Sonic Heroes: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|2003 video game}}

{{Infobox CVG| title = Sonic Heroes

{{Good article}}

|image = [[Image:Shbox.jpg|256px|]]

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

|developer = [[Sonic Team]]

{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}

|publisher = [[Sega]]

{{Infobox video game

|designer =

| title = Sonic Heroes

|engine = [[RenderWare]]

| image = Sonic Heroes cover.png

|released = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[December 30]], [[2003]] <br /> {{flagicon|USA}} [[January 6]], [[2004]] ([[Nintendo GameCube|GC]])<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[January 27]], [[2004]] ([[PlayStation 2|PS2]]/[[Xbox]])<br />{{flagicon|EU}} [[February 6]], [[2004]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[November 16]], [[2004]] ([[Personal Computer|PC]])<br />{{flagicon|EU}} [[November 26]], [[2004]] ([[Personal Computer|PC]])<br />{{flagicon|Japan}} [[December 10]], [[2004]] ([[Personal Computer|PC]])

| alt = The North American PC cover art of Sonic Heroes. It depicts the cartoonish characters Sonic, a blue hedgehog, Tails, a yellow fox, and Knuckles, a red echidna, making victory poses. Above them, the text "SONIC HEROES" is shown; below them (from left to right) is the ESRB rating of E, the PC-DVD ROM logo, and the Sega logo.

|genre = Adventure [[Platformer]]

| caption =

|modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer]]

| developer = [[Sonic Team#Sonic Team USA / Sega Studios USA|Sonic Team USA]]

|ratings = [[ESRB]]: Everyone (E)<br>[[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]]: All ages <br> [[PEGI]]: 3+

| publisher = [[Sega]]

|platforms = [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2|PS2]], [[Xbox]], [[Personal Computer|PC]]

| director = [[Takashi Iizuka (game designer)|Takashi Iizuka]]

|mediablablahgfjytrjyrf = [[DVD]], [[CD-ROM]] (x2), [[GameCube Optical Disc]]

| designer = Takashi Iizuka<br/>Eitaro Toyoda

|requirements = PC: [[Pentium III]] 866 [[Megahertz|MHz]] [[Central processing unit|CPU]], 16MB [[Direct3D]]-compatible [[graphics card]], DirectX-compatible [[sound card]], 12x [[CD-ROM]] drive, 0.8GB [[hard disk]] space, [[Microsoft Windows]] 98SE/ME/2000/XP, [[DirectX]] 9.0b

| producer = [[Yuji Naka]]

|input = PC: Mouse and keyboard, or analog joypad<br />

| artist = [[Kazuyuki Hoshino]]

Console: [[Game controller]]

| writer = Shiro Maekawa

| series = ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]''

| composer = [[Jun Senoue]]<br/>[[Tomoya Ohtani]]<br/>Naofumi Hataya<br/>Keiichi Sugiyama<br/>Hideaki Kobayashi<br/>Mariko Nanba<br/>Fumie Kumatani

| engine = [[RenderWare]]

| released = {{collapsible list|title=December 30, 2003|

'''PlayStation 2''', '''Xbox''', '''GameCube'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 30, 2003|NA|January 6, 2004 (GCN) |NA|January 27, 2004 (Xbox, PS2) |EU|February 2, 2004}}

'''Microsoft Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 16, 2004|EU|November 26, 2004|JP|December 9, 2004}}

'''PlayStation Network'''{{vgrelease|EU|February 22, 2012|JP|September 27, 2014}}}}

| genre = [[Platformer|Platform]], [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]]

| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]

| platforms = {{unbulleted list|[[GameCube]]|[[PlayStation 2]]|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]|[[Microsoft Windows]]}}

}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Sonic Heroes'''''|ソニック ヒーローズ|''Sonikku Hirozu''|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2003 [[Platformer|platform game]] developed by [[Sonic Team USA]] and published by [[Sega]]. The player races a team of [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog|series characters]] through [[Level (video games)|levels]] to amass [[Sonic the Hedgehog#Gameplay|rings]], defeat robots, and collect the seven [[Chaos Emeralds]] needed to defeat [[Doctor Eggman]]. Within each level, the player switches between the team's three characters, who each have unique abilities, to overcome obstacles. ''Sonic Heroes'' downplays the [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] and [[Walking simulator|exploration]]-based gameplay of its predecessors ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' (1998) and ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'' (2001) in favor of returning to the linear style of [[Sega Genesis]]-era ''Sonic'' games.

''Heroes'' was the first [[Cross-platform software|multi-platform]] game in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series, produced for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[GameCube]], and [[Microsoft Windows]]. Sonic Team USA's [[Yuji Naka]] and [[Takashi Iizuka (game designer)|Takashi Iizuka]] led the game's 20-month development. The team wanted ''Sonic Heroes'' to appeal beyond ''Sonic'' series fans and so designed a game that did not depend on the continuation of its predecessors. The team revived elements not seen since the Genesis ''Sonic'' games, such as [[Bonus stage|special stages]] and the [[Chaotix]] characters.

{{nihongo|'''''Sonic Heroes'''''|ソニックヒーローズ|Sonikku Hīrōzu}} is a [[video game]] in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog series|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series. It is the first multiplatform game in the Sonic series. The game was developed on the [[Nintendo]] [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], then ported onto the [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 2]], [[Microsoft]] [[Xbox]], and [[personal computer|PC CD-ROM]] using [[Renderware]] technology. The phrase "Sonic Heroes" refers to the uniting of the protagonists of the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

Sega released ''Sonic Heroes'' in Japan in December 2003 and worldwide in early 2004. It was a commercial success, with 3.41&nbsp;million copies sold by 2007, but received mixed reviews. Critics praised the focus on fast gameplay and similarities to the series' original [[2D computer graphics|2D]] entries, a choice that some considered an improvement from the ''Sonic Adventure'' games. Reviewers also highlighted its graphic design and detailed environments and textures. However, they felt it did not address the problems of previous ''Sonic'' games, such as the camera and voice acting.

The game introduces several new gameplay elements. Unlike past Sonic games, which have all had a player controlling one character, players are able to control three characters at a time, switching the party's leader.

==Gameplay==

This game also marked the return of many characters from the Sonic universe: [[Chaotix]], a group last seen in ''[[Knuckles' Chaotix]]'' on the [[Sega 32X]]; [[Shadow the Hedgehog]] and [[Rouge the Bat]] from ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''; [[Cream the Rabbit]] from [[Sonic Advance 2]]; [[Big the Cat]] from ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''; [[Metal Sonic]], who, prior to this game, had not played a major role in the series for years, last having one in ''[[Knuckles' Chaotix]]'' in 1995. The game also introduces a new character, [[E-123 Omega]].

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Sonic_Heroes_Grand_Metropolis.png

| caption1 = Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in the Grand Metropolis stage

| alt1 = Gameplay screenshot from Sonic Heroes. In it, the cartoonish animals Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles run on top of a building in the Grand Metropolis level; there are gold rings and red hovering robots in front of them. The background depicts high-tech buildings and more of the level's geometry. The score, time, and rings collected are in the upper left corner.

| image2 =

| caption2 = The different teams in ''Sonic Heroes''

