Sonic The Hedgehog

is a platform video game developed by the Sonic Team division of Sega and originally released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in June 1991. The first installment in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, the game chronicles the adventures of the titular character, in his quest to defeat the series antagonist Doctor Ivo Robotnik. The game's story focuses on Sonic's efforts to stop Dr. Robotnik's from taking over South Island and save the animals Dr. Robotnik has trapped. Development of Sonic the Hedgehog began in 1990. Sega ordered its AM-8 team to develop a game featuring a mascot for the company. The AM-8 team's name was changed to Sonic Team after a hedgehog was decided as the main character. Sonic the Hedgehog received positive reviews from critics, who praised the game's visuals. It was commercially successful, increasing the popularity of Sega's 16-bit console and establishing Sonic the Hedgehog as the company's mascot character. Its success led to the development of subsequent games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, as well as the creation of a media franchise of spin-off products featuring the character.