List of unofficial Sonic the Hedgehog media explained

Unlicensed developers and fans have created unofficial Sonic media, especially video games, relating to the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. These products include video games, video game mods, ROM hacks, comics, and animations. Due to the popularity of the franchise, some of these products have received media attention. Sega is permissive of most fangames, as long as they are not for profit.[1] Some Sonic fan game developers have gone on to work on official Sonic content, most prominently Sonic Mania (2017), while others have subsequently created original games that feature Sonic-inspired mechanics.

Video games

Fangames

The following are all original games based on the Sonic series:

Unofficial ports

The following are unofficial ports of Sonic games for various systems:

Mods and ROM hacks

The following are some of the modified versions of existing Sonic games, created using special programs and utilities.

Film and animation

Comics

Fansites

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zhang . Carol . Sonic the Hedgehog Fan Games Are Mostly Allowed By Sega . . Valnet Inc. . 12 May 2021 . 12 May 2021 . May 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210512193226/https://screenrant.com/sonic-hedgehog-fan-games-sega-response-legal-allowed/ . live .
  2. Web site: Fans Make The 3D Sonic Game We Deserve. Kotaku. September 2016 . June 12, 2021. April 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417061541/https://kotaku.com/fans-make-the-3d-sonic-game-we-deserve-1786047762. live.
  3. Web site: Alexandra. Heather. Sega Takes Shot At Nintendo, Encourages Fans To Keep Making Sonic Stuff. Kotaku. September 12, 2016 . Gawker Media. 4 January 2017. January 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170105175542/http://kotaku.com/sega-takes-shot-at-nintendo-encourages-fans-to-keep-ma-1786527246. live.
  4. Web site: Open-World Sonic The Hedgehog Game Being Made By Fans. Kotaku. October 24, 2016 . June 12, 2021. December 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201093057/https://kotaku.com/open-world-sonic-the-hedgehog-game-being-made-by-one-fa-1788128422. live.
  5. Web site: Extra life: The amazing fan-made game revivals. Red Bull. August 30, 2013. Red Bull UK. January 4, 2017. December 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131212093950/http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/games/stories/1331609220023/extra-life-the-amazing-fan-made-game-revivals. live.
  6. Web site: Fingas. Jon. 'Sonic the Hedgehog' tribute games reflect a mascot's fall from grace. Engadget. 19 August 2015. August 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150820231340/http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/16/sonic-dreams-collection/. live.
  7. News: Did Sonic Fans Just Release A Better Sonic the Hedgehog HD?. McWhertor. Michael. Kotaku. 2017-02-08. en-US. January 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170115070828/http://kotaku.com/5670258/did-sonic-fans-just-release-a-better-sonic-the-hedgehog-hd. live.
  8. Web site: Ponce. Tony. The joy of fan games, pt. 2: Fan game heroes!. Destructoid. August 29, 2012. 19 March 2017. March 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170319195956/https://www.destructoid.com/the-joy-of-fan-games-pt-2-fan-game-heroes--233892.phtml. live.
  9. Web site: Menegus. Bryan. The Fan-Made Sonic Game That Won't Die. Gizmodo. Gawker Media. 2 April 2017. July 22, 2016. June 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170606121720/http://gizmodo.com/the-fan-made-sonic-game-that-wont-die-1784015622. live.
  10. News: Tarason . Dominic . Free fan-racer Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart is brilliant knockabout fun . . November 19, 2018 . November 21, 2019 . November 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191122102538/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/11/19/sonic-robo-blast-2-kart-free-fangame/ . live .
  11. Web site: Yarwood . Jack . April 25, 2024 . Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers Is A New Sonic Kart Racer Built Using Doom Legacy . TimeExtension.
  12. Web site: Evans-Thirlwell . Edwin . April 25, 2024 . Dr Robotnik's Ring Racers is a gorgeous free SNES-style arcade racer, built using Doom Legacy . Rock Paper Shotgun.
  13. Web site: Bailey . Dustin . April 25, 2024 . The wildest kart racer I've ever played might just be this Sonic fan game so mechanically dense it opens with a 45-minute tutorial . GamesRadar.