}}

''Sonic Heroes'' is a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[Platformer|platformer]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Casamassina |first1=Matt |title=Sonic Heroes |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/09/sonic-heroes-5 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=September 22, 2018 |date=July 9, 2003}}</ref> While the preceding ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' games for the [[Dreamcast]] featured elements of [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] and [[Walking simulator|exploration]], ''Sonic Heroes'' focuses on [[Nonlinear gameplay|linear]] platforming and [[Action game|action]],<ref name="gspyrev" /><ref name="chat" /> similar to the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog#1990–1991: Conception and first game|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' games for the [[Sega Genesis]].<ref name="igngc" /> The story is also simpler than those of the ''Sonic Adventure'' games. In it, series antagonist [[Doctor Eggman]] threatens to use a weapon to destroy the world and sends out legions of robots. Four groups of three characters from the franchise's history separately team up to put a stop to Eggman's plans.<ref name="grevogc" /> The player navigates using one of the teams, who serve as the [[player character]]s.<ref name="gspyrev" /> The teams include Team Sonic, which consists of series regulars [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails]], and [[Knuckles the Echidna]]; Team Dark, which includes [[Shadow the Hedgehog]] and [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog#Rouge the Bat|Rouge the Bat]] from ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'', and new character [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog#E-123 Omega|E-123 Omega]] (considered a spiritual successor to [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog#E-102 Gamma|E-102 Gamma]] from ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''); Team Rose, which has [[Amy Rose]], [[Cream the Rabbit and Cheese]] from ''[[Sonic Advance 2]]'' (2002), and [[Big the Cat]] from ''Sonic Adventure''; and Team Chaotix, consisting of [[Espio the Chameleon]], [[Charmy Bee]], and [[Vector the Crocodile]] from ''[[Knuckles' Chaotix]]'' (1995).<ref name="grevogc" /> Each team has its own [[Campaign (gaming)|campaign]], called a story.<ref name=":1" /> Each also represents a different [[Game balance#Difficulty level|difficulty]]. Amy's team, for example, is designed for beginners, while Shadow's is aimed at more experienced players.<ref name="igngc" />

The game begins with a tutorial<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Sonic Heroes (Prima's Official Strategy Guide)|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|year=2004|isbn=978-0761544494}}</ref> followed by fourteen normal [[Level (video games)#Level_design|levels]]<ref name="igngc" /> and seven [[Boss (video games)|boss fights]].<ref name=":1" /> Gameplay is generally similar in each story: the player must race through levels to advance the story and collect [[Sonic the Hedgehog#Gameplay|rings]] for protection and [[Life (video games)|lives]].<ref name="gspyrev" /> Level themes vary<ref name="igngc" /> from beaches to casinos.<ref name="gspotrevgc" /> When the player reaches the end of a level, they are graded based on their performance; an "A" rank is highest, while an "E" is lowest.<ref name="chat" /> Enemy robots are scattered around levels and must be defeated by jumping on them or other means of attack.<ref name=":1" /> The [[level design]]s differ slightly between each story.<ref name="igngc" /> Espio, Charmy, and Vector's levels are distinguished from the other teams' because they are [[Quest (video games)|mission]]-based, requiring players to fulfill a specific objective, like collecting items, to clear a level.<ref name="euroggc2"/>

Although the plot for ''Sonic Heroes'' is somewhat sparse, a portion of it, particularly Team Dark's storyline, was a set-up for ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (Video Game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]'' released in 2005.

Teams contain three character types: Speed (such as Sonic), Flight (such as Tails), and Power (such as Knuckles), which the player toggles between.<ref name="euroggc2"/> Speed characters can perform attacks that allow them to lock onto enemies and objects, dash across lines of rings, and can form whirlwinds to climb up poles. Flight characters can temporarily fly and attack airborne enemies, while Power characters can break through objects and glide on gusts of air. By acquiring certain items or enemies, characters can [[Statistic (role-playing games)#Skills|level up]], becoming more efficient when fighting enemies, though these level up items are lost if the player loses a life.<ref name=":1" />

==Teams==

Unlike past Sonic the Hedgehog games, Sonic Heroes is the first Sonic game that allows the player to control three characters at once (although the player controls the selected character, while the computer takes control of the remaining two characters). A player will choose one of four teams to use. The four teams all have their own strengths and weaknesses as do each of the individual characters. Sonic Heroes was the first Sonic game to introduce the "Speed, Flight, and Power" concept into the series.

By collecting keys hidden within levels and reaching the end of a level without getting hit, players can enter [[Bonus stage|special stages]].<ref name="gzonedev" /> In special stages, players dash across a tube, collecting spheres containing boost power while avoiding obstacles. There are two types of special stages: Bonus Challenge and Emerald Challenge. Bonus Challenges are optional and award the player with extra lives. Emerald Challenges task the player with catching a [[Sonic the Hedgehog#Chaos Emeralds|Chaos Emerald]] before it disappears.<ref name=":1" />

A team is made up of three characters, each suited for a specific task. The three types of characters are "flight," "speed," and "power." Flight-type characters are able to ascend short distances with other party members; Speed-type characters have the ability to move at a faster rate than the other two members of the team; Power-type characters are the strongest, physically, of the three.

If players collect all seven Emeralds and clear each story, an additional Last Story is unlocked. The Last Story reveals the plot was orchestrated by [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog#Metal Sonic|Metal Sonic]], Eggman's top enforcer and a robotic copy of Sonic, in an effort to destroy his namesake.<ref name=":1" /> Outside the main game, players can unlock promotional trailers to view and music to listen to. The game also features a [[Split screen (computing)|split screen]] [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] mode, in which two players can race or battle.<ref name="igngc" /> Challenges in the multiplayer mode include [[Kart racing game|kart racing]] and collecting as many rings as possible.<ref name="gzonedev" />{{clear}}

===Team Sonic===

*[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]] - Speed

*[[Miles "Tails" Prower]] - Flight

*[[Knuckles the Echidna]] - Power

==Plot==

Team Sonic is the main team of Sonic Heroes. One day, [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]], [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]], and [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]], the game's [[protagonists]], receive a letter from the maniacal [[Doctor Eggman]]. The Doctor tells them of his new ultimate weapon that will be ready within three days, thus, challenging them to find and destroy it. The three band together to stop the mad doctor's plans.

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles receive a letter from Doctor Eggman, telling them that in three days, he will launch his Egg Fleet in an attempt to take over the world, challenging them to stop him. Rouge infiltrates one of Eggman's bases, where she is surprised to discover [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]], last seen falling from the Space Colony ARK, asleep in a pod. When she awakens him and one of Eggman's robots, E-123 Omega, from their stasis, the three reluctantly agree to work together, with Omega wanting revenge for being locked up and Shadow, who has [[amnesia]], wanting answers regarding who he is. Amy helps Big and Cream track down Big's pet, Froggy, and Cheese's brother, Chocola Chao, who were both reportedly kidnapped by Sonic. The Chaotix Detective Agency (Vector, Espio and Charmy) receive a job offer from a mysterious client, where they execute a series of tasks to prove themselves.

The four teams chase down Eggman through various zones, crossing paths with each other at several points, until they all end up on the Egg Fleet. There, Rouge discovers an armada of Shadow Androids, wondering if their Shadow is just one of them too. The Chaotix end up rescuing their mystery client, revealed to be Eggman. He explains that he was locked up and betrayed by Metal Sonic, now going by "Neo Metal Sonic", who had adopted the guise of Eggman and taken control of the Egg Fleet to prove himself superior to Sonic. Using the data he collected from observing all the teams in action and the power of [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog#Chaos|Chaos]] copied from Froggy and Chocola, he transforms into his ultimate state, the "Metal Overlord". Using the power of the Chaos Emeralds all the teams had collected, they work together to take down Metal, with Sonic turning Super (accompanied by Tails and Knuckles) to defeat him. After Metal Sonic is defeated and reverts to his original form, Sonic and everyone go their separate ways, while the Chaotix chase after Eggman, demanding payment from him.

The typical level for this team requires one to race through the levels as quickly as possible, with intermediate difficulty settings. Team Sonic's abilities are very similar to Team Dark's, with the exception of the Power character's combos (Knuckles triggers [[volcano|volcanic eruptions]]). When separated from their teammates, Tails attacks by throwing ring bombs and Sonic attacks with the somersault slide. Team Sonic is one of the two teams that is capable of using the Light Dash. Sonic can use the Triangle Jump which allows him to bounce between close walls, and his tornado move, Blue Tornado, homes in on the nearest enemy.

==Development==

[[Image:Team_sonic.jpg|100px|right|thumb|From L to R: [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]], and [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] form Team Sonic.]]

[[File:Yuji Naka' - Magic - Monaco - 2015-03-21- P1030036 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|alt=Yuji Naka, a Japanese man in glasses, a black suit, and a red tie, in 2015. He is the co-creator of Sonic the Hedgehog and producer of Sonic Heroes.|[[Yuji Naka]], the producer of ''Sonic Heroes'', in 2015]]

The Team Blast is "Sonic Overdrive", in which Knuckles holds Tails, holding Sonic, spinning them around picking up speed, until Knuckles lets go and Tails launches Sonic like the Thunder Shoot. Sonic will use "Light Attack", destroying all enemies and stunning bosses like the Thunder Shoot. While the Gauge restores itself, Tails can launch Sonic into Light Attack at any level, and when Sonic approaches any enemy, he can, for a limited time, use Light Attack on his own, allowing him to destroy any enemy within his radius.

