Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!Sonic the Hedgehog 3's ending very action-packed before Team Sonic's happy ending.

Just as Sonic 3 ends in a familiar spot for the franchise - with Sonic surrounded by his friends and the Wachowski family, this is not where the story fully concludes. Sticking with the franchise tradition, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has two post-credits scenes. Just as the first two films had post-credits scenes to set up the sequels and introduce major new characters (Tails in Sonic 1's credits scene and Shadow in Sonic 2's credits scene), the third film ups the ante by including more characters from the Blue Blur's video game history that set up Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3's First Post-Credits Scene Introduces Amy Rose & Metal Sonic

Two More Video Game Characters Enter The Sonic Franchise

The first of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credits scenes is massive, as it officially brings Amy Rose and Metal Sonic into the movie franchise. The scene shows Sonic going too fast during a race to the point that he ends up in New York. Seemingly alone in the forest at night, Sonic comes face-to-face with a robot that shares his same design. This is Metal Sonic, and Sonic prepares to fight the singular robot. However, that is when he realizes that there are dozens of robots surrounding him, and they leap into action to take him down.

While the odds are stacked against Sonic, he is saved from the Metal Sonic robots by a hooded figure wielding a massive mallet. Those familiar with the games are sure to recognize the yellow and red Piko Piko Hammer before the hooded figure reveals their identity. This is Amy Rose, a pink hedgehog, and she saves Sonic from his imminent doom. Although the two do not exchange any words after their first encounter, Amy Rose quickly proves to be Sonic's ally.

Amy Rose's Sonic The Hedgehog Video Game History

Amy Rose is a major character in the Sonic the Hedgehog video games. She has been part of the franchise since 1993, when she made her first appearance in Sonic CD. Amy is a bright and positive character who often has a crush on Sonic. She was taken by Metal Sonic in her first appearance and saved by Sonic later in the game, setting her up to be a recurring character alongside Team Sonic in future adventures. Amy Rose has been in just about every Sonic video game since, including those from right before her Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cameo.

Amy Rose has super speed powers like Sonic and many other characters in the series, although she is not typically quite as fast as Sonic. This is where her Piko Piko Hammer comes in handy, as it gives her a powerful weapon to use in combat. Some of her other powers include variations of a Spin Attack, while the games have also demonstrated her ability to have greater physical capabilities when she needs to do something to save Sonic. There's even been a time when just the thought of her crush was powerful enough to heal her.

Metal Sonic's Video Game History In Sonic The Hedgehog

Metal Sonic is a classic Sonic the Hedgehog villain who also made his first appearance in Sonic CD. Although the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 post-credits scene does not explain this, Metal Sonic is traditionally a creation of Dr. Robotnik. The robot has a similar appearance to Sonic and can replicate his speed powers. Metal Sonic is typically seen as the greatest creation of Dr. Robotnik and is a recurring threat to Team Sonic. The movie's introduction of being connected to Amy Rose builds on the video game history where Metal Sonic kidnapped the pink hedgehog in their first appearance.

Due to Dr. Robotnik's work in creating a robot replica of Sonic, Metal Sonic is one of the most powerful villains in the franchise. His super speed capabilities are not derived from the same source as Sonic's, as Metal Sonic uses powerful jets to achieve his incredible traveling speeds. In fact, the games have provided evidence that Metal Sonic can even be faster than Sonic's top speed at times. Metal Sonic's powers go well beyond just speed, as the robot can mimic other abilities after scanning an individual and can detect Sonic the Hedgehog's Chaos Emeralds.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3's Second Post-Credits Scene Confirms Shadow Is Alive

Shadow's Death In The Ending Was A Fakeout

The second of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credits scenes puts the focus back on Shadow the Hedgehog. Keanu Reeves' black hedgehog seemingly died in the film's climax as he was aboard the space station when it blew up. The attempt to make audiences believe that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 would kill Shadow in his first appearance would have been difficult to pull off. So, the movie instead includes a final credits scene that confirms Shadow is alive.

This is done as the after-credits scene shows Shadow picking up the wrist ring he lost earlier in the finale. The ring, known as Limiter Rings or Inhibitor Rings in the games, returns the black hedgehog to the same power levels he was at previously. By confirming that Shadow is alive, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 leaves audiences with no doubt that he can be a factor in future installments. Whether that happens in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 or a potential Shadow spinoff remains to be seen.

How Sonic The Hedgehog 3's Post-Credits Scenes Set Up Sonic 4

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Will Be Even Bigger Now

The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have a strong track record of directly setting up the next installment in the post-credits scenes, and that is no different here. Sonic 3's credits scenes provide the first real hints of what Sonic the Hedgehog 4's story will be. The film's actual ending keeps the Wachowskis, Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails together, allowing them all to be part of the fourth installment. However, it is now clear that Amy Rose and Metal Sonic are ing the growing ensemble. Amy Rose will be the new ally and love interest for Sonic, while Metal Sonic is positioned to be Sonic 4's villain.

The question is how Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will utilize Metal Sonic. It's already established in the credits scene that there are multiple robot versions of Sonic. The fourth film must reveal who controls them - are Ivo or Gerald Robotnik still alive? - and if there is one main Metal Sonic that is more powerful than the ones Amy Rose quickly destroys, as they could be drones. Either way, with Amy Rose and Metal Sonic in the mix, Sonic 4's story could mirror Sonic CD and put Sonic on a mission to save Amy after she's kidnapped.

It also seems likely that Shadow the Hedgehog will return in Sonic 4. Now that he's already turned on the Robotniks to work with Sonic and save humanity, it would seem that he could be more of an ally going forward. Perhaps Shadow will even know more about Metal Sonic's origin if the Robotniks or GUN were involved. In any case, Sonic the Hedgehog 3's credits scenes position Sonic the Hedgehog 4 to be the biggest entry to date if Amy Rose, Metal Sonic, and Shadow the Hedgehog are all featured.