Phantom Copies,[1] also referred to as Replicas (レプリカ Repurika?) and Phantoms[2], are creatures that appear in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are distinct virtual reality projections of existing beings created by Infinite through the power of the Phantom Ruby. Serving the Eggman Empire, Phantom Copies have all the strengths and powers that their original counterparts possess, though they have no free will. Each Phantom Copy can also be mass-produced.
Description[]
Anatomy[]
A Phantom Copy of Shadow the Hedgehog, whose eyes are different compared to the original.
Phantom Copies are virtual reality projections of existing lifeforms. The Phantom Copies take on the form of their original counterparts, with little to no differences between comparing the original to their doppelgänger, the only exception to this being the Phantom Copy of Shadow having eyes that have slitted cat-like pupils instead. It is also worth noting that the Phantom Copies will occasionally have red particles that resemble forms of pixelated glitching randomly appearing on their body, a likely factor of the Phantom Ruby's abilities.
Powers and abilities[]
Phantom Copies are capable to using any ability that their original counterpart can utilize. The Phantom Copy of Zavok, for example, is capable of engaging against Sonic the Hedgehog in a duel with both the personality and strength that the original has.
History[]
Background[]
When Doctor Eggman discovered the Phantom Ruby, he tested its power on Angel Island, creating an illusionary recreation of the Knuckles Clan's village. As a part of this restoration, a Phantom Copy of Chaos emerged from the Master Emerald to fight Knuckles the Echidna and Silver the Hedgehog. However, it disappeared as soon as Knuckles and Silver defeated it.
Using the power of the Phantom Ruby, Infinite was able to create Phantom Copies of Rouge the Bat and E-123 Omega. In the Virtual Reality, the Rouge Phantom Copy talks to Shadow the Hedgehog over the radio, stating that Omega disappeared at this facility three months ago. Shadow is confused about what happened to Infinite but makes his way through the area regardless.
Later on, Shadow reaches the point where Omega was defeated, but cannot find any sign of him. Rouge calmly states that this is because it never really happened. At this point, the Omega Phantom Copy joins the radio, stating that he has never been defeated before breaking down into constantly shouting "I am not weak", which alluded to Infinite's inferiority complex as a result of being beaten by Shadow earlier.
Sonic Forces[]
Infinite later created Phantom Copies of Shadow, Metal Sonic, Chaos and Zavok. In the City, Sonic had rescued Tails and several civilians from Eggman's clutches, but was shortly subdued by Infinite and his cronies.
Six months would pass before Sonic was freed from inside the Death Egg, to which he fought the Zavok Phantom Copy. After defeating the doppelgänger, it vanished, with Sonic noticing the sound it emitted upon that happening, the very same sound used when the Phantom Ruby was in use. However, he was not able to give the matter much thought, as Sonic was forced to escape quickly due to the prison cell area undergoing violent convulsions. Around the same time, the Chaos Phantom Copy ambushed and attempted to kill Tails, although the timely arrival of Classic Sonic made short work of the doppelgänger. Infinite later used Phantom Copies of himself during his fight against Sonic in Mystic Jungle, although Sonic used his Homing Attack to both neutralize them and go on the offensive against Infinite himself. Sonic later returned to the City after the Shadow Phantom Copy was spotted leading Eggman's army on a rampage through the desolate town. When Sonic confronted the copy, the real Shadow arrived and defeated it. After the fight, Shadow revealed to Sonic what Phantom Copies were, giving the Resistance some insight to Infinite's power. Eventually, Sonic and the Avatar proceeded to fight the Metal Sonic Phantom Copy, which had grown in size, and defeated it.
Eventually, the Resistance would reach the Eggman Empire Fortress, where an army of Phantom Copies would serve during the climactic battle between the heroes and the Eggman Empire. The creation of Phantom Copies was further increased by the thousands after the generator was destroyed, due to Eggman using the generator as a decoy while powering the Death Egg Robot with the actual Phantom Ruby, which was overclocked. Once the Death Egg Robot was destroyed and the Phantom Ruby along with it, the Phantom Copies ceased to exist.
IDW Publishing[]
Dr. Eggman used Phantoms of Metal Sonic as substitutions for the real thing while Metal Sonic was being upgraded into Neo Metal Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog eventually fought one of these Phantoms.[2]
Other game appearances[]
Sonic Forces: Speed Battle[]
In Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, Infinite can create Phantom Copies of himself as a part of the Deadly Replica power-up. Additionally, during gameplay, other players' characters are portrayed as Phantom Copies.
Trivia[]
- Shadow and Chaos are the only two Phantom Copies that are not fought as a boss battle in the gameplay of Sonic Forces.
- After both Sonic and the Avatar defeated Infinite, an army of Infinite Phantom Copies were fighting against the Resistance.
- However, the Phantom Copies of Infinite were not seen during the cutscene, though they were observed during the first Infinite boss battle.
- Although Shadow and various other characters stated that the Phantom Copies lacked the heart and soul of the originals, it seems that they at the very least possessed the memories of the original, as Phantom Zavok, when defeated by Sonic, expresses irritation over losing to him again, alluding to the original's previous encounter with the hedgehog.[3]
- Despite having slitted pupils in-game, the Shadow Phantom Copy has normal eyes in promotional artwork and the E3 Trailer. Though it is possible that it was given these pupils so the player can tell it and the real Shadow apart.
- In the early game script for Sonic Forces, Phantom Copies of Mephiles the Dark appeared during the battle at Eggman Empire Fortress.[4]
- In the early game script for Sonic Forces, Sonic believes that the Metal Sonic fought as a boss is not a Phantom Copy.[4]
- During the Resistance's final battle in the War to Take Back the Planet, some of the Shadow Phantom Copies strangely lack Shadow's chest fur.
Gallery[]
Screenshots[]
| Gallery |
|---|
 Classic Sonic encountering a Phantom Chaos.  Classic Sonic defeating Phantom Chaos.  Modern Sonic defeated Phantom Zavok.  Shadow defeated his Phantom Copy.  The Resistance vs. the Phantom Copies.   |
References[]
- ↑ Flynn, Ian; Sega (8 December 2021). "Sonic Goes Mobile". Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia. Dark Horse Books. p. 268. ISBN 978-1506719276. "Players are pitted against three other people in real time, although the other racers are presented as Phantom Copies."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sonic the Hedgehog #7, "Meet the New Boss"
- ↑ Sonic Team (November 7, 2017). Sonic Forces. Nintendo Switch. Sega. Area/Level: Death Egg. Boss: Vs. Zavok. "Zavok: No! How could I lose to the likes of you again?! / Sonic: That was a blast. Bring some chili dogs next time."
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Unofficial English translation of early script (15 January 2016). Retrieved on 19 June 2018.