''Sonic Heroes'' was developed by the 19-member [[Sonic Team#Sonic Team USA / Sega Studios USA|Sonic Team USA]] in [[San Francisco]]<ref name="NPowerQ&A"/> to commemorate the ''Sonic'' series' 12th anniversary.<ref name="w/thecreators"/> Development was led by producer [[Yuji Naka]] and director/lead designer [[Takashi Iizuka (game designer)|Takashi Iizuka]],<ref name="w/thecreators">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/sonicheroes/themakers.htm|title=Sonic Heroes- An Interview with the Creators|last1=Barker|first1=Ben|website=[[Xbox]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115944/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/sonicheroes/themakers.htm|archive-date=October 28, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/interview-nights-watchman|title=Interview: Nights Watchman|date=December 30, 2007|website=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612044240/http://www.edge-online.com/features/interview-nights-watchman|archive-date=June 12, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> and lasted 20 months. The majority of the development team had worked on previous ''Sonic'' games.<ref name="NPowerQ&A">{{cite magazine |date=January 2004 |title=Takashi Iizuka Q&A |url=http://sost.emulationzone.org/sonic_heroes/scans/nintendopowernov034.jpg |url-status=live |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |issue=175 |pages=50 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726170115/http://sost.emulationzone.org/sonic_heroes/scans/nintendopowernov034.jpg |archive-date=July 26, 2015 |access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> Iizuka did not want to make a sequel to ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'' (2001), as he worried it would only appeal to ''Sonic'' fans. Interested in returning to gameplay similar to the [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]] games, Sonic Team decided to design ''Sonic Heroes'' so casual players not familiar with ''Sonic'' could adapt.<ref name="NPowerQ&A"/> Iizuka said the development period of ''Sonic Heroes'' was the most stressful of his career because of deadlines and [[Sega]] management. A fellow designer became ill, so he worked relentlessly, lost {{convert|22|lb|0}}, and suffered from [[insomnia]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Shea |first1=Brian |title=Where Sonic Went Wrong |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/11/14/where-sonic-went-wrong.aspx?PostPageIndex=3 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=October 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116181942/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/11/09/where-sonic-went-wrong.aspx?PostPageIndex=3 |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |date=November 14, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Sonic Heroes'' was the first [[Cross-platform software|multi-platform]] ''Sonic'' game: it was developed for the [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]] (PS2), and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].<ref name="website">''Interview'' section. {{cite web | url = http://www2.sega.com/gamesite/sonicheroes/content.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060321050743/http://www.sega.com/gamesite/sonicheroes/content.html | archive-date = March 21, 2006 | title = Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka Speak on Sonic Heroes | access-date = April 1, 2014 | publisher = [[Sega]]}}</ref> Unlike the ''Sonic Adventure'' games, made using [[proprietary software]],<ref name="gzonedev"/> Sonic Team partnered with [[Criterion Games|Criterion Software]] to use the [[RenderWare]] [[game engine]] so the game could be programmed and [[Porting|ported]] with ease to each platform.<ref name="gamesindustryrender">{{cite web|last1=Bramwell|first1=Tom|title=Sonic Heroes uses RenderWare|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sonic-heroes-uses-renderware|website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]|access-date=March 1, 2018|date=May 28, 2003|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324150659/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sonic-heroes-uses-renderware|archive-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> Though Sonic Team was able to transfer some [[Texture mapping|textures]] and [[3D modeling|models]] from the ''Sonic Adventure'' games into ''Sonic Heroes'', most of their work started from scratch.<ref name="gzonedev"/> Sonic Team found challenges in working with the Xbox and PS2, platforms with which they had little experience.<ref name="website"/> The content in all versions is the same, but the PS2 version runs at 30 [[Frame rate|frames per second]] (FPS) in contrast to the other versions running at 60 FPS. Sega's Noah Musler explained that running the PS2 version at 60 FPS would have caused performance problems.<ref name="gzonedev"/> Iizuka also noted the system is less powerful than the GameCube and Xbox. Iizuka and Naka decided against including console-exclusive content so players could have the same experience regardless of console.<ref name="chat"/>

===Team Dark===

*[[Shadow the Hedgehog]] - Speed

*[[Rouge the Bat]] - Flight

*[[E-123 Omega]] - Power

Team Dark's common cause is to find Dr. Eggman. [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]], the founder of the team and its resident flyer, is after Eggman's hidden treasure. [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]], the speed specialist (and eventual leader), wants to know his true identity and why he was left inside a pod, which he never completely figures out until ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (video game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]'', making this game's storyline a kind of build-up to it. [[E-123 Omega|Omega]], the fully-armed robot, is angry with Eggman for abandoning him and wishes to destroy Eggman's robots for revenge and to prove he is superior.

Sonic Team was interested in making ''Sonic Heroes''{{'}}s narrative feature characters teaming up to overcome evil, rather than ''Sonic Adventure''{{'}}s approach of individual character stories. This led to the conception of the "team action" concept.<ref name="NPowerQ&A"/> Iizuka stated Sonic Team had a considerable amount of freedom in designing the game due to its new scope. The [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog#Chao|Chao]]-raising system—a staple of the ''Sonic Adventure'' games—was removed because Sonic Team feared it would disrupt the pace. To improve [[replay value]], the grading system was made more difficult. The special stages from the 2D games were revived to "refresh players' minds" and change the pace.<ref name="chat"/> Player reactions to previous games influenced the design; for example, the team did not include modes like Big's fishing from ''Sonic Adventure'' and Tails' shooting from ''Sonic Adventure 2'' after both were criticized.<ref name="gzonedev">{{cite web|last1=Bedigian|first1=Louis|title=Sonic Heroes Zooms, Spins and Dashes To a Console Near You|url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/01_08_04_01_11PM.htm|website=GameZone|access-date=March 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202095952/http://www.gamezone.com/news/01_08_04_01_11PM.htm|archive-date=February 2, 2009}}</ref>

[[Image:Team_Dark.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Clockwise from left: [[Shadow the Hedgehog]], [[E-123 Omega]], and [[Rouge the Bat]] form Team Dark.]]

Team Dark's missions are the most fighting-oriented in the game, calling for its members to blast through large hordes of enemies to reach the goal ring. To accommodate for this, Team Dark has more powerful offensive techniques at its disposal. Shadow uses his Homing attack to blast through rows of Eggman's flunkies; Rouge, besides being able to launch her companions at airborne enemies, can attack enemies with powerful kicks or ring-like bombs; Omega can launch his friends at enemies, after which he transforms his arms into formidable Gatling guns to take out entire groups of foes. Team Dark's attacks are generally identical to Team Sonic's. An exception is the differences between their leveled-up finishing moves (e.g.,Omega uses weapons while Knuckles uses flaming earthquakes). Like Sonic, Shadow can Triangle Jump and Light Dash, and his tornado move and solo attack work the same way as Sonic's.

