In the United Kingdom's official Sonic publication, Sonic the Comic, "Metal Sonic" was relegated to the character's title, and Sonic's robot double was redubbed with the name of "Metallix" (hence, he was "Metallix, the Metal Sonic").
Metallix first appeared in the magazine's adaptation of Sonic CD, in which it was destroyed by Sonic. However, it was later revealed that this first Metallix was merely one of a vast brotherhood of identical robots, known collectively as the Brotherhood of Metallix. Ruled by a giant red-and-gold Emperor Metallix, the Brotherhood captured the Omni-Viewer, allowing them to travel back in time, and erase Doctor Robotnik from history. Since it had been Robotnik's assistant Grimer who built the Metallix robots, and Robotnik had contributed only a self-destruct mechanism, the Brotherhood was able to conquer Mobius, leaving Sonic in the unenviable position of having to travel back in time and ensure that Robotnik existed. With the timeline restored, Sonic was forced to ally with Robotnik to defeat the Brotherhood of Metallix once and for all.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, various Metal Sonic models have appeared. The first Metal Sonic was created by Dr. Ivo Robotnik and raced Sonic as part of one of Robotnik's traps, but was destroyed at the end of the race. This model would return a couple of times to antagonize Sonic and his allies, before getting reformed. He later returned with the new name "Shard the Metal Sonic" to aid the heroes of the Kingdom of Acorn.
A new series of Metal Sonics was later re-created from scratch by Dr. Eggman which would become fierce foes that Sonic and his allies would confront regularly. Ounit, in particular, traveled to Sol Zone but was destroyed there. After its defeat, it was rebuilt as Captain Metal, a robotic pirate, and rival of Captain Whisker.
Following the Super Genesis Wave, a new Metal Sonic would be introduced in the new continuity with a history more closely mirroring that of the game universe.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, Metal Sonic is Dr. Eggman's most elite robot. The doctor was in the process of upgrading Metal Sonic to his Neo Metal Sonic form during his war for control over the world. By the time the transformation was complete though, the war was won by the Resistance. Regardless, Metal Sonic tried to conquer the world on behalf of Eggman, but was stopped by Sonic and his allies. Afterward, he returned to Eggman's side.
Metal Sonic starred in Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie as Sonic's main rival. In this movie, they had a mind link and were able to hear each other's thoughts. He mainly communicated in bleeps and other such robot-like noises and was depicted as being more powerful than Sonic in this incarnation, besting him whenever they fought. Near the end of the movie, Metal Sonic was influenced by Sonic's thoughts and sacrificed himself to save the President and Old Man Owl.
The personality of this Metal Sonic is slightly different than his game counterpart. He seems to be rather sane and acts on his own compared to his role as servant to Dr. Eggman and himself in Sonic Heroes. Nearing the end, he falls into a volcanic precipice after an epic battle with Sonic. Sonic attempts to save him, but Metal tells him "There is only one Sonic." He is then melted in the magma, and this implies that Metal, though programmed for evil, was fully sentient and autonomous.
In the Sonic Boom franchise, Metal Sonic is a creation and servant of Dr. Eggman. While one of Eggman's more powerful and capable robots, he is only used on special occasions, and spent the rest of his time stored in a secure location.
In Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, Metal Sonic served Dr. Eggman as his main enforcer in his orchestration of the release of Lyric the Last Ancient. However, when Eggman ordered Metal Sonic to take care of Lyric once he proved too dangerous, Lyric took control of the robot. Metal Sonic was then sent to retrieve one of the Chaos Crystals but was defeated by Team Sonic.
"Never Let It Go (Death Egg's Eye)", played during the battle against him in Sonic the Fighters.
"Metal Sonic" - Howard Drossin, from the Virtual Sonic album.
"Look-a-like" - Riu Konaka, from the Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
Metallic Madness - The Japanese music of this Round during present time is played during Metal Sonic's All-Star move, Maximum Overdrive.
Stardust Speedway Bad Future - Initially the stage music for the Stardust Speedway Bad Future round, the Japanese version became his boss theme in Sonic Generations, and is used in the final race against Metal in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II at the end of Death Egg Mk II Zone act 1. Sonic Maniafeatures a composition based on the Japanese tune as well. The US version also got two remixes, one unlockable from Sonic Generations and one as his boss theme for Sonic Forces.
In Sonic Forces, Metal Sonic' theme is called "Battle with Metal Sonic [US ver. Remix]". This theme is played during the fight against Metal Sonic's replica. The theme is a remix of the original background music used in the US bad future version of Stardust Speedway from Sonic the Hedgehog CD.
