Sonic the Hedgehog Franchise Rebounds After Tumultuous Decade, Says Sonic Team Head

The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA, has endured a storied history of both triumphs and setbacks.

While Mario consistently found success in 3D platforming on the Nintendo Switch and other hardware, Sonic the Hedgehog faced significant difficulties transitioning into the 3D space.

Notable missteps—including Sonic 2006 and Sonic Boom—left long-time fans disillusioned and the brand struggling to recover its former reputation. The pivotal transformation of the Sonic franchise began about a decade ago, as revealed by Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka in a candid interview with Eurogamer.

Reflecting on his experience, Iizuka shared that when he relocated from Tokyo to Burbank ten years ago, the once-iconic Sonic brand was at a low point.

Public sentiment had turned sharply negative, with widespread dissatisfaction surrounding the series’ direction and quality.

"Ten years ago, the Sonic brand was facing fierce criticism, and fans were openly unhappy with our releases.

That prompted a realization: the brand itself needed rescuing if it was to have a future," Iizuka relayed. This frank acknowledgment marked a turning point for Sonic Team.

Under Iizuka's leadership, the company committed to revitalizing the franchise, focusing on quality and innovation.

The result has been a gradual but notable resurgence.

The release of Sonic Mania in 2017—developed collaboratively by Christian Whitehead and Headcannon—garnered critical acclaim for recapturing the essence of classic 2D Sonic gameplay while reaching a new generation of players on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop.

This return to form marked a significant milestone, demonstrating that the franchise could honor its roots while appealing to modern audiences. More recently, Sonic Frontiers arrived on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms in November 2022, introducing a bold open-zone gameplay structure.

Although met with a mixed critical response due to certain technical flaws, Sonic Frontiers nevertheless showcased Sonic Team’s willingness to innovate and adapt.

Its sales performance underscored the continued global appeal of the Sonic brand, crossing over 3.5 million copies sold by early 2023—one of the highest in the series’ modern history. The revitalization effort also extended beyond gaming.

The live-action Sonic the Hedgehog films, released in 2020 and 2022, achieved major box office success and played a crucial role in restoring the character's popularity for a mainstream audience. Sonic Team’s journey over the past decade is a case study in brand rehabilitation within the gaming industry.

By confronting its mistakes, listening to player feedback, and leveraging new hardware platforms like the Nintendo Switch, SEGA and Sonic Team have firmly put Sonic the Hedgehog back on track, setting the stage for future innovation and growth.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Sonic Team Sonic the Hedgehog Switch Sonic Takashi Iizuka SEGA Eurogamer Sonic Mania Sonic Frontiers