The [[Characters of Sonic the Hedgehog#Chaotix|Chaotix]], who had appeared in the 1995 [[Spinoff (media)|spinoff]] game ''[[Knuckles' Chaotix]]'', were revived for ''Sonic Heroes'' because Sonic Team thought they were unique and had never used them. Iizuka said he did not consider the Chaotix in ''Sonic Heroes'' the same team from ''Knuckles' Chaotix'', claiming to have created new characters using the same designs from 1995.<ref name="chat">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1507899,00.asp|title=Afterthoughts: Sonic Heroes -- A candid chat with Sonic Team's lord of the rings|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040330042803/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1507899,00.asp|archive-date=March 30, 2004|access-date=November 18, 2017}}</ref> The game marks the debut of E-123 Omega in the ''Sonic'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/sonic-heroes-profiles-team-dark-2|title=Sonic Heroes Profiles: Team Dark|last=Dunham|first=Jeremy|date=December 2, 2003|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407061825/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/sonic-heroes-profiles-team-dark-2|archive-date=April 7, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> Sonic Team wanted to include as many teams as possible, but time constraints and a desire to keep the gameplay balanced prevented this.<ref name="chat"/> The game features several animated cutscenes produced by Vision Scape Interactive, who had also developed the prototype game ''[[Sonic Extreme]]''.<ref name="visionscapecut">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-skateboarding-game/|title=Previously unknown Sonic skateboarding game has been revealed in video|last1=Hulfish|first1=Garrett|date=May 8, 2017|website=[[Digital Trends]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920050742/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-skateboarding-game/|archive-date=September 20, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref> [[Jun Senoue]] composed the majority of the soundtrack. His [[hard rock]] band [[Crush 40]] performed the main theme, "Sonic Heroes", and the final boss theme, "What I'm Made Of". The theme songs for each team were performed by [[Ted Poley]] of [[Danger Danger]], [[Tony Harnell]], [[Kay Hanley]] of [[Letters to Cleo]], [[Julien-K]], and Gunnar Nelson of [[Nelson (duo)|Nelson]].<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sonic-heroes-mw0001358774|title=Sonic Heroes - Original Soundtrack|date=November 9, 2004|website=[[AllMusic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115213936/http://www.allmusic.com/album/sonic-heroes-mw0001358774|archive-date=January 15, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref> Iizuka said that the intention was for the music "to return to the roots of the ''Sonic'' experience" and be exciting and fast-paced.<ref name="chat" />

The Team Blast is Chaos Inferno, that once activated, Shadow will grab the green [[Chaos Emerald]] from Omega and uses Chaos Control, and Rouge, lifting Omega over Shadow's head, will have Omega use Chaos Inferno, in which he will fire two huge purple beams from his arms. The beams will destroy all enemies in range. Also, while the gauge is being restored, time will be frozen by Chaos Control, done by Shadow. Once the gauge is restored, everything will be normal again.

Naka believed that ''Sonic Heroes'', a ''Sonic''-themed [[McDonald's]] [[Happy Meal]] toy line, and the [[anime]] television series ''[[Sonic X]]'' would expose the franchise to a new generation.<ref name="chat" /> A demo of the game was released via a special edition bonus disc packaged with ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash]]'' (2003).<ref>{{cite web | last=Calvert | first=Justin | title=Double Dash!! bonus disc details | website=GameSpot | date=April 12, 2005 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/double-dash-bonus-disc-details/1100-6076471/ | access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Bramwell | first=Tom | title=Mario Kart bonus disc contents | website=Eurogamer | date=October 8, 2003 | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news081003mariokart | access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> Sega released ''Sonic Heroes'' in Japan on December 30, 2003, two weeks later than intended, to ensure there were "no compromises" in the final product.<ref name="gspotdelay">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-heroes-japanese-release-delayed/1100-6078224/|title=Sonic Heroes Japanese release delayed|last1=Tochen|first1=Dan|date=November 5, 2003|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108094814/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-heroes-japanese-release-delayed/1100-6078224/|archive-date=November 8, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref> The GameCube version was released in North America on January 6, 2004, followed by the Xbox and PS2 versions on January 27.<ref name="gspotnarelease">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-heroes-ships-for-the-ps2-and-xbox/1100-6087062/|title=Sonic Heroes ships for the PS2 and Xbox|last1=Calvert|first1=Justin|date=January 27, 2004|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324150658/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonic-heroes-ships-for-the-ps2-and-xbox/1100-6087062/|archive-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref> The European version was released on February 2, 2004.<ref name="eurogmain">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/games/sonic-heroes|title=Sonic Heroes|website=[[Eurogamer]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200141/http://www.eurogamer.net/games/sonic-heroes|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref> A [[Microsoft Windows]] version was released in North America on November 16, 2004,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-03-11 |title=Sega of America |url=http://www.sega.com/corporate/corporate.php?item=pr_20041116a |access-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311041453/http://www.sega.com/corporate/corporate.php?item=pr_20041116a |archive-date=March 11, 2005 }}</ref> followed by Europe on November 26<ref>{{cite web |title=Achat Sonic Heroes sur PC |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/jeu-12915/boutique-boite/id-3700325100535/ |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |language=fr |access-date=September 6, 2018}}</ref> and Japan on December 9.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sonic Heroes Japanese Official Web Site |url=http://sonic.sega.jp/sonic_heroes/ |publisher=[[Sega]] |access-date=September 6, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215125357/http://sonic.sega.jp/sonic_heroes/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The game was rereleased through the ''[[List of Sonic the Hedgehog video games#Compilations|Sonic PC Collection]]'' for Windows on October 2, 2009,<ref>{{cite web|author1=Sega|author-link=Sega|title=Sonic PC Collection (PC)|url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/i159810/Sonic-PC-Collection/|website=GamePlanet|access-date=March 13, 2018|date=October 2, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324150658/http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/i159810/Sonic-PC-Collection/|archive-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> and the [[List of downloadable PlayStation 2 games|PS2 Classics]] line for the [[PlayStation 3]] (PS3) on February 22, 2012.<ref name="ps3release">{{cite web|url=https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/product/EP0177-NPED00034_00-GSONICHERO000001|title=Sonic Heroes on PS3|author1=Sega Europe LTD|date=February 22, 2012|website=[[PlayStation Store]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324150658/https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/product/EP0177-NPED00034_00-GSONICHERO000001|archive-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref>

===Team Rose===

*[[Amy Rose]] - Speed

*[[Cream the Rabbit]] and [[Cream the Rabbit #Cheese the Chao|Cheese the Chao]] - Flight

*[[Big the Cat]] - Power

The characters of Team Rose are each trying to find someone important to them. [[Amy Rose|Amy]] searches for "her" Sonic, because she notices that Sonic had been missing from her life for quite a while, and also tries to defeat Eggman just in case Sonic had been captured or something like that, impressing Sonic so that she may have herself another shot at getting married to Sonic. [[Big the Cat|Big]] is searching for his amphibian friend Froggy [[Sonic Adventure#Big the Cat|again]], and [[Cream the Rabbit|Cream]] is seeking out Cheese's lost brother, Chocola. With a picture in the newspaper (being carried off by who they believe to be Sonic) as their only clue, the three join up to find their lost companions.

[[Image:Team_rose.jpg|150px|right|thumb|From left to right: [[Amy Rose]], [[Big the Cat]], [[Cream the Rabbit]], and [[Cream the Rabbit #Cheese the Chao|Cheese the Chao]] form Team Rose.]]

Team Rose has the simplest levels in the game, boasting fewer enemies, longer flight times, and earlier endings. Amy leads the speed formation, and although she is not quite as quick as Sonic, she has her handy Piko-Piko Hammer to smack enemies and shoot tornadoes forward. Amy is the only speed character who cannot Triangle Jump, but as compensation, she can twirl her hammer in midair to hover over limited distances. Cream can fly her teammates over long distances, and with solo attacks, she can send Cheese to attack for her. Big's weapon of choice is his trusty fishing pole, which can be swung around as his finishing move, but also has a built-in parasol to help the team ride air currents over obstacles.

Their Team Blast is "Flower Festival", in which Big balances Amy and Cream onto his parasol as an explosion of flowers bursts from it. Along with destroying all nearby enemies, this will level-up all characters and give the team a shield and temporary invincibility. In Team Battles, it temporarily prevents the other team from changing team members.

===Team Chaotix===

*[[Espio the Chameleon]] - Speed

*[[Vector the Crocodile]] - Power

*[[Charmy Bee]] - Flight

Team Chaotix is composed of quiet, [[ninja|ninja-like]], and disciplined [[Espio the Chameleon]]; their headstrong music-loving leader [[Vector the Crocodile]]; and the air-headed flying ace [[Charmy Bee]]. Notably missing is [[Mighty the Armadillo]], who appears with his team in [[Knuckles' Chaotix]].

