The Sonic the Hedgehog video game series sold 3.45 million units in SEGA's third quarter, reaching a cumulative total of 4.98 million units so far into fiscal year 2025. It nearly tied last fiscal year's total of 5.05 million with a difference of 70 thousand.

This quarter's total of 4.98 million units nearly ties the total from the same period last fiscal year, which landed at 5.05 million. It's a difference of around 70 thousand. (SEGA Sammy Holdings)

Driving the news: SEGA's Entertainment segment saw significant growth, driven by strong game sales of Sonic x Shadow Generations and Atlus' award-winning Metaphor: ReFantazio, as well as the hedgehog's strong media presence following the release of Paramount's third Sonic film.

  • It's despite an overall revenue decline this quarter. Setbacks in its Pachislot and Pachinko business, and the cancellation of the 2025 installment of Football Manager, forced the company to slightly lower its full-year fiscal forecast.
  • But SEGA remains optimistic, citing upcoming releases from the Like a Dragon portfolio, and the continued expansion of Sonic's transmedia reach.

By the numbers: The overall company's financials recorded a year-over-year decline, despite good numbers from the Entertainment segment; but profit is up by double digits.

  • The company recorded overall net sales of ¥322.3 billion JPY, down -8.1% year-over-year; operating income of ¥43.7 billion JPY, a -20.8% decline; ordinary income of ¥49.4 billion JPY, down 13.9%; and profit attributable to owners of the parent at ¥41.7 billion JPY, a +17.3% increase.
  • The Entertainment segment reported net sales of ¥239 billion JPY, up +8% year-over-year; ordinary income of ¥37.5 billion JPY, up +88%; and adjusted EBITDA at ¥40.5 billion JPY, a +178% increase.
  • The company's full year forecast in net sales was slashed from ¥445 billion JPY to ¥425 billion JPY, a loss of ¥20 billion. Likewise for the Entertainment segment forecast: it was revised from ¥335 billion JPY to ¥320 billion JPY, a loss of ¥15 billion.