from both series.
 * Sonic also had a crossover comic series with Mega Man released from April to August 2013.
 * There was a second crossover comic that stretched out to other SEGA and Capcom franchises. It was released in May, 2015.
 * Sonic's victory theme in Brawl is directly ripped from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), and is the only theme that isn't remixed.
 * Sonic is the only third-party character to be a veteran fighter.
 * Coincidentally, Sonic, Mega Man and Pac-Man stretch out their arms when Dashing.