The Sonic franchise has been around for over 25 years and is one of the most popular burger chains in the world. With more than 1,000 locations in 47 countries, it’s no wonder that Sonic is worth so much money. In this article, we will explore just how much the Sonic franchise is worth and some of the reasons why it’s such a popular choice for fast food restaurants. From hamburgers to milkshakes, read on to learn more about what makes Sonic so popular.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2020
Since its initial release in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog has become one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. The series has spawned several spin-offs and sequels, as well as a wide array of merchandise. As of 2019, Sonic the Hedgehog is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion. Here’s a look at how much the Sonic franchise has been valued over the years:
1991 – $60 million
1996 – $210 million
2002 – $370 million
2009 – $510 million
2018 – $1.5 billion
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. The game was released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis console and has sold over 30 million copies. The original game was followed by Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 1994, Sonic Adventure in 1997, Sonic Lost World in 2011, and Sonic Forces in 2017. As of February 2019, the franchise has amassed a total value of $2.59 billion.
The first Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released 20 years ago this year and since then it’s become one of Sega’s most iconic brands. The original game is still just as fun today as it was back then – thanks to its tight gameplay mechanics and eye-catching visuals. While it’s not the latest or greatest title available on consoles nowadays, it still holds up remarkably well and has retained a large following since its release.
According to market research firm Newzoo, the Sonic franchise currently accounts for 14% of all revenue generated by video games across all platforms worldwide. This makes it one of Sony’s biggest rivals when it comes to video games – with Nintendo coming in a close second at 13%. Globally, Newzoo predicts that the franchise will generate $15 billion by 2022 – so there’s no doubt that its popularity is only going to continue growing!
1990–1991: Conception and first game
The Sonic the Hedgehog series has become one of the most popular video game franchises in history. The franchise began with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1990 for the Sega Genesis, and has since spawned numerous games and spin-offs. The original game was revolutionary for its time, featuring fast-paced platforming gameplay and a colorful cast of characters.
Since its inception, the Sonic franchise has consistently been one of Sega’s highest-grossing video game brands. In 2007, Nintendo reported that Sonic accounted for 30% of all software sales on their Wii console worldwide. As a result, it is no surprise that the series is worth an estimated $857 million dollars. However, this figure does not include spin-offs or merchandise such as toys and comics. Therefore, the true value of the Sonic franchise is likely much higher.
1991–1995: Genesis sequels
The Sonic the Hedgehog series began as a Genesis exclusive in 1991, and went on to become one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. The first sequel, Sonic 2, was released in 1992 and introduced Miles “Tails” Prower as a playable character. Subsequent sequels followed suit, with each adding new levels and playable characters (such as Knuckles the Echidna and Silver the Hedgehog) until 1995’s Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Since then, there have been several spin-off games, movies and comics. According to market research firm SuperData Research, the franchise has generated more than $1 billion in revenue since its inception. Consequently, it is safe to say that the Sonic franchise is worth an impressive amount of money!
1991–1995: Genesis sequels
1991 saw the release of Sonic the Hedgehog, an immensely popular platform game designed by Sega. Released on Genesis and Super Nintendo consoles, Sonic quickly became a sensation and spawned multiple sequels over the next few years.
Sonic Adventure 2 was released in 1998 and introduced the Battle Mode, a multiplayer mode which allowed up to four players to compete against each other in specially-modified levels. The game also introduced two new characters: Sonic’s friend Tails and his rival Shadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic Adventure 3 was released in 2001 and continued the story of Sonic, Tails, and Shadow. The game introduced a new mechanic called “spin dash” which let players run at high speeds for short periods of time.
2005 saw the release of Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, a three-game saga set several years after Sonic Adventure 3. In this game, Sonic teams up with different characters to stop Dr. Eggman from conquering Angel Island once again.
2006 saw the release of Sonic Unleashed, an ambitious attempt by Sega to revitalize the series by introducing new physics-based gameplay elements. The game was met with mixed reactions but notably featured Modern Daylevels which let players play through classic levels as either Classic Sonic or Modern Sonic.
1998–2005: Transition to 3D
Sonic the Hedgehog continued to grow in popularity during this time period, with new games and merchandise released on a regular basis. Sega also set up a number of business ventures, such as developing a line of 3D gaming consoles. The franchise was estimated to be worth $1 billion by 2005.
2005–2010: Franchise struggles
In 2005, the Sonic the Hedgehog series was worth an estimated $50 million. By 2010, that value had dropped to just over $10 million. This decrease in value can be attributed to a number of factors, chief among them the increased competition from other video game franchises such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
Another issue has been Sega’s decision to discontinue releasing new entries in the Sonic series after 2006. This allowed Sony’s PlayStation 3 to become the dominant game console for gamers interested in playing Sonic games, resulting in lower sales for Sega’s consoles as well. In 2009, Sega announced that it would no longer produce games for its own consoles, leading many investors to believe that the franchise was finished. However, this announcement also led to renewed interest in the franchise from third-party developers. As of 2015, the Sonic franchise is estimated to be worth around $200 million.