In 1988, Atari found itself in a fierce competition with Nintendo's popular mascot, Mario, who was dominating the video game market. Determined to strike back and establish their own iconic character, Atari's executives decided that they needed a new flagship game console to rival Nintendo's highly successful NES.
Atari turned to its talented game developers to come up with a concept for a new console that could challenge the Nintendo powerhouse. Among them was Yu Suzuki, a renowned game designer known for his work on arcade hits like "Out Run" and "Space Harrier." Suzuki was tasked with creating a game and character that would capture the hearts of gamers worldwide.
Suzuki's vision was to create a character that would embody mischievousness, agility, and determination, all traits that would resonate with players of all ages. After countless brainstorming sessions, Suzuki's submission, named Mr. Needlemouse, stood out from the rest.
Mr. Needlemouse was envisioned as a spiky, blue-quilled hedgehog with a penchant for adventure. Suzuki believed that this character's unique qualities would make it a perfect rival to Nintendo's famous mustached plumber, Mario.
The executives at Atari were initially hesitant about the idea of a hedgehog as the new mascot. However, Suzuki's passion and conviction ultimately won them over. They recognized the potential of a character that could captivate players through its personality and gameplay mechanics.
In 1990, the renowned game designer Yu Suzuki, along with his talented team at Atari AM2, embarked on an exciting journey to create a new character for their upcoming game. This character, initially known as Mr. Needlemouse, was envisioned as a hedgehog with a remarkably edgy appearance.
As Suzuki and his team delved into the design process, they explored various concepts and prototypes to bring Mr. Needlemouse to life. However, as they progressed, they felt that some changes were necessary to refine the character further.
Coincidentally, during one of their visits to the office, the team encountered a mischievous young boy named Benji. Madeline Schroeder, who worked alongside Yu Suzuki, was visiting the team that day, accompanied by her energetic son.
Little Benji found the office to be a fascinating playground, effortlessly and playfully bouncing from one desk to another. His infectious energy and carefree spirit seemed to leave an impression on the team.
Inspired by Benji's lively presence and his playful nature, Yu Suzuki and his team made a decision to remodel and rename their hedgehog character after him. The new name "Benji the Hedgehog" perfectly encapsulated the essence of their redesigned character, capturing the mischievous and adventurous spirit they had encountered in young Benji.
With the conception of Benji the Hedgehog, the team continued their design process, channeling their creativity into crafting a game that would serve as a fitting platform for their new character. Over the following months and years, the team tirelessly worked on developing the game, incorporating innovative gameplay mechanics and engaging storytelling elements.
The game's protagonist, Benji, was a charismatic hedgehog with distinctive blue quills, sporting red bandana and pants, & donning stylish black sneakers. Benji had an adventurous spirit, and his mission was to protect the woodland creatures from the clutches of the evil Dr. Machino.
As players jumped into Benji's world, they found themselves transported to an enchanting forest, vibrant with life and magical scenery. Initially, everything seemed peaceful until Dr. Machino's dastardly plan unfolded. The wicked scientist had invented a diabolical machine capable of turning innocent woodland creatures into robots, forcing them to do his bidding.
Benji, fueled by bravery and determination, took it upon himself to thwart Dr. Machino's treacherous plot. Armed with agility, power, speed, and a strong sense of justice, our hero embarked on a thrilling adventure through the enchanted forest.
Throughout the game, players would guide Benji through a series of meticulously designed levels, each filled with cunning traps, challenging puzzles, and formidable enemies. Along the way, Benji encountered various woodland creatures, many of whom had already fallen victim to Dr. Machino's mesmerizing invention.
To restore peace and free the enslaved animals, Benji battled through intricate worlds, scaling towering trees, running through winding streams, and leaping over treacherous chasms. Additionally, he utilized his unique abilities to access secret areas, uncover hidden power-ups, and collect precious gems that granted him extraordinary powers.
Spinning Jump - Benji doesn't instantly go into a ball when you jump. Press the action button mid-air to curl up and attack enemies.
Health System - Benji's health is tied to rings. In fact, collecting rings for protection and collecting all 100 rings grants you an extra life
Level Layouts - As per usual, the level layout is similar to Sonic 1, but with more platforming, and it goes like this
Benji can swim!!! - Yes unlike Sonic, Benji can swim so Water Levels are much different
Green Hill Zone -- Spring Yard Zone -- Marble Zone -- Labyrinth Zone -- Star Light Zone -- Scrap Brain Zone -- Final Zone
Six Precious Stones - Collect all of them to get the true ending
Password Feature - After you complete zones that are Passwords Codes that can save your progress
Upon its release, "Benji the Hedgehog" received positive reviews from critics and gamers alike. The game was lauded for its engaging storyline, innovative gameplay mechanics, and vibrant graphics. Although it initially faced tough competition from Nintendo with their new console, the Super Nintendo or the SNES for short with one of their launch title Super Mario World. Atari remained determined to make a mark in the industry.
Realizing the importance of pricing strategy and recognizing the potential of their new game, Atari decided to lower the price of their console, the Atari Genesis. They also made a strategic move to bundle "Benji the Hedgehog" with every purchase of the console, adding significant value for potential buyers.
This decision proved to be a turning point for Atari's fortunes. The bundled offer became incredibly popular among consumers, who saw the opportunity to own both a high-quality console and an exciting game for a more affordable price. As a result, sales of the Atari Genesis soared, surpassing all expectations.
"Benji the Hedgehog" quickly gained immense popularity and became the standout title for the Atari Genesis. The success of the bundled offer led to a significant increase in sales, propelling the game to sell over 30 million copies by 1992. This outstanding achievement not only solidified "Benji the Hedgehog" as a must-have game but also boosted Atari's position in the gaming industry.
With the immense success of "Benji the Hedgehog" and the Atari Genesis, Atari's market share reached unprecedented heights. By 1992, Atari commanded a staggering 55% of the gaming market share, surpassing their competitors in a relatively short span of time.
This remarkable feat was attributed to the combination of a well-received game, a competitive pricing strategy, and an attractive bundle offer. Atari had successfully positioned itself as a strong contender to be reckoned with, challenging the dominance of other established gaming giants.
The success of "Benji the Hedgehog" not only revitalized the Atari brand but also provided a solid foundation for future game releases and innovations. Yu Suzuki's strategic vision and determination revolutionized Atari's direction, firmly establishing them as a key player in the gaming industry
