When you think about SEGA, you probably think of Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends. But SEGA's history is filled with many other amazing characters! Let's get started with one of the originals...
Alex Kidd
Alex Kidd was SEGA's mascot before Sonic the Hedgehog took the spotlight. He is the protagonist of a series of platforming games that started with "Alex Kidd in Miracle World" on the Master System in 1986. A young martial artist from the planet Aries, Alex is known for his large ears and his powerful punch, which he uses to smash rocks and defeat enemies. One of the most memorable features of his games is the "Janken" (rock-paper-scissors) matches he plays against bosses.
Flicky
You might recognize the name "Flicky" from the small birds Sonic the Hedgehog rescues from Badniks, but the original Flicky starred in his own arcade game in 1984, predating Sonic's first adventure. In the game "Flicky", the player controls the titular blue bird on a mission to save small birds called Chirps from cats. Flicky must gather the Chirps and lead them to an exit, all while navigating platforms and avoiding enemies. This classic character is an important part of SEGA's arcade history.
Arle Nadja
Arle Nadja is the protagonist of the popular puzzle game series "Puyo Puyo". Interestingly, she wasn't originally a SEGA character. She was created by a company called Compile, which had a strong partnership with SEGA. After Compile faced financial difficulties, SEGA acquired the rights to the Puyo Puyo franchise, and Arle became a part of the SEGA family. It took a long time for the character to become well-known in the West, partly because early releases like "Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine" replaced the original characters with figures from the Sonic universe.
Axel
"ARE YOU READY?! HERE WE GO!" This is the catchphrase of Axel, one of the four original, selectable cab drivers from the high-octane arcade classic "Crazy Taxi". First hitting arcades in 1999 and later becoming a must-own title for the SEGA Dreamcast, the game challenged players to make "crazy money" by picking up passengers and delivering them to their destinations with speed and style. Axel, with his signature green spiky hair and perpetually energetic attitude, embodies the game's punk rock chaos. His mission, like the other drivers, is to rack up the highest fare total possible through speedy deliveries and wild stunts, all set to a legendary soundtrack by bands like The Offspring and Bad Religion.
Amigo
Shake your maracas! It's Amigo, the star of the vibrant rhythm game series "Samba de Amigo". First appearing in arcades in 1999 and later on the Dreamcast, Amigo is a cheerful monkey with a passion for music and a dream of becoming the greatest maraca artist in the world. In his games, players use maraca-like controllers to hit notes to the beat of infectious Latin music. With his iconic sombrero and ever-present smile, Amigo is one of SEGA's most colorful and musically-inclined characters, bringing a carnival atmosphere wherever he goes.
Axel Stone
Here comes one of the toughest fighters from the mean streets! Axel Stone is one of the main protagonists of SEGA's legendary beat 'em up series, "Streets of Rage," which debuted on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. A former police officer who left the force to fight the city's corruption directly, Axel is a master of martial arts. Alongside his friends Blaze Fielding and Adam Hunter, he takes on the crime syndicate led by the mysterious Mr. X. Known for his balanced fighting style and iconic special move, the "Grand Upper!", Axel is a true SEGA icon from the 16-bit era, punching and kicking his way through hordes of thugs to bring peace back to the city.
Red
One of the newest and most surprising additions to the SEGA family is Red, the iconic leader of the Angry Birds flock. Originally the star of a massive mobile game hit by Finnish company Rovio Entertainment, Angry Birds became a global phenomenon. In a major move, SEGA acquired Rovio in 2023, bringing the entire Angry Birds franchise under its wing. While not a traditional SEGA-born character, Red's inclusion represents a new era for the company as it expands its portfolio of beloved characters. Now, this famously furious bird is officially part of the same universe as Sonic, Alex Kidd, and many others.
AiAi
Roll into the fun with AiAi, the adorable and determined star of the "Super Monkey Ball" series! Debuting in arcades in 2001 and famously becoming a launch title for the Nintendo GameCube, Super Monkey Ball tasks players with guiding AiAi, encased in a transparent ball, through treacherous, tilting mazes to reach the goal. All you have is the analog stick to tilt the entire world! Hailing from Monkey Island, AiAi is often on a quest for his favorite food: bananas! With his simple design and the game's deceptively challenging physics-based gameplay, AiAi rolled his way into the hearts of many gamers and remains one of SEGA's most unique and beloved characters.
Honey / Candy
This character's name might ring a bell for die-hard Sonic the Hedgehog fans, but this isn't the cat from 'Sonic the Fighters'. This is Honey, one of the combatants from SEGA's 3D fighting game, 'Fighting Vipers'! She served as the direct inspiration for a secret, unlockable character of the same name in 'Sonic the Fighters'. Originally, her name was Honey in the Japanese version of 'Fighting Vipers', but it was changed to Candy for the game's release in the United States. Clad in her distinctive red dress and using a unique fighting style, she is a memorable character from SEGA's mid-90s arcade heyday, showcasing the company's talent for creating cool and stylish fighters.
Hornet
Wait... a car is a character? Yep! In a classic example of SEGA's quirky charm, the Hornet stock car from the legendary "Daytona USA" arcade racer was made a secret playable character in the crossover fighting game "Fighters Megamix". Roaring onto the arcade scene in 1994, Daytona USA captivated players with its stunning 3D graphics, high-speed gameplay, and an iconic soundtrack. The Hornet, the player's primary vehicle, became an instant symbol of SEGA's arcade power. Its inclusion in a fighting game, where it attacked by ramming and drifting, cements its strange but beloved place in SEGA's unique roster of "characters".