Today marks the twentieth anniversary of one of gaming's most iconic and recognizable characters. On June 23rd 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog was released for the Sega Genesis. The title's success would eventually see the blue guy in dozens of video games, comic books, animated tv shows and much more. Sonic is a global phenomenon, and even though the last several games to carry the Sonic moniker have been poorly received by fans and critics alike, not just any gaming franchise can stick around for two decades.

A Sonic game is the earliest gaming memory for many seasoned gamers and the craze doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon. So here's to Sonic - the industry owes him a lot - and to another two decades of Sonic games. I simply hope that they reach the critical acclaim they once owned.