The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has a huge array of games across almost every console imaginable – from the original side-scrolling platformer to racing spin-offs to 3D action-adventure platformers to even a fighting game! With so many games in the Sonic library, it’s only natural that one by one, new characters were introduced throughout these titles to keep things fresh and interesting.
Everyone knows the resident sidekicks, Tails the fox and Knuckles the echidna, and most people are even familiar with characters such as Shadow the hedgehog, Silver the hedgehog, and Amy Rose. But not all characters that were introduced in Sonic game titles have stuck around like these familiar names, in fact, some seem to have vanished from the Sonic game franchise completely!
While some were special characters introduced into Sonic spin-off games to fill a specific role, and others are characters from the Archie comics that made an appearance in certain titles, there is no lack of side characters in the Sonic franchise. These 10 characters are definitely some of the coolest to have appeared in the game franchise, yet nobody seems to remember them…. let’s see how many you know!
Jet The Hawk
Jet the Hawk is known as the arrogant, and confident leader of the Babylon Rogues, and an expert Extreme Gear rider. Jet is most commonly remembered for his important role alongside Wave and Storm in the Sonic Riders series. Jet has also had cameos in a handful of other titles, and is a recurring playable character in the spin-off series Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.
While Jet’s personality traits set him well apart from Sonic, this is actually what makes him such a standout rival. Jet fills more of an anti-hero niche than other rivals and it’s the element of competitiveness in his rivalry with Sonic that makes him memorable. Though Jet also wants to beat Sonic as the fastest creature in the universe, he has positive character development throughout his games and learns some respect. It would be great to see Jet return to a more modern Sonic title, whether that be a modern remake of the Sonic Riders racing games or a completely new genre for the hoverboard-riding hawk.
Wave the Swallow
Wave the Swallow is playable throughout the Sonic Riders franchise and features cameo appearances in several other games. Wave plays an important role, often keeping the ambition of Jet and the temper of Storm in line. Just as Tails is the brains within Sonic, Wave fills the same role in the Babylon Rogues, and this sets her apart from many other female characters in the Sonic franchise who tend to play more of a sidekick role.
It would make sense to see Wave appear again in a new title, alongside Jet and Storm as the Babylon Rogues trio. However, she would also make an interesting choice for a standalone role, and it would be entertaining to see her individual talent shine. There are countless chances to create and develop Wave the Swallow’s anti-hero character, such as a plot in which several teams are separated and must work individually to get back together – or even just having her called in for a few stages or gameplay situations featuring mechanical or technical issues.
Storm the Albatross
Storm the Albatross brings the brute force and strength to the Babylon Rogues within the Sonic Riders franchise. However, unlike Jet and Storm’s playable roles in the Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games series, Storm has only been granted cameo appearances. This is disappointing, considering he’s just as important to the Babylon Rogues trio.
Even though Sonic the Hedgehog faces some competition throughout the games, there are often no rivals for the supporting cast to clash with. This is where Storm steps in, bringing a fiercely heated and entertaining feud with Knuckles the echidna. Storm is an incredible powerhouse in the franchise, and an undervalued character in general. He deserves to return in-game to reignite his conflict with Knuckles, even if it’s just for a couple of cutscenes.
Espio the Chameleon
Espio the Chameleon is an intelligent ninja and member of Team Chaotix, a detective trio that solves cases using their unique skills. Espio has appeared in many Sonic games, including Sonic Heroes, Sonic the Fighters, Knuckles’ Chaotix, and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic games. Despite this, Espio has hardly had any opportunities as a playable character. This is disappointing, considering he has so much potential for a bigger role in the Sonic franchise.
Espio is the most intriguing member of Team Chaotix, and has showcased many impressive skills throughout his game cameos, such as his ability to blend in like a chameleon, his intelligence, ninja training, hacking skills and technological know-how. It is a shame that Espio has become a more infrequent character in the Sonic franchise, as his abilities have so much potential to craft a fun protagonist. This could be showcased in a story following his years of ninja training, or even an adventure featuring Team Chaotix and their detective work!
Vector the Crocodile
Vector the Crocodile is the leader of team Chaotix Detective Agency with a tough-guy appearance, but his kind-hearted loyalty completely contrasts this. Vector is a great leader who believes in his teammates Espio and Charmy, knowing exactly how to combine their skills to achieve the best mission outcomes. Vector has appeared in a few Sonic franchise video games, including Knuckles’ Chaotix, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Free Riders, and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games.
Unfortunately, Vector has been limited to brief cameos for most titles, only playing substantial roles in Knuckles’ Chaotix, and Sonic Heroes as a playable character. Despite being a beloved squad within the Sonic franchise, Team Chaotix seems to have been pushed to the sidelines in more recent games. However, the leadership traits Vector displays as their leader gives him significant potential as a character to revisit. A game focusing specifically on Team Chaotix would provide the perfect opportunity, and bringing back the beloved trio could be an absolute power-move within the Sonic game franchise.
Charmy Bee
Despite being a co-founder of Team Chaotix, Charmy mostly takes on the role of their endearing little mascot. Perhaps this explains why he only appears as a playable character in two Sonic games and only makes fleeting appearances in a small number of other titles. Despite this, Charmy has proven he has exceptional flying talents and can even pull his friends into the air mid-flight, as evidenced in Sonic Heroes and Knuckles’ Chaotix.
