Few rivalries in and out of gaming are as storied as that between the iconic mascots of SEGA and Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario (the Plumber), respectively. Since Sonic’s high-speed debut in 1991, Sega has relentlessly pursued the goal of not just catching up to but surpassing the iconic Italian plumber. Sega executive Osamu Ohasi reignited this age-old competition with a bold declaration of intent: “Simply put, I want to surpass Mario,” as per a translation posted on ResetEra.
This declaration isn’t born out of rivalry alone, but also in mutual respect. Ohasi’s ambition for Sonic to be played across the world, much like Mario, and for Sonic’s movies to eclipse Mario’s cinematic success is, thanks in part, fueled by deep admiration for Nintendo’s mascot. Moreover, Ohasi envisions a Sonic-themed attraction in Universal Studios Japan, indicative of his aspirations to expand Sonic’s brand beyond the gaming sphere.
However, achieving this dream has been an uphill battle. Sonic’s most recent platformer, Sonic Superstars, launched just days before Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Despite the head-to-head release, the newest Mario has significantly outperformed Sonic’s, scoring a 92 on Metacritic compared to Sonic’s modest 73. Even in Hollywood, while Sonic’s first two films performed well, The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s box office success and record-breaking opening weekend have set a high benchmark for Sonic to aspire to.
Sega’s strategy isn’t solely reliant on Sonic’s success. The company is delving into its rich reservoir of games to unearth a potential second mascot that could rival Nintendo’s beloved characters. The ideas range from the quirky Mobo from Mobo Bonanza to the no-nonsense reporter Ulala from Space Channel 5. There’s even speculation about characters from the Yakuza series taking on the challenge.
Critically, the Sonic series has faced its share of hurdles. With the exception of Sonic Mania, a 2D game harkening back to the franchise’s roots, and The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, most if not all Sonic games, particularly the ones in 3D, have received mixed reviews. This contrasts starkly with the consistent quality and innovation seen in the Mario games. Sega’s understanding of this is evident as they strive to reinvigorate Sonic’s image and gameplay.
How Sega wants to achieve this remains unclear. Are we going to see Sega alter Sonic’s speed mechanics, perhaps with the use of a sped up or slowed down world around him instead of making the Blue Blur run faster than ever before? A willingness to rethink Sonic’s core gameplay will help keep the franchise fresh and engaging even if they’re a radically different take from what’s standard.
Sega’s ambitions for Sonic extend beyond games. They are keenly aware of the importance of mobile gaming in today’s market. If Sega could create high-quality Sonic mobile games free from the controversial monetization practices that’s plaguing the industry, it could be a significant step toward catching up with Mario, whose own mobile outings have demonstrated the potential for success in this space.
Yet, it’s not just about quantity or even quality alone. Nintendo’s success with Mario stems from a consistent emphasis on refinement and control. Each Mario game, even those considered subpar, exhibits a level of polish that is often seen as a benchmark in the industry. To surpass Mario, Sonic would need to achieve a similar level of consistent excellence across its games and related media.
As Sega continues to explore new horizons and reinvent its beloved mascot, the race between Sonic and Mario remains as thrilling and unpredictable as ever.
One of Sega’s most recent games, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, is coming to the Game Pass at launch on November 8.