Team Chaotix is a [[detective]] agency. One day, they receive a mysterious package with a walkie talkie in it. An eerily familiar stranger gives the team instructions through this device and claims that if the job he has for them is completed the Chaotix crew will be handsomely rewarded. Espio is wary of the job, but Vector, with [[dollar]] signs in his eyes, reminded him of Chaotix's number one rule, "We never turn down work that pays!"

[[Image:Team_Chaotix.jpg|150px|right|thumb|From L to R: [[Espio the Chameleon]], [[Charmy Bee]], and [[Vector the Crocodile]] form [[Chaotix|Team Chaotix]].]]

In Sonic Heroes, the missions of Team Chaotix different from the other three teams'. From collecting hermit crabs to destroying golden turtle robots, the goals these three pursue are unique and are reminiscent of Knuckles' [[Sonic Adventure 2]] levels. Additionally, each member has unique skills that set them apart from the other characters of his type. Espio's tornado move affects the area around him and turns him [[invisibility|invisible]] to avoid enemy fire and pass through [[laser]] barriers. He can also throw huge [[shuriken]] as his solo attack and hang on walls indefinitely while Triangle Jumping. Charmy can activate special flowers to [[teleportation|teleport]] the group to another flower in the level and can attack on his own with his stinger. Vector attacks by crunching enemies in his jaws, then spewing what is said to be [[halitosis]] at enemies (the halitosis he breathes is in the form of musical notes). As Vector levels-up, he breathes (instead of halitosis) fire and the fan-dubbed "bubblegum bombs", in which Vector chucks up a load of explosive bubblegum bubbles. The bubblegum is also used to float.

Team Chaotix's Team Blast is "Chaotix Recital", in which Espio plucks on a [[samisen]], Charmy bangs on a [[bass drum]] and sings poorly, and Vector screams into a microphone, destroying every enemy on-screen and gaining a random amount rings for each one . While the Team Blast gauge goes down, any enemy the team destroys will earn them extra rings, which be particularly useful in the 'Robot Carnival' and 'Robot Storm' since the ring boxes fill the gauge up quicker. This could be referring to Vector supposedly being Sonic's former band member.

==Stages==

''Sonic Heroes'' contains a total of 14 action stages and 9 boss stages (including last story). Objectives and enemies for each stage vary, depending on which of the four teams the player belongs to. An emblem is awarded for every stage that each team completes.

*'''Sea Gate/Tutorial''': A cave-like tutorial stage. In this stage, Omochao teaches you the basics of the game.

*'''Seaside Hill''': A beach stage with some ancient white ruins that are connecting various islands.

*'''Ocean Palace''': After launching off the "tail" of the whale island, the teams end up on a large area made up of the white ruins seen before.

*'''EGG HAWK''': Boss battle against Eggman in a large robotic bird vehicle, equipped with two manned turrets and a chaingun.

*'''Grand Metropolis''': A large, modernized city with flying cars and energy pathways.

*'''Power Plant''': A power plant owned by the company "hexaECO", who created an orange kind of liquid energy.

*'''TEAM VERSUS''': Boss battle between the teams. Team Rose attacks Team Sonic as Amy tries to beat Sonic into marrying her while Sonic attacks to get away, and Team Dark attacks Team Chaotix due to Rouge suspecting them of hunting the treasure she wants.

*'''Casino Park''': A city shaped like a large casino.

*'''BINGO Highway''': A part of the city based on [[bingo]] slides.

*'''ROBOT CARNIVAL''': The boss battle is an endurance battle of robots on a small arena.

*'''Rail Canyon''': A canyon where Eggman has built a train station. This stage makes a return from ''[[Tails' Skypatrol]]''.

*'''Bullet Station''': The team's press forward even closer to Eggman's base, surrounded by several large cannons that defend it.

*'''EGG ALBATROSS''': Boss battle against Eggman in a large [[blimp]] with the Egg Hawk on top. The blimp has 2 sections, containing two turtle cannons, spiked-ball launchers, and 4 manned turrets.

*'''Frog Forest''': A large forest with frogs that can summon rain. This stage is very similar to Mushroom Hill Zone from ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''.

*'''Lost Jungle''': A swamp deep inside the forest with black frogs that can summon rain which is poisonous to the killing plants but won't harm you. An alligator lurks in the swamp that both Teams Sonic and Dark must get by in order to reach the end of the forest.

*'''TEAM VERSUS''': Boss battle between the teams. Team Dark attacks Team Sonic for being in their way, while Team Chaotix believe Cheese to be one of the Chao they are out to save, and Team Rose defends him.

*'''Hang Castle''': A strange ghostly castle which can be turned upside-down via orb-like gravity switches.

*'''Mystic Mansion''': Inside the castle is a haunted mansion with strange, distorted parts.

*'''ROBOT STORM''': Again, the boss battle is an endurance battle of robots on a small arena, but there are more robots and the fight moves to different arenas.

*'''Egg Fleet''': A gigantic fleet of flying fish-shaped battleships created by Eggman.

[[Image:Finalfortress.PNG|right|300px|thumb|The Final Fortress.]]

*'''Final Fortress''': The teams board the [[whale shark]]-shaped flagship of the fleet during a storm.

*'''EGG EMPEROR''': The final boss battle against Eggman at the end of each team's respective story. He is equipped with a large knight-like robot suit that fires missiles and shockwaves.

===Extra Missions===

Each stage also has an Extra Mission that can be played in Challenge Mode. Completing the Extra Mission is also worth an emblem. Each team has a general goal for all their Extra Missions.

*Team Sonic: Reach the goal ring within a time limit.

*Team Dark: Defeat 100 enemies.

*Team Rose: Collect 200 rings without losing them.

*Team Chaotix: The objective varies with each stage; may include collect all of an object, reaching the goal within a specified time limit or go through the stage without being seen by the enemies.

==Last Story==

{{spoiler}}

The last story starts out where Team Chaotix's story left off, where the team got orders to bust through a certain door via walkie-talkie and free their client. The client is revealed to be [[Dr. Eggman]]! and the team begin to beat him up. The Last Story starts out with Vector asking Eggman who locked him up in this prison, "Then who was it? Who locked you up for trying to take over the world?" Eggman then replies "It was...." then the screen cuts off.

All of the teams, and Eggman, rush toward the tower to be interrupted by a loud call saying "All living things kneel before your master!", then a mysterious figure holds its hand up to the sky and lightning strikes and destroys the large tower its standing on. All of the metal that was blown up by the lightning goes around the villain and it transforms into a large metallic dragon-like creature. Eggman then reveals that it is [[Metal Sonic]] (in a form revealed to be named "Neo Metal Sonic" on a ''[[Sonic Rivals]]'' card) who has transformed into a new powerful form after he copied and combined Team Sonic's and Shadow's data with the power of [[Chaos (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Chaos]] which he obtained from Froggy and Chocola. Teams Dark, Chaotix and Rose then compose a plan to stall Metal Sonic while Team Sonic powers up into their Super Forms.

A boss battle begins with Team Rose facing Metal Sonic under the name of "Metal Madness". After defeating Metal Madness as Team Rose you face it as Team Chaotix and then Team Dark. After it is defeated by those three teams Metal Madness's claws turn into wings and it begins to fly. With the power of the [[Chaos Emeralds]], Team Sonic transforms into Team Super and take off to battle the new flying Metal Sonic called "Metal Overlord".

The final boss battle begins with the song "What I'm Made Of" by Crush 40 playing in the background. In the battle the team must get rings to sustain Super Form (called Super Transformation), and can only damage Metal Overlord by using an unnamed Team Blast. The team builds up the Team Blast by using Super Sonic's speed to counter Metal Sonic's ice crystals, Super Tails' Thunder Shoot to counter Metal Sonic's spike attacks, and Super Knuckles' power to counter Metal Sonic's battleship tosses. During the Team Blast, the three power up and use Light Attack. Five Team Blasts will take down Metal Overlord.

When he is defeated Metal Sonic falls back down to the ship, reverting back to his Neo form. He then reverts back to his classic form and questions why he can't defeat Sonic. Sonic replies "Because, We're Sonic Heroes", and says he is ready for a rematch anytime. Sonic then runs away and Tails goes after him. Metal Sonic shuts down and Amy goes after Sonic, hurriedly bidding Cream and Big farewell. Knuckles pursues Rouge who is going after the Master Emerald. Omega picks up Metal Sonic's deactivated body and looks at Shadow, while Team Chaotix run after Eggman right before he can sneak away without paying them.

