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SEGA’sSonicand Nintendo’sMariohave always had a fierce rivalry, asSonic the Hedgehogwas initially launched to compete withMario,but the two mascots have also been seen together in several games. However, that doesn’t mean that the rivalry is over, as SEGA looks to surpassMario.
SEGA’s Osamu Ohashi, the division manager, and Sachiko Kawamura, the general design manager, revealed their aspirations forSonicin an interview and reflected on their aim to catch up toMarioin popularity and then surpass him to take the blue hedgehog global.
A SEGA Executive Wants Sonic to Surpass Mario
Sonicis extremely popular in major parts of the world and has become a flag bearer of SEGA. The last twoSonicmovies were also hits; however, the team at SEGA is still not satisfied as it wants to makeSonicbigger than Nintendo’sMario. In aSEGA interview, Osamu Ohashi and Sachiko Kawamura revealed their plans for the blue mascot.
When asked about how SEGA looks to developSonicin the future, Osamu Ohashi said that he respectsMariobut wants to catch up and surpass him, and he also wants theSonicfilms to be bigger hits thanMario. Ohashi didn’t stop there; here’s what he stated:
Simply put, I want to surpass Mario. Sonic is a game that was originally developed to compete with Mario, and it still hasn’t achieved that goal. Our goal is to catch up and surpass Mario because we respect Mario.
I want people to play it all over the world, including Japan, like Mario, and I want the movie to be a bigger hit than Mario. I would like USJ to create a “Sonic Area” as well. That’s our goal for those of us who love Sonic.
Osamu Ohashi stated thatSonicis much more popular overseas than in the domestic market, as evidenced by a whopping 95% of sales coming from overseas. He said that whereverSonicis popular, it has become like an obsession, but where it is not popular, a new approach is needed.
He added that they are looking to strike a balance in both overseas and domestic markets and will take a different approach according to the regions where Sonic is popular and where he is not to make the hedgehog a household name. He mentioned that we need innovative ideas to takeSonicfurther but also preserve the traditional image.
Osamu Ohashi further mentioned that as much as SEGA wants to strengthen theSonicIP, it is building a team that will createSonicgames that will be hits and played all over the world. SEGA wantsSonicto be loved and cherished by gamers worldwide as much asMarioand one day outpaceMario, not just in gaming but in popularity and recognition.
Ohashi also shared his thoughts on developing a hit game domestically and overseas and whether it takes a different approach. He said that the definition of an interesting game remains the same around the world; however, it differs in how the same game is perceived in different countries. He explained this with an interesting example:
There was a time when the word “cute” in Japan was perceived as “childish” overseas. Although “KAWAII” is now being accepted overseas, it is not all about what we feel. On the other hand, even if people overseas think something is cute, it may not be very popular in Japan. It would be great if we could honestly accept these differences in sensibilities and utilize them in making games.
SEGA has its ambitions clear for Sonic and wants to make him a global phenomenon as well as maintain the brand’s popularity in the domestic market.
The most recent rivalry between the two mascots is that Sonic and Mario went against each other last month withSonic SuperstarsandSuper Mario Bros. Wonder,withSonic Superstarslaunching a few days ahead ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonder. Both games got positive reviews from fans and critics.
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Rohit Tiwari
Gaming Editor
Articles Published :957
Rohit Tiwari is a Gaming Journalist and Editor at FandomWire. With a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Rohit combines academic insight with a passion for the games and the stories they tell. When he’s not busy playing games, you’ll find him reading or catching a football game.
