Editing Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

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|title1 = Main page
|tab2   = Script (Sonic Episode)     |title2 = Script (Sonic)
|tab3   = Script (Shadow Episode)    |title3 = Script (Shadow)
|tab4   = Script (Silver Episode)    |title4 = Script (Silver)
|tab5   = Script (Last Episode)      |title5 = Script (Last)
|tab6   = Staff                      |title6 = Credits
|tab7   = Manuals
|tab8   = Glitches
|tab9   = Beta elements
|tab10  = Gallery
|bg     = browntab
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{{Otheruses4|the 2006 video game|other uses|Sonic the Hedgehog (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox video game
|title          = ''Sonic the Hedgehog''
|image          = Sonic Next Gen.jpg
|caption        = Key and box artwork depicting [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] in [[Kingdom Valley]]
|developer      = [[Sonic Team]]
|publisher      = [[Sega]]
|producer       = [[Masahiro Kumono]]
|director       = [[Shun Nakamura]]
|writer         = 
*[[Shun Nakamura]] (Story)
*[[Kiyoko Yoshimura]] (Scenario) 
*[[Shiro Maekawa]] (Scenario)
|composer       = 
*[[Hideaki Kobayashi]]
*[[Tomoya Ohtani]]
*[[Mariko Nanba]]
*[[Taihei Sato]]
*[[Takahito Eguchi]]
|series         = ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog series|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
|released       = 
'''[[Xbox 360]]''':<br/>{{vgrelease|NA=14 November 2006|EU=24 November 2006|AUS=30 November 2006|JP=21 December 2006|KO=11 November 2006}}
'''[[PlayStation 3]]''':<br/>{{vgrelease|NA=30 January 2007|JP=21 December 2006|EU=23 March 2007|AUS=23 March 2007|KO=24 September 2007<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonic the Hedgehog|url=http://au.playstation.com/ps3/games/detail/item54383/Sonic-the-Hedgehog/|work=PlayStation}}</ref>}}
|genre          = 
*Platformer
*Action-adventure
|modes          = Single-player, multiplayer
|ratings        = {{Vgrating|ESRB=E10+|CERO=A|PEGI=12+|ACB=PG|USK=6}}
|platforms      = 
*[[PlayStation 3]]
*[[Xbox 360]]
|media          = 
*DVD-DL
*Blu-ray Disc
|input          = 
*Game controller
**DualShock 3
**Xbox 360 controller
|picture format = 1080p/1080i/720p, 60FPS
|executive      = 
*Hisao Oguchi
*[[Yuji Naka]]
|designer       = 
*[[Shun Nakamura]]
*Atsushi Kanno
|programmer     = 
*Yoshitaka Kawabata
*Makoto Suzuki
}}
{{Quote left|This time, speed won't be enough...|Tagline}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Sonic the Hedgehog'''''|ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ|Sonikku za Hejjihoggu}}, commonly known as '''''Sonic '06''''', is a 2006 3D platformer video game in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog series|''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series]]. Developed by [[Sonic Team]] and published by [[Sega]], it was made to celebrate the [[Sonic the Hedgehog 15th Anniversary|15th anniversary]] of the franchise. The player controls [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]], [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]], and a new character named [[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]], each of whom have their own storylines and support characters. The overall plot is set in the fictional city of [[Soleanna]] and centers around [[Solaris]], a powerful entity sought after by [[Doctor&nbsp;Eggman]].

Commonly described as an attempted reboot on the series, the game faced a tumultuous development cycle following the departure of series co-creator [[Yuji Naka]] from Sega midway through development. ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was rushed for release during the December 2006 holiday season. It was released in November of the year for the [[Xbox 360]], and for the [[PlayStation 3]] in December, being the first major ''Sonic'' game on these consoles.

Pre-release showings were well received, with journalists hoping the game would return to the series' roots following years of poorly received titles. However, upon release, it received overwhelmingly negative reviews, with criticism for its excessive loading times, technical issues, story, and controls. It was a commercial success nevertheless, selling an estimated 2 million copies worldwide. It is often considered one of the worst games of 2006 and in the series, and was delisted from retailers alongside other poorly received games in 2010 to increase the value of the franchise.

==Plot==
{{Spoiler}}
===Episodes===
====Sonic Episode====
[[File:Ss03.jpg|thumb|left|225px|[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] in the opening cutscene of his story.]]
The principality of [[Soleanna]] celebrates the [[Festival of the Sun]] to honor their god of light, [[Solaris]]. During the ceremony, the ruler [[Princess&nbsp;Elise the Third]] briefly sees a vision of [[Iblis]], a giant beast, burning the city. [[Doctor&nbsp;Eggman]] disrupts the celebration to kidnap Elise and investigate the "Flames of Disaster". [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] attempts to save her, but she is ultimately abducted to Eggman's [[Egg Carrier]], throwing Sonic her [[Chaos Emerald]].

[[File:STH2006_SN_Saved_by_Amy_06.png|thumb|225px|Sonic is overpowered by [[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]] during their first fight.]]
The next morning, Sonic runs into [[Miles "Tails" Prower]], who offers his help. After unsuccessfully pursuing the Egg Carrier in [[Wave Ocean]], they head to the [[Dusty Desert]], where they discover a chamber where Eggman has stashed Elise. Tails creates a diversion so Sonic and Elise can escape together. After escaping into the grasslands, Elise reveals that the "Flames of Disaster" coveted by Eggman are the wrath of Solaris, which killed [[Duke of Soleanna|her father]] ten years ago. Returning to Soleanna, Sonic and Elise are attacked by [[Silver the Hedgehog]], who calls Sonic the "Iblis Trigger" and attempts to kill him. During the fight, Eggman kidnaps Elise again, but [[Amy Rose]] intervenes, allowing Sonic to give chase to the doctor.

Sonic reunites with Tails and finds [[Knuckles the Echidna]] with a message from Eggman, promising to release Elise if they hand over the Chaos Emerald. The three infiltrate [[White Acropolis]] and give up the Emerald, but Eggman sends them to [[Silver's future]]. In the post-apocalyptic [[Crisis City]], Sonic and his friends come across [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] and [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]], who explain that they need a Chaos Emerald to use [[Dual Chaos Control]] and return to the present. While searching, Sonic's team stumbles upon a meeting between Silver and [[Mephiles the Dark]]; after they are gone, Tails learns that Elise died in an explosion on the Egg Carrier.

[[File:STH2006_SN_Going_back_to_the_present_03.png|thumb|left|225px|Sonic and [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] use [[Dual Chaos Control]] to return to the present.]]
Sonic's group reunites with Shadow and Rouge, who have found a Chaos Emerald. The team explores [[Flame Core]] for a second Chaos Emerald, only to be attacked by Iblis. After defeating it, Sonic and Shadow use Dual Chaos Control to return to the present. Sonic then splits from Tails and Knuckles, pursues Eggman's train in [[Radical Train]], and rescues Elise, only to be attacked again by Silver. His interruption again lets the doctor recapture the princess, but Shadow intervenes to let Sonic escape. Sonic rescues Elise again by defeating the [[Egg Genesis]] in [[Soleanna Forest]]. He then takes her through [[Tropical Jungle]], telling her she should return to the castle. She almost cries when talking to Sonic about her duty to her kingdom, but he assures her to smile.

Eggman threatens to level all of Soleanna unless Elise meets with him. She agrees to his terms, and is abducted once again. Aboard the Egg Carrier, Eggman reveals his plan to harness Solaris' powers to conquer time. Meanwhile, Sonic pursues the Egg Carrier in [[Kingdom Valley]], and is surprised when Silver helps him defeat Eggman's robots, having had a change of heart. They follow the Egg Carrier, only to watch as its engines malfunction and it crashes, killing Elise. Sonic is despondent, until Silver suggests he travel back in time before the crash to rescue Elise. After opening the portal, Sonic gives the future Chaos Emerald back to Silver, encouraging him to fix his home.

[[File:STH2006_SN_Nice_smile_11.png|thumb|225px|Sonic and Elise after escaping the crashing Egg Carrier.]]
Traveling a day in the past, Sonic reunites with Tails and Knuckles to infiltrate the [[Aquatic Base]]. Sonic boards the Egg Carrier before it takes off, reuniting with Elise just as the ship begins malfunctioning. Eggman challenges him with the [[Egg Wyvern]], but Sonic defeats it, giving them just enough time to jump ship. On solid ground, Sonic and Elise share a laugh at their escape.

====Shadow Episode====
[[File:Chara02 01.jpg|thumb|left|225px|[[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] in the opening cutscene of his story.]]
By request of [[Guardian Units of Nations|G.U.N.]], [[Shadow the Hedgehog]] infiltrates [[Doctor&nbsp;Eggman]]'s base at [[White Acropolis]] per an SOS signal from agent [[Rouge the Bat]]. Once he locates Rouge, Shadow helps her defeat the [[Egg Cerberus]] and learns she was on a mission to steal the [[Scepter of Darkness]]. Upon teleporting out of the base, they find themselves in a secret room in [[Soleanna]]. Rouge asks Shadow to escort her to the rendezvous point in [[Kingdom Valley]] so she can return to G.U.N. with the artifact.

[[File:STH2006_SH_The_resurrection_of_Mephiles_18.png|thumb|225px|Shadow meets [[Mephiles the Dark]].]]
In Kingdom Valley, Rouge explains the castle was abandoned 10 years ago after a major accident with the [[Solaris Project]]. The two are then ambushed by Eggman for the Scepter of Darkness, and in the scuffle, Rouge drops the Scepter and it opens, prompting Eggman to flee. [[Mephiles the Dark]], a Shadow-like figure, emerges, and teleports himself, Shadow and Rouge away.

Shadow and Rouge find themselves in the distant future, and reunite with [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]], [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]], and [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]] transported here by Eggman. They form a plan to use two [[Chaos Emerald]]s and make a time portal home, so they begin searching [[Crisis City]]. Shadow and Rouge find a Chaos Emerald, before stumbling upon [[E-123 Omega]] locked in standby mode. Unable to help him, they leave him to meet with the others. The group traverses [[Flame Core]] to find a second Emerald. Upon finding it, however, they are suddenly attacked by [[Iblis]]. After repelling the beast, Sonic and Shadow use [[Dual Chaos Control]] to form a portal. The team begins entering the portal, but Shadow is distracted by Mephiles suddenly appearing behind him, and chooses to pursue him instead.

Rouge arrives in the present with one of the future Chaos Emeralds, disturbed that Shadow didn't follow her. She decides to go after Omega for now, finding him in [[Tropical Jungle]], and gives him the Chaos Emerald with orders to deliver it to Shadow 200 years in the future. Omega complies, shutting out external access to prioritize this mission.

Still in the future, Shadow confronts Mephiles, who urges him to join him for revenge, but he refuses, so Mephiles enters a new form to battle him. Shadow and Mephiles seem evenly matched until Omega arrives, his fate having been altered by Rouge. Together they defeat Mephiles, and follow him into another time portal.

Shadow and Omega arrive in the present-day Soleanna to search for Mephiles. They run into Rouge again, who reveals Eggman's robots are hunting Shadow, but he asserts they really want Mephiles. Shadow finds Eggman in [[Radical Train]], where the doctor reveals Mephiles is linked to the Solaris Project, but will only say more once he is contained. Shadow finds Sonic being attacked by [[Silver the Hedgehog]], and steps in to help. Shadow uses Chaos Control to overcome Silver, who attempts to use Chaos Control too, forming a time portal. Shadow decides to travel 10 years into the past to see the Solaris Project incident, and suggests that Silver follow him.

Shadow and Silver witness the failed Solaris Project, and Solaris splitting into two beings: Mephiles and Iblis. While Silver pursues Iblis, Shadow pursues Mephiles through [[Aquatic Base]] and captures him using the Scepter of Darkness obtained from the injured [[Duke of Soleanna]]. Leaving the laboratory, Shadow reunites with Silver carrying the unconscious [[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]] and leaves the Scepter so it can be found by Soleanna.

