Sonic Superstars
The upcoming Sonic Superstars won’t feature Shadow the Hedgehog despite the fact that the game’s executive producer expressed interest in another game involving the cool sonic hero. Launching in Fall 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, Superstars brings the series back to its Sega Genesis roots, focusing on 2D platforming with all of the familiar characters from the franchise’s expansive history. That includes characters from Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes, but not perhaps the most popular Sonic rival of all time – Shadow the Hedgehog.
You can find out the full roster for Sonic Superstars here, but the list includes all the usual suspects with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy making their return alongside two new playable characters, Trip and Morgana. An interview with Famitsu touches on why this famous hedgehog won’t appear in Superstars. “The decision not to include Shadow in Sonic Superstars is based on our focus on the classic series,” Sonic Team’s executive producer explains, “and Shadow, who debuted in Sonic Adventure 2, came to be later on in Sonic Adventure 2.”
While this answer sounds typical, there is a follow-up response on a different question that hints at Shadow’s return. When asked if this game would be the last to feature all of the classic-style characters, the executive producer responds, “Personally, there’s nothing I want to do more than make a game with them. (Laughs) Naturally, that would include Shadow, who everyone likes.” This isn’t an official confirmation of anything, mind, but it certainly gives fans of the anti-hero hope that we could see him again.
Despite the divisive character redesigns for Shadow and others in recent years, he remains one of Sonic’s most popular allies. The second Sonic movie teased his appearance, and Superstars even has an achievement for completing the game in twenty minutes or less, which ties into the second movie and surely hints at Shadow’s comeback (even if it isn’t in Superstars).
Despite the previous game to feature Shadow as a playable character being Sonic Forces (with its Episode Shadow DLC), the reason for his absence in Superstars is simple, as the game focuses on the ‘classic series’. The executive producer mentions their focus on creating new experiences like Sonic Frontiers and Superstars, rather than remaking Sonic Adventure 2.
We’ll be sure to get even more of a look at Sonic Superstars between now and launch later this year, so check back often for additional details.
The 2023 launch window for Sonic Superstars is for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
