Sonic Unleashed PC port’s most-popular mod makes the famous blue hedgehog trans

A mod for the newly released fan-made PC version of the 2008 platform game Sonic Unleashed has transformed the iconic blue hedgehog into a trans character.

The unofficial port of this cult-classic action-adventure game received rave reviews upon its release on Sunday, March 2. Rather than emulating the original Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Wii game from 17 years ago, the port utilises files from the original console versions to rebuild the game from scratch for PC users—one of the first ports of its kind for a game from the seventh-generation consoles.

As ‘MSN’ reports, just hours after its release, modder and Sonic fan Luna, also known online as Lady Lunanova, introduced the Trans Fem Sonic mod. This modification redesigns Sonic with a more feminine appearance.

“Trans Fem Sonic comes to Unleashed,” the mod’s description states, “and she’s looking and sounding better than ever.”

The mod not only redesigns Sonic in a sleek red jumpsuit but also re-records voice lines for gameplay, cutscenes, and bosses, giving Sonic a more feminine voice. Additionally, Sonic’s homing attack aura can be customised with various Pride flags.

Voice actor and contributor LariUmbreon expressed her joy at voicing Sonic again, saying: “Hope everyone loves playing with the mod, a lot of very good and hard work went into it.”

Luna told PinkNews that she was “couldn’t be happier” with the positive response to the mod, noting that the support “far outshines” the transphobic hate it received. “I’m incredibly proud of [voice actor] Larissa and [sound designer] Kat for helping me create it in the first place, I couldn’t have done it without them,” she added.

The mod has become the most-liked on the port’s GameBanana modding page, with over 1,400 downloads and 5,000 views within a few days.

Another trans-related mod for the Sonic Unleashed PC port by DeadH0st, titled Trans Masc Sonic, features Sonic with top surgery scars.

Fans were delighted with both submissions. One user commented: “It’s been less than a day and these mods are already here, I love this community.” Another shared: “I can’t express the amount of [euphoria] I felt after hearing the new voice lines through the daytime stages. As a trans woman stuck with a transphobic family, thank you so much for making this mod.”

Lady Lunanova had previously released a similar character model for the 2011 Sonic Generations and Sonic Frontiers in 2022.