Returning to the present, Shadow reunites with Rouge, informing her that he has discovered how to seal Mephiles. They learn from G.U.N. sensors that Omega is fighting Mephiles in [[Wave Ocean]] and head there; before fleeing, Mephiles reveals to Omega that the humans reprogrammed him to defeat and seal away Shadow in the future. Omega relays this information, which enrages Rouge. Shadow is touched by their concern for him, and lets them follow him to pursue Mephiles.

[[File:TeamDarkintro.jpg|thumb|left|225px|Shadow removes his Limiter Rings at the end of his story.]]
The group tracks Mephiles to [[Dusty Desert]], figuring he is hunting for the Chaos Emeralds so he can merge with Iblis. The three find him, who has one of the Emeralds in his possession, within the ruins, and Shadow rejects his offer for partnership once again. When Mephiles is defeated, Shadow tries to seal him within the Scepter of Darkness again, only for him to break free, boasting that with Shadow's power he can no longer be trapped. Mephiles tries to break his will once more, but Shadow claims he will always fight, removing his [[Limiter Ring]]s to raze through Mephiles with Omega and Rouge.

====Silver Episode====
[[File:STH2006_SL_He's_the_Iblis_Trigger%21_05.png|thumb|225px|Silver and Blaze with [[Mephiles the Dark|Mephiles]].]]
[[Silver the Hedgehog]] lives [[Silver's future|approximately 200 years in the future]], in a world ravaged by an immortal fire monster known as [[Iblis]]. Accompanied by [[Blaze the Cat]], Silver fights Iblis every time he resurrects, but grows increasingly frustrated by his lack of progress. A being called [[Mephiles the Dark]] falsely claims [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] is the "Iblis Trigger" and tasks Silver with killing him to prevent Iblis' awakening. He then teleports himself, Silver, and Blaze into the past, although the three end up separated.

In the present, Silver explores Soleanna to find the "Iblis Trigger" and is amazed by the abundant life. He eventually meets [[Amy Rose]], who initially mistakes him for Sonic and offers her help in his mission, which she is unaware of. After a failed attempt to locate Sonic in the [[Dusty Desert]], Silver confronts Sonic in Soleanna, allowing [[Doctor&nbsp;Eggman]] to kidnap [[Princess Elise the Third|Princess&nbsp;Elise]]. However, Amy intervenes and allows Sonic to escape. Now alone, Silver begins pondering the morality of his mission.

Silver reunites with Blaze and asks her opinion on their mission, and she suggests nothing will change without trying. Silver proposes they learn more about Sonic, and they storm Eggman's [[White Acropolis]] for information. There they fight the [[Egg Genesis]] and retrieve the blue [[Chaos Emerald]], which Blaze explains can transform thoughts into power. Mephiles orders Silver to pursue Sonic at the [[Radical Train]], with a security lockdown forcing him to be separated from Blaze. He ambushes Sonic, again allowing Eggman to kidnap Elise, until [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] intervenes. Silver is overwhelmed by Shadow's [[Chaos Control]] and desperately tries Chaos Control with his own Emerald; this inadvertently causes [[Dual Chaos Control]], opening a time portal. Shadow suggests Silver follow him into the portal to learn the truth about Mephiles.

[[File:STH2006_SL_The_Talisman_4.png|thumb|left|225px|Silver leaves his Chaos Emerald with Elise in the past.]]
Ending up ten years in the past, Silver and Shadow witness the catastrophic failure of the [[Solaris Project]], splitting [[Solaris]] into Iblis and Mephiles. While Shadow pursues Mephiles, Silver pursues Iblis in [[Aquatic Base]], helping the [[Duke of Soleanna]] perform a ritual with a Chaos Emerald to seal the flames within his own daughter, Elise. The Duke then succumbs to his wounds, leaving Silver to bring the unconscious Elise outside the laboratory. He meets with Shadow, who leaves the [[Scepter of Darkness]] containing Mephiles and returns to the present via another Dual Chaos Control. Silver leaves his blue Chaos Emerald with Elise as a lucky charm before departing as well.

Reappearing in Soleanna, Silver reunites with Blaze and tells her of Elise's connection to Iblis and the falsehood of Mephiles' Iblis Trigger narrative. When Blaze reveals that Eggman has kidnapped Elise again, Silver deduces that he is trying to release Iblis, and the two rush to [[Kingdom Valley]] to help Sonic rescue her. However, the [[Egg Carrier]] malfunctions and crashes, killing both Eggman and Elise. Silver suggests Sonic travel back in time to save Elise before the crash, and helps him open a time portal to do so. Meanwhile, Silver and Blaze agree to return to the future to face Iblis once more.

Silver and Blaze traverse the [[Flame Core]] to fight Iblis and stop its resurrection. Upon reducing it to flames, Silver tries to take Iblis into his soul, but finds himself incompatible. Blaze takes his place, successfully housing Iblis in her fiery soul. She then urges Silver to use Chaos Control to stop time and send her and Iblis to another dimension, but he initially refuses to doom his friend. Blaze appreciates Silver's feelings, but seals Iblis within before fading away. With both Blaze and Iblis gone, Silver watches alone as the skies turn blue and the world begins to heal.

====Last Episode====
[[File:STH2006_LAST_Elise's tears_06.png|thumb|225px|[[Mephiles the Dark|Mephiles]] killing [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]].]]
While Sonic and Elise walk back to Soleanna Castle Town, Mephiles suddenly blinds them with the glare of a purple Chaos Emerald before firing an energy blade that impales Sonic through his back, killing him. He laughs evilly as Elise mourns Sonic, finally crying and releasing the Flames of Disaster.

In Dusty Desert, Shadow equips his Limiter Rings, having destroyed all the Mephiles clones. As he moves for the two Chaos Emeralds, they disappear in a flash. Mephiles has summoned all seven Chaos Emeralds to his location, using them to merge with Iblis and assume a single form: Solaris. Tails, Knuckles, and Amy are helpless as a blinding light engulfs all of Soleanna.

Tails, Knuckles, and Amy find themselves in a mysterious void, meeting Silver, Team Dark, and Dr. Eggman. They find Elise cradling the deceased Sonic. As Solaris roars, Eggman predicts that Solaris is so enraged he will consume all timelines and cause time itself to collapse, making the entire world disappear; he adds that defeating him here would be futile, as Solaris exists in all times. Silver refuses to give up and suggests they destroy Solaris in the past, present, and future simultaneously, but Shadow states that such a plan would only work if Sonic were still alive. However, Elise feels Sonic's presence lingering in the wind. With this idea, Silver suggests they collect the scattered Chaos Emeralds and use Elise's connection with Sonic to resurrect him. Eggman pinpoints the Emeralds' locations, leaving the heroes to split up to gather them in the [[End of the World]].

[[File:Revivesonic.png|thumb|left|225px|[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] being revived by the [[Chaos Emerald]]s.]]
With all seven Chaos Emeralds, Elise focuses her thoughts on Sonic. She ends the ritual with a kiss, resurrecting Sonic into [[Super Sonic]]. Super Sonic offers the power of the Emeralds to transform Shadow and Silver into [[Super Shadow]] and [[Super Silver]] as well. Together, the three hedgehogs fight Solaris - Sonic targeting his present, Shadow his past, and Silver his future - and they destroy his will, making Solaris explode into light.

Sonic and Elise are drawn to a point in the past where Solaris was little but the Flame of Hope kept by the royal family of Soleanna, before the disastrous Solaris Project. Elise realizes that if she blows out the flame, Solaris will cease to exist, but she and Sonic will never meet. She cries that she does not care what happens as long as she is with him. However, Sonic reminds Elise all she needs to do is smile, convincing her to go through with it. She blows out the flame to erase Solaris, including Mephiles and Iblis along with it.<ref>{{Cite game |dev=[[Sonic Team]] |date=14 November 2006 |fullgame=Sonic the Hedgehog |system=PlayStation 3 |pub=[[Sega]] |cutscene=Last Story cutscene |quote='''[[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]]''': If we put out this flame, Solaris will never exist. And then we'll never have to worry about the Flames of Disaster, right? But our encounter... You and I will never meet. It will never have happened.}}</ref>

When time returns to the Festival of the Sun, Sonic runs through Soleanna. His speed creates a gust that makes Elise lose one of the feathers in her hair. A maid asks if she is okay, and Elise responds that she felt someone familiar calling her. She smiles and continues the festival as Sonic watches from a rooftop. The game ends with Sonic watching Elise's feather float into the night.

Excluding the ending scene of Sonic and Elise in Soleanna, the events of this game are thus undone in the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series timeline. All characters involved in this game seemingly do not remember that these events once occurred.<ref>{{Cite game |dev=[[Dimps]] |date=11 November 2010 |fullgame=[[Sonic Colors (Nintendo DS)|Sonic Colors]] |system=Nintendo DS |pub=[[Sega]] |level=Mission 2-3, S-Rank twice cutscene |quote='''[[Blaze the Cat|Blaze]]''': Hmph. I suppose it was an easier fight with your help. / '''[[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]''': It almost felt like we've paired up before. / '''[[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]]''': Wow, maybe you guys were partners somewhere, some time. I guess anything is possible!}}</ref><ref name=":02">[https://youtu.be/rBBQgTgGF3c?si=M1pMCBCRiiKz-yj7&t=334 Sonic Boom 2012 Q and A]. YouTube. (8 October 2012). Retrieved on 11 July 2024. '''Speaker''': "Iizuka-san, can you please clear up the story of Silver, Blaze, and Eggman Nega? Are they from an alternate dimension, or the future? In ''Sonic Rush'', ''Sonic Rivals'', and ''Sonic 2006'', they all know each other, but in ''Sonic Colors'', they've never met?" '''[[Takashi Iizuka]]''' (translated by the panel's translator): "So, everyone probably already knows this... but Silver and Eggman Nega are from the future, and Blaze is from an alternate dimension. That's the official story. But in ''2006'', basically what happened was everyone kind of had like, amnesia. That's how that kind of played out."</ref><ref name="Shadow's History">{{Cite game|dev=[[Sonic Team]]|date=October 22, 2024|game=Sonic X Shadow Generations|system=Nintendo Switch|pub=[[Sega]]|area=[[Collection Room|Shadow's History - "SONIC THE HEDGEHOG" Part 2]]|language=English|quote=Shadow, along with Sonic and Silver, used the Chaos Emeralds to obtain their super forms and defeat Solaris. In the end, Solaris was wiped from existence, and Shadow lost all memory of the encounters with Mephiles.}}</ref><ref name="SxSG">{{Cite game|dev=[[Sonic Team]]|date=October 22, 2024|game=Sonic X Shadow Generations|system=Nintendo Switch|pub=[[Sega]]|area=[[Mephiles the Dark (Shadow Generations)|Mephiles]]|language=English|quote='''[[Mephiles the Dark|Mephiles]]''': I owe much to you, Shadow. / '''[[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]]''': I don't know what you're talking about, but I will crush you all the same. / '''[[Mephiles the Dark|Mephiles]]''': What? Did you forget about me AGAIN?}}</ref> Blaze experiences ''déjà vu'' upon visiting Crisis City in ''[[Sonic Generations]]'', but does not fully remember it.<ref>{{Cite game |dev=[[Sonic Team]] |date=1 November 2011 |game=Sonic Generations |system=PlayStation 3 |pub=[[Sega]] |cutscene=Blaze dialogue after [[Blaze: Piercing the Flames]] |quote='''[[Blaze the Cat|Blaze]]''': I never thought I'd find myself in Crisis City again. This world is full of surprises.}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=https://youtu.be/Lb0DSkMulTE?si=EyUTV-L0EMK2k3bV&t=3020 |title=Heck yeah, DINOSAURS! {{!}} BumbleKast for July 3rd, 2024 - Ian Flynn Q&A Podcast ||author=[[Ian Flynn|Flynn, Ian]] |date=3 July 2024}}</ref> The extent to which Sonic remembers the events is currently dubious, as he has expressed both familiarity and unfamiliarity with the subject.<ref>{{Cite game |dev=Backbone Entertainment |date=24 November 2006 |game=Sonic Rivals |system=PlayStation Portable |pub=[[Sega]] |cutscene=Silver vs. Sonic |quote='''[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]''': Hey! You sure have an attitude. Who are you, anyway? / '''[[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]''': My name is Silver... I can't tell you why, but I need to get to him before you.|area=[[Colosseum Highway Zone]]}}</ref><ref name="TSR">{{Cite game|dev=[[Sumo Digital]]|date=May 21, 2019|game=Team Sonic Racing|system=Nintendo Switch|pub=[[Sega]]|area=[[Haunted Castle]]|language=Japanese|quote='''[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]''': You've come all this way from the future so let's just take this chance to enjoy a race! / '''[[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]''': You're right... There's no point in getting concerned now... / '''[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]''': Heh! What happened to your energy from when we first met? Weren't you like, "I will destroy you!"? / '''[[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]''': I don't recall ever saying anything like that...? / '''[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]''': Well, the race is about to start! Let's rock!}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
{{Endspoiler}}

