We've gone Bak 2 School for another new Sonic 101 episode! With Jake out on assignment (i.e. kidnapped by Metal Sonic), Jeff Bakalar of Giant Bomb fills the rotating guest chair this week, ready to learn all about McDonald's happy meal toys, outrunning the Big Bang, children's media featuring GWAR, Sonic's secret Jersey upbringing, bloodthirsty unicorn wizards, and all sorts of other nonsense. But the student also becomes the teacher, as Jeff offers up his perspective as the parent of a young Sonic fan, giving us old farts a rare inside look at how the youth of today actually engage with the Blue Blur and his fast furry friends.

(0:00:00 ) Intro/Main topic: Sonic Newbie Education 101

(0:07:45 ) Jeff's history with Sonic

(0:13:40 ) The malleability of Sonic

(0:18:26 ) Jeff and Sonic's transition to 3D

(0:24:40 ) Do kids play the old games?

(0:35:55 ) Minigame: A.B.C.D. Station

(1:06:25 ) How did Jeff's kid first find Sonic?

(1:18:12 ) Does Jeff think his kid is starting to outgrow Sonic?

(1;26:27 ) Does Sonic have an origin story?

(1:39:09 ) Minigame: Know More Music

(1:57:13 ) Outro

Amie Waters on Linktree

Giant Bomb

What Lies Below the Lilies

Sonic McOrigins Plus

Windii's translations

John Batiste - Green Hill Zone