Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Ending Explained (In Detail)

Warning: SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 2

The Blue Blur is back on the big screen, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending reshapes the franchise’s future and includes plenty of video game connections. Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise began in 2020 and was one of the last box office hits before COVID-19. A sequel was quickly put into development and made during the pandemic, allowing the film to come out just two years later. 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.

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The story of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 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. The movie’s globe-trotting adventure leads to the discovery of the Master Emerald’s location by Sonic and Tails only for Robotnik and Knuckles to get there first. With unlimited power in sight, Robotnik decides to betray Knuckles while he’s distracted fighting Sonic.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending continues from that point to focus on a massive battle in Green Hills. With the full power of the Master Emerald flowing through him, Dr. Robotnik becomes a bigger threat than ever before, forcing Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to team up to stop him. In the end, the trio is able to take down the sequel’s villain thanks to a combination of their teamwork and Sonic becoming the most powerful being in the universe. It sets them up to be allies for the franchise’s future, which will be necessary based on Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s post-credits tease of their next foe.

Sonic’s Yellow Form: Powers & Game Connections Explained

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 Wachowski (James Marsden) and his wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter). 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 hot dogs, Sonic relinquishes the Chaos Emeralds to revert to his normal blue form.

Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails Form A Team of Heroes

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

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?

Arguably the biggest unanswered question from Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending concerns the fate of Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik, as it is unclear if he survived or died. After Super Sonic destroys the Giant Eggman Robo, Robotnik is 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. This leaves the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise in a position to bring him back in the future, although it is not clear if that will actually happen. Jim Carrey is seriously considering retiring from acting, meaning he wouldn’t return for future installments. Since his Robotnik performances are a highlight of the movies, it is difficult to imagine Sonic the Hedgehog 3 recasting Robotnik if Carrey does retire.

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. Of course, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 could also explore that they went back to their places of origin or previous locations that held them, giving the next film a chance to visit known places from the video games.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Story & Knuckles Spinoff Setup Explained

Paramount has big plans for the franchise’s future beyond this sequel, as Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending sets up the sequel and a Knuckles spinoff. Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s story is 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 will now be tested in a completely new way by Shadow. While that could be easier in theory with Tails and Knuckles helping out, it might depend on how Shadow is reawakened. The black hedgehog could team up with Robotnik if he survived or be recruited by GUN to give them a foil to Sonic. In any case, Team Sonic should unite again as Project Shadow is activated and Shadow enters Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s story.

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 can also explore him adjusting to life on Earth and more of his backstory, as he spent years before Sonic the Hedgehog 2 seeking revenge for what happened to the Echidnas. It could be through an exploration of his past that he learns more about what his future will be. The Knuckles spinoff might also be the perfect place to introduce Rogue the Bat, as the cunning spy for GUN is the red echidna’s biggest rival and constantly pursues the Master Emerald and other jewels.

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