===Themes===
The story has at least three distinct themes. The first is the relationship between a single individual and the rest of the world. This dichotomy arises in various examples. Princess Elise ignores her own needs by repressing her emotions to lead her people and prevent the awakening of Iblis. Shadow chooses to fight for the world even if they one day scorn him, and Rouge promises to stay by his side too. Amy chooses to believe in Sonic despite Silver's prophecy that he would destroy the world. After this moment, Silver questions if it is right to take one life to save the world, and ultimately fails to sacrifice his one friend Blaze to achieve his goal. In the end, Elise is also forced to choose between her relationship with Sonic and destroying Solaris to save reality.
[[File:Vlc 2016-06-22 14-38-53-401.png|thumb|[[Super Sonic]], [[Super Shadow]], and [[Super Silver]]'s golden aura lights up the sun symbol on the Altar of Light]]A noticable theme is the trinity of "past, present, and future." Of the main trio of characters, Sonic represents the present by living in the moment, Shadow the past due to his age and his relationship to Mephiles, and Silver the future as it is where he hails from. Sonic's theme "[[His World]]" is about seizing the day, Shadow's theme "[[All Hail Shadow]]" is about not letting the past hold you down, and Silver's theme "[[Dreams of an Absolution]]" is about wishing for a better future. Of the Town Stages, Soleanna Castle Town represents the present as the current castle's location, Soleanna New City represents the future with its urban development, and Soleanna Forest represents the past with its ancient castle ruins. All three of these time periods are also visited via time travel, as Sonic, Shadow, and Silver all travel into the past or the future at different points in their stories.

Another theme is hope. Solaris was originally called the flames of hope, but became the despair of Soleanna ten years later when Mephiles was released and the beginning of the end started. Silver, and arguably Blaze, is the last remains hope in a wasteland of despair 200 years into the future which is overruled by Iblis and his flames. In the last story while the group are in despair, it is Silver and Elise who bring hope to them. Super Sonic, Super Shadow, and Super Silver are the hope that fights Solaris' despair. In a similar vein is the idea of Light vs Dark. Mephiles the Dark and Solaris whos name refers to light. The [[Scepter of Darkness]] and the [[Festival of the Sun|Altar of Light]]. Crisis City which is stated to be in "eternal darkness" verses Soleanna which is shown in nearly every day cutscene to be in bright sunshine. When the bright blue skies and sun returns in the future, Silver, who has been left to deal with the emotional concequences, is framed with two dulled Chaos Emeralds either side of him. When Solaris begins to destroy the world, the only place safe from Solaris is the Altar of Light. Sonic, Shadow, and Silver then fight Solaris in a deep, dark void. When Solaris is reduced to its conciousness by the three Super hedgehogs, their light aura lights up the pattern of the sun on the floor of the Altar- perhaps alluding to their "triumph" over the Sun God.

===Characters===
====Main====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Image
!Character
!Biography
|-
|[[File:Next sonic 00.png|100px]]
|[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]
|''The world's fastest hedgehog who is free spirited but hates knavish acts. He can be short tempered, but is available for those in need of help. In Soleanna, he will confront Dr. Eggman in order to save Princess Elise.''<ref name="USManual1">''Sonic the Hedgehog'' ([[Xbox 360]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 2.</ref>
|-
|[[File:Elise2006-2.png|100px]]
|[[Princess Elise the Third|Princess Elise]]
|''Princess of Soleanna at the tender age of 17. She lost her father when she was younger, but she keeps her promise to him to never cry, no matter what. She fulfills her duty as the royal princess, but she has yet to see the mysterious powers she possesses.''<ref name="USManual1" />
|-
|[[File:Eggman 06 Final.png|150px]]
|[[Doctor Eggman|Dr. Eggman]]
|''A master of robotic engineering with an IQ of 300.<br>Knowing about the princess' secret powers, he attempts to capture her to unlock and use her powers for his self-serving needs.''<ref name="USManual1" />
|-
|[[File:Shadow-large.png|110px]]
|[[Shadow the Hedgehog]]
|''The ultimate life form, created by Professor Gerald.<br>On a mission from the Federal Government to rescue Rouge, Shadow encounters a mysterious enemy, Mephiles. During the course of battle, Shadow is hurled into the future.''<ref name="USManual2">''Sonic the Hedgehog'' ([[Xbox 360]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 14.</ref>
|-
|[[File:Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).png|100px]]
|[[Silver the Hedgehog]]
|''A hedgehog with telekinetic powers.<br>The mysterious hedgehog, Silver, travels back in time to the present day to save the future from the destructive evil of the Iblis Trigger.''<ref name="USManual3">''Sonic the Hedgehog'' ([[Xbox 360]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 16.</ref>
|}

====Supporting====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Image
!Character
!Biography
|-
|[[File:Sonic The Hedgehog (2006) - Tails - 1.png|100px]]
|[[Miles "Tails" Prower]]
|''A friendly kid fox with two tails.''<ref name="USManual4">''Sonic the Hedgehog'' ([[Xbox 360]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 17.</ref>
|-
|[[File:Knuckles2006.png|100px]]
|[[Knuckles the Echidna]]
|''A powerful and wild echidna who is a close friend and rival of Sonic.''<ref name="USManual4" />
|-
|[[File:Rouge2006uo1.png|100px]]
|[[Rouge the Bat]]
|''Professional treasure hunter and part-time government spy.''<ref name="USManual5">''Sonic the Hedgehog'' ([[Xbox 360]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 18.</ref>
|-
|[[File:Omega 2006.png|175px]]
|[[E-123 Omega]]
|''The last and most powerful of Dr. Eggman's E-Series robots.''<ref name="USManual5" />
|-
|[[File:Amy2006iy4.png|90px]]
|[[Amy Rose]]
|''An energetic girl that adores Sonic and plans to marry him someday.''<ref name="USManual6">''Sonic the Hedgehog'' ([[Xbox 360]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 19.</ref>
|-
|[[File:Blaze06.png|90px]]
|[[Blaze the Cat]]
|''Calm and level-headed feline that's quick on her claws.''<ref name="USManual6" />
|}


==Gameplay==
''Sonic the Hedgehog'' is a 3D, third-person platforming video game, which plays similar to past 3D ''Sonic'' games. The story of this game is branched into three episodes, respectively protagonized by [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]], [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] and [[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]. At first, the player will have unlocked Sonic's storyline by default. However, they will be able to play the other two episodes by progressing through the game. Upon completing the three episodes, they will unlock a final episode. In addition to those three main characters, each storyline has two supporting characters: [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] and [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]] for Sonic; [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]] and [[E-123 Omega|Omega]] for Shadow; and [[Amy Rose|Amy]] and [[Blaze the Cat|Blaze]] for Silver.

Gameplay is broken up into two gameplay styles, similar to ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'': [[Action Stage]]s and [[Town Stage]]s. Action Stages are primarily where the bulk of the gameplay takes place. While all three main storylines have the same Action Stages, they are ordered differently and have different pathways for each character. Town Stages, on the other hand, are free-roaming locations within [[Soleanna]] where the player can talk to non-player characters, buy [[Level Up Item]]s, and further the game's plot by finding entrances to Action Stages via the [[Mirror of Soleanna|Mirrors of Soleanna]]. Non-player characters in Town Stages with a blue exclamation point hovering over their head will provide the player with [[Town Mission]]s to complete for additional Rings. Town Missions are usually completed as a single character, generally the main character of the story, though there are Town Missions where more than one character is used. Unlike Action Stages, Town Missions vary depending on the storyline.

As with past 3D ''Sonic'' games, the main objective of the Action Stages is to get to the [[Goal Ring]] at the end of the level. Over the course of the Action Stages, many gimmicks can be found, some of which the player can use to their advantage. There are also many obstacles and enemies, the latter of which are divided into [[Badnik|Eggman's mechs]] and [[Iblis's Minions]]. [[Ring]]s, which serve as a method of protection against attacks, are also common. if the playable character is hit while carrying at least one single Ring, they will survive at the cost of losing all their Rings. On the other hand, being hurt while not having any Rings will cost the player a [[life]]. Nonetheless, under some certain circumstances, such as falling into a [[bottomless pit]], will cost the player a life, regardless of the amount of Rings the player has on them. After losing a life, the playable character will respawn at the latest [[Star Post|Point Marker]] they touched, or at the start of the Action Stage if no Point Marker has been touched. If the player runs out of lives, they will get a [[Game Over]].

''Sonic the Hedgehog'' makes use of a [[rank]]ing system, which is similar to that from ''[[Sonic Rush]]''. Based on the score gathered, the player will be provided a ranks, with the highest being S and the lowest being D. In order to get an S rank on Town Missions, 30,000 [[point]]s are needed, and in Action Stages, 50,000 points are required.

For each of the action stages in the respective stories, gold medals are obtainable by achieving S rank in these stages or completing it (Both in Normal and Hard mode), or by obtaining all ten Silver Medals on the stage, giving a total of five Gold Medals per stage.

===Scoring system===
{{main|Point#Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)}}

===Character-specific gameplays===
====Main characters====
=====Sonic the Hedgehog=====
[[File:Sonic2006-Kingdom Valley-02.jpg|thumb|225px|[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] in [[Kingdom Valley]], the eighth [[Action Stage]] in his episode.]]
[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'s gameplay is the same as in ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' and ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'', retaining most of his abilities from the latter game. One of the fastest in the character roster, he makes use of returning movements such as the [[Spin Dash]] and the [[Homing Attack]]. He can also unlock [[Custom Action]]s to be able to perform many new movements.

Most of Sonic's Action Stages have a special section near the end called "[[Super-Speed Stage]]s". here, he will be running at high speeds without stopping. In these sections, the player can only move him left or right, make him [[Spin Jump|jump]] and use the [[Light Speed Dash]], though being able to use it is likely due to a glitch. Also, Sonic is vulnerable to anything he collides with, causing him to lose all his [[Ring]]s upon colliding with any obstacle, such as a barrier. At the end of a Super-Speed Stage, the player will touch a [[Goal Ring]] and finish the Action Stage.

=====Shadow the Hedgehog=====
Parts of [[Shadow the Hedgehog]]'s gameplay is similar to that of ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (game)|his own game]]''. He is slightly slower than Sonic in gameplay, but is able to drive vehicles to move faster, which include a [[Dark Rider|Bike]], [[Glider]], [[Hover Craft]], and [[Buggy]]. While in an Action Stage, Weapons become active for the vehicles. The Buggy and Glider gain access to Missiles, while the Bike and Hover Vehicle gain access to machine guns. He is also seen attacking with Chaos Blasts and Chaos Spears. Like Sonic, Shadow also has "[[Custom Action]]s" to give him move movements to use in gameplay. He can also use the [[Homing Attack]] (which has more range than Sonic's), [[Grinding|grind]] and do a sliding kick. By defeating enough enemies, Shadow can also use [[Chaos Boost]].

=====Silver the Hedgehog=====
[[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]] is the slowest character out of the three main characters. He has [[Psychokinesis|psychokinetic]] powers, which are the main feature of his gameplay. With them, Silver is able to pick up objects around the playing field and throw them at enemies, including cars and missiles. He also possesses the ability to levitate in the air for differing amounts of time (using up his energy bar), and he can purchase new abilities in the in-game store with Rings as well. His energy bar depletes faster the heavier the object he is lifting, and his energy bar replenishes with time.