Sonic is running through Seaside Hill and Tails and Knuckles are following as Sonic says "ALRIGHT! Our next advenure awaits us so there's no time to waste. Yeah we're SONIC HEROES!" As the team jump up in the positions on the game cover.

{{endspoiler}}

==Reception==

{{Video game reviews

Reviews for ''Sonic Heroes'' generally are positive. Critics cited the visual style the game had (which harkens back to the classic Sonic games of the mid-[[1990s]]). However, some have noted its shortcomings as well, including:

| MC = XBOX: 73/100<ref name="mcxbox">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-heroes/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Sonic Heroes for Xbox Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201141352/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/sonic-heroes |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />GCN: 72/100<ref name="mcgc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-heroes/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Sonic Heroes for GameCube Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214100449/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/sonic-heroes |archive-date=December 14, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />PC: 66/100<ref name="mcpc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-heroes/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Sonic Heroes for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730004831/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/sonic-heroes |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />PS2: 64/100<ref name="mcps2">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sonic-heroes/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Sonic Heroes for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429155336/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/sonic-heroes |archive-date=April 29, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

| 1UP = C+<ref name="1upgc"/>

| EuroG = 6/10<ref name="euroggc2"/>

| GameRev = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="grevogc"/>

| GSpot = 7.5/10<ref name="gspotrevgc"/>

| GSpy = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="gspyrev"/>

| IGN = 8/10<ref name="igngc"/>

| Allgame = {{Rating|2.5|5}} (GC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43226&tab=review|title=Sonic Heroes Allgame Gamecube Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115042055/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43226&tab=review|archive-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref><br/>{{Rating|2.5|5}} (PS2)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43228&tab=review|title=Sonic Heroes Allgame PlayStation 2 Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115044532/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43228&tab=review|archive-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref><br/>{{Rating|2.5|5}} (Xbox)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43227&tab=review|title=Sonic Heroes Allgame Xbox Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115044245/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43227&tab=review|archive-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref>

}}

''Sonic Heroes'' received generally "mixed or average" reviews, according to the [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mcxbox" /><ref name="mcgc" /><ref name="mcpc" /><ref name="mcps2" /> Some reviewers felt the game was better than the previous 3D ''Sonic'' games but still below the quality of the 2D games.<ref name="gspyrev" /><ref name="igngc"/><ref name="1upgc"/> The PS2 and PC's version's reviews were considerably worse than others;<ref name="mcps2"/> reviewers noted [[Clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]], graphic faults, and its lower frame rate.<ref name="ignps2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/24/sonic-heroes-7?page=3|title=Sonic Heroes (PS2)|last1=Casamassina|first1=Matt|last2=Lewis|first2=Ed|date=January 23, 2004|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122124828/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/24/sonic-heroes-7?page=3|archive-date=January 22, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=March 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PlayStation 2: Sonic Heroes |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com:80/playstation-2/sonic-heroes/491370p1.html |website=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209102944/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/sonic-heroes/491370p1.html |archive-date=February 9, 2005 |date=January 31, 2004 |quote=While Heroes has had a bright debut on the GameCube and Xbox, framerate issues plague the PS2 version, rendering some of the fastest areas (like the pinball on crystal meth "Casino" level) a stuttering mess. |url-status=live }}</ref>

*The camera system (a frequent complaint about the 3D Sonic series). Critics rated this game positively despite this problem.

The aesthetics and sound were generally well received.<ref name="igngc" /><ref name="grevogc" /><ref name="gspotrevgc" /> ''[[IGN]]'' lauded detailed, varied, and realistic character models, and wrote that the textures were detailed and crisp. They also praised the realistic shading and lighting effects.<ref name="igngc">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/06/sonic-heroes-9?page=1|title=Sonic Heroes|last1=Casamassina|first1=Matt|date=January 5, 2004|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324150658/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/06/sonic-heroes-9?page=1|archive-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref> Although ''[[GameSpot]]'' thought the graphics were not much of an improvement from previous games—comparing them to "a glorified [[Dreamcast]] game"—they still praised its steady frame rate, art design, and vibrant colors.<ref name="gspotrevgc">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-heroes-review/1900-6086165/|title=Sonic Heroes Review|last1=Davis|first1=Ryan|date=January 6, 2004|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826222940/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-heroes-review/1900-6086165/|archive-date=August 26, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' disliked the shiny models, but was still pleased by the imaginative aesthetics.<ref name="euroggc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicheroes|title=Sonic Heroes|last1=Bramwell|first1=Tom|date=February 13, 2004|website=[[Eurogamer]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828075935/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicheroes|archive-date=August 28, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref> In regards to the soundtrack, ''[[Mandatory (company)|Game Revolution]]'' found it upbeat and catchy, offering particular praise for the music of Bingo Highway.<ref name="grevogc">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32389-sonic-heroes-review|title=Sonic Heroes Review|last1=Dodson|first1=Joe|date=June 4, 2004|website=[[Mandatory (company)|Game Revolution]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324150658/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32389-sonic-heroes-review|archive-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref> Although they called the music laughable and not an improvement from previous games, ''IGN'' thought the rest of the sound was high quality, and praised its "perfectly implemented" sound effects running in [[Dolby Pro Logic#Dolby Pro Logic II|Dolby Pro Logic II]].<ref name="igngc"/>

*The control scheme is either too precise or not precise enough depending on the speed of the character's movement. This is what most of the complaints stem from.

Multiple reviewers found the gameplay similar to that of the Genesis ''Sonic'' games.<ref name="gspyrev" /><ref name="gspotrevgc" /><ref name="1upgc" /> ''GameSpot'' found ''Sonic Heroes'' the closest Sonic Team ever got to recreating the classic 2D ''Sonic'' gameplay in 3D. They praised the game for stripping away the shooting and hunting elements from the ''Sonic Adventure'' games, and called it "a purer, more action-packed Sonic experience" than previous games.<ref name="gspotrevgc"/> ''IGN'' considered ''Sonic Heroes'' a major improvement from ''Sonic Adventure'', writing "''Sonic Heroes'' does an absolutely sensational job of re-creating the intensely fast and unpredictable looping, corkscrewing stages from the classic games in 3D".<ref name="igngc"/> ''[[1Up Network|1UP.com]]'' and [[GameSpy]] agreed that the game was a step in the right direction for the series.<ref name="gspyrev" /><ref name="1upgc">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/sonic-heroes-cj|title=Sonic Heroes Review for GC|author1=''1UP'' Staff|date=January 1, 2004|website=[[1UP.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629065524/http://www.1up.com/reviews/sonic-heroes-cj|archive-date=June 29, 2011|access-date=March 4, 2018}}</ref> Levi Buchanan of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' wrote that "when Sonic is in charge, ''Sonic Heroes'' is a pure action game. It's an enjoyable throwback to the Genesis era, when Sonic was all about speed, running circles around [[Mario]], collecting rings while [[Nintendo]]'s plumber searched high and low for his shape-altering mushrooms. And for gamers who have been numb in the thumb long enough to remember those heady days, the return to form is most welcome. (Especially after those underwhelming Dreamcast ''[[Sonic Adventure|Sonic]] [[Sonic Adventure 2|Adventure]]'' games that Sega ported to the GameCube.)"<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-01-15-0401150335-story.html|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|title=Nobody's 'heroes'|date=January 15, 2004|access-date=March 24, 2023}}</ref> Reviewers called the casino level, Bingo Highway, a highlight.<ref name="igngc" /><ref name="grevogc"/><ref name="gspotrevgc" />

*The abilities and weaknesses of the characters are highly unfair and were changed massively throughout the Sonic series. For example, Amy is unable to use Triangle Jump, some say that the move would have enhanced the gameplay. Another example would be that the top speed of the Power formation characters is much slower than usual. When in Speed Formation, the teammates are able to trail behind them easily.