While it’s understandable that not every Sonic character can appear in every game, it’s somewhat upsetting when specific team members are routinely excluded, while the rest of the trio gains more attention. Teams of three have been crucial since the beginning of Sonic, with each member’s skills benefiting the others and making them collectively stronger. Even if Charmy only appears in a short set of stages or minigames, he is more than worthy of a playable role in a fresh Sonic game. Or, even better, if the game was focused on Team Chaotix, he would stand out and win over everyone’s hearts again by demonstrating his adorable, childish nature and strong friendship with Vector and Espio.
Bark the Polar Bear
Bark the Polar Bear can often be spotted in the Sonic franchise alongside his fellow Team Hooligan members, Fang and Bean. He is a fascinating character and renowned for his raw strength, in which he can easily rival or surpass Knuckles. Despite having a brief history in Sonic games, Bark was granted a playable role in Sonic the Fighters, and also made brief cameos in Sonic Jam, Sonic Generations, and Sonic Mania.
Bark stands out as a naturally engaging character thanks to his straightforward, yet distinctive, and effective character design. Due to his role as a silent mercenary, he also holds a special air of mystery surrounding his intentions and thoughts, making him intriguing. Bark’s partnership with Bean the Dynamite, established friendship with Fang the Sniper, and founding of Team Hooligan all provide plenty of narrative to revisit for new game content. Whether it’s a brief cameo on his own, or a reintroduction of Team Hooligan, there is still so much to discover about Bark that any new content would be an engaging experience for everyone.
Fang the Sniper
Fang the Sniper is a treasure hunter and member of Team Hooligan, alongside Bark the Polar Bear and Bean the Dynamite. Fang appears in a few Sonic video games, including Sonic the Fighters, Sonic Drift, and Sonic Drift 2. Additionally, Fang makes a few cameos in other games, featured on wanted posters or collectable items, as well as boss battle sequences in Sonic Triple Trouble and Sonic Mania.
Fang the Sniper stands out from most other characters in the Sonic franchise thanks to his slightly western appearance. However, the pistol Fang was originally going to carry was eventually dropped in favor of the Popgun, a blue and brown gun that pops and fires cork stoppers instead of bullets. It would be fantastic to bring back the use of Fang’s Popgun, as it truly makes him special as a character with a slightly wacky, but unique and entertaining weapon. Besides, playing the mercenary role of Fang, compared to more lawfully-oriented teams and characters, brings a fun potential change of pace from the usual Sonic formula.
Bean the Dynamite
Bean the Dynamite is an explosive-wielding woodpecker and member of Team Hooligan, alongside Fang and Bark. Bean may only be played in Sonic the Fighters, though he also made brief cameos in Sonic Mania, Sonic Generations, and Sonic Jam. Although not much is known about Bean in general, he is well known for having an eccentric attitude and serving as Bark the Polar Bear’s partner in crime, prior to the founding of Team Hooligan.
Although Bean hasn’t contributed much to the Sonic video game series, there’s still hope he’ll show up one day, preferably as a playable character. After all, he’s a bird that attacks his enemies with a barrage of bombs – what could be more entertaining than that? Along with his skills in explosives, it has also been demonstrated that he can peck at enemies with his beak, which would be an entertaining switch from Sonic’s typical spin dash and jump approach in most games. It would certainly be interesting to find out where he got his interest in bombs, or how he formed his friendship with Bark before creating Team Hooligan with Fang.
Ray the Flying Squirrel / Mighty the Armadillo
Ray the Flying Squirrel is possibly one of the most easily forgotten characters in Sonic game history, only having made an appearance in Sonic Generations as a cameo, and as a playable character in SegaSonic the Hedgehog. After this, he vanished from any further video game cameos, which is disappointing, given his close bond with both Sonic and Mighty the armadillo.
On the other hand, Mighty the Armadillo is most known for his playable roles in Knuckles’ Chaotix, as well as his playable debut role alongside Sonic and Ray in SegaSonic the Hedgehog. In addition to these titles, Mighty has made cameos and brief appearances in Sonic Jam, Sonic Gems Collection, and Sonic Generations.
A reunion featuring Mighty, Ray, and Sonic would be enjoyable, especially for those familiar with SegaSonic the Hedgehog. Because Ray and Mighty are not part of any established trio or team within the Sonic franchise, this also makes them worthy independent characters who could fill any one-time duty, special level, or place in a spin-off game.
As an exciting alternative, a complete remake of the SegaSonic the Hedgehog as a single-player game with co-op features may be a fun way to bring Ray and Mighty back into the Sonic video game universe and allow players to relive the events of them both escaping Doctor Eggman alongside Sonic. No matter if it’s just Ray, Mighty, or even the both of them that could receive a hypothetical appearance in a new Sonic title, one thing is certain – they’re just as deserving as any other candidate.
And that’s it! From these 10 Sonic game characters, how many did you recognise or remember? Or can you think of any worthy additions to the list? Let us know in the comments below!
Also, be sure to check out our other content if you enjoyed this list! We have plenty of content featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, such as helpful game guides and reviews for the brand new Sonic Frontiers, a fun personality quiz that will identify which Sonic the Hedgehog character you are most like, and more list content, such as the 10 best Sonic games, and 10 best classic Sonic zone themes.
Published: Nov 16, 2022 07:09 am