Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 introduced major changes to a core character that Sonic 4 must explain within the narrative. As a fan of the Sonic video games, I’ve watched the Sonic movies not just as a critic but as a pᴀssionate audience member. I was pleasantly surprised by how they transformed the games while remaining faithful too. The Sonic movies changed the video games in many ways, such as lowering Sonic’s experience level, giving Dr. Robotnik a governmental connection, and providing the тιтular main character with a backstory. Most of the unique elements feel fun but still respect the video games.
Except for changing Shadow’s story in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which removed Maria’s illness and Shadow’s brainwashing, I don’t feel like the changes in the Sonic the Hedgehog stories alter the core traits of the characters. Knuckles might have a different reputation in the movies, but they play into his existing strength. Sonic has a family, but this feels like a natural progression from his isolated state. Despite this, the mid-credits scene for Sonic 3 alters fundamental characteristics of one iconic video game character, which Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will need to address.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Mid-Credits Scene Includes Many Metal Sonics
The Mid-Credits Scene Prepares Audiences For A War Against The Metal Sonics
The action-packed mid-credits scene of Sonic 3 shows the newest enemy, or should I say enemies, of the тιтular blue alien hedgehog. After arriving accidentally in New York State Park, a metal sonic appears in a flash of blue lightning and smoke, which is a clever reference to The Terminator. He approaches Sonic from behind and tries to eliminate the hero, but Sonic dodges the blast. This feels like the perfect way to introduce the iconic villain who appears in almost every version of the story.
After Sonic taunts Metal Sonic’s appearance, other Metal Sonics reveal themselves, though, circling the main character. Luckily, Sonic 3 introduces Amy Rose just in time for her to take out the enemies. While the mid-credits scene increases the hype for the next movie in the franchise, it also changes one fundamental aspect of the video game villain. Despite taking many forms, only one Metal Sonic exists in the Sega games.
Dr. Robotnik Only Makes One Metal Sonic In The Video Games
Metal Sonic Becomes One Of Sonic the Hedgehog’s Biggest And Most Formidible Enemies
One of the most perplexing parts of the Sonic 3 mid-credits scene is the fact that there are multiple Metal Sonics. In the video games, Doctor Eggman only makes one Metal Sonic, who becomes Sonic’s most formidable nemesis. Even before Sonic the Hedgehog 3, I’ve seen many conversations in the fandom about why Dr. Robotnik didn’t simply make more Metal Sonics to take out the blue hedgehog.
The video game version of Metal Sonic would have taken multiple Metal Sonics as a sH๏τ to his ego.
My perception, and a sentiment I’ve frequently seen among other Sonic fans, is that Metal Sonic would never tolerate more Metal Sonics because he believes himself to be the one “true” Sonic. The dialogue of Metal Sonic confirms that he thinks he’s better in every way. Eggman programmed him with this egocentricity that motivated him to want to defeat Sonic. The video game version of Metal Sonic would have taken multiple Metal Sonics as a sH๏τ to his ego.
Additionally, the Metal Sonics in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 mid-credits scene get destroyed with complete ease. This could be because of the Metal Sonic and Amy Rose time travel theory. She might have known where they would be, giving her the advantage. However, it’s still outside the norm for Metal Sonic to get defeated like that. He has the ability to mimic Sonic’s speed and abilities, learning from his opponent, so there’s no chance he would’ve gotten wiped out in that way. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will need to address these character changes or alter the narrative in a big way.
Sonic 4 Will Most Likely Change Metal Sonic’s Backstory
Metal Sonic’s Backstory In Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Will Have To Account For The Duplicates
The area where the Sonic movies feel most comfortable diverging from the source material is the villains. Dr. Eggman is a rogue government agent. Shadow the Hedgehog is an alien from an asteroid. Gerald Robotnik didn’t create Shadow, and his daughter doesn’t have a fatal illness. Based on this trend, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will most likely change Metal Sonic’s backstory. Metal Sonic’s origin and abilities in the video games don’t really fit with the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 mid-credits scene anyway.
As discussed, Metal wouldn’t be okay with other Metal Sonics. Robotnik wouldn’t necessarily have the resources to make an army of them, even if he wanted to. The robots don’t seem to be nearly as powerful or fast in the films. Metal Sonic is faster and more agile than Amy Rose in pretty much every iteration of the video games, so he should’ve been able to dodge the Piko Piko Hammer just like Sonic dodged the blaster. Hopefully, they find a way to stay true to the character without diminishing his legacy in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