  14. Web site: Fahey. Mike. New Sonic Fan Game Is All About Raising Chao. Kotaku. August 7, 2017 . 9 August 2017. August 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170809211124/http://kotaku.com/new-sonic-fan-game-is-all-about-raising-chao-1797597703. live.
  15. Web site: Parlock. Joe. Fangame Sonic Worlds is looking really impressive with its latest release. Destructoid. September 9, 2015. 4 January 2018. March 31, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160331073036/http://www.destructoid.com/fangame-sonic-worlds-is-looking-really-impressive-with-its-latest-release-309938.phtml. live.
  16. Web site: Bashir . Dale . Five Fan-Made Video Games That Outshone the Originals . IGN Southeast Asia . May 19, 2021 . August 12, 2024.
  17. Web site: Corriea. Alexa. The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 HD fan project is back from the dead. Polygon. June 24, 2014. 4 January 2017. January 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084255/http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/24/5837612/the-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-hd-fan-project-is-back-from-the-dead. live.
  18. PagodaWestGames . 759174613146345472 . July 29, 2016 . Jared and Tom, formerly a part of S2HD are in charge of level design/art and @teelopesmusic is doing the music..
  19. Web site: Sinclair . Brendan . Roblox criticized for lack of safeguards for kids, stock-market-like collectibles . GamesIndustry.biz . . July 28, 2024 . December 13, 2021.
  20. Web site: Carville, Olivia . D’Anastasio, Cecillia . Roblox’s Pedophile Problem . . . July 28, 2024 . July 22, 2024.
  21. Web site: Bonthuys. Darryn. Sega Gives Tentative Ok On Most Non-Profit Sonic Projects. GameSpot. May 12, 2021. June 11, 2022. May 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512134226/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-gives-tentative-ok-on-most-non-profit-sonic-projects/1100-6491375/. live.
  22. Web site: Zentler. Riordan. Game On: Fan games are a constant source of legal drama. The Spokesman-Review. May 13, 2021. June 11, 2022. May 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514020008/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/may/13/game-on-fan-games-are-a-constant-source-of-legal-d/. live.
  23. Web site: Bashir. Dale. Sonic Fan Game Turned Standalone Title 'Project Rascal' Perfects High Speed Platforming. IGN. August 25, 2021. June 11, 2022. June 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220611182526/https://sea.ign.com/indie-games/175788/news/sonic-fan-game-turned-standalone-title-project-rascal-perfects-high-speed-platforming. live.
  24. Web site: Romano . Sal . Rollin’ Rascal Kickstarter campaign launched – Sonic the Hedgehog-inspired high-speed 3D platformer . Gematsu . February 6, 2024 . August 12, 2024.
  25. Web site: Carter. Chris. Recreating Sonic 3D in 2D is a brilliant idea. Destructoid. June 1, 2020. June 13, 2022. June 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220613163823/https://www.destructoid.com/recreating-sonic-3d-in-2d-is-a-brilliant-idea/. live.
  26. Web site: Hayden. Scott. 'Virtua Sonic' Fan Experience Brings Sonic the Hedgehog to VR. Road to VR. June 25, 2020. June 11, 2022. August 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220802122717/https://www.roadtovr.com/virtua-sonic-the-hedgehog-vr/. live.
  27. Web site: 'Sonic And The Fallen Star' is a complete 2D fan game inspired by 'Sonic Mania'. NME. Will. Nelson. July 3, 2022. July 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220712153942/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/sonic-and-the-fallen-star-is-a-complete-2d-fan-game-inspired-by-sonic-mania-3260615. July 12, 2022. live.
  28. Web site: The best Sonic fan games. Digital Trends. Jesse. Lennox. October 26, 2022. December 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221106092049/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-sonic-fan-games/. November 6, 2022. live.
  29. Web site: Sonic 3 A.I.R.. projects.sappharad.com. February 18, 2021. February 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210221103127/https://projects.sappharad.com/s3air_ios/20210213_beta/. live.
  30. Web site: Donaldson . Alex . Sonic 3 A.I.R. is the quality remaster that Sega probably won't release itself . . 6 April 2020 . 10 April 2019 . March 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200328064136/https://www.vg247.com/2019/04/10/sonic-3-air-fan-remaster-sega/ . live .
  31. Web site: How fans have created the Sonic games you've always wanted. September 4, 2021. Daryl. Baxter. TechRadar. January 25, 2022.
