Game Overview:  This is a virtual title available for the Wii via download on Wii's Virtual Console Shop Channel on November 19th. Prices will start at 800 Wii Points to download the SEGA Genesis titles.

Sonic the Hedgehog is the platform game that launched the career of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Team. It was released on June 23, 1991 in North America for the Sega Genesis. The European Sega Mega Drive version was released later in June of 1991 and the Japanese Sega Mega Drive version was released on July 26, 1991.

This game was the first game to propel the Genesis into mass popularity in North America. After it was released, it eventually supplanted Altered Beast as the bundled game with the console. The game featured many novel elements which contributed to its popularity and helped to promote the uptake of 16 bit consoles.

Sonic the Hedgehog added the element of speed to the standard platform formula and introduced other unique elements as well, such as the loops, springboards, hi-speed devices, and rings now permanently associated with the game series.