Why Sonic Vs Robotnik's Rivalry Has Endured

thegamer.com:

Sonic and Robotnik is one of the most enduring rivalries in gaming. Mario and Bowser are the obvious comparison, but the Italian plumber's clash with Bowser feels more like a love-hate relationship. They're constantly putting each other aside to race go karts, play tennis, play golf, play... well, just about any sport, really, or even just have a swinging shindig. Robotnik and Sonic have been involved in these sorts of spin-offs from time to time (Team Sonic Racing, for one), but the rivalry has always seemed fiercer, more competitive, more mean-spirited, especially from Robotnik's side. With the Sonic the Hedgehog movie and its recent sequel, this rivalry made the successful jump to the silver screen.

Part of the reason this jump managed to stick the landing is the chemistry between Robotnik actor Jim Carrey and Sonic actor Ben Schwartz. Both are improv-heavy comedians, and as Agent Stone actor Lee Majdoub told us earlier this year, Carrey would throw out a lot of variations on the lines out there for Schwartz to respond to, meaning this rapid fire call and response comedy stylings could be maintained even without both actors there on set together. Stone himself plays a role in why the chemistry works so well - he humanises Robotnik, but also acts as a foil for him. Robotnik is always the villain, but with Stone by his side there is a touch of sympathy there too.

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That Sonic does not want to beat Robotnik, only stop him, is key as well. This is not a rivalry fuelled by hate or animosity, but an unwavering necessity on both sides. It's through this dynamic that Knuckles is able to have such an effective introduction, as well as why we've