Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is setting up Shadow to be far more powerful than Sonic and his friends, and it seems to be because of one specific power. Introduced in 2001's Sonic Adventure 2 and quickly becoming a fan favorite character, Shadow the Hedgehog is set to make his cinematic debut in the new videogame film. Played by Keanu Reeves, Shadow's dark look, dour backstory, and harsher edge make him an ideal direct contrast to Sonic.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3's heroic characters.

Shadow Already Has Chaos Control In Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Shadow's Teleportation Powers Have A Video Game Origin

The trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 implies that Shadow has already gained the teleportation powers he originally accessed through Chaos Control, which gives him a powerful edge over the other characters. In the trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow is seen repeatedly teleporting his way through several fights. This allows him to easily defeat a group of soldiers and also gives him an edge over Sonic and his friends. Even compared to Sonic and Knuckles' amazing speed, Shadow is able to shock the pair with a series of attacks.

This is because Shadow doesn't seem to just be running, but using amplified abilities and tech to move quicker. Beyond his shoes having rocket boosters on them, Shadow seems capable of teleporting from one place to another, doing so to catch Knuckles by surprise and even get the drop on Sonic. This teleportation ability is typically one of the signs of Chaos Control, a power that Shadow is able to access to great effect in the Sonic the Hedgehog video games, albeit under specific circumstances.

How Chaos Control Works In The Sonic Video Games

Chaos Control Isn't A Speed Boost Or Even Actual Teleportation

Introduced alongside Shadow's origin story during the events of Sonic Adventure 2, Chaos Control is a power that the dark hedgehog is able to access initially through the Chaos Emeralds. These powerful items are able to imbue people with immense power in the games. For Shadow, that meant the apparent power of teleportation, which he used to frame Sonic for his crimes. As the game progressed, both Sonic and Shadow were able to use the power to help save the world. Eventually, Shadow developed the ability to use Chaos Control even without the Emeralds, giving him a distinct power boost.

Notably, Chaos Control has been shown in games like Sonic Heroes and Super Smash Bros. Brawl to not be an advanced form of super speed or even simple teleportation. Chaos Control instead impacts space and time, slowing down events around the . This is seemingly how Shadow can teleport, as he's actually freezing time and moving through it before anyone else can respond. Considering Sonic's otherworldly speed, Chaos Control is an immense power that can actually counter Sonic's most useful skill.

Shadow Already Having Chaos Control Is A Change From The Games

Shadow's Powers Make Him A Lot More Dangerous Than Sonic

Shadow possessing Chaos Control from the start is a change from the games, but it would be far from the first time the cinematic Sonic the Hedgehog has deviated from the source material. However, it also means that Shadow is far more powerful than Sonic right from the start, giving him an edge that sets up the rest of the film. In Shadow's original appearance, he worked alongside Dr. Eggman and used Chaos Emeralds to amplify himself. In the film, the threat of Shadow is enough that Sonic must turn to Dr. Robotnik for help.

It's an interesting change and one that raises the stakes for the story. Finding the Emeralds countered Shadow, but that might not be an option this time around. It also means the film can likely keep the focus on the characters instead of having to do a lore dump to explain Shadow's connection to the Emeralds. Having Shadow already with Chaos Control mastered when he first confronts Sonic gives him an automatic edge over the competition, and is an interesting tweak Sonic the Hedgehog 3 seems to be making to the character's history.