====Supporting characters====
=====Sonic Episode=====
======Miles "Tails" Prower======
Tails is the supporting character most often played as in the game. Tails can use his two tails to fly and reach things that Sonic cannot, such as hitting a switch to open a door. He can also throw a "dummy ring bomb" that can destroy an enemy. His flight ability can be drastically extended by releasing {{A Button (Xbox)}}/{{Cross Button (PS)}} before reaching max height and then holding {{A Button (Xbox)}}/{{Cross Button (PS)}} for about two seconds after he begins descending. However, he still lacks overall speed compared to other supporting characters.

======Knuckles the Echidna======
Knuckles is able to glide can perform an attack the [[Screwdriver]], which can flatten enemies in succession at average speed. He can also use the [[Ground Shaker]], where he is enveloped in an extra fiery aura that paralyzes every enemy in the vicinity upon impacting the ground.

=====Shadow Episode=====
======Rouge the Bat======
Rouge has the ability to make round bomb-like objects and throw them at enemies. She can also glide, and climb walls by gliding on them. Here, she is able to put bombs on the walls she is climbing on, or throw them to attack and gain height.

======E-123 Omega======
Omega has the abilities to both [[hover]] and shoot rapid-fire. He meets up with Rouge at the end of the Tropical Jungle stage. His hover ability can be exploited to fly without descending by tapping the {{A Button (Xbox)}}/{{Cross Button (PS)}} repeatedly rather than holding it. He has also gained an increase in speed that makes him the second-fastest supporting character.

=====Silver Episode=====
======Blaze the Cat======
In gameplay, Blaze is as fast as Sonic and Shadow. She can do the [[Fire Claw]] to attack enemies; the [[Accelerator Tornado]] for both offensive and gaining altitude; and the [[Spinning Claw]], where she makes up a vortex of flames for ground and midair attacks.

======Amy Rose======
Amy can double jump, use her [[Piko Piko Hammer]] to whack enemies, and turn invisible to sneak up on enemies.

===Controls===
====General====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" |Button formation
! rowspan="2" |Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
|-
| colspan="2" |{{Left Analog Stick}}
|Move
|-
|{{Right Analog Stick}} /<br>{{LB Button (Xbox)}}/{{RB Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Right Analog Stick}} /<br>{{L2 Button (PS)}}/{{R2 Button (PS)}}
|Rotate Camera
|-
|{{LT Button (Xbox)}}
|{{L1 Button (PS)}}
|Reset camera
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Spin Jump|Jump]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (while [[Grinding]])
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (while [[Grinding]])
|[[Crouch (grinding)|Crouch]]
|-
| colspan="2" |'''START'''
|Pause
|}

====Character specific====
<tabber>
Sonic = 
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="700"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!colspan="3"|[[file:StH2006-Sonic-Life.png|20px|link=Sonic the Hedgehog]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
!Normal
!With [[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]]
![[Super Sonic]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|colspan="2"|[[Jump Dash]] / [[Homing Attack]] (near an enemy or object)
|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Foot Sweep|Attack]]
|N/A
|[[Arrow of Light]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}} (while standing still)
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}} (while standing still)
|[[Spin Dash]]
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}} (while moving)
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}} (while moving)
|colspan="2"|[[Slide]]
|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (near Rings)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (near Rings)
|colspan="2"|[[Light Speed Dash]]
|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (in midair)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (in midair)
|[[Bound Attack]]
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|colspan="2"|{{Directional Pad Left & Right}}
|Change [[Custom Action]]
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|{{RT Button (Xbox)}}
|{{R1 Button (PS)}}
|Use [[Custom Action]] ([[Mach Speed]], [[Tornado]], [[Thunder Guard]], [[Gun Drive]])
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|Hold {{RT Button (Xbox)}}
|Hold {{R1 Button (PS)}}
|Use [[Custom Action]] ([[Slow]], [[Homing Smash]], [[Scale]], aiming in first person for [[Gun Drive]])
|[[Energy Field]]
|Charge [[Action Gauge]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} (while moving)
|{{X Button (PS)}} (while moving)
|colspan="2"|N/A
|[[Turbo Boost]]
|-
|{{Y Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Triangle Button (PS)}}
|colspan="2"|N/A
|Switch to [[Super Shadow]]
|}
|-|
Shadow = 
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="700"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!colspan="3"|[[file:StH2006-Shadow-Life.png|20px|link=Shadow the Hedgehog]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
!Normal
!In a Vehicle
![[Super Shadow]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
||[[Jump Dash]] / [[Homing Attack]] (near an enemy or object)
|Boost ([[Buggy]], [[Dark Rider|Bike]], [[Glider]]) / Hover ([[Hover Craft]])
|N/A
|-
|Homing Attack > {{A Button (Xbox)}} x5
|Homing Attack > {{Cross Button (PS)}} x5
|[[Chaos Attack]] / [[Chaos Snap]] (after using [[Chaos Boost]] once)
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Edge Attack]]
|N/A
||[[Spear of Light]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} x3
|{{Square Button (PS)}} x3
|[[Spin Kick]]
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (in midair)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (in midair)
|[[Chaos Spear]] / [[Chaos Lance]] (after using [[Chaos Boost]] twice)
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (near Rings)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (near Rings)
|[[Light Speed Dash]]
|colspan="2"|N/A
|-
|{{RT Button (Xbox)}}
|{{R1 Button (PS)}}
|[[Chaos Boost]] / [[Chaos Blast]] (after using [[Chaos Boost]] three times)
|Shoot bullets/missiles
|Charge the [[Action Gauge]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} (while moving)
|{{X Button (PS)}} (while moving)
|colspan="2"|N/A
|[[Turbo Boost]]
|-
|{{Y Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Triangle Button (PS)}}
|Board vehicle
|Exit vehicle
|Switch to [[Super Silver]]
|}
|-|
Silver = 
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="600"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!colspan="2"|[[file:StH2006-Silver-Life.png|20px|link=Silver the Hedgehog]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
!Normal
![[Super Silver]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > hold {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > hold {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Levitate]]
|N/A
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} x2
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} x2
|[[Teleport Dash]]
|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Psycho Smash]]
|N/A
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}}
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Hold Smash]]
|N/A
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (in midair)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (in midair)
|[[Psycho Shock]]
|N/A
|-
|{{RT Button (Xbox)}}
|{{R1 Button (PS)}}
|[[Psychokinesis]]
|[[Shield of Light]]
|-
|{{RT Button (Xbox)}} x2
|{{R1 Button (PS)}} x2
|[[Grab All]]
|N/A
|-
|{{RT Button (Xbox)}} + {{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{R1 Button (PS)}} + {{Square Button (PS)}}
|colspan="2"|Throw objects
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} (while moving)
|{{X Button (PS)}} (while moving)
|N/A
|[[Turbo Boost]]
|-
|{{Y Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Triangle Button (PS)}}
|N/A
|Switch to [[Super Sonic]]
|}
|-|
Tails =
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="400"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!rowspan="2"|[[file:StH2006-Tails-Life.png|20px|link=Miles "Tails" Prower]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Propeller Flying|Fly]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Dummy Ring Bomb]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}}
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Dummy Ring Snipe]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (in midair)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (in midair)
|[[Dummy Ring Blitz]]
|}
|-|
Knuckles =
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="400"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!rowspan="2"|[[file:StH2006-Knuckles-Life.png|20px|link=Knuckles the Echidna]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Glide]]
|-
|colspan="2"|{{Left Analog Stick}} (while on wall)
|[[Climb]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} x3
|{{Square Button (PS)}} x3
|[[Punch Attack]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}} (while on ground)
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}} (while on ground)
|[[Screwdriver]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (while in midair)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (while in midair)
|[[Ground Shaker]]
|}
|-|
Rouge =
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="400"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!rowspan="2"|[[file:StH2006-Rouge-Life.png|20px|link=Rouge the Bat]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Glide]]
|-
|colspan="2"|{{Left Analog Stick}} (while on wall)
|[[Climb]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Bomb (attack)|Bomb]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}} (while on ground)
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}} (while on ground)
|[[Bomb Snipe]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}} (in midair)
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}} (in midair)
|Throw multiple [[Bomb (attack)|Bombs]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (while on wall)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (while on wall)
|[[Heart Mine]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} (while a bomb is exploding)
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} (while a bomb is exploding)
|[[Blast Jump]]
|}
|-|
Omega =
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="400"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!rowspan="2"|[[file:StH2006-Omega-Life.png|20px|link=E-123 Omega]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Hover]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (while on ground)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (while on ground)
|[[Omega Shot]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}} (in midair)
|{{Square Button (PS)}} (in midair)
|[[Omega Launcher]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}}
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Lock-On Shot]]
|}
|-|
Blaze =
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="400"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!rowspan="2"|[[file:StH2006-Blaze-Life.png|20px|link=Blaze the Cat]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Axel Tornado|Accelerator Tornado]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Fire Claw]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}}
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Spinning Claw]]
|}
|-|
Amy =
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="400"
!colspan="2"|Button formation
!rowspan="2"|[[file:StH2006-Amy-Life.png|20px|link=Amy Rose]]&nbsp;Movement
|-
![[Xbox 360]]
![[PlayStation 3]]
|-
|{{A Button (Xbox)}} > {{A Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Cross Button (PS)}} > {{Cross Button (PS)}}
|[[Double Jump]]
|-
|{{X Button (Xbox)}}
|{{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Hammer Attack]]
|-
|Hold {{X Button (Xbox)}}
|Hold {{Square Button (PS)}}
|[[Invisibility]]
|}
</tabber>

==Characters==
===Playable characters===
*[[Amy Rose]]
*[[Blaze the Cat]]
*[[E-123 Omega]]
*[[Knuckles the Echidna]]
*[[Miles "Tails" Prower]]
*[[Rouge the Bat]]
*[[Shadow the Hedgehog]] 
**[[Super Shadow]]
*[[Silver the Hedgehog]] {{1st}}
**[[Super Silver]] {{1st}}
*[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]
**[[Super Sonic]]

===Non-playable characters===
{|
| style="vertical-align: top" |
*[[Accordion Player]] {{only}}
*[[Adrianna]] {{only}}
*[[Alan]] {{only}}
*[[Alberto Robert]] {{only}}
*[[Alfano]] {{only}}
*[[Anna]] {{only}}
*[[Antonio]] {{only}}
*[[Aristo]] {{only}}
*[[Berruni]] {{only}}
*[[Bishop]] {{only}}
*[[Claudia]] {{only}}
*[[Dante]] {{only}}
*[[Doctor Eggman|Dr. Eggman]]
*[[Duchess of Soleanna]] {{mention}}
*[[Duke of Soleanna]] {{1st}}
*[[Elkan]] {{only}}
*[[Frances (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Frances]] {{only}}
*[[Francesca]] {{only}}
*[[GUN Soldier|G.U.N. Soldier]]
*[[Galienna]] {{only}}
*[[Hatsun]] {{only}}
*[[Herman]] {{only}}
| style="vertical-align: top" |
*[[Iblis]] {{1st}}
*[[Ken Williams]] {{only}}
*[[Ladies-in-waiting]] {{only}}
*[[Liza (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Liza]] {{only}}
*[[Lord Regis]] {{only}}
*[[Mancini]] {{only}}
*[[Mels]] {{only}}
*[[Mephiles the Dark]] {{1st}} 
**[[Mephiles's monstrous form]] {{1st}}
*[[Mikhail]] {{only}}
*[[Nicolo]] {{only}}
*[[Paganini]] {{only}}
*[[Parr]] {{only}}
*[[Pele]] {{only}}
*[[Pinto]] {{only}}
*[[Porta]] {{only}}
*[[Priest]] {{only}}
*[[Princess Elise the Third]] {{1st}}
*[[Prodi]] {{only}}
*[[Puccini]] {{only}}
*[[Renzo]] {{only}}
| style="vertical-align: top" |
*[[Roberta]] {{only}}
*[[Rossi]] {{only}}
*[[Sabrina]] {{only}}
*[[Sandro]] {{only}}
*[[Solaris]] {{only}}
*[[Soleanna Boys]] {{only}}
**[[Pucci]] {{only}}
*[[Soleanna Royal Guards]] {{only}}
**[[Alessio]] {{only}}
**[[Fabio]] {{only}}
**[[Giorgio]] {{only}}
**[[Guido]] {{only}}
**[[Pietro]] {{only}}
*[[Solomon]] {{only}}
*[[Solsaliente]] {{only}}
**[[Monica]] {{only}}
*[[Sonic Man]] {{1st}}
*[[Sophia]] {{only}}
*[[Zof]] {{only}}
|}