—Metal Sonic's question after his defeat in Sonic Heroes.
Reception
Metal Sonic has proven to be one of the most popular villains in the Sonic franchise. GameDaily placed Metal Sonic 13th on their "Top 25 Video Game Robots" list, describing him as Dr. Eggman's "greatest creation" and praising the strength of his abilities.[3] According to a poll on Sonic Channel, Metal Sonic is the most popular villain in the series, and the second most wanted character for future appearances, beaten only by Shadow the Hedgehog.[4] However, critics like IGN's Tal Blevins referred to Metal Sonic as "a Sonic cyborg twin just to piss you off."[5]
Merchandise
A 10" action figure of Metal Sonic made by Jazwares, released in 2009.
There wasn't a lot of merchandise of Metal Sonic in the first years of his existence; only as various SegaSonic the Hedgehog merchandise in Japan, a figurine by Tomy, and a soft toy available in a set that promoted Sonic the Fighters in Japan. It wouldn't be until the late 2000's and onwards where merchandise of Metal Sonic would start to become more common. Jazwares produced several pieces of merchandise of Metal Sonic, including a 10" action figure, and a vinyl figure that was initially available at Comic-Con 2009.[6]First 4 Figures produced a statue and figurine of Metal Sonic in his original design. In the 2010's, Great Eastern Entertainment and Tomy produced merchandise of Metal Sonic in his modern design. Various T-shirts were also available.
Trivia
In promotional art for Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Metal Sonic's irises were red, but in the game, they are grey (or yellow during his V Maximum Overdrive attack).
Metal Sonic has a mouth on the cover of Sonic CD. Interestingly, this even applies in the game's remakes.
The help file included with the initial PC port of Sonic CD claims that some early material refers to Metal Sonic as Mecha Sonic. This is considered a mistake, as Mecha Sonic never officially referred to Metal Sonic.
In the western release of Sonic & Knuckles, the Sonic robot fought by Sonic, and later as the final boss of Knuckles story was Metal Sonic.[7] In the Japanese version this robot was instead Mecha Sonic, and this was later used for the western version many years later.[8]
Metal Sonic was planned to appear in the canceled game Sonic X-treme as a boss. Like the game's other bosses, his appearance in this game was unusually large in order to make him easier to hit. Due to this game's cancellation, Metal Sonic didn't get a Sega Saturn appearance until Sonic R. Metal Sonic is the only boss in Sonic X-treme whose 3D model was found in the Sega Saturn SDK.
Metal Sonic's pose during the ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I looks just like his pose in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.
Metal Sonic rarely speaks. His voice is only heard during Sonic Heroes while in any of his transformations (Neo Metal Sonic, Metal Madness, and Metal Overlord, as well as when he is disguised as Eggman).
Interestingly, he shares Sonic's voice actor, Ryan Drummond.
He also speaks with a text bubble in Sonic Generations, even though it was previously believed that the capability of speech was an ability exclusive to Sonic Heroes.
Metal Sonic's 2D Sonic Channel artwork looks similar to his Sonic Rivals 2 pose.
Metal Sonic is the most recurring robot in the series.
In the Sonic Riders subseries, Metal Sonic is the only playable robot that is not limited to one type of Extreme Gear.
In the game Spiral Knights, players who purchased a copy of Sonic the Hedgehog CD on Steam before 31 January 2012 received a Metal Sonic costume for their knight. This costume was also available to purchase in-game.
There is evidence to support that he was at one point going to appear in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) and even be playable, but at some point was scrapped. Said evidence can be found here.
In the original Sonic the Fighters, Metal Sonic is not playable. However, Metal Sonic is one of three characters added to the playable roster in the HD re-release.
Oddly enough, Metal Sonic can drown when he is played in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, despite being a robot and therefore not requiring air. This may be due to how in this title, he is based on Sonic in all but his model.
In Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, if one player plays as Shadow, and the other as Metal Sonic, his shoes will produce the light from his jet-boosters as Shadow runs/jumps.
References
↑ 1.01.1Sonic Channel(Japanese). Characters: Metal Sonic. Sega. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved on 3 July 2015.
↑"Play as Knuckles and tackle Robotnik and Metal Sonic with bare-fisted attacks, high-speed glides and wall-climbing power!" - Sonic & Knuckles back of the U.S. box.
↑Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode I (English). Sega. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved on 26 January 2015. “As Knuckles finished his showdown with Mecha Sonic, the real hedgehog chases Eggman through space, ultimately destroying his doomsday plans - with it, the Death Egg saga comes to a close.”
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