Grab your CRT television and adjust the tracking because we are tuning in to ten unforgettable platforming icons from the 1990s!
Welcome back to Common Clickbait, retro viewers! Before modern gaming gave us photorealistic antiheroes, the nineties belonged to colorful animal mascots with attitude, side-scrolling platform mechanics, and massive marketing budgets.
Sega unleashed their signature blue hedgehog in 1991 on the Sega Genesis to directly challenge Nintendo for 16-bit supremacy. Created by Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima, Sonic quickly became a global gaming icon with his supersonic speed and bold attitude.
Sources: Wikipedia · Photo: Evan-Amos / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Naughty Dog and Sony Computer Entertainment introduced this wild marsupial in 1996 on the original PlayStation console. With his box-bashing spin move and vibrant 3D levels, Crash served as Sony's flagship platforming hero during the console wars.
Sources: Wikipedia
Insomniac Games and Sony Computer Entertainment launched this feisty purple dragon on the PlayStation in 1998. Armed with fire breath and a glide mechanic, Spyro spent his debut adventure rescuing fellow dragons trapped in crystal.
Sources: Wikipedia · Photo: Evan-Amos / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Ubisoft and game designer Michel Ancel created this limbless hero in 1995 for platforms like the Atari Jaguar and PlayStation. Rayman won over platforming fans with his helicopter hair technique and colorful fantasy environment.
Sources: Wikipedia · Photo: Evan-Amos / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shiny Entertainment and creator Doug TenNapel brought this rocket-suit worm to the Sega Genesis and Super NES in 1994. Known for surreal humor and fluid animation, Jim proved that even an annelid could save the universe.
Sources: Wikipedia · Photo: Evan-Amos / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Argonaut Software and Fox Interactive released Croc in 1997 for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Windows. This adorable green crocodile spent his journey tail-wiping enemies to rescue his furry adoptive family.
Sources: Wikipedia
Crystal Dynamics debuted their wisecracking gecko mascot in 1995 on the 3DO before bringing him to the PlayStation and Saturn. Voiced by comedian Dana Gould, Gex traversed television pop-culture parodies with endless quips.
Sources: Wikipedia
Accolade and designer Michael Berlyn released Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind in 1993 on the Super NES and Sega Genesis. This snarky bobcat defended Earth's yarn ball supply from alien invaders called Woolies.
Sources: Wikipedia
Iguana Entertainment and Sunsoft brought this circus hero to the Super NES and Sega Genesis in 1993. Aero used his aerial acrobatics to stop the mad industrialist Edgar Ektor from destroying the World of Amusement circus.
Sources: Wikipedia · Photo: Evan-Amos / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Red Company and Hudson Soft introduced this head-butting caveman to North American gamers in 1990 on the TurboGrafx-16 console. Serving as NEC's main mascot, Bonk bashed prehistoric foes using his oversized cranium.
Sources: Wikipedia
That concludes our broadcast for today, pixel lovers! Keep your controllers plugged in and stay tuned for more retro fun on Common Clickbait.
The Common Clickbait crew who watch too much so you do not have to. Fueled by nostalgia, cheap snacks, and an unhealthy need to be right about the ending.
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