Sonic (series)

The Sonic series is the game series featuring Sega's mascot Sonic the Hedgehog.

Development
After the success of Mario, Sega needed a mascot to compete against Nintendo's plumber. Since Alex Kidd couldn't compete, Sega designed several characters to be their mascot. Sonic was chosen. Another candidate, which was a caricature of Theodore Roosevelt became the template for Sonic's archenemy Dr. Ivo Robotnik a.k.a Dr. Eggman.

Olympics
Mario and Sonic had a crossover in the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. The Sega athletes in Team Sonic includes Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Dr. Eggman, Shadow, Vector, and Blaze. In the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, Metal Sonic and Silver joined Team Sonic. Bosses from the Sonic series include Omega, Jet, Rouge, and Eggman Nega. The judges are Cream, Espio, and Charmy Bee. The VIP's to be spotted are Cream, Big the Cat and Chaos.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Sonic was the most requested character. After Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, Nintendo had Sega's permission to add Sonic in Brawl. Sonic is a playable fighter. Shadow is an Assist Trophy. Green Hill Zone is a stage with Tails, Knuckles and Silver running in the background. Many Sonic characters were trophies and stickers.

Similarities to Mario

 * Mario and Sonic levels usually go from point A to point B.
 * Mario and Sonic both jump on enemies to defeat them.
 * Mario and Sonic both had racing games. Mario had the Mario Kart series. Sonic had Sonic Drift, Sonic R, Sonic Riders, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, and Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing.
 * Mario and Sonic both have adventures in space. Mario has Super Mario Galaxy and it's sequel while Sonic has Sonic Colors.
 * They both have modern games bringing them back to their roots. Mario has New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros. Wii while Sonic has Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
 * Bowser's Koopa Clown Car is similar to Eggman's Eggmobile.

Cameos

 * Sonic's shoes can be seen in Diddy Kong's Quest next to a trash bin labeled "no hope."
 * Harry Hedgehogs from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island resembles Sonic.