===Enemies===
====Eggman's mechs====
{|
| style="vertical-align: top" |
*[[Egg Armor]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Bomber]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Buster]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Buster (Egg Gunner)]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Cannon]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Chaser (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Egg Chaser]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Commander]] {{Only}}
| style="vertical-align: top" |
*[[Egg Flyer]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Guardian]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Gunner]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Hunter]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Keeper (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Egg Keeper]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Lancer (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Egg Lancer]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Liner]] {{Only}}
| style="vertical-align: top" |
*[[Egg Rounder]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Searcher]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Stinger]] {{1st}}
*[[Egg Sweeper]] {{Only}}
*[[Egg Walker (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Egg Walker]] {{Only}}
|}

====Iblis's Minions====
*[[Gazer]] {{Only}}
*[[Golem]] {{Only}}
*[[Iblis Biter]] {{1st}}
*[[Iblis Taker]] {{1st}}
*[[Iblis Worm]] {{1st}}
*[[Shadow (enemy)|Shadow]] {{First appearance}}
*[[Stalker]] {{Only}}
*[[Titan (Iblis's Minions)|Titan]] {{Only}}
*[[Tricker]] {{Only}}

==Stages==
===Town===
*[[Soleanna Castle Town]]
*[[Soleanna New City]]
*[[Soleanna Forest]]

===Action===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |No.
! colspan="4" |Episode
|-
![[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]
![[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]]
![[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]
!Last
|-
|1
|[[Wave Ocean]]<br />{{C|with [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]]}}
|[[White Acropolis]]<br />{{C|with [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]]}}
|[[Crisis City]]<br />{{C|with [[Blaze the Cat|Blaze]]}}
|[[End of the World]]
|-
|2
|[[Dusty Desert]]<br />{{C|with [[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]]}}
|[[Kingdom Valley]]<br />{{C|with [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]]}}
|[[Tropical Jungle]]
| rowspan="9" |N/A
|-
|3
|[[White Acropolis]]<br />{{C|with [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]]}}
|[[Crisis City]]
|[[Wave Ocean]]<br />{{C|[[Blaze the Cat|Blaze]] only}}
|-
|4
|[[Crisis City]]
|[[Flame Core]]<br />{{C|with [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]]}}
|[[Dusty Desert]]<br />{{C|with [[Amy Rose|Amy]]}}
|-
|5
|[[Flame Core]]<br />{{C|with [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]]}}
|[[Tropical Jungle]]<br />{{C|[[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]] only}}
|[[White Acropolis]]<br />{{C|with [[Blaze the Cat|Blaze]]}}
|-
|6
| colspan="3" |[[Radical Train]]
|-
|7
|[[Tropical Jungle]]<br />{{C|with [[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]]}}
| colspan="2" |[[Aquatic Base]]<br />{{C|with each other}}
|-
|8
|[[Wave Ocean]]<br />{{C|[[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] only}}
|[[Wave Ocean]]<br />{{C|with [[E-123 Omega|Omega]]}}
|[[Kingdom Valley]]<br />{{C|with [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]}}
|-
|9
|[[Kingdom Valley]]<br />{{C|with [[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]}}
|[[Dusty Desert]]<br />{{C|with [[E-123 Omega|Omega]]}}
|[[Flame Core]]
|-
|10
|[[Aquatic Base]]<br />{{C|with [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] and [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]]}}
| colspan="2" |N/A
|}

==Bosses==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan = "2" | No. !! colspan = "4" | Episode
|-
! [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] !! [[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]] !! [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] !! Last
|-
| 1 || [[Egg-Cerberus]]<br />{{C|[[Dusty Desert]]}} || [[Iblis (boss)#Phase 1|Iblis (Phase 1)]]<br />{{C|[[Crisis City]]}} || [[Egg-Cerberus]]<br />{{C|[[White Acropolis]]}} || [[Solaris#Battle|Solaris]]<br />{{C|[[End of the World]]}}
|-
| 2 || colspan = "2" | [[Silver the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))#Sonic|Silver]] vs. [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Sonic]]<br />{{C|[[Soleanna Castle Town]]}} || [[Iblis (boss)#Iblis Phase 2|Iblis (Phase 2)]]<br />{{C|[[Flame Core]]}} || rowspan = "4" | N/A
|-
| 3 || [[Iblis (boss)#Phase 2|Iblis (Phase 2)]]<br />{{C|[[Flame Core]]}} || [[Egg-Genesis]]<br />{{C|[[White Acropolis]]}} || [[Mephiles the Dark (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))#Phase 1|Mephiles (Phase 1)]]<br />{{C|[[Flame Core]], with [[E-123 Omega|Omega]]}}
|-
| 4 || [[Egg-Genesis]]<br />{{C|[[Soleanna Forest]]}} || colspan = "2" | [[Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Shadow]] vs. [[Silver the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))#Shadow|Silver]]<br />{{C|[[Radical Train]]}}
|-
| 5 || [[Egg-Wyvern]]<br />{{C|[[Egg Carrier]]}} || [[Iblis (boss)#Phase 3|Iblis (Phase 3)]]<br />{{C|[[Flame Core]]}} || [[Mephiles the Dark (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))#Phase 2|Mephiles (Phase 2)]]<br />{{C|[[Dusty Desert]]}}
|}

==Multiplayer==
''Sonic the Hedgehog'' features two styles of multiplayer gameplay that offer two-player action. In both modes, the [[Upgrade|Level-Up Items]] the three characters can use are limited to how many of them have been collected in the story mode. The game was originally supposed to be four player, but was changed due to deadlines for completing the game. Shared features between the two modes are downgraded graphics (due to an alternate renderer to increase performance), making objects and enemies shaded. Several auras from the character animations are also removed here, including the [[Homing Attack]]'s aura, Shadow's hand auras while charging a [[Chaos Spear]]/[[Chaos Lance]], and Silver's psychic moves. [[Power Sneakers (power-up)|High Speed]] items also make more frequent appearances in the multiplayer than in Action Stages, and the [[Invincible]] sparks work for every character, instead of only Sonic. While most stages are available in both multiplayer modes, [[Radical Train]] and [[Tropical Jungle]] are not.

The first mode, [[Tag Mode]], is a co-op type of play between Sonic, Silver and/or Shadow. Two players, each one controlling a character, must work together to clear levels and collect all the Chaos Emeralds. Lives are shared in this mode, so if one player loses a life when only one life remains, both will receive a game over.

The second game style available is [[Battle Mode (Sonic the Hedgehog (2006))|Battle Mode]]. Battle mode pits two players against each other and has them race to a goal in the selected level. The player who reaches the goal first is the winner. In this mode, there is no score total or a system of losing lives.

The previously rumored mini-games that were to allow up to four players to play simultaneously/alternately (Quiz, Race and a few others) seem to be missing in the final release of the game. The U.S. manual and Sega America game site (did prior to release of the game) do not mention any other modes other than the aforementioned Tag and Battle modes, though there are references to them in the text files for menus.<ref name="sega.com">{{Cite web|title=Sonic Next Gen|url=http://www.sega.com/gamesite/sonicnext/sonicnext_full/index.php|publisher=[[Sega]]}}</ref> It is also possible (and somewhat likely) that these minigames were moved to the Wii's ''[[Sonic and the Secret Rings]]'', which sports a 4-player minigame mode with Sonic, Shadow, Silver and other playable characters.

==Development==
Beginning development in the fall of 2004, ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was meant to be a rebirth of the series, the idea emerging from the question, "What if Sonic the Hedgehog existed in the real world?", and was intended to take elements that people had praised in the preceding ''[[Sonic Adventure|Adven]][[Sonic Adventure 2|ture]]'' titles and bring Sonic "back to his roots."<ref name="Giant bomb" /> Nothing pointed more to the idea of using this game to celebrate what made Sonic the Hedgehog the "Most Famous Hedgehog In The World" than naming the game after the first in the series. However, instead of keeping things simple, [[Sonic Team]] came up with numerous ideas they wanted to include to make the game the ultimate ''Sonic'' experience.

The advertising of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was first announced at the [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] convention in May 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/19/e3-2005-sega-hits-the-next-level|title=E3 2005: SEGA Hits the Next Level|last=Clayman|first=David|work=[[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]|publisher=News Corporation|date=18 May 2005|accessdate=8 January 2013}}</ref> At the 2005 Tokyo Game Show convention, [[Yuji Naka]] revealed the game's official title, ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', and announced that it would celebrate the 15th anniversary of the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/17/tgs-2005-sonic-ps3-named|title=TGS 2005: Sonic PS3 Named|last=Dunham|first=Jeremy|work=[[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]|publisher=News Corporation|date=17 September 2005|accessdate=8 January 2013}}</ref> Game director [[Shun Nakamura]] demonstrated the game's use of the [[wikipedia:Havok (software)|Havok Physics]] engine during Sega's stage shows.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/17/tgs-2005-eyes-on-sonic-next-gen|title=TGS 2005: Eyes-on Sonic Next-Gen|date=17 September 2005|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|accessdate=8 January 2013|work=[[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]|publisher=News Corporation}}</ref> The game was to be available for consoles as well as on the PC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonic the Hedgehog PlayStation 3/PC Poster|url=https://andrearitsu.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/e306_01.jpg|format=JPG}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonic the Hedgehog Xbox 360/PC Poster|url=https://andrearitsu.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/riders_pc_eu_manual_34.jpg|format=JPG}}</ref> At the same convention, Sonic Team also unveiled another game called ''Fifth Phantom Saga'' that used the same engine. However, this game was later canceled, and its concept of a psychokinetic protagonist gave birth to the idea of Silver the Hedgehog instead.<ref name="Silver Concepts">{{Cite web|last=Amaike|first=Yoshinari|title=Creating Silver the Hedgehog|url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/735/735501p1.html|publisher=[[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]|date=26 September 2006|accessdate=5 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrfJGIcNe_w|title=Sega Developer Shun Nakamura - Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection|date=2 January 2012|work=YouTube|accessdate=31 August 2016}}</ref>

After its debut, the game's development team faced serious problems, starting with the resignation of [[Yuji Naka]] as the head of [[Sonic Team]] and the executive producer of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', although Yuji Naka claimed on his Twitter in 2022 that he was fired for speaking openly about development salaries.<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1588777620740919298</ref><ref>https://soahcity.com/2022/11/30/yuji-naka-says-i-didnt-leave-sonic-team-sega-removed-me-for-discussing-developer-salaries/</ref> When presented with development kits for the [[Wii]], it was decided that ''Sonic the Hedgehog''{{'}}s staff would be split in two, with director Shun Nakamura finishing the creation of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]] consoles while [[Yojiro Ogawa]] would use the other half of Sonic Team to begin work on a ''Sonic'' game for the Wii, which would become ''[[Sonic and the Secret Rings]]'', rather than port the "next-generation" game to the Wii's weaker hardware. What was originally an ambitious undertaking now became a race against time to meet ''Sonic the Hedgehog''{{'}}s deadline of the 2006 holiday season, on two consoles, with only half of a development team. In this time, Sonic Team reportedly ignored Quality Assurance Tester bug reports in their rush to have the game ready for Christmas of 2006 regardless of the consequences. ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was released with a large number of problems, which resulted in the game being heavily critically panned.<ref name="Giant bomb">{{Cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/sonic-the-hedgehog/3030-20584/|title=Sonic the Hedgehog|accessdate=14 February 2013|publisher=Giant Bomb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/sega_sonicteam_interview_feb07_p3.asp|title=Sonic Wii Interview with Yojiro Ogawa|accessdate=24 September 2015|publisher=Kikizo}}</ref>

In February 2007, an interview with [[Sonic Team]]'s producer Yojiro Ogawa was made to comment on what made the game look like it did, in which he replied: "''The reason why we probably ended up with what we see today, involves a lot of reasons. One is that we did want to launch the title around Christmas, and we had the PS3 launch coming up, but we had to develop for Microsoft's 360 at the same time and the team had an awful lot of pressure on them. It was very hard for the team to try and see how we were going to come out with both versions together with just the one team. It was a big challenge.''"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://games.kikizo.com/features/sega_sonicteam_interview_feb07_p3.asp|title=Sonic Wii Interview with Yojiro Ogawa, page 3|publisher=Kikizo|date=20 February 2007|accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref>

Interestingly, insight into the development of the game's story, as well as selected concept art, was leaked to the internet before the game was released in the form of a file called "SONICNEXT_allscript", which had all the storyline ported in [[wikipedia:XML|XML]] format and was given to a fan site.

