10 Video Game Characters Better Than EVERYONE Expected

When Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduced Sonic's best bud Tails, it seemed like a pretty blatant, even cynical attempt by Sega to give younger siblings something to do while the firstborn child raced through the game as Sonic.

And so, one couldn't really be blamed for having low expectations for Tails being anything more than a fleeting, temporary distraction for young kids - a playable backseat passenger who doesn't get to do much but orbit Sonic while providing periodic assists.

But while Tails remains very much a sidekick to the main attraction that is Sonic, he's certainly a character who's gone the distance, remaining almost as present and recognisable throughout the franchise's many ups and downs as the Blue Blur himself.

Tails isn't an especially deep character, but his design, portrayal across a vast swath of media, and general stature as Sonic's ever-dependable best bud have endeared him to the fandom for over three decades, which is likely more than anyone, even Sega, could've possibly expected.