The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ending reshaped the franchise’s future and includes plenty of video game connections. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 continues the adventures of Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) as his new life on Earth is threatened when Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns to the planet seeking unlimited power. The story begins as Robotnik’s quest for revenge on the speedy hedgehog brings him face to face with Knuckles the Echidna (voiced by Idris Elba).

The two characters team up to find and destroy Sonic before moving on to locate the Master Emerald that is hidden on Earth. Sonic is aided in his fight to stop Robotnik and Knuckles by Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey), as the sequel pays off Sonic the Hedgehog‘s post-credits scene. With unlimited power in sight, Robotnik decides to betray Knuckles while he’s distracted fighting Sonic. In the end, the trio takes down Robotnik thanks to a combination of their teamwork and Sonic becoming the most powerful being in the universe.

Sonic’s Yellow Form: Powers & Game Connections Explained

This Is The Power That Makes Sonic Almost Unbeatable

For much of Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending, it appears that Robotnik is too powerful for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to defeat. This builds to Sonic having a near encounter with death with Tom and Maddie. Robotnik’s Giant Eggman Robo is about to crush them as Sonic holds a broken Master Emerald. It is at this moment that the Chaos Emeralds inside give Sonic increased power and a yellow glow. This is known as Super Sonic in SEGA’s video games. Super Sonic first appeared in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 video game as well.

When in his Super Sonic form, the Sonic becomes one of the most powerful beings in the universe. Sonic’s yellow form grants him increased speed, but his powers are also amplified to make him nearly invincible and grant him the power of flight. It is through the combination of these abilities that Super Sonic makes quick work of Robotnik’s Giant Eggman Robo in Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending.

In a move reminiscent of Captain Marvel’s attacks in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super Sonic repeatedly flies through the middle of the giant robot, making it nearly inoperable for Robotnik. After Super Sonic saves the day and uses his unlimited power to summon a few H๏τ dogs, Sonic relinquishes the Chaos Emeralds to revert to his normal blue form.

Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails Form A Team of Heroes

The Trio Team Up As A New Family Unit

Following Robotnik’s defeat, Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending shows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles form a team. The trio learned to work well together during the final fight, as Sonic’s speed, Knuckles’ strength, and Tails’ technology allowed them to save the day. It is after their victory that the trio decides that Earth will be a safer place if they work together to protect it and defend the Master Emerald (which Knuckles repairs) from any threats.

This decision is a big deal for the characters and the franchise’s future, as it allows Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to include the debut of Team Sonic. Team Sonic, also known as Team Heroes, made its debut in the video game canon in Sonic Heroes, which was released in Japan in 2003 and in other countries in 2004. In the video game continuity, Team Sonic forms when Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles decide to work together to try and stop Robotnik’s latest attempt at world domination.

Team Sonic has united several times after this. Since Sonic the Hedgehog 2 began with Knuckles as a villain for Sonic and Tails, the movie’s finale including the origin of Team Sonic promises that the video game franchise’s three biggest characters will continue fighting side-by-side-by-side moving forward.

Who Is The Black Hedgehog? Project Shadow Explained

Shadow Becomes The Villain In The Third Movie

It is in Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s post-credits scene that a new black hedgehog makes his debut, and video game enthusiasts are sure to recognize Shadow the Hedgehog’s appearance. The post-credits scene begins with members of GUN (Guardian Units of Nations) mentioning that they found a secret file in Robotnik’s research dating back 50 years for something known as Project Shadow. The sequel proceeds to show a cryofreeze chamber rising out of the ground with Shadow inside.

Sonic 2‘s black hedgehog opens his eyes and reawakens right before the scene ends, confirming that he’ll be a major presence in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Shadow the Hedgehog is a fan-favorite character from SEGA’s Sonic video game franchise and made his debut in the second game. Shadow is a creation of Robotnik’s grandfather, who made him as an Ultimate Life Form by combining a hedgehog with the DNA of Black Doom – the leader of the powerful alien race known as Black Arms.

Robotnik originally released Shadow from captivity to aid him in his conquest plans. Shadow is viewed as Sonic’s rival in just about every way, as the black hedgehog is just as fast as the Blue Blur. He’s also a brutal fighter thanks to his increased power and is immortal/invincible thanks to his Black Doom ties.