On 23 June 2018, [[Shiro Maekawa]] answered several questions about the game. He said that the story of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was so complex to write that after it was completed, it felt like they had solved a puzzle. During the production of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', he was told by [[Shun Nakamura]] that he wanted a story that was similar to ''Sonic Adventure 2''. Maekawa was in charge of scene composition and writing key dialogue. Certain small parts were written by [[Kiyoko Yoshimura]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?showtopic=8815&st=5700&p=929070&#entry929070|title=The Supreme Topic of 'Other' Knowledge|first=Emi|last=Jones|work=Sonic Retro Forums|date=23 June 2018|accessdate=23 June 2018}}</ref>

==Cast and Voice direction==
This game features the [[4Kids Entertainment]] cast from the ''[[Sonic X]]'' anime series in the English version while the Japanese version has mostly the same seiyū from ''Sonic X'' and the game series.

While there is no option in game to switch voices, the BIOS on both systems can be changed to the Japanese language to enable the Japanese voices. However, the entire game will be in Japanese, with no option to switch subtitles.

In addition to the 4Kids actors in the English version, [[Lacey Chabert]], who is coincidentally a long-time ''Sonic'' fan, voices Princess Elise, marking the first time in the history of the franchise that Hollywood talent has provided voice-over work for a ''Sonic'' game.

The voice directors for this game are Eriko Kimura in Japan and [[Christopher Collet]], Julie Rath and Lisa Shaffer for the English dub.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |Role
! colspan="2" |Voice actor(s)
|-
!Japanese
!English
|-
|[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]
|[[Jun'ichi Kanemaru]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Jason Griffith]]
|-
|[[Shadow the Hedgehog]]
|[[Kōji Yusa]]
|-
|[[Silver the Hedgehog]]
|[[Daisuke Ono]]
|[[Pete Capella]]
|-
|[[Princess Elise the Third|Princess Elise III]]
|[[Maaya Sakamoto]]
|[[Lacey Chabert]]
|-
|[[Doctor Eggman|Dr. Eggman]]
|[[Chikao Ōtsuka]]
|[[Mike Pollock]]
|-
|[[Miles "Tails" Prower]]
|[[Ryō Hirohashi]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Amy Palant]]
|-
|[[Anna]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Hikari Yono]]
|-
|[[Sophia]]
|rowspan="2" |[[Lisa Ortiz]]
|-
|[[Amy Rose]]
|[[Taeko Kawata]]
|-
|[[Blaze the Cat]]
|[[Nao Takamori]]
|[[Bella Hudson]]
|-
|[[Knuckles the Echidna]]
|[[Nobutoshi Canna]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Dan Green]]
|-
|[[Mephiles the Dark]]
|[[Takayuki Sakazume]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Solaris Project]] scientists
|[[Yoshikazu Kozuma]]
|-
|[[Keiji Okuda]]
|-
|[[Rouge the Bat]]
|[[Rumi Ochiai]]
|[[Kathleen Delaney]]
|-
|[[E-123 Omega]]
|[[Taiten Kusunoki]]
|[[Maddie Blaustein]]
|-
|[[Duke of Soleanna]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Kenji Utsumi]]
| rowspan="3" |[[David Willis]]
|-
|Narrator
|-
|[[Guardian Units of Nations|G.U.N.]] communicator
|[[Keiji Okuda]]
|}

==Downloadable content==
===Very Hard Mode===
This download has to be purchased separately for each character, '''Very Hard Mode''' consists of more enemies, being forced to take the hard paths and even going through levels backwards; amigos also get a bigger role in this than in normal gameplay (most notable in Shadow's levels, where Rouge and Omega are in every level except Wave Ocean).<ref>{{Cite web |title=ベリーハード・ダウンロードコンテンツについて |url=http://sonic.sega.jp/sonic/downloadcontents/001/index.html |publisher=[[Sega]] |language=Japanese}}</ref> Each main character's missions must be purchased separately for $2.49 USD each.

===Team Attack Amigo===
{{main|Team Attack Amigo}}
[[File:Sonic06Amigomanual.png|thumb|298x298px|A Japanese document depicting the path of stages in the Team Attack Amigo DLC from the Japanese site of ''Sonic the Hedgehog''.]]
This download includes an Extra Stage where the player must pass through eight different parts of the stage. The first three parts are played by Tails, as the player must go through Crisis City, Radical Train, and Kingdom Valley. The fourth and fifth parts are played by Blaze the Cat where the player must go through Tropical Jungle and Aquatic Base. The sixth and seventh parts are played by E-123 Omega where the player must go through Dusty Desert and White Acropolis. The final part of the stage consists of a boss fight where the player must fight the Egg Genesis as Omega to beat the Stage. 

This download is available on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 Japanese and European versions, and the North American Xbox 360 version but the North American PS3 version doesn't offer the download. Due to the Xbox 360 Marketplace's closure, this DLC can no longer be purchased anywhere in North America.

The European Xbox 360 version of the DLC doesn't save any of the stats after finishing the stage.

===Boss Attack===
{{main|Sonic Boss Attack|Shadow Boss Attack|Silver Boss Attack}}
Boss Attack has to be bought separately for each of the characters. Boss Attack is similar to the boss attack mode in ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'', and a similar boss from ''[[Sonic Heroes]]'' is brought back where as the player has to fight several waves of enemies. The player has to defeat all bosses from the corresponding storyline and nearly each of them is slightly more difficult than the original fight (there are extra enemies in the boss arena, the boss attacks more frequently and attacks in bigger variety). Defeating all of the bosses isn't the only objective however. Between boss battles, the player must defeat all the enemies that spawn in sub-arenas which are altered versions of boss arenas or hub worlds.

==Achievements==
These are the achievements which add to the player's Gamerscore on the [[Xbox 360]] version of ''Sonic the Hedgehog''.
{| class="wikitable"
!Badge
!Name
!Description

!Requirement
!Gamescore
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SonicEpisodeCleared.png]]
|Sonic Episode: Cleared
|Clear Sonic Episode!
| rowspan="4" |N/A
|30
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_ShadowEpisodeCleared.png]]
|Shadow Episode: Cleared
|Clear Shadow Episode!
|30
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SilverEpisodeCleared.png]]
|Silver Episode: Cleared
|Clear Silver Episode!
|30
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_OneToReachTheEnd.png]]
|One to reach the end
|End the last hidden story.
|20
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SonicEpisodeCompleted.png]]
|Sonic Episode: Completed
|Clear unlocked Sonic difficult level mission.
|Clear all Sonic ACT Missions on hard difficulty.
|40
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_ShadowEpisodeCompleted.png]]
|Shadow Episode: Completed
|Clear unlocked Shadow difficult level mission.
|Clear all Shadow ACT Missions on hard difficulty.
|40
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SilverEpisodeCompleted.png]]
|Silver Episode: Completed
|Clear unlocked Silver difficult level mission.
|Clear all Silver ACT Missions on hard difficulty.
|40
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_ShadowEpisodeMastered.png]]
|Shadow Episode: Mastered
|Clear all unlocked Shadow ACT Missions with Rank S.
| rowspan="3" |N/A
|60
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SonicEpisodeMastered.png]]
|Sonic Episode: Mastered
|Clear all unlocked Sonic ACT Missions with Rank S.
|60
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SilverEpisodeMastered.png]]
|Silver Episode: Mastered
|Clear all unlocked Silver ACT Missions with Rank S.
|60
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_NightsOfKronos.png]]
|Nights of Kronos
|Unlock the complete ending to the last hidden story.
|Clear all Last Episode ACT Missions with Rank S.
|60
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_LegendOfSoleanna.png]]
|Legend of Soleanna
|Overcome all trials and accomplish a great feat.
|Clear all ACT Missions and TOWN Missions with Rank S.
|100
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SilverMedalist.png]]
|Silver Medalist
|When you collect all the Silver Medals scattered around Soleanna...
| rowspan="2" |N/A
|50
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_GoldMedalist.png]]
|Gold Medalist
|When you collect all the Soleanna legendary Gold Medals...
|50
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_BluePhantom.png]]
|Blue Phantom
|Super Sonic Obtain the all moves.
|Obtain all Sonic moves.
|20
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_UltimateLifeForm.png]]
|Ultimate Life Form
|Resurrect the ultimate power from the lost memory.
|Obtain all Shadow moves.
|20
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_PsychicSoldier.png]]
|Psychic Soldier
|Obtain all the power to save the future world.
|Obtain all Silver moves.
|20
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SoleannasHero.png]]
|Soleanna's hero
|Solve all of Soleanna's problems.
|Clear all Sonic TOWN Missions.
|40
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_EliteAgent.png]]
|Elite Agent
|Complete all the tasks given as agent.
|Clear all Shadow TOWN Missions.
|40
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SilverTheLiberator.png]]
|Silver the Liberator
|Solve all the mysteries in Soleanna.
|Clear all Silver TOWN Missions.
|40
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SoleannasBlueWind.png]]
|Soleanna's blue wind
|Solve all the problems swiftly.
|Clear all Sonic TOWN Missions with Rank S.
|50
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_DarkHero.png]]
|Dark Hero
|Meet all the requests with magnificent skill.
|Clear all Shadow TOWN Missions with Rank S.
|50
|-
|[[File:Sonic2006_Achievement_SilverTheSavior.png]]
|Silver the Savior
|Reveal all secrets with your ultimate power.
|Clear all Silver TOWN Missions with Rank S.
|50
|}

==Music==
The main theme for the game, entitled "[[His World]]", was performed by Ali Tabatabaee & Matty Lewis from [[Zebrahead]].

Hip-hop/R&B performer Akon has done a remix to [[Dreams Come True]] song "[[Sweet Sweet Sweet]]" in Japanese and "Sweet Dreams" in English, which was originally the ending theme for ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' for the [[Sega Mega Drive]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=PLAYSTATION®3・Xbox360ソフト「ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ」の楽曲にDREAMS COME TRUE『SWEET SWEET SWEET－06 AKON MIX－』を収録！|url=http://www.sega.jp/info/060915_2.html|publisher=[[Sega]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007152109/http://www.sega.jp/info/060915_2.html|archivedate=7 October 2006|language=Japanese}}</ref> The song is entitled "SWEET SWEET SWEET -06 AKON MIX-",<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Single, Kyou dake wa, coming November 29!|url=http://www.dctjoy.com/dreamscometrue/currentnews/#Sep192006-1|accessdate=29 September 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=SONIC THE HEDGEHOG|url=http://sonic.sega.jp/sonic/|accessdate=29 September 2006}}</ref> in Japanese and "SWEET DREAMS -06 AKON MIX-" in English. It is Sonic's ending theme for the game. It was also featured in a trailer shown at Tokyo Game Show. Both versions are available to listen in the game but are omitted in both Soundtrack releases of the game. They were eventually released on ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 1&2 Soundtrack]]''.

[[Crush 40]], who have done several songs for the ''Sonic'' series in the past, performed a cover of "[[All Hail Shadow]]", one of the vocal songs from the ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]'' soundtrack, originally sung by the band Magna-Fi. However, aside from this one track and 2 others, [[Jun Senoue]] did not compose the music for this game.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jun Senoue Discussion Forum|url=http://junsenoue.com/component/option,com_joomlaboard/Itemid,29/func,view/id,9332/catid,2/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129223141/http://junsenoue.com/component/option,com_joomlaboard/Itemid,29/func,view/id,9332/catid,2/|archivedate=29 January 2008}}</ref>

Silver's theme, "[[Dreams of an Absolution]]" by [[Lee Brotherton]] (Remix Factory), can be heard at {{Plain link|http://remix-factory.co.uk/main.html|their website}}, as well as an exclusive remix of the song. 

