Forgotten Sonic The Hedgehog Characters

Sonic the Hedgehog has truly left its mark on the video game industry. The series changed the platformer genre in some substantial ways, but the signature character also turned into Sega’s most popular commodity and blossomed into a franchise that essentially sold their platforms. The Sonic the Hedgehog games have had their ups and downs over the years, but they're still incredibly popular and have never stopped honing in on the best ways to engage with the fans.

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By  Nadia Grace Mullings

Sonic himself has become one of the biggest mascots in the video game industry, but Sonic games have introduced a wealth of characters. Some of them connect with fans in a major way, while others have virtually disappeared and turned into odd footnotes in the franchise's legacy.

Updated February 26, 2025, by Nadia Grace Mullings: With its long history and influence, Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the video gaming world's most recognizable franchises. Over the years, many fans have been introduced to the Blue Blur and his friends, rivals, and their many adventures, which mostly revolve one way or another around stopping Dr. Eggman. Aside from the mainline series, there are a number of relatively forgotten games which likewise feature many niche and thus forgotten characters. Some of these characters appear in games exclusive to one console and, with no remaster or port, they remain very obscure and forgotten by fans.

19 E-123 Omega

A Fierce Battle Robot

• First Appearance: Sonic Heroes

It's hard to imagine a creation of Doctor Eggman actually helping out the heroes for a change. However, given how poorly Dr. Robotnik treated everyone and everything around him, it was only a matter of time before even his own creations would turn against him. Such is the case with E-123 Omega, who is one of the most powerful robots Eggman has ever created.

However, after leaving him behind to die, E-123 Omega swore revenge against his creator and even teamed up with Shadow the Hedgehog to take their common enemy down once and for all. Omega has appeared in a number of Sonic games, though only in the background.

18 Cream The Rabbit And Cheese

A Loveable Duo

• First Appearance: Sonic Advance 2

Cream the Rabbit (and her trusty Chao pal, Cheese), has turned into a valuable ally of Amy Rose and a popular character in the Sonic X anime, but she was initially a much more niche supporting character. Cream’s origins chart back to the Game Boy Advance titles, Sonic Advance 2 and 3.

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Cream’s kind nature made her popular enough to get a bigger spotlight in Sonic Heroes on Team Rose . This has helped Cream and her cute partner also become a recurring presence in multiplayer titles like the Sonic Riders games and, more recently, Sonic Dream Team after a long hiatus.

17 Jet The Hawk

Sonic's Often Forgotten Rival

• First Appearance: Sonic Riders

Sonic the Hedgehog has experienced some radical shifts over the years, and it’s surprising just how many different racing games have been developed. The Sonic Riders series put the famous hedgehog on futuristic hoverboards and tries to match the frenetic speed of the platformers.

Sonic Riders introduces a new trio of villains known as the Babylon Rogues. Jet the Hawk leads the pack, but Wave the Swallow and Storm the Albatross are featured just as much. The Sonic Riders games were popular enough to get a handful of sequels and the Babylon Rogues even show up in the Sonic comics.

16 Espio The Chameleon

Stalwart Member Of Team Chaotix

• First Appearance: Knuckles' Chaotix

The Chaotix Detective Agency is an organization in Sonic the Hedgehog that many people might not be familiar with. There are many colorful members in this agency, including Espio the Chameleon.

Given that he's a chameleon, it's obvious that Espio can turn invisible to avoid or confuse enemies. He can also stick to walls for long periods of time, letting him get through most platforming challenges with ease.

15 Charmy Bee

Espio and Vector's Trusty Sidekick

• First Appearance: Knuckles' Chaotix

Charmy Bee is pure positivity, and even though he works alongside more aggressive characters like Vector the Crocodile and Espio the Chameleon, he helps balance the group out. Charmy’s initial appearance is alongside Knuckles in Knuckles Chaotix, but he actually shows up in the Sonic manga before then.

Charmy remains a niche character, but he’s gained enough of a following that he’s made minor appearances in Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgehog, and some of the Olympic Games titles. He’s even been able to cameo in the Super Smash Bros. Series, which is a rare honor.

14 Mighty The Armadillo

A Retro Character Who Got Left Behind

• First Appearance: SegaSonic the Hedgehog

Another one of Sega’s more interesting Sonic experiments involves the arcade title SegaSonic the Hedgehog. The curious take on a platformer attempted to introduce two new sidekicks for Sonic that bear a strong resemblance to him. Mighty the Armadillo is a cute addition to the team, but he’s a character that’s never been given much of a chance.

Mighty does get some love in the underrated Sega 32X title, Knuckles Chaotix, and the more recent Sonic Mania, so hopefully the character is about to get another chance.

13 Ray The Flying Squirrel

Suffered The Same Fate As Mighty

• First Appearance: SegaSonic the Hedgehog

Ray the Flying Squirrel is another Sonic character who made his debut in SegaSonic the Hedgehog, which means he’s largely been ignored. SegaSonic the Hedgehog was supposed to be ported to the Sega 32X and included in the Sonic Gems Collection, but neither came to pass, which means most audiences never got to experience this plucky character.

Ray seems less essential than Mighty because he’s basically a Tails knockoff that looks more like Sonic. Beyond the fact that Sonic Mania throws a bone at Ray, along with Mighty, he’s basically been ignored by Sega.

12 E-102 Gamma

Had A Short Time In The Sun In Sonic Adventure

• First Appearance: Sonic Adventure

Speaking of robots created by Dr. Robotnik, another name that comes to mind is E-102 Gamma. Just like the other entries on this list, this character isn't really all that memorable due to its sporadic appearances, with the majority of screen time in the series obviously being taken by the main cast of heroes and villains.

Just like Omega, Gamma also got tired of Eggman's tyrannical reign after serving under him for the longest time. As a result, he left his creator and went rogue, promising to save the rest of his robot brethren from the cruelty of their creator. While he ultimately succeeded in reaching this goal, it came at the cost of his own life in an admirable and heroic sacrifice.

11 Sticks The Badger

Debuted In The Controversial Sonic Boom Continuity

• First Appearance: Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric

Sticks the Badger is a rare exception since she’s an original character that’s come out of the Sonic Boom animated series and was able to transition into video games. Sticks is an energetic mix of enthusiasm and paranoia that makes her a fun wild card.

Sticks was initially just in the Sonic Boom video games, but she’s slowly worked her way into other ancillary titles, like the Sonic racing games Sonic Dash 2 and Sonic Runners. Sticks also shows up in the 2016 Mario & Sonic Olympic Games title, so maybe she’s destined for a larger role in the future.

10 Fang The Sniper (Nack The Weasel)

Appears In More Niche Titles

• First Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble

Sega had high hopes for its handheld Game Gear console, but its failure to beat the Game Boy led to the company deserting the handheld market. Sega still developed a number of interesting Sonic the Hedgehog titles that were exclusive to the Game Gear.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble is one of the standouts from the handheld and it introduces a new villain to the series, Fang the Sniper (originally Nack the Weasel). Fang never became Sonic’s main nemesis, but he still showed up in other niche titles like Sonic the Fighters and Sonic Drift 2.