Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic Co-op
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Platformer / Action
Sonic the Hedgehog
Certified classic
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 |
| Genre | Platformer, Action |
| Developer | SEGA |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Sonic |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 41 |
Developed by SEGA, Sonic the Hedgehog arrived on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991 as a platformer. It blends platformer and action elements.
It landed about 2 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1991 include Streets of Rage, Shining in the Darkness and Joe & Mac. Among the 160 Genesis platformers in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Sonic series; on the Genesis you can also try Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. The series also appears on other systems with Sonic Advance (GBA) and Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System). SEGA also made Tetris, Golden Axe and Streets of Rage for the Genesis.
Sonic the Hedgehog is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Sonic the Hedgehog is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Sonic the Hedgehog cheats & codes
133 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Enable Stage Select | FFFFD0:0100 |
|---|---|
| Enable Debug Mode | FFFFFA:0100 |
| Infinite Rings | FFFE20:00C8 |
| Infinite Lives | FFFE12:0009 |
| Stage/Act Modifier | FFFE10:xxyy |
| Makes Sonic Invulnerable To Enemies, Bullets, And Spikes Until He Picks Up Another Shield | 0039F0:11C1 |
Sonic the Hedgehog walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Sonic the Hedgehog.
If you like Sonic the Hedgehog, the Matrix also picks…
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Classic
Sonic & Knuckles Classic
World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Classic Co-op
Ristar Classic
Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Sonic the Hedgehog FAQ
When did Sonic the Hedgehog come out on the Genesis?
Sonic the Hedgehog was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991.
Who made Sonic the Hedgehog?
It was developed by SEGA.
Is Sonic the Hedgehog multiplayer?
No. Sonic the Hedgehog is a single-player game.
How long does Sonic the Hedgehog take to play?
As a platformer, Sonic the Hedgehog typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Sonic the Hedgehog on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.