  32. https://sonic-sms-remake.blogspot.com/ Sonic SMS Remake official website
  33. Web site: Sonic the Hedgehog Fan Remakes Original Game for the Commodore 64. December 16, 2021.
  34. Web site: Donaldson . Alex . The Sonic community just released a slew of amazing fangame demos . . August 29, 2018 . August 28, 2018 . August 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180828141026/https://www.vg247.com/2018/08/28/sonic-community-just-released-slew-amazing-fangame-demos/ . live .
  35. Web site: Summers . Nick . One fan's struggle to fix the worst game in Sonic history . . March 20, 2020 . December 11, 2019 . February 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200217130207/https://www.engadget.com/2019/12/11/sonic-p-06-unity-pc-fan-remake/ . live .
  36. Web site: Campbell. Colin. Sonic the Hedgehog comes to the Atari 2600. Polygon. September 17, 2013. June 12, 2022. September 20, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130920114832/https://www.polygon.com/2013/9/17/4741800/sonic-the-hedgehog-comes-to-the-atari-2600. live.
  37. Web site: Linneman. John. Sonic the Hedgehog running on Super NES - see the tech demo in action. Eurogamer. August 16, 2020. June 12, 2022. June 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220612141309/https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2020-retro-sonic-the-hedghog-ported-to-super-nes. live.
  38. Web site: Kennedy. Victoria. Sonic Triple Trouble gets fan-made 16-bit makeover. Eurogamer. August 3, 2022. August 9, 2022. August 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220803233332/https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-triple-trouble-gets-fan-made-16-bit-makeover. live.
  39. Web site: Sonic Triple Trouble recibe un remake fan al estilo 16 bits que puedes jugar gratis desde hoy mismo. es. Sonic Triple Trouble gets a 16-bit style fan remake that you can play for free starting today. HobbyConsolas. Ángel. Santiago. August 3, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220804214901/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/noticias/sonic-triple-trouble-recibe-remake-fan-estilo-16-bits-puedes-jugar-gratis-hoy-mismo-1103721. August 4, 2022. live.
  40. Web site: Petitte. Omri. Sonic Generations mod adds most levels from console-exclusive Sonic Unleashed. March 21, 2013. PC Gamer. 4 January 2017. October 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161021064856/http://www.pcgamer.com/sonic-generations-unleashed-mod/. live.
  41. Web site: Cavalli. Earnest. Sonic Megamix: Welcome Back to 1991. Destructoid. January 3, 2007. 3 January 2017. January 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170104162533/https://www.destructoid.com/sonic-megamix-welcome-back-to-1991-29012.phtml. live.
  42. News: Cowan. Danny. Fan Modders Turn Sonic Generations into a 3D Mario Game. Digital Trends. November 3, 2015. 5 January 2017. January 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170106173311/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-generations-mod-adds-mario-characters/. live.
  43. Book: Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2017. 2016. 978-1910561409. Records. Guinness World. Guinness World Records .
  44. Web site: Sonic Mania has a lovely tribute to a Sonic hacker who tragically died. Wesley. Yin-Poole. Eurogamer. September 4, 2017. September 10, 2019. November 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191130200130/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-09-04-sonic-mania-has-a-lovely-tribute-to-a-sonic-hacker-who-died-tragically. live.
  45. Web site: Parlock. Joe. Sega Genesis/Mega Drive ROM hacks are now available in the Steam Workshop. Destructoid. April 29, 2016. 5 January 2017. January 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170106103243/https://www.destructoid.com/sega-genesis-mega-drive-rom-hacks-are-now-available-in-the-steam-workshop-358242.phtml. live.
  46. Web site: Hester. Blake. Hacker combines one of the best Sonic games with arguably one of the worst ones. Kill Screen. April 11, 2016. 5 January 2017. January 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170106103913/https://killscreen.com/articles/hacker-combines-one-of-the-best-sonic-games-with-arguably-the-worst-one/. live.
  47. Web site: McWhertor. Michael. Brilliant 'Sonic 2 XL' Hack Adds Onion Rings, Morbid Obesity. Kotaku. July 14, 2010 . 18 January 2017. January 31, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190325/http://kotaku.com/5587100/brilliant-sonic-2-xl-hack-adds-onion-rings-morbid-obesity. live.