Did Robotnik Die In Sonic 2’s Ending?

Robotnik Returned In The Third Movie

Arguably the biggest unanswered question from Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending concerns the fate of Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik, as it was unclear if he survived or died. After Super Sonic destroys the Giant Eggman Robo, Robotnik was last seen falling off the top of the giant robot as it collapses to the ground. GUN soldiers mention that there is no trace of Robotnik but that no one could’ve survived a fall like that.

However, there was nothing to worry about. Not only did Jim Carrey return as Robnotnik, but he also came back and played his grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik. Carrey clearly had fun playing two different characters, often talking to each other, and it ended up as a big in-joke for the comic actor throughout the third film. However, while Robotnik survived a near-death experience in the second movie, he almost surely died in the third one’s finale – as a hero sacrificing himself to save the world.

What Happened To The Chaos Emeralds?

There is another mystery left by Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending: what happened to the Chaos Emeralds? Once Sonic was done being Super Sonic, the Chaos Emeralds are shown leaving his body and floating into the sky. However, the sequel doesn’t reveal where they went after this. Knuckles is shown reforming the Master Emerald, but it no longer contains the seven Chaos Emeralds.

This could mean that they are scattered across Earth or the universe. Since Team Sonic doesn’t appear to have knowledge of where they went, that could allow new threats to find the powerful artifacts and use them to fulfill their evil desires. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 showed that Sonic entrusted Shadow to make sure he was never tempted to us the Master Emerald again, but he tried anyway, causing tension for the team. However, once again, the emerald was shut down in the third film by the end.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Story & Knuckles Spinoff Setup Explained

Shadow Wanted To Destroy The World

Paramount had big plans for the franchise’s future beyond this sequel, as Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending set up the sequel and a Knuckles spinoff. Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s story was directly set up in a few ways, most notably the formation of Team Sonic and the debut of Shadow the Hedgehog. The black hedgehog should be Sonic 3‘s main villain. After encountering a powerful rival in Knuckles, Sonic was tested in a completely new way by Shadow.

While that could be easier in theory with Tails and Knuckles helping out, when Shadow was reawakened, he was in a rage since he had been imprisoned for decades and his only friend, Dr. Robotnik’s cousin, died when the military tried to capture him. This led Shadow to team up with Robotnik’s grandfather, Gerald, to destroy the entire world in revenge for the betrayal. They soon brought Robotnik into the fold, and Team Sonic no longer had the numbers advantage.

There is also some potential setup for the Paramount+ spinoff show focused on Knuckles. This mostly comes through his ability to fulfill his destiny to protect the Master Emerald. Knuckles’ spinoff explored him adjusting to life on Earth and had him helping to train hapless Sheriff Wade Whipple in the ways of the Echidna warrior.

How The Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Ending Was Received

The Audience Score Was Almost Perfect

If anything, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was a movie that was critic-proof. While the critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes was a slightly low 69% fresh, the audience Popcornmeter score was a very high 96%. The audience reaction praised the film, with many calling it better than the first movie. One audience reviewer wrote: “Absolutely better the first one!! The addition of Knuckles and Tails followed by the amazing performance of Idris Elba and Colleen O’Shaughnessey was perfection! And the end credit surprise was phenomenal!“

As for the critics, most felt the movie was too long and didn’t deliver in the end. Todd Gilchrist from AV Club wrote:

“Where the first film was an obnoxious mess that didn’t define the rules of its own world(s) well enough to obey them, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 has quite possibly mapped out too much mythology too quickly, aggressively moving forward, whether audiences are ready to do so or not.”

As for the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ending itself, most people wanted to know what happened to Robotnik, knowing that killing Sonic’s main villain would have been a mistake, but also knowing that Jim Carrey might not want to return. In a Reddit thread, one person admitted that, “I think it’s intentionally left unclear so that they can write him out of 3 if Jim won’t reprise the role.” Lucky for fans, Robotnik did return, along with Shadow’s debut, to keep the franchise moving right along.