The Sonic games feature a huge cast of characters who don’t get all that much recognition.
These are the best of them.
You won’t be needing inhibitor rings for this one!
This article contains spoilers foressentially every story-heavy Sonic the Hedgehog title, and even the movies.
2024 marked the Year of Shadow, and our beloved edgehog relished the attention.
We reckoned, to make our article finally complete, we’d include the movie lore as well.
Shadow’s Creation
Who Are Gerald And Maria?
Our story begins not with Shadow himself butwith Dr. Gerald Robotnik, grandfather to long-standing franchise baddie Dr. Eggman.
Gerald’s crowning altruistic achievement wasthe construction of the world’s first intergalactic space colony, ARK.
She was fascinated with Earth, gazing down on the verdant planet from the ARK’s main control room.
Sadly, she would never get to visit it.
What Was Project Shadow?
The Ultimate Life Form progressed through three phases.
Where And How Was Shadow Born?
They hate that hedgehog.
This overgrown, aggressive reptilian beast was indeed immortal.
But it was far too dangerous, so Geraldordered its imprisonment in the core of the ARK.
Inspired, Geraldtweaked Shadow’s design to match that of Super Sonicmany years before Sonic himself was even born.
What Happened To Maria And Shadow Before The Modern Day?
The two friends shared a mutual contempt for their anal-retentive teacher.
Gerald’s Journal is one of the new collectibles introduced for Shadow in Sonic X Shadow Generations.
Here’s where to find every page.
Alas, the tranquility was not to last.
Gerald was in the process ofrecording a contingency video for the Black Arms' returnwhen GUN attacked.
Tragically, Maria got between a bullet and Shadow, unprepared to hand her friend over.
For all the people who live on that planet… give them a chance to be happy.
Let them live their dreams.
Shadow, I know you could do it.
That’s the reason that you were brought into this world.
Shadow’s pod ejected and hurtled towards Earth.
Shadow’s Role In Sonic Adventure 2
How Is Shadow Reawakened?
It’s here thatthe events of Sonic Adventure 2 kick off.
To power the Cannon, heneeds the seven Chaos Emeralds, and that’s where Shadow comes in.
How Does Shadow Redeem Himself?
Upon the last Emerald’s insertion,instead of the Cannon powering up, the ARK begins to destabilize.
That’s it for Gerald, though, as the video message concludes with the firing squad taking aim.
It’s now a race against time.
Distraught and realizing his mistake,Shadow bands together with Sonic.
The next mainline Sonic title, Sonic Heroes, continued his story.
Dr. Eggman’s robotstrack down Shadow at the site where he crashed to Earth, badly injured but alive.
Here are the best underrated Sonic The Hedgehog games!
Rouge the Bat would eventually break in on another GUN mission,only to accidentally awaken Shadow and Omega.
What Happens In Shadow The Hedgehog?
Shadow’s first starring role came in 2005’s mercilessly-mocked Shadow the Hedgehog.
We join Shadowon the day of the Black Comet’s re-arrival.
The gameoffers a multitude of endings that you could reachdepending on your moral actions throughout.
Some are intriguing, while others are ludicrous.
None of these endings, however, are canon.
Shadow is initially ambivalent towards this revelation.
Gazing out at the stars, he feels finally at peace with his identity.
What Happens In Shadow Generations?
Unfortunately, all this time-warping alsoallows Black Doom to reincarnate, and the villain reveals another fact about Shadow.
Over the course of the campaign, Shadow wrestles with his newfound abilities.
Shadow cries it out as Maria and Gerald are sent back, blissfully unaware of their impending fates.
It’s a truly cathartic moment and one that feels earned after decades of stewing for poor Shadow.
What Happens In The Third Sonic Movie?
Presumably, this was done due to budgetary constraints (it’s Hollywood, baby!)
but it does neatly excise the need for the subplot about Maria’s illness.
You know, as 1970s kids did.
He was then recovered by GUN for experimentation.
(both played, hysterically, by Jim Carrey) as part of a revenge scheme.
See you in Sonic 4, Shad!
He alsoplays a fairly major role in Sonic Forces.
You’ll even spot Shadow inassorted Sonic spinoff media.
Shadowhas his fans for a reason, and he’s certainly been through a lot!
Much like a lot of the Sonic cast, there’s far more to him than meets the eye.
An edgelord he may be,but he’s no faker.
From Amy to Dr. Eggman, here are the Sonic characters you relate to based on your Zodiac sign.
