Why doesn't Sonic's voice sound like it used to?

Compare Sonic's voice in the 90s with his voice now, and you'll notice he sounds completely different! In the last 2 decades he's changed voice actors again and again. But why is that? Well, let's find out!

CORRECTION: at 4:25 I misspoke when I said 1993. The actual year written in the script was 1999.

SOURCES/CREDITS
Jaleel White

Jun'ichi Kanemaru

Ryan Drummond

Jason Griffith

Roger Craig Smith

With much thanks to the Sonic News Network for much additional background information

MUSIC
- Various songs from Sonic game soundtracks

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:56 Sonic's first voice
3:57 The wishy washy zone
5:06 A new voice for Sonic
6:48 Sega's big controversy
10:40 Who took over Sonic's voice?
14:20 Sega recasts AGAIN
19:04 Outro

[ThomasGameDocs]

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[deoxysoverlord]

Meanwhile, the voice of Eggman: "You guys are getting recast?"

[johnathonturner]

It's surprising to think that, at one point, Jason Griffith as Sonic was CONTROVERSIAL. Nowadays, pretty much everyone PRAISES his voice as Sonic.

[onyxx_]

My favorite Sonic voice is Griffith's because he actually sounds youthful and energetic, plus he's got that "hell yeah" attitude, but also has that tone that he's a nice guy.

EDIT: First, I'd hate to be cliched, but thanks for all the likes! Secondly, I've been warming up quite a bit to Ryan's Sonic to the point where he's my favorite.

[hannah_le]

usually i hate voice actor changes but all the voices for sonic fit so well

[TailsAndSonicPals]

I love how each voice actor brought something special to Sonic, I find it very hard to choose a favorite honestly.

[parlinmains]

Interesting to hear how Ryan walked in and landed himself the role. He really lucked out.

[SuperUnknownPerson]

i do love that the Japanese voice has been the same since adventure

[pyguy]

Sonic Adventure 2 was the first time I ever heard Sonic speak, and so Ryan Drummond will forever be the PURE iconic voice of Sonic for me. Roger Craig Smith does an excellent job and I love him for his performance. However I will always be comparing every voice to that iconic during the hay day of Sonic games.

[deanmoriarty]

jason griffith feels perfect for the role. young without being childish and can be effortlessly cool, calm, energetic, or mature when it calls for it

[PrinceDinoboy]

Fun Facts:
1) Sonic's Japanese VA has been voicing him since Sonic Adventure and is still voicing him today.
2) The only voice that remained the same after the Colors recast was of Dr Eggman played by Mike Pollock

[jadestormbringer]

"You're going to play in my schoolhouse" sounds like something the police should be notified of

[coolgas]

Griffith stays and will always be my favourite Sonic VA. He just sounded so good and Sonic sounded so tough and mature, which were one of the main things I loved about him. By Griffith's voice, you could really tell Sonic has grown and evolved through the years and that he really is 'the modern Sonic' as we should refer till the day of today. Sonic Unleashed is a very good and cool example of that.

[FoxerTails]

I personally prefer Jason Griffith's voice. His performance in Unleashed was just perfect.

[sonicslayer]

Still waiting for "Why doesn't Thomas Game Docs' voice sound like it used to"

[WanupDeShroom]

Jason’s voice was my childhood but also I think he’s the perfect evolution from Ryan Drummond’s sonic, he felt like an older more mature version of the character especially from Unleashed. His sonic will forever be my favorite.

[mattdude]

Now roger’s sonic voice is even deeper

[flaregamer]

Ryan Drummond will always have a soft spot in my heart. Mostly because I've played the living daylights out of Sonic Adventure 2. Roger Criag is really solid however. He really has the role down at this point.

[Shepic]

Don’t forget about his single voice line in Sonic CD. “I’m outa here!” Which was entirely different than any other Sonic voice and was noticeably stylistic.

[thehelper]

I’m to this day still so disappointed that JUST as Jason was really settling into his role, he was booted. I grew up with his voice, and it’s my all time favorite Sonic. I love all the other VA’s, but Jason’s Sonic just had a certain something that I really can’t explain