We at SEGAAUK HQ remember fondly the very first episode of Games Master, as well as everything from the Gamesrig sinking to the first appearance of Dexter “What’s this cockney accent he’s putting on, I thought he spoke like an american!” Fletcher cradling the shredded suit and broken spectacles of the “dead” Dominik Diamond.  And whilst we don’t think of that particular moment quite as often as we think of any moment featuring Jet from Gladiators as the Games Mistress on Games World, GM is still missed greatly by us.

Since the show ended the GM magazine has kept going of course and this month celebrated its 200th issue. As part of this celebration Games Master did a vote for the 100 greatest Video Game and Video Games Characters and the results have come in - with some surprisingly favourable victories for our hedgehog friend. In the 100 greatest video games the top three were FFVII at #3, Ocarina of Time for once only at #2 and #1 was GTA: San Andreas.  Now we can argue that one til the cows come home as the community team here much preferes the 80’s wonder of Vice City (#13) but hey - SONIC.

The highest placed game featuring our spiky mascot actually was NOT the original Sonic The Hedgehog, but Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games which charted at #17. The original Sonic The Hedgehog came in at a respectable #21 but the real surprise of the top half came in the form of the entry at #22 - Shadow The Hedgehog.

SEE I WAS RIGHT! I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG!!!! *cough*millionseller*cough*

Admittedly GM seemed to think Shadow was Sonic, but we won’t hold that against them as they seemed to be in shock at the time. Sonic 2 came in at #24, Sonic Adventure at #44 and Sonic Heroes at #46. Other SEGA entries were:

#31: Shenmue. (NO. Before you even ask.)
#84: Phantasy Star Online
#91: Streets Of Rage 2
#93: Jet Set Radio

I’m sure there’s lots we can argue about there. Link To The Past came in at #63 which I felt was a travesty, but whatever the case the Sonic brand did even better in the characters section. As you might have expected Mr.Plumber came in at #1, but his royal hogness came in a close second with Link, Crash Bandicoot (………) and Master Chief rounding off the top five.

Shadow just missed out on the top ten with a position at #11, Knuckles came in at #13 both putting the “King Of Second Bananas” Luigi and Picachu to shame. Tails, who also picked up second in the “greatest sidekick” contest coming just behind Yoshi (eighth overall) came in at #39 - beating Ryu. Dr. Eggman gets #44 beating Donkey Kong and fellow villains Ganondorf and Bowser, whilst Amy comes 76th - the ninth highest female character.

Apparently though according to GM Amy Rose first appeared in 1983. Riiiiiiiiiight.

Other SEGA characters came in as follows:
#40 - Ryo Hazuki
#75 - Earl (minus Toejam)
#90 - NiGHTS
#94 - Lan Di
#98 - Ulala

Whilst you mull those all over I’d like to end this by pointing an accurasy finger at the mysterious “Greg” the “Prod Ed” who listed Tails as his worst character ever - Diddy Kong if you were interested was actually voted number one on that dubious list with no SEGA characters featured. Boo hiss to you sir! Boo hiss!

Have a good rest of the weekend.
AAUK