Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Reveals Hidden Shadow Reference in Knuckles’ TV Show

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 delves into the backstory of Shadow the Hedgehog, a character whose origins were hinted at during the Knuckles spinoff series. Prior to the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, fans were treated to the Knuckles series on Paramount+, where Knuckles trains Wade Whipple for a bowling tournament against his father. Although primarily a comedy, the Knuckles show cleverly sets the stage for significant reveals regarding Shadow’s narrative in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

The character of Shadow was initially introduced in the post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, positioning him as a key figure in the ensuing plot of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Despite the presence of Sonic and Tails in the Knuckles series, the storyline there has minimal influence on the central film series. Interestingly, after viewers watch Sonic the Hedgehog 3, revisiting Knuckles reveals intriguing setups related to Shadow.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Shadow’s Crash on Earth in 1974

A Look Back: 50 Years Prior to the Film’s Events

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 slightly alters the origins of Shadow the Hedgehog, establishing him as an extraterrestrial who crash-landed on Earth. After his landing, Shadow was taken in by the Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.), where he became central to Project Shadow. Gerald Robotnik conducted experiments on Shadow, aiming to exploit his abilities. However, an explosion led to the project’s discontinuation, leaving Shadow in stasis for 50 years until his eventual awakening.

The film opens in 1974, pinpointing this year as Shadow’s landing timeline. Initially, some speculated he might have arrived earlier; a reference in the 2022 movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2 mentioned Project Shadow being terminated 50 years prior, which might have been a rough estimate. Following his time with Maria and Gerald, Shadow remained imprisoned for decades after the project was halted.

Knuckles’ Finale: Linking Shadow’s Origins to the 1974 Incident

Intriguing Alien Encounter at the Bowling Tournament

The commentating duo on ESPN Ocho amusingly remarks that this wasn’t an isolated incident; one commentator references a disturbance during a 1974 bowling tournament caused by an alien. While the identity of this alien remains unclear, the timing aligns closely with Shadow’s arrival, suggesting a connection between the two events.

Discrepancies Between Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles’ Shadow Connection

Shadow’s Absence from the Tournament

While the humorous reference in Knuckles adds levity to the narrative, it doesn’t fully coincide with Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s depiction of Shadow’s arrival. When Shadow is discovered, he emerges from a space capsule that seems isolated in a field, promptly being surrounded by G.U.N. operatives. The implication is that Shadow’s crash didn’t interrupt the bowling tournament as hinted in Knuckles, and the timeline of events remains ambiguous.

It’s plausible that the bowling tournament incident occurred later in 1974 or that Shadow participated in other unseen events prior to his capture. There’s also potential for another alien character from the Sonic universe to make an appearance around that time, perhaps even Black Doom. However, it’s worth noting that as a comedic element, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 likely didn’t prioritize strict adherence to continuity.

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