Singer/songwriter Donna DeLory performs Elise's theme, entitled "[[My Destiny]]". The in-game music was composed by [[Tomoya Ohtani]]. The soundtrack to ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' is available to buy from Sega Direct, under the name ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Original Soundtrack]]''. It was released on 10 January 2007. There are two different albums: the OST and the vocal album ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Vocal Traxx: Several Wills]]''. The Vocal Traxx is on one disc while the OST is on three discs.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
|GR = 46%&nbsp;{{C|[[Xbox 360|X360]]}}<ref name="360score">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/929717.asp|title=Sonic the Hedgehog - X360|publisher=GameRankings|accessdate=10 April 2007}}</ref><br/>43%&nbsp;{{C|[[PlayStation 3|PS3]]}}<ref name="ps3score">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/929718.asp|title=Sonic the Hedgehog - PS3|publisher=GameRankings|accessdate=10 April 2007}}</ref>
|Fam = 29/40
|GSpot = 4.4/10&nbsp;{{C|[[Xbox 360|X360]]}}<br/>4.2/10&nbsp;{{C|[[PlayStation 3|PS3]]}}
|Play = 8.5/10&nbsp;{{C|[[Xbox 360|X360]]}}<ref name="play360">{{Cite web|url=http://www.playmagazine.com/index.php?fuseaction=SiteMain.showGamePage&Game_ID=425&page=1|title=Xbox 360 : Sonic the Hedgehog|publisher=Play Magazine}}</ref><br/>5.5/10&nbsp;{{C|[[PlayStation 3|PS3]]}}<ref name="playPS3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.playmagazine.com/index.php?fuseaction=SiteMain.showGamePage&Game_ID=451|title=PS3 : Sonic the Hedgehog|publisher=Play Magazine|date=February 2007}}</ref>
}}
''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was generally panned by critics and became one of the [[Wikipedia:List of video games notable for negative reception|most notable video games for its negative reception]]. While many believe this was due to a rushed development cycle, that was only a main issue the game possessed. Many complaints appeared to stem from the game's control, level design, convoluted plot and abundant load times (each lasting around 20 seconds). Another common complaint was with the apparent romance between Sonic and Elise. Receiving low mixes and severe negatives, this game has even been called the "rock bottom of the franchise." Across 39 reviews, GameRankings recorded the average score as 46%; the second poorest average for an [[Xbox 360]] title at the time of the game's release.<ref name="360score" /> The later [[PlayStation 3]] release received a similar score of 43%.<ref name="ps3score" />

A number of video game magazines or ranking sites gave the game mixed to negative scores. ''Famitsu'' gave a score of 29/40. GameSpot gave the Xbox 360 version a 4.4/10 and the PlayStation 3 version a 4.2/10. Dave Halverson of ''Play Magazine'' was notable for initially giving the game its biggest praise: a score of 9.5 for the Xbox 360 version. This was dropped down to 8.5 in the next issue, with Halverson explaining how he was incorrectly told that the load times and glitches in his review copy would not be in the finished product.<ref name="play360" /> Later, Halverson gave the PlayStation 3 version a 5.5, expressing his disgust for how the glitches and load times had still not improved and how the game now ran even worse despite the extra development time.<ref name="playPS3" /> In the ''Play Magazine'' awards of 2007, he stated he would pay praise and honor to the Xbox 360 version of the game, but not the PlayStation 3 iteration. As a contrast to its scathing reviews, it was praised for its music.

===Sales===
Despite all the contemptuous commentary, [[Sega]]'s official statement according to financial reports on ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' regarding its sales were positive, calling them "strong" and seeing the game's commercial performance as "solid", particularly in the United States and Europe, meeting the company's expectations for an overall figure of 870.000 copies sold in the aforementioned regions by May 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/settlement/2007/e_200703_3q_pre.pdf|publisher=Sega Sammy Holdings|title=Fiscal Year Ending March 2007 Fiscal Year Ending March 2007 3rd Quarter Results|date=7 February 2007|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/settlement/2007/e_200703_4q_pre.pdf|publisher=Sega Sammy Holdings|title=iscal Year Fiscal Year Ended March 2007 Ended March 2007 Full Year Results|date=14 May 2007|format=PDF}}</ref> The game also made it onto the [[Xbox 360]]'s ''Platinum Family Hits'' line, but it was not included on the [[PlayStation 3]]'s ''Greatest Hits'' collection, although it met the criteria to qualify. Other sources have also calculated an estimate of the game's overall sales worldwide, with results giving ''Sonic the Hedgehog ''more than 2 million units sold.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hazeldine|first=Julian|date=11 October 2014|title=Speedrun: The Unauthorised History of Sonic the Hedgehog|publisher=Lulu.com|page=86|isbn=978-1291831887}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vgchartz.com/game/70440/sonic-the-hedgehog/|title=Sonic the Hedgehog for PlayStation 3|date=27 January 2019|accessdate=29 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vgchartz.com/game/2113/sonic-the-hedgehog-2006|title=Sonic the Hedgehog for Xbox 360|date=17 February 2019|accessdate=29 September 2020}}</ref>