Reviewers were generally divided over the team-based gameplay.<ref name="igngc" /><ref name="gspotrevgc" /><ref name="euroggc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicheroes|title=Sonic Heroes|last1=Bramwell|first1=Tom|date=February 13, 2004|website=[[Eurogamer]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828075935/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicheroes|archive-date=August 28, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref> GameSpy argued it was well-balanced and thought it greatly increased the replay value.<ref name="gspyrev">{{cite web|url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/sonic-heroes/494475p1.html|title=GameSpy: Sonic Heroes|last1=Fischer|first1=Russ|date=January 6, 2004|website=[[GameSpy]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222014716/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/sonic-heroes/494475p1.html|archive-date=February 22, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> ''IGN'' offered similar praise, praising its easy-to-learn, strategic controls.<ref name="igngc"/> ''Game Revolution'' wrote the system added diversity.<ref name="grevogc"/> However, ''IGN'' also thought it was not as ambitious as expected and did not change the overall experience.<ref name="igngc"/> ''GameSpot'' agreed the controls were easy, but considered the large number of teams unnecessary: "no one cares about these peripheral characters... People play ''Sonic'' games to play as Sonic the Hedgehog".<ref name="gspotrevgc"/> ''1UP'' found the concept was more repetitive than innovative.<ref name="1upgc"/> ''Eurogamer'' considered the gameplay original but "boring and obvious" and thought that the controls were clunky and unorthodox. While ''Eurogamer'' argued ''Sonic Heroes'' was not difficult,<ref name="euroggc2"/> ''Game Revolution'' described it as hard to a fault, exclaiming they "[died] all the time."<ref name="grevogc"/> Buchanan wrote that "when you switch away from Sonic and Tails, the game itself kind of stops cold. Especially when you play as one of the other three teams that feature ancillary characters from Sonic’s stable as they play through similar levels with slightly different goals."<ref name="Chicago Tribune"/> Charles Herold of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that "getting stuck on the fourth level exposed one of the game's major flaws: the levels are fairly static. The old 2-D Sonic games always seemed to have several different routes through different landscapes. Jump across a chasm, and you could take a mountainside path; miss the jump, and you would run through the valley below. You could play these levels repeatedly and rarely take the exact same route. But while in ''Heroes'' you occasionally come to a fork in the road, you are likely to find yourself running basically the same trail every time you go through a level. This is disappointing, and especially surprising considering the team play element. With three characters whose different abilities let them overcome different challenges, it would make sense to have dozens of areas per level where the various characters can lead you to different paths. But the game too rarely capitalizes on this potential."<ref name="NY Times">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/19/technology/game-theory-the-fine-art-of-taunting-the-gamer.html|last=Herold|first=Charles|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Game Theory; The Fine Art of Taunting the Gamer|date=February 19, 2004|access-date=March 24, 2023}}</ref>

*The speed differences are eventually an annoyance to the player.

The game was criticized for not addressing the problems of prior ''Sonic'' games.<ref name="igngc" /><ref name="gspotrevgc"/><ref name="1upgc" /> ''1UP'' wrote the problems with the camera and "hit-or-miss lock-on attacks that leave you plunging to your doom" that plagued the ''Sonic Adventure'' games were still present in ''Sonic Heroes'' and hurt the experience greatly.<ref name="1upgc" /> ''GameSpot'' said although the camera worked well most of the time, coordination between camera position and character movement caused problems, such that pushing forward may not move the character in the same direction the camera is facing. They also wrote that the game suffered from problems with the collision detection and noted all the shortcomings were present in the ''Sonic Adventure'' games.<ref name="gspotrevgc" /> ''IGN'' agreed the camera had not been improved.<ref name="igngc"/> The voice acting was especially derided; ''IGN'' joked players should "turn down the volume during cut-scenes",<ref name="igngc"/> and GameSpy compared the voice work to the likes of [[Playskool]].<ref name="gspyrev"/>

*The game's control scheme, combined with the common "bottomless pit" obstacles in the game, have resulted in some player backlash for what some deem to be "unfair deaths".

The editors of ''GameSpot'' ultimately named ''Sonic Heroes'' the best GameCube game of January 2004, and called it "the fastest and most authentic 3D ''Sonic'' experience we've seen yet."<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040901070114/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6087195/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6087195/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Month in Review for January 2004 | author=Staff | work=[[GameSpot]] | date=February 1, 2004 | archive-date=September 1, 2004 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

*Some fans and critics agree that there were simply too many playable characters. This has been an ongoing complaint that started back during the original ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'', with many stating that all these extra characters were beginning to steal the spotlight from Sonic; this complaint was amplified in ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'', which forced players to play as the extra characters rather than Sonic himself. This was compounded by ''Sonic Heroes'', which included a total of 12 playable characters. However, one could also say that some fans would be disappointed if their favorite character was not playable - such was the case with ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''; half the roster of playable characters were added after many complained Tails was not playable.

===Sales===

*Another common complaint is the lack of variation. Some fans were unhappy that the levels play in the same order for each team with few changes. This could have particularly improved in the sense that Team Dark's first cut-scene is in Eggman's base, and yet their first level is Seaside Hill.

''Sonic Heroes'' was a major commercial success. By October 2004, the game had sold over one million copies in Europe.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/sonic-heroes/561894p1.html|title=Sonic Is Sega's Hero of Sales Figures|last=Van Autrijve|first=Rainier|date=October 29, 2004|website=[[GameSpy]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604234414/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/sonic-heroes/561894p1.html|archive-date=June 4, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=January 11, 2009}}</ref> The PlayStation 2 version received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the [[The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment|Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=dpelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520070249/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3945 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum |website=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to Sega's financial reports, ''Sonic Heroes'' sold 1.42&nbsp;million units from its release to March 2004 (850,000 in the U.S., 420,000 in Europe, and 150,000 in Japan),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/printing_archive/2004/e_sega_annual_tuuki_2004.pdf|title=Sega Corporation Annual Report 2004|date=July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310073112/https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/printing_archive/2004/e_sega_annual_tuuki_2004.pdf|archive-date=March 10, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=November 27, 2017|page=13}}</ref> 1.57 million units from March 2004 to March 2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/printing_annual/2006/e_2006_annual.pdf|title=Sega Sammy Holdings Annual Report 2006|date=July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330020047/http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/printing_annual/2006/e_2006_annual.pdf|archive-date=March 30, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=November 27, 2017|page=47}}</ref> and 420,000 units in the U.S. from March 2006 to March 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/settlement/2007/e_200703_4q_pre.pdf|title=Fiscal Year Ended March 2007 Full Year Results|page=15|date=May 14, 2007|access-date=November 27, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729222445/http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/settlement/2007/e_200703_4q_pre.pdf|archive-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> for total sales of at least 3.41&nbsp;million. By the end of 2004, it had been branded as part of the [[Nintendo Selects|Player's Choice]] line on the GameCube, the [[Greatest Hits (PlayStation)|Greatest Hits]] line on the PS2, and the [[Platinum Hits]] line on the Xbox.<ref name=":0" />

==Legacy==

*The [[PlayStation 2]] version has clipping and graphic faults during gameplay, making it the worst of all three releases; it consistently rated less than the [[Xbox]] and [[Nintendo GameCube]] versions in both critics and fan reviews.[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914712.asp?q=Sonic%20Heroes], [http://ps2.ign.com/objects/545/545814.html],[http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/sonicheroes/index.html?q=Sonic%20Heroes]

