Although Dr. Robotnik could never defeat Sonic the Hedgehog for good, the dastardly villain did successfully transform the confounded rodent's entire family into robotic slaves through a terrifying process known as Roboticization. Normally, the Blue Blur was able to thwart his arch nemesis at every turn - and as a result suffered from a serious case of egomania - but he never succeeded in saving his family himself, a failure that continually shaped him throughout Archie Comics' now-discontinued series.
Sonic suffers from the terrifying effects of Dr. Robotnik's Roboticizer from the debut issue of Archie Comics' series when the maniacal villain successfully tricks and transforms his then only family members Uncle Chuck and his dog Muttski into mindless robotic slaves. Many issues would revolve around Sonic's attempts to restore their free will, but all of his efforts fail spectacularly. Ironically, it's Dr. Robotnik who later saves Uncle Chuck when a device malfunction accidentally restores his free will, a truth that Uncle Chuck successfully hides from his so-called master, allowing him to serve as a spy.
During this time undercover, Chuck uses a Power Ring to restore Muttski, as well as Sonic's father Jules and mother Bernadette, whom Sonic thought had died. After Sonic successfully murders Dr. Robotnik during the EndGame series, Uncle Chuck finally reunites his nephew with his parents. But a Robotnik from an alternate dimension known as Robo-Robotnik later Roboticizes Sonic's entire family again in Sonic the Hedgehog #75 by Karl Bollers and Steven Butler. Sonic goes rogue when the rulers of his people regain a long-lost relic known as the Sword of Acorn that is said to hold a power that can restore the minds of those Roboticized. Sonic betrays the kingdom by stealing the sword to save his family, which is made worse when he later loses it. Sonic is stripped of his knighthood and prevented from serving as a Freedom Fighter for his crimes. His girlfriend Princess Sally of the Kingdom of Acorn retrieves the sword and is revealed to be the only one capable of wielding its power and successfully restores the free will of all Roboticized animals.
Later on most of the Robians suddenly become flesh and blood again thanks to an alien who invests a majority of his life toward turning creatures of living metal into organic beings. Everyone goes back to normal except Sonic's father Jules, an oddity that haunts both him and his family. It's assumed that it's because Jules was the first creature ever Roboticized. Sonic never cures him, though he does revive him with a Power Ring after one of Dr. Eggman's bots infiltrates their home and tears Jules asunder.
These failings actually help shape Sonic into a more compelling character. On account of his speed, Sonic suffers from a severe superiority complex that, when mixed with his adolescence, manifests in unappealing ways. He's boastful, overly cocky, doesn't fully appreciate those who are not as skilled as him, and horribly shallow. These characteristics are chronically on display throughout the series, and it's only when he's grappling with his family's misfortune that Sonic reverts into a more saddened and deeply concerned hedgehog, a severe breath of fresh air when compared to how he usually acts. The fact that other heroes or powers beyond Sonic's control are what save his family improves his character further. It humbles him and diminishes his status as an invincible hero who enjoys an unprecedented amount of good luck.
This blemished background, along with his sordid past as a bully, are just some of the many events that add more dimensions to Sonic, who's a much more static character in other renditions. Sonic the Hedgehog isn't just an immature teenager who is the best and fastest fighter of all time. He's a deeply flawed individual who cares for his family and is haunted by his past failures to protect them.