Description
is a video game character and the main protagonist of the video game series released by Sega, as well as in numerous spin-off comics, cartoons, and a feature film. The first game was released on June 23, 1991, in order to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's flagship character Mario (see 1991 in video gaming). Since then, has become of the world's best-known video game characters, with his series having sold more than 70 million copies. In 2005, was of the first game character inductees into the Walk of Game.