While we're used to reading about the voice of Mario around these parts, today it's all about Sonic's voice actor.
In case you missed it, American voice actor Roger Craig Smith - who has voiced Sonic the Hedgehog in his video game outings for over ten years now - has announced his departure from the role via social media.
Sega has now shared a message thanking Smith for being an "integral part" of the Sega family and bringing the company's mascot to life. Here it is in full:
"For over 10 years, Roger Craig Smith has been an integral part of the SEGA family. He brought the voice of Sonic to life, and we are forever grateful for his never-ending enthusiasm in helping the community and spreading joy. Thank you, Roger, for all you've done for Sonic."
In his own statement, Smith said he had an "amazing run" and was ready to move onwards to new zones.
"Welp, 10 years was an amazing run. Onward to new zones! Much love to the fans who've been so kind. It's been an honor."
From all of the community here at Nintendo Life, we wish Roger the best of luck in his future endeavours.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 38
I imagine he's getting replaced by the guy who did the voice in the new movie.
Well that stinks, and judging by the way Sega's tweet is structured I'm guessing the rumor about his departure being contract-related is looking to be more real by the minute
@JayJ Replacing Roger Craig Smith with Ben Schwartz would be a massive downgrade if you ask me, the movies and the games should stay separate entities.
@JayJ
Unless if Sonic games are going to get anywhere close to AAA production values again, I doubt it, relatively unknown voice actors are much cheaper than a famous Hollywood comedian.
There is always Arin Hanson.
@JayJ No, very expensive ... he is an actor more directed to Hollywood, his payment for the film was higher.
I particularly liked the voice of the Dreamcast versions, that guy was very good and set the tone for the character ... that style is still used today. Probably he and the current voice actor left because of money problems, maybe they wanted to earn more and Sega refused ...
There were other sonic actors that sound a little simller if anything I would want them not the movie sonic, He didn't sound like him at all. I will miss him he was the best sonic voice ever and like sega said it brought him to life, I cant really see sonic binge the same but we will just have to wait and see.
"Fine art is the beauty of that single fleeting moment of explosion." --Deidara from Naruto--another character that Roger lent his voice talents to.
All good things must come to an end. I'm glad he was able to be Sonic for so long and give us a lot of funny lines over the years. ("No copyright law in the universe can stop me!") Hopefully the next voice of Sonic is just as good.
Not gonna lie, this was sad news for me to read today. I loved RCS as Sonic, it'll be hard to replace him, that's for sure.
@Krockman Yeah when I think of Sonic's voice I always think of the old Sonic Adventure games, to me that is when 3D Sonic peaked (at least in the Dreamcast era). After that it seems like Sonic games were really struggling for a while and it's only when they went back to basics that they managed to make great games again. Sadly I think the past decade was really weak in terms of 3D Sonic which is where you will find all the voice acting. Sonic Mania was the main recent highlight for me.
Nothing against Craig personally but I never liked his Sonic voice. I do think it may have been a direction issue tho.
@JayJ I fully agree. I also feel the same ...
Let Steve Urkle give it another go!!
This guy was ok as sonic... Ish... But jason was far and miles better... Im kinda happy this one is gone tbh
Not surprised given how his voice actor changes every few years (Although I think RCS has been Sonic the longest with 10 - 11 years)
@Lady_rosalina begone, negativity/bait
@Doofenshmirtz I think they are allowed to speak their mind, personally.
The only good voice acting in a sonic game is when some bloke says Sega in a stupidly cool way and the game starts.
@Snatcher personally, when i play the games in english, i loved the dreamcast voice actor for sonic way more.
also the "old and original" robotnik voice - till sonic heroes. (think he died, that's why he got replaced)
but since sonic generations - sega has started to voice over their sonic games also with german voices. the actuall german voice since generations does sound closer to the "og" english dreamcast voice. that's why i prefer him.
but - the sonic movie - we also had a new "voice" for him in german. the voice, who actually voicing sonic's games in german, did only voiced sonic in the sonic boom tv-show.
but for me - the og adventure cast was the best.
@eRaz0r I wouldn't mind if they had him do it.
I wish him good luck. Maybe we will actually have a good Sonic voice this time around, all of Sonic's voices were either average or awful. Cant stand these corny or obnoxious (sometimes both) Sonic voices. Change Knuckles voice over too please.
well lets hope the next voice sounds good for this character
Headline implies death, but VA is alive and well - classic clickbait.
@Andy_Witmyer
Man, I've been told good bye plenty of times, I better check if I'm alive or not as apparently saying good bye is now only for dead people!
@Toy_Link 😂
Not gonna miss him,his voice was way too deep for Sonic.Also because right after he debuted,the games started getting dubbed in more languages.
I'm more worried about what this means for Italy.I'm italian,and our Sonic voice actor is spot on,he's kinda similar to the japanese voice actor.He even voiced Sonic in the live action movie.
Now Sega can let sonic die for good.
@Carck Sonic hasn't been doing well and you know It.
@TheFandomMenace it's still Sega's biggest franchise
I really get the feeling Roger didn't want to leave, but that SEGA basically just forced him to (given both his statement and this: https://mobile.twitter.com/tarastrong/status/1354961203274117122). Hopefully whoever replaces him is good, I'm feeling partial towards Max Mittelman though
While Jason Griffith is still my favorite Sonic voice, I do admit Ryan Drummond did do a great Sonic too, but Roger Craig Smith was out of all of them, the funniest Sonic and did bring way more personality to Sonic and despite not being my personal favorite, I think he may have been the best Sonic so far. I am definitely going to miss his witty remarks and sarcastic jokes, he really grew well into the role and was by far the most lively and funniest out of all the Sonic VAs. Roger Craig Smith definitely captured Sonic's personality very well almost like the original Japanese voice actor. He will be missed.
@Menardi Why should the guy who constantly criticizes the series voice its main character? I'd rather have him voice Big the Cat.
@Doofenshmirtz thats how i felt... No negativity or bait. Buthe wasnt as good
I feel Sonic's voice actor is replaced too often. His Japanese voice, for example, has been the same since the Dreamcast.
Or... He's seen the new game... And after ten years he can't do it again. This is the worst he's ever seen and he will have nothing to do with it! xD
It'd be cool if he was replaced by Ben Schwartz but his version of sonic in the movie feels like a way younger sonic than the one it the games so maybe not
I just bought Sonic Forces on amazon!
I wonder if Ben Schwartz(the voice actor from live action Sonic movie)will replace Roger Craig Smith.
@JR150 ngl, he was great, but I honestly think that Jason Griffith was better. But still, Roger Craig Smith was really good imo.
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