Summary
SomeSonic the Hedgehogfans are discovering that a second player can control the helper characters in the infamous 2005Shadow the Hedgehogspin-off after 19 years. Sega has branded 2024 “The Year of Shadow” thanks to the impending release ofSonic X Shadow Generationsand the character’s upcoming big-screen debut in the third live-actionSonic the Hedgehogmovie. As a result, there are plenty of special promotional events centered around Shadow happening all year long, and fans are sharing memories of his most famous gaming appearances.
This includes the 2005Shadow the Hedgehogspin-off game, which saw the motorcycle-riding, gun-toting anti-hero ride into the spotlight as the primary protagonist. Picking up whereSonic Adventure 2andSonic Heroesleft off,Shadow the Hedgehoglet players control Shadowon a journey to help the titular hedgehog rediscover his mysterious past amid an evil alien invasion - which Shadow can choose to thwart or assist depending on the player’s actions. Despite this novel premise,Shadow the Hedgehogis one of the less fondly rememberedSonicgames, thanks in no small part to its bizarre use of guns and mild profanity in what is usually a colorful, family-friendly franchise.
Nonetheless, players are still discovering new and interesting tidbits abouttheShadow the Hedgehoggamein the 19 years since it was released, including Twitter user Person108. In a thread dedicated to Shadow trivia, Person108 revealed that a second player can take control of the helper characters Shadow comes across in the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube versions of his solo outing. These characters play a major role inShadow the Hedgehog’s branching gameplay, as the player can unlock new levels and alternate endings by helping Sonic, Dr. Eggman, or the alien Black Doom complete certain tasks.
Shadow the Hedgehog Let Players Control Secondary Characters Like Maria
This also means that players cantake control of Maria Robotnik, Shadow’s best friend whose tragic death 50 years before the events of the series remains one ofSonic the Hedgehog’s darkest moments. InShadow the Hedgehog, Maria appears in two flashback levels as the “Hero” assist character, guiding Shadow through the bowels of the doomed Space Colony Ark and encouraging him to use his powers for the greater good. Should Shadow follow the path of righteousness, a second player can fight alongside him using some sort of glowing punch attack.
Not many people realize thatShadow the Hedgehog’s main story campaignhas co-op, as the game’s marketing largely downplayed this feature - not to mention the second player’s abilities were more limited in comparison to Shadow’s moves. Still, this marks the first and only time that Maria Robotnik was playable in aSonic the Hedgehoggame and is an interesting piece of trivia as fans continue to celebrate the Year of Shadow.
Shadow the Hedgehog
WHERE TO PLAY
HERO or VILLAIN?Uncover the truth about Sonic’s arch-rival, Shadow the HedgehogTo destroy or to protect? Shadow the Hedgehog carries a dark past that is shrouded in mystery. Embark on a journey to unveil histrue identity. The way you play the game will determine the outcome of Shadow’s future…• Nothing gets in the way of Shadow!• Exhilarating action, speed & shooting!• Tons of missions, branching storylines, and multiple endings!• Shoot it out in 2P battle mode!
