Will Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Give Shadow a Gun?

Will Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Give Shadow a Gun?

As a seasoned gamer who’s been through the highs and lows of the Sonic universe, I can say that Shadow the Hedgehog’s presence in Sonic 3 is an exciting prospect. However, his history with firearms in games like Shadow the Hedgehog has me scratching my head.


In the upcoming release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, an exciting new character takes center stage – just as Knuckles was the main draw in Sonic 2. This time around, it’s Shadow the Hedgehog who steps into the limelight. Over the past two decades, Shadow has been portrayed differently on numerous occasions, but he is unique among Sonic characters for having his own game – Shadow the Hedgehog. Interestingly enough, that game equipped Shadow with both realistic and fictional firearms. So, will Sonic 3 adopt a similar approach?

The Sonic films rank among the top tier of video game adaptations. They’re not groundbreaking masterpieces, but they are skillfully made children’s movies that introduced cherished characters to a new, enthusiastic audience while also satisfying long-term fans. Their standard upholds the notion that video game movies have reached a stage of normality. The genre can now stand alongside any other type of film, with some excellent entries and some less successful ones. With a bit of luck and a great deal of effort, Sonic 3 could potentially join the ranks of the very best.

Shadow uses guns in one game

DeveloperSega Studios USA
PublisherSega
DirectorTakashi Iizuka
PlatformsGameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release DateNovember 15, 2005

In the world of Sonic, it’s common knowledge that Shadow the Hedgehog was the lead character in a sequel to his initial appearance in Sonic Adventure 2. This game retained many elements from its predecessor but introduced third-person shooting mechanics, which were largely unprecedented in the series. Although Tails and Eggman’s levels in Sonic Adventure 2 had some gunplay aspects, they were less overt compared to this new installment. Shadow the Hedgehog was Sega’s endeavor to create a more mature-themed Sonic game, aiming for a T for Teen rating from the ESRB instead of the usual E for Everyone. The 2005 game introduced human adversaries that Shadow could brutally eliminate, included some mild swearing, and presented an evil storyline where players could assume the role of the antagonist. A notable feature is that Shadow is seen wielding realistic firearms throughout his journey. This includes handguns, rifles, rocket launchers, and even a minigun in his quest, as depicted in the game’s opening cutscene and beyond.

The Sonic movies feature firearms

Will Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Give Shadow a Gun?

Despite being not the main focus, both movies based on Sonic the Hedgehog incorporate guns sparingly. The PG rating allows for characters to carry or use guns as occasional props. In the first movie, Deputy Wade Whipple, a humorous character, carries a SIG-Sauer P226 pistol while on duty. He brandished this weapon towards the end of the film, offering a closer look. In the second response team, soldiers are armed with M4A1 carbines when they encounter Sonic. The sequel uses fewer guns; Wade still has a holstered pistol (of a different brand), but the G.U.N. soldiers surprisingly abandon their signature weapon. Instead, they rely on Tasers and some enigmatic futuristic-looking laser weapons in distant shots. The film includes a few stationary heavy machine guns and at least one M1 Abrams tank with its standard armaments. These weapons are seldom fired but serve as props in various scenes.

The Sonic movies love to make references

Will Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Give Shadow a Gun?

In the Sonic movies, although the storylines aren’t directly taken from the games, they do include numerous nods and references. If Shadow were to use a gun in the movie, it would serve as a wink to his character in Shadow the Hedgehog. However, since this is a children’s film, it’s unlikely that he will actually take Wade’s Glock 17 from its holster and try to use it against Tails. A more probable scenario is that the movie will humorously acknowledge Shadow’s history with guns at some point. For instance, in Shadow the Hedgehog’s opening cutscene, it was comical to see an animated hedgehog acting like he was pumping an MP5 as if it were a shotgun, under the moonlight. He’s often portrayed as trying too hard. Using guns also presents a slight inconsistency since Shadow can run faster than a bullet and deal more damage than a rocket-propelled grenade. Add to that his supernatural powers, which make him resemble a character from Dragon Ball Z. So, it doesn’t make sense for him to use a gun. Humorously pointing out this visual joke by addressing the logical inconsistency might be the best way to handle this aspect of Shadow’s history.

Giving a cartoon character a gun has always been a shortcut to comedy. It’s funny when Shadow, a hedgehog who unironically celebrates taking candy from babies in his debut appearance, picks up a M1911A1 and peels out on a custom motorcycle. Shadow doesn’t need a gun for any reason other than comedy. If it comes up at all, it’ll likely be quick, silly, and good for a laugh. In that way, the question of Shadow’s gun ownership is a microcosm of the Sonic movie franchise as a whole.

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2024-10-08 17:03