Sonic Wiki Zone

Know something we don't about Sonic? Don't hesitate in signing up today! It's fast, free, and easy, and you will get a wealth of new abilities, and it also hides your IP address from public view. We are in need of content, and everyone has something to contribute!

If you have an account, please log in.

READ MORE

Sonic Wiki Zone
Register
Advertisement
Sonic Wiki Zone

Hailing originally from Metropolis Zone, Shellcracker has returned to make Sonic lose as many rings as possible, if not finish him off entirely. Watch out as this Badnik's main weapon is a quick-moving claw that packs a serious punch!


— Profile, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I website

Shellcracker[1] (カニパンチ[2] Kani Panchi?, lit. "Crab Punch"),[3] or Shellcraker,[4][5] is an enemy from the Sonic the Hedgehog series which first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. They are crab-based Badnik models created by Dr. Eggman which look similar to Crabmeats, although they have distinctive attack patterns.

Appearance

Shellcrackers are based on red fiddler crab. They have a red and white carapace with a white abdomen, two pair of white legs and a pair of eyestalks with large yellow eyes. Shellcrackers also have two different-sized red claws. The left claw is tremendous and has three spikes adorning the upper joint, while right one is much smaller. For the original models, the left claw was connected to the Shellcrakers' body with four orbs.

The Shellcrackers' design in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 received a few changes changes. In this series, they have blue feet joints and the lower section of their claws are yellow on the outside and grey inside.

Powers and abilities

As Shellcracker's right claw is large, extendable and spiky, it thrusts this claw at Sonic or Tails to punch them when they come into its range. This Badnik is quite deadly; it can easily injure the player when they least expect it, and its placements in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are rather unavoidable. The best way to defeat this Badnik is to jump above it and Spin Attack into its unprotected side which has smaller claw and lacks the defense.

Game appearances

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Shellcracker-sprite

Shellcrackers made their first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 where they were known as Shellcrakers. In this game, they appear only in the Metropolis Zone where they walk back and forth slowly, while also blocking the narrow paths to the High-speed elevator. They can attack with punches by extending their spiked claws out at nearby opponents. The player can destroy these Badniks by Spin Jumping on them from above or behind, but they have to be very precise with their aim; their large claws often block their hitboxes from the front.

Sonic Pocket Adventure

Shellcracker Pocket Adventure

 In Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, Shellcrackers appear in Gigantic Angel Zone. Like the Zone resembles of Metropolis Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Shellcrackers behave in the same way in similar places.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4

In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, this Badnik is referred as the Shellcracker and appear appears in Mad Gear Zone. Despite having an upgraded design, Shellcrackers behave like they did in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Shellcracker's claw attack is also now easier to predict, as it raises its left claw before thrusting its right one.

In other media

Archie Comics

Metropolis Zone Archie

Shellcrackers in Archie Comics.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, Shellcrackers were guarding the Metropolis Zone during Operation: Clean Sweep. When Sonic the Hedgehog ventured through the base, he came across several Shellcrackers

After the Super Genesis Wave rebooted the timeline, Shellcrackers became nearly identical to their game counterparts. In this reality, they are Badniks stationed in the Metropolis Zone and are used by the Metropolis Egg Army.

Trivia

  • In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Shellcraker can sometimes, for an odd reason, disappear from certain places where they should be in Metropolis Zone. This can also happen to the Slicer.
  • Especially with regards to having one large claw, Shellcraker Badniks appear to be based on fiddler crabs.
  • Like Slicers, the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 website points out their annoyance because of their placement and attack pattern in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Gallery

Artwork

Gallery

Screenshots

Gallery

References

  1. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 official website. Retrieved on 2012-06-03.
  2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive) Japanese instruction manual, pg. 52.
  3. Sonic Jam
  4. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Genesis) North American instruction manual, pg. 15.
  5. 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2, ending credits.

Main article (Knuckles in Sonic 2) · Staff · Manuals · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Pre-releases (Nick Arcade, Simon Wai) · Re-releases (2006, Dash!, Crash!, 2013, 3D, Sega Ages)

Advertisement