Guide
Sonic vs Mario: A Friendly Rivalry
How Sega's hedgehog and Nintendo's plumber defined mascot gaming.
Mario arrived in 1981 with Donkey Kong. Sonic debuted in 1991 and immediately challenged Nintendo's mascot dominance.
Mario leans on tight platforming and approachable design. Sonic leans on speed and attitude.
Today both mascots thrive: Mario as Nintendo's flagship and Sonic as Sega's enduring icon.