==Trivia== 
*There are many differences between the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]] versions:
**The PlayStation 3 version runs slightly faster, but this comes at a price with less stable framerate in a few areas. Also, the frame rate for the in-game cutscenes, including the boss intro and outro scenes, are locked at 30 FPS on PlayStation 3 in comparison to an unlocked frame rate of 60 FPS on Xbox 360, meaning audio is properly synced with all cutscenes on PS3. Slowdowns for certain parts of the game, like the results background in [[Crisis City]] as [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] for example, have also been fixed in the PlayStation 3 version.
**There are a few other minor changes, such as the start of [[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]]'s rival boss battle against Sonic - he starts on the end facing the altar of light across the strip of water in the Xbox 360 version, whereas in the PS3 version he faces the building.
**The PlayStation 3 version does not support trophies, as trophies would not be implemented in PS3 games until 2008.
*Not counting ports, this game is the only ''Sonic'' game on the [[Xbox 360]] to run at full 60 FPS, though there is frequent slowdown in stages and cutscenes.
*In both modes of multiplayer, the player whose character is [[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]] can use [[Psychokinesis]] on the other player's character.
*There is a clever wordplay involving [[Blaze the Cat]]'s choice of words present in the Japanese dialogue. The Japanese word for the color "blue" (adjective) is "aoi" (青い), and the Japanese word for the adjective "naive" is also "aoi" (青い or 蒼い). So, Blaze's mentioning of "''Blue Hedgehog...''" is "''Aoi Hedgehog...''" in Japanese, which can be taken either way. This phrase could not be directly translated, so it is missing from the localized version.
*In the [[Town Stage]] of [[Empire City]] in ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'', one of the citizens reads a newspaper that features the front cover of ''Sonic the Hedgehog''.
*There are slight differences in how Silver first caught sight of Sonic. In Sonic's story, he first spots Sonic while he and [[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]] are outrunning missiles from [[Dr. Eggman|Eggman]]'s robots and then determinedly clenches his fist and mutters, "''I've finally found him... the Iblis Trigger.''" However, from Silver's point of view, this scene and his statement occurred shortly after Eggman captured Elise and while Sonic was looking up at the Egg Carrier while it flew away. He also raises a different hand both times.
*Pre-release screenshots of the game showed that Sonic was supposed to go through [[Tropical Jungle]] on his own, but in the final game, he is with [[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]].
**Should a player hack Sonic on his own into Tropical Jungle, it's shown that he lacks the ability to use the vines located within the level.
*This is the first main console ''Sonic'' game to use the S rank.
*This is the first main console ''Sonic'' game for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.
*''Sonic the Hedgehog'' could be the first ''Sonic'' game with official Russian translation, according to SONICNEXT_allscript file.
*An advert on the back cover of the ''[[Sonic Riders]]'' instruction manual says it was due for release on PC DVD-ROM and Xbox 360. However this PC version was cancelled.
*In Silver's Story, when [[Mephiles the Dark|Mephiles]] is explaining to Silver and Blaze about how to save their world, if one looks closely behind Silver, they can notice that there are "SEGA" logos on the posters behind him.
*Some missions in [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]]'s story seem to have an error in reacting with Shadow's storyline: at least two Town Missions have [[Iblis's Minions|Iblis-and Mephiles-themed]] minions before the latter was released from the [[Scepter of Darkness]].
*When Sonic, [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] and [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]] return to the present and read the newspaper, the title of the newspaper says "Daily '''Soreana'''". This is due to the lack of distinction between the "L" and "R" sounds in Japan.
*The credits music for Sonic ([[Sweet Dreams AKON Mix]]) is the same tune as the ending theme in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' (where Tails flies the Tornado to save Sonic from crashing into the planet).
*The game was available for Xbox Games on Demand in 2009, but it was removed the following year as well as the downloadable demo.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tssznews.com/2010/09/29/sonic-2006-removed-from-xbox360-games-on-demand/|title=Sonic 2006 Removed from XBOX360 Games on Demand|publisher=TSSZ News}}</ref> According to Sega, this was done to increase the value in the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tssznews.com/2010/10/07/sega-delisting-average-poor-sonic-titles/|title=Sega Delisting Average, Poor Rated Sonic Titles|publisher=TSSZ News}}</ref>
*Sonic and Shadow are never playable in each others' episode - Silver and Shadow in Aquatic Base, Sonic and Silver in Kingdom Valley - despite going through the same parts of Crisis City and [[Flame Core]] at the same time.
**In the game's files however, there are voice clips of Sonic and Shadow working together in a scrapped story for [[Tag Mode]]. Animations of Sonic riding in the [[Buggy]] were also found, but Sonic's model is offset far from the seat.
**Silver also appears as a rival in every story, except for the Last Story.
*When [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]] returns from the future, she receives a call from a [[Guardian Units of Nations|G.U.N.]] agent questioning her. In the dialogue, he questions if she has the Book of Darkness, but in the subtitles, it shows that he should have said the [[Scepter of Darkness]]. This is most likely a recording error stemming from an earlier translation for the Scepter of Darkness. 
**Another recording error is heard when a G.U.N. soldier is telling Shadow that Omega has gone to Wave Ocean. Near the end of the line, the voice actor can be heard messing up his line, and reading it again.
[[File:Wmplayer 2017-03-30 16-59-10-331.png|thumb|225px|[[Silver the Hedgehog|Silver]] jumping into the portal while the [[Chaos Emerald]] is in his hand in "Leaving the Scepter of Darkness" cutscene.]]
*In the "Leaving the Scepter of Darkness" cutscene of Shadow's story, Silver has the [[Chaos Emerald]] visible in his hand while jumping at the portal that leads to the present timeline, however, he is supposed to leave it beside the young [[Princess Elise the Third|Elise]] in the "The Talisman" cutscene of his story. This is most likely an oversight on the developer's part, given that the part with Silver leaving the emerald is unrelated to Shadow's story and was not included in it, the model of the [[Chaos Emerald]] ended up sticking to his hand because he did not place the emerald in the said cutscene.
*The blue Chaos Emerald goes through a [[wikipedia:Temporal paradox|Boostrap Paradox]]. The Emerald at the start of Sonic's story was given to Elise by Silver who gave it to her 10 years in the past. She then gives this Emerald to Sonic, who later loses it in [[White Acropolis]] where it is found by Silver who later travels to the past and leaves it behind with Elise again.
*The dialogue of the Last Story's "Embers of Solaris" cutscene differs between the English and Japanese version. In the English version, Elise asks if Sonic has destroyed Solaris, to which he replies that he did not, followed by him saying that the light approaching them is the true Solaris. In the Japanese version, Elise questions if it is over. Sonic replies with "No", and comments that the light that is approaching them is "Solaris's spark".
*In the "Going back to the present" and "Shadow remains in the future" cutscenes, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Rouge enter the Chaos Control time rift back to the present after defeating Iblis. However, Rouge did not arrive to the present with the boys at the exact same time.
*If one was to compare the information given from the official guide for the game, to the gameplay itself, several interesting points can be gathered:
**Some screenshots in the guide has Sonic's icon for the life count of every character besides Sonic himself.
**The guide mentions that [[E-123 Omega]]'s [[Hover]] ability and [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]]'s [[Propeller Flying|Fly]] are bound to the energy of the [[Action Gauge]] along with screenshots that show the said gauge being used by these characters. This, however, is not the case in the final version since the Action Gauge is only displayed in gameplays of the three hedgehogs and Omega's hovering lasts indefinitely until landing.
**The Silver medals' placements sometimes differ from the game.
**The guide documents the unused Speed Chip upgrade for Silver.
**Several [[Level Up Item]] and [[Gem]]s have their details contradict what is up in the game: the [[Mach Speed]] would work the same way as what is now the [[Boost|Sonic Boost]]; the [[Dummy Ring Bomb]] would throw an empty item box; and the [[Teleport Dash]] could have warped through an enemy and its attacks.
*[[Sonic Team]] originally planned to release a port of the game as the first ''Sonic'' game for the Wii. However, such a port would have taken a long time to create, and Sega wanted to release a ''Sonic'' game much closer to the Wii's launch. This became the 2007 video game ''[[Sonic and the Secret Rings]]''.
*Within the menu text files for the game, it is shown that the supporting characters were planned to have episodes of their own, possibly as DLC, and that [[Metal Sonic]] (who does not appear otherwise in the game) would have been playable. Due to the rushed development and poor reception of the game, these plans were scrapped.
*This is the second ''Sonic'' game with an E10+ rating. The first one was ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]''. 
**According to G4, the game had E rating at some point.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonic the Hedgehog For Xbox 360|url=https://archive.org/details/g4tv.com-video15039|work=G4TV.com|date=10 February 2013}}</ref>
*Sonic's voice actor at the time, [[Jason Griffith]], revealed at Sonicon in November 2010 that 4Kids and Sega had brought in the Japanese voice directors of the game to direct the English voice cast along with the English directors.
*Like ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'', when the player enters a loading screen into a new act, they will be unable to restart the stage from the beginning, instead being taken to the beginning of the current act.
*An unused gameplay mechanic where Sonic's top speed would have dramatically increased the more [[Ring]]s he collects can be seen in the E3 2006 beta demo. Since the game was rushed, however, this mechanic was never fully implemented, and Sonic's top speed outside of the Mach Speed Stages became slower.{{Citation needed}}
*This is the final 3D mainline ''Sonic'' game until ''[[Sonic Frontiers]]'' to feature Tails, Knuckles, and Amy as fully playable characters.
*This is the first ''Sonic'' game to feature HD graphics.
*This is the first 3D main game where the [[Tornado]] does not make an appearance.
*This is the second mainline series game in the ''Sonic'' franchise to be released on an important [[Sonic the Hedgehog 15th Anniversary|Sonic anniversary year]], the first game being ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'', which helped celebrate the [[Sonic the Hedgehog 10th Anniversary|tenth anniversary]] of the ''Sonic'' franchise.
*Excluding the Xbox Live Arcade ''Sonic'' games, this game has the least number of achievements (23).
*It can be noted that Silver is the only character who is playable throughout all four Episodes; in addition to his own Episode, he is playable in [[Kingdom Valley]] in [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]'s Episode, he is playable in [[Aquatic Base]] in [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]]'s Episode, and he is playable in [[Dusty Desert]] in [[End of the World]] and during the [[Solaris]] boss fight in his [[Super Silver|Super Form]] in the Last Episode.
*This is the second game to have hidden items to collect in the [[Town Stage]], the first being ''Sonic Adventure''.
*It is possible to reach areas with a character that the developers did not intend for that character to reach. For example, you can enter the area right before the end of Silver's first section of [[Aquatic Base]] as Shadow, using a glitch that allows Shadow to go through walls. Not only can you explore this area, but Silver's voice clips play when you are Shadow as you enter the last room of the first section (this is due to how the game loads voice clips, which loads a specific voice clip to play for a single character, as opposed to being dynamic like ''[[Sonic Heroes]]''). Almost every character can achieve a trick like this.
*Sonic's animations from TGS 2005, as well as his homing flip animations from E3 2006, were leftover within the game, but were unused. The homing flip animations can still be seen with using the [[White Gem]], however.
*Tails and Knuckles did not appear alongside Sonic in the last Castle Town Adventure Field leading to Aquatic Base despite the trio being playable in that Action Stage together.
*The game manual states some features and items that are not in the actual game, due to rushed completion, such as two options for Tag Mode: Tag Story, begin a new game or continue a previously saved game, and Tag Trial, play stages beaten in Tag Story, shields, the Action Gauge limiting the power of Sonic's abilities, and the flying and hovering abilities of Tails and Omega, and the ability to upgrade Custom Actions up to level 3.
*There's a typo in the ending, when Elise says, "It felt like... someone was calling me," the subtitles read, "It felt like... '''like''' someone was calling me."
*There is a glitch found in Shadow's story that happens when one is to enter [[Soleanna New City]] at the time in-game when they are supposed to enter [[Dusty Desert]] through using Shadow's wall glitch at the gate leading to Soleanna New City. Things like unused mirrors for Flame Core and Crisis City were found. The most interesting thing to be found though, was an entire unused mission. A warp is placed around the area with the mirrors. The mission is fully functional, and even has some unused text after it is completed. However, this mission isn't saved in the Town Trial levels and cannot be accessed with the same save file if you save after completing it.
*There was a planned combination move between Silver and [[Blaze the Cat|Blaze]] that by using the {{Y Button (Xbox)}}/{{Triangle Button (PS)}}, the player can use Blaze's pyrokinesis to wrap into flames/approach sides in Iblis' third phase.
**There was also another combo that Silver can pick up Blaze and throw her to launch a powerful attack in the same boss battle.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-IpU_Suz4k</ref>
*Amy is the only hedgehog in this game to not fight a boss, have her own episode, or Level Up Items.
*Silver's story is the only story in which all hedgehogs are playable.
*Shadow is the only character to fight Iblis, Mephiles, and Solaris.
*Omega is the only supporting character to be playable in a boss.
*The red Chaos Emerald is the only Emerald that was not seen individually in any cutscene.
*Tails is the only supporting character to be playable in the Soleanna Adventure Field. 
**However, the Silver Medals do not appear in Castle Town when Tails is playable there.
*Knuckles is the only playable character to not complete a mission, leading his victory screen animation and rank voice clips unused. However, the player can do a glitch to complete a stage as him.
*Silver is the only hedgehog in the game not to introduce himself by a full name or title. 
**Sonic introduces himself as 'Sonic the Hedgehog' to Princess Elise when they meet during the first cutscene of his campaign.
**Amy introduces herself as 'Amy Rose' to Silver and Elise during their introduction scenes in Silver's campaign.
**Shadow introduces himself as 'Shadow the Hedgehog' after Silver mistakes him for Mephiles before their respective boss battles in Radical Train. He later does the same when Mephiles demands the name of the one sealing him in the [[Scepter of Darkness]].
**Silver only introduces himself as 'Silver' to both Sonic and Amy when he first meets both of them. The only time his full title of 'Silver the Hedgehog' is displayed in game is during the start of his boss battles.
*Some achievements in this game are poorly described. One example includes "Nights of Kronos," in which it tells the player that he/she can see a completely different version of the game's ending in the Last Episode. However, the player gets this achievement when he/she gets an S-rank on both End of the World and Solaris. Another example are the achievements "Silver Medalist" and "Gold Medalist." The description indicates that the player will unlock something when they collect all the silver medals and gold medals respectively, when in reality, they do not. However, it suggests that it was intended for the player to unlock something, potentially Free Mode, but was scrapped as well. "Legend of Soleanna" is unlocked after achieving an S-rank on all act missions, town missions, and boss battles with every character, but its description simply tells the player to "overcome all trials and accomplish a great feat.
*This is the first time that [[Shadow the Hedgehog]] removes his [[Limiter Ring]]s in the game series.
*If the player removes the game disc while the game is still playing on the PS3 version, it will just continue playing as if the disc was still inside. However, the music will stop playing.
*This is the first main series game where Sonic and Shadow do not fight each other in Story Mode since Shadow's introduction.
*Currently, this is the last ''Sonic'' game until ''[[Sonic Superstars]]'' to feature a Last Story, as the episodic format used to tell the game's story was no longer used after this game.
*Even though both the "''Running through the plains''" and "''Knuckles delivers a letter from Eggman''" cutscenes, along with the title screen video, are pre-rendered and set to work at 30 FPS, they do not use the CGI graphics of the game.
*This game was originally going to have a day and night feature, but the idea was scrapped for time restraints and the concept was later used in ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'' instead. ''[[Sonic Frontiers]]'' would later realize this idea in full, with the game having a fully functioning day and night cycle - sixteen years after the release of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (2006).
*''Sonic the Hedgehog'' is the first main game to have all four hedgehog main characters presented (Sonic, Amy, Shadow, and Silver). The others being ''[[Sonic Generations]]'', ''[[Sonic Forces]]'', and ''[[Sonic X Shadow Generations]]''.
**Of these games, ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' is the only one to have all four of them playable.
**All of these games are also anniversary titles or partially a remake of a previous anniversary title.
*[[Shiro Maekawa]] had written a draft for the game's story that would have connected it more clearly with ''[[Sonic Rush]]''.<ref name="Maekawa">{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mizuhano/status/1010563445068976128|title=Shiro Maekawa on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=23 June 2018|accessdate=30 June 2018|language=Japanese}}</ref>
*The Mission Clear jingle in this game was later used as Sonic's victory jingle in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Wii U'']] and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', making this the one of the only series with a victory jingle that was ripped straight from another game.
**However, in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', his victory jingle was shortened in the final build instead of the full version in the E3 build.
*When Takashi Iizuka was questioned about the apparent inconsistencies of Blaze's role in the game compared to those in ''[[Sonic Rush]]'', he stated that the reason no one expressed familiarity with her was because everyone had "amnesia."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKhq6AgKlyI|title=Sonic Boom 2012---SonicKamehameha---|date=17 July 2012|work=YouTube|accessdate=21 December 2015|quote='''Speaker''': Iizuka-san, can you please clear out the story of Silver, Blaze and Eggman Nega? Also to mention, in the future, Sonic Rush, Sonic Rivals and Sonic 2006 they all know each other, but in Sonic Colors, they never met. / '''[[Takashi Iizuka]]''' (as translated by the Q&A board's translator): So everyone probably know this, but Silver and Eggman Nega are from the future, and Blaze is from an alternate dimension. But in 2006, basically what happens is that everyone had like amnesia.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=3000 Facts About Video Games|pages=291}}</ref>

==Videos==
<tabber>
US Trailer=[[File:Sonic The Hedgehog - Trailer - E3 2006 - Xbox360.mov|thumb|left|350px]]
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Japanese Trailer=[[File:Sonic The Hedgehog - Tokyo Game Show 2006 Trailer|thumb|left|350px]]
|-|
Debut Trailer=[[File:SONIC The Hedgehog (2006) E3 2005 Technical Demonstration Reveal Trailer|thumb|left|350px]]
|-|
PlayStation 3 Trailer - Environment=[[File:Sonic the Hedgehog PlayStation 3 Trailer - Environment|thumb|left|350px]]
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European Commercial=[[File:Sonic '06 Commercial Enter The Sonic Age|thumb|left|350px]]
|-|
German Commercial=[[File:Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 TV Spot Deutsch|thumb|left|350px]]
</tabber>
{{-}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{Plain link|http://www.sega.com/gamesite/sonicnext/sonicnext_full/|Official English website}}
*{{Plain link|http://sonic.sega.jp/sonic|Official Japanese website}}
*{{Plain link|http://sonichedgehog.sega-europe.com/en/index.html|Official European website}}
*{{WP link|Sonic the Hedgehog (2006 video game)|''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (2006 video game)}}
{{Sonic 2006 info}}
{{Sonic games}}
{{Italic title}}
[[de:Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)]]
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[[Category:Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)| ]]
[[Category:2006]]
[[Category:3D platformers]]
[[Category:Games developed by Sonic Team]]
[[Category:Games written by Shiro Maekawa]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:Rated E10+ games]]
[[Category:Sonic the Hedgehog 15th Anniversary]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]
[[Category:PEGI 12 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Now games]]