  48. Web site: The Best Sonic the Hedgehog Games You've Never Played. Video Game DJ. May 22, 2013. 19 January 2017. February 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170201234130/http://videogamedj.com/the-best-sonic-the-hedgehog-games-youve-never-played/. live.
  49. Web site: Kohler. Chris. A Hacker Dropped Yoshi Into Sonic 2, And It's Amazing. Kotaku Australia. April 2017. 4 April 2017. April 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170405074044/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/04/a-hacker-dropped-yoshi-into-sonic-2-and-its-amazing/. live.
  50. Web site: Oxford. Nadia. Early Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Map Sketches Contain the Fabled "Genocide City". USgamer. May 22, 2017. 23 June 2017. There's even a fan-made "long version" of Sonic 2 that "restores" Genocide City Zone.. June 25, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170625115729/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/early-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-map-sketches-contain-the-fabled-genocide-city. live.
  51. Web site: Johnson. Jason. Finally, 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Is Playable in Hebrew. Motherboard. June 16, 2017 . 16 June 2017.
  52. Web site: Minotti. Mike. The RetroBeat: Sonic 3D Blast sprints to a new legacy with an unofficial Director's Cut. VentureBeat. November 22, 2017. November 22, 2017. November 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171122174213/https://venturebeat.com/2017/11/22/the-retrobeat-sonic-3d-blast-sprints-to-a-new-legacy-with-an-unofficial-directors-cut/amp/. live.
  53. Web site: New ROM Hack Adds Ganondorf to Super Smash Bros. 64. Gach. Ethan. Kotaku. 2019-05-13. 2022-01-15.
  54. Web site: Video: Bowser Joins the Battle as a Playable Fighter in This Smash Bros. 64 Mod. Doolan. Liam. Nintendo Life. 2020-09-08. 2022-01-15.
  55. Web site: ROM Hack Puts Conker in Super Smash Bros. Walker. Ian. Kotaku. 2021-05-11. 2022-01-15.
  56. Web site: Smash Bros. 64 Mod Adds Sonic The Hedgehog As Playable Character. Baird. Scott. Screen Rant. 2021-02-11. 2022-01-15.
  57. Web site: Sterling. Jim. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 already exists on SNES. Destructoid. February 9, 2010. June 12, 2022. January 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220129133606/https://www.destructoid.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-already-exists-on-snes/. live.
  58. Web site: Whitehead. Thomas. Tough Blow As Sonic Lost World Yoshi's Island DLC Gets Modded, No Longer 'Wii U Exclusive'. Nintendo Life. April 23, 2021. June 11, 2022. April 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423120032/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/04/tough_blow_as_sonic_lost_world_yoshis_island_dlc_gets_modded_no_longer_wii_u_exclusive. live.
  59. Web site: Whitehead. Thomas. The Sonic Lost World PC Mod Has Now Recreated The Legend Of Zelda DLC. Nintendo Life. January 18, 2022. June 11, 2022. January 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118200715/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/01/the-sonic-lost-world-pc-mod-has-now-recreated-the-legend-of-zelda-dlc. live.
  60. Web site: 2021-06-28 . 'Sonic Generations' gets a dizzying first-person mod makeover . 2022-06-13 . NME . en.
  61. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . 2021-06-28 . First-person Sonic the Hedgehog mod looks like great way to puke fast . 2022-06-13 . Polygon . en-US.
  62. Web site: Sonic Generations Mod Replaces Sonic With Super Mario. Game Rant. Kazuo. Sato. April 2, 2022. June 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220402231712/https://gamerant.com/sonic-generations-super-mario-moveset-mod-video-clip/. April 2, 2022. live.
  63. Web site: Sonic Generations Mod Adds Mario With His Super Mario 64 Moveset. TheGamer. George. Foster. April 3, 2022. June 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220404105915/https://www.thegamer.com/sonic-generations-mod-super-mario-64/. April 4, 2022. live.
  64. Web site: Extension . Time . 2023-02-09 . Sonic Goes To Hell In This Devilish New Hack For Sonic 3 & Knuckles . 2023-02-20 . Time Extension . en-GB.
  65. Web site: Giant fan expansion gives this divisive Sonic game a new lease of life . McMullen . Chris . December 26, 2023 . . December 27, 2023.
  66. News: Video: Super Mario Bros. Z, a Stylish Sprite-Based Animated Series, is Back . October 2, 2018 . Nintendo Life . January 9, 2016 . October 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181002215150/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/01/video_super_mario_bros_z_a_stylish_sprite-based_animated_series_is_back . live .
