Which 1991 Sega game introduced players to the character Sonic the Hedgehog?

Sonic the Hedgehog is the 1991 Sega game that introduced players to Sonic the Hedgehog.

Developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega, the game was designed to give Sega a mascot capable of competing with Nintendo’s Mario. Sonic’s speed, blue design, and ability to curl into a ball gave the game a distinctive identity, while the Green Hill Zone became one of the most recognizable opening stages in video-game history.

The original game was released for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan, Europe, and North America. In North America, the console was known as the Sega Genesis. Sega later bundled the game with the console, helping it reach a large audience and strengthening the platform’s appeal.

Sonic the Hedgehog is often confused with Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which introduced Tails as a major character and followed in 1992. The first game established Sonic, Dr. Robotnik, the Chaos Emeralds, and the series’ fast platforming style.