  67. News: Rich . Ignacio . 10 webseries fan que no deberías perderte . October 2, 2018 . IGN España . March 28, 2015 . es-ES . October 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181002215141/https://es.ign.com/webserie/92255/feature/10-webseries-fan-que-no-deberias-perderte . live .
  68. News: Dwyer . Macklin . Nintendo Takes Down Super Mario Bros. Z Patreon - . October 2, 2018 . mxdwn Games . February 17, 2016 . April 23, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200423082821/https://games.mxdwn.com/news/nintendo-takes-down-super-mario-bros-z-patreon/ . live .
  69. Web site: Stephenson . Cassidy . Sonic the Hedgehog Fans Flip Over the Comic's Perfect Super Mario Bros. Z Reference . . Valnet Inc. . 17 January 2023 . 17 January 2023.
  70. News: Opam . Kwame . Remember that time Sonic the Hedgehog starred in a remake of 'Jaws'? . September 29, 2019 . The Verge . October 24, 2014 . en . September 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190929183707/https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/24/7063629/remember-that-time-sonic-the-hedgehog-starred-in-a-remake-of-jaws . live .
  71. Web site: "Sonic the Hedgehog" Fan Film Will Make Its Debut at MAGFest 11 . Luster . Joseph . October 4, 2012 . Crunchyroll . June 24, 2017 . March 20, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105547/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/10/04/sonic-the-hedgehog-fan-film-will-make-its-debut-at-magfest-11 . live .
  72. Web site: Watch the 18-Minute Live-Action Sonic Fan Film . Goldfarb . Andrew . 10 January 2013 . IGN . 18 April 2017 . May 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513103446/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/10/watch-the-18-minute-live-action-sonic-fan-film . live .
  73. Web site: A "Sonic the Hedgehog" Live Action Fan Film is Something We Didn't Even Know We Wanted (Video) . Welch . Hanuman . 11 January 2013 . Complex . 18 April 2017 . June 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170615135352/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/01/a-sonic-the-hedgehog-live-action-fan-film-is-something-we-didnt-even-know-we-wanted-video . live .
  74. Lebron . Eddie . March 1, 2012 . Eddie Lebron Q&A . en . July 4, 2017 . Blue Core Studios.
  75. Web site: New Sonic Fan Film Receives Mixed Reception, But At Least Yuji Naka Likes It . McFerran . Damien . January 11, 2013 . Nintendo Life . June 20, 2017 . September 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170926132820/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/01/new_sonic_fan_film_receives_mixed_reception_but_at_least_yuji_naka_likes_it . live .
  76. News: Plant . Logan . Sonic the Hedgehog: Team Sea3on Is Looking to Resurrect a Classic '90s Cartoon . Jun 1, 2022 . . Jun 1, 2022 . June 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601110205/https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-satam-team-sea3on-fan-project . live .
  77. Web site: 2020-04-24 . Upcoming Sonic audio drama unites an all-star voice cast of fans and pros . 2022-06-24 . Destructoid - Nintendo . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625215724/https://www.nintendo.destructoid.com/upcoming-sonic-audio-drama-unites-an-all-star-voice-cast-of-fans-and-pros/ . June 25, 2022 . live .
  78. GamesTM staff . Paper With Attitude . . August 28, 2009 . 87 . 154–157.
  79. Web site: Schroeder . Bobby . How a Legal Dispute Wiped Hundreds of Sonic the Hedgehog Characters From Existence . . February 12, 2020 . February 11, 2020.
  80. Web site: Adams . Robert N. . News site shuts down after comparing Sonic the Hedgehog to Black Lives Matter protestors . . June 11, 2020 . June 1, 2020 . August 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200811200800/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/648038-tssz-news-sonic-site-black-lives-matter . live .
  81. Web site: Plunkett . Luke . Sonic Fan Site Closes After 21 Years Following Very Bad Black Lives Matter Tweet . . June 11, 2020 . June 1, 2020 . June 10, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200610192808/https://kotaku.com/sonic-fan-site-closes-after-21-years-over-very-bad-blac-1843836953 . live .
  82. Tarason . Dominic . Speed through a mountain of demos from the 2019 Sonic Amateur Games Expo . . September 7, 2020 . September 30, 2019 . October 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031135921/https://www.pcgamer.com/speed-through-a-mountain-of-demos-from-the-2019-sonic-amateur-games-expo/ . live .