After ''Sonic Heroes'', Sonic Team USA was renamed Sega Studios USA.<ref name="RetroST">{{cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Sean|year=2006|title=Company Profile: Sonic Team|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]|issue=26|pages=24–29|issn=1742-3155}}</ref> Their next project was ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (video game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]'' (2005),<ref name="allgame">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:47158|title=Shadow the Hedgehog for GameCube Overview|last=Deci|first=TJ|website=[[AllGame]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114131027/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47158|archive-date=November 14, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=January 26, 2009}}</ref> a spinoff starring Shadow set shortly after the events of ''Sonic Heroes''.<ref name="Herald Sun">{{cite journal|date=February 26, 2006|title=Game of the week; Shadow the Hedgehog; GameCube/PS2/Xbox (rrp $79.95) Rating: 3.5/5|journal=[[Herald Sun]]|issue=1|page=F02}}</ref> In 2008, after working on a few more games, the division was merged with Sonic Team in Japan.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development/sonic-team-head-returns-to-us-to-establish-development-hub-for-franchise|title=Sonic Team head returns to US to establish development 'hub' for franchise|last=Jarvis|first=Matthew|date=April 1, 2016|work=[[MCV (magazine)|MCV]]|access-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714035715/https://www.mcvuk.com/development/sonic-team-head-returns-to-us-to-establish-development-hub-for-franchise|archive-date=July 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017 series retrospective, ''[[Gamer Network#Former|USgamer]]'' ranked ''Sonic Heroes'' among the franchise's bottom half of games. They wrote that the system of switching between characters was unwieldy and annoying, but still interesting because it made the game feel like a [[puzzle video game]]. They also praised the design of E-123 Omega.<ref>{{cite web |author1=''USgamer'' Team |title=Gotta Go Fast: Ranking All of The Sonic The Hedgehog Games |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gotta-go-fast-ranking-all-of-the-sonic-the-hedgehog-games |website=[[USgamer]] |access-date=August 23, 2018 |date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825025119/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gotta-go-fast-ranking-all-of-the-sonic-the-hedgehog-games |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Sonic Heroes'' marked the debut of recurring ''Sonic'' character E-123 Omega,<ref name=":1"/> and reintroduced the obscure Chaotix.<ref name="chat"/> Its concept of switching between characters as necessary was reused in Sonic Team's ''[[Sonic Forces]]'' (2017) and [[Sumo Digital]]'s ''[[Team Sonic Racing]]'' (2019);<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/sonic_forces/b/playstation4/archive/2017/08/24/sonic-forces-new-tag-mechanic-sonic-heroes.aspx|title=New Tag Mechanic Stirs Up Sonic Heroes Memories|last1=Shea|first1=Brian|date=August 24, 2017|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202160029/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/sonic_forces/b/playstation4/archive/2017/08/24/sonic-forces-new-tag-mechanic-sonic-heroes.aspx|archive-date=December 2, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name="GSpotCoop">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonics-new-game-makes-racing-much-more-cooperative/1100-6460103/|title=Sonic's New Game Makes Racing Much More Cooperative|last1=Knezevic|first1=Kevin|date=July 11, 2018|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710185136/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonics-new-game-makes-racing-much-more-cooperative/1100-6460103/|archive-date=July 10, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=July 11, 2018}}</ref> Sumo Digital cited it as inspiration for their game.<ref name="GSpotCoop"/> The Seaside Hill level reappears in the 20th anniversary game ''[[Sonic Generations]]'' for PS3, [[Xbox 360]], and Windows,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/sonic-generations-review/#article-body|title=Sonic Generations review|last1=Towell|first1=Justin|date=October 31, 2011|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126124736/http://www.gamesradar.com/sonic-generations-review/#article-body|archive-date=January 26, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> while the [[Nintendo 3DS]] version includes the special stages<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/11/21/sonic-generations-mushroom-hill-special-stage-clip|title=Sonic Generations - Mushroom Hill Special Stage Clip|date=November 21, 2011|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830110555/http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/11/21/sonic-generations-mushroom-hill-special-stage-clip|archive-date=August 30, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=October 23, 2017}}</ref> and the Egg Emperor boss fight.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Sonic Generations]]|developer=[[Dimps]]; [[Sonic Team]]|publisher=[[Sega]]|date=November 22, 2011|level=Egg Emperor}}</ref> In the game's remaster, ''[[Shadow Generations|Sonic X Shadow Generations]]'', the Rail Canyon level and Metal Overlord boss fight return.<ref name="PSB: Iizuka">{{cite web |last1=Piedra |first1=Thalia |title=Sonic x Shadow Generations interview: Shadow the Hedgehog's new Doom Powers detailed |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2024/08/20/sonic-x-shadow-generations-interview-shadow-the-hedgehogs-new-doom-powers-detailed/ |website=[[PlayStation Blog]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=August 20, 2024}}</ref> Stages from the game have also appeared in various ''Sonic'' spinoff games, including ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'' (2009),<ref name="nlifem&s">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/10/mario_and_sonic_at_the_olympic_winter_games_wii|title=Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games Review|last1=Newton|first1=James|date=October 16, 2009|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221100313/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/10/mario_and_sonic_at_the_olympic_winter_games_wii|archive-date=February 21, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref> ''[[Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]]'' (2010),<ref name="gzoneseaside">{{cite web|author1=kombo|title=Media: Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing – Knuckles Gameplay and Roster Info, Plus Clues to Solve|url=https://www.gamezone.com/originals/media-sonic-sega-all-stars-racing-knuckles-gameplay-and-roster-info-plus-clues-to-solve/|website=GameZone|access-date=April 7, 2018|date=May 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407185044/https://www.gamezone.com/originals/media-sonic-sega-all-stars-racing-knuckles-gameplay-and-roster-info-plus-clues-to-solve/|archive-date=April 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed]]'' (2012),<ref name="igntransformed">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/13/sonic-all-stars-racing-transforms-on-wii-u|title=Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed|last1=Krupa|first1=Daniel|date=August 13, 2012|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407183127/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/13/sonic-all-stars-racing-transforms-on-wii-u|archive-date=April 7, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref> the mobile game ''[[Sonic Dash]]'' (2013)<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonic Dash is a new endless runner for iOS|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/394283/sonic-dash-is-a-new-endless-runner-for-ios/|last=Jackson|first=Mike|date=March 5, 2013|website=[[Computer and Video Games]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308172056/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/394283/sonic-dash-is-a-new-endless-runner-for-ios/|archive-date=March 8, 2013|access-date=March 5, 2013}}</ref> and [[Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds]] (2025).<ref>{{cite web | last=Tailby | first=Stephen | title=Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: All Confirmed Characters and Tracks | website=Push Square | date=August 25, 2025 | url=https://www.pushsquare.com/guides/sonic-racing-crossworlds-all-confirmed-characters-and-tracks | access-date=September 18, 2025}}</ref>

The PC version rated fairly well and garnered good reaction from fans and critics. [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/920675.asp],[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914712.asp?q=Sonic%20Heroes],[http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/sonicheroes/index.html?q=Sonic%20Heroes]

==Notes==

''Sonic Heroes'' had good sales, entering all three of the "best-sellers" lists: [[List of Sony Greatest Hits games|Greatest Hits]] (PS2), [[Platinum Hits]] (Xbox), and [[Player's Choice]] (GameCube).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ''Sonic Heroes'' was also released in a package with ''[[Super Monkey Ball]]'' on the Nintendo GameCube and Xbox.

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==Voice actorsReferences==

{{Reflist}}

This is one of the final Sonic games in which the English voice actors from the ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' games recorded their voices. These English Voice Actors, along with their Japanese counterparts, are shown below:

{| class="wikitable"

|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

! Japanese Voice Actor

! English Voice Actor

! Role

|-

|[[Junichi Kanemaru]]

|[[Ryan Drummond]]

|[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]] / [[Metal Sonic]]

|-

|[[Chikao Ohtsuka]]

|[[Deem Bristow]]

|[[Doctor Eggman|Dr. Eggman]]

|-

|[[Ryo Hirohashi]]

|[[William Corkery]]

|[[Miles "Tails" Prower]]

|-

|[[Nobutoshi Kanna]]

|[[Scott Dreier]]

|[[Knuckles the Echidna]]

|-

|[[Kouji Yusa]]

|[[David Humphrey]]

|[[Shadow the Hedgehog]]

|-

|[[Rumi Ochiai]]

|[[Lani Minella]]

|[[Rouge the Bat]]

|-

|[[Taiten Kusunoki]]

|[[Jon St. John]]

|[[E-123 Omega]]

|-

|[[Taeko Kawata]]

|[[Jennifer Douillard]]

|[[Amy Rose]]

|-

|[[Sayaka Aoki]]

|[[Sarah Wulfeck]]

|[[Cream the Rabbit]]

|-

|[[Takashi Nagasako]]

|[[Jon St. John]]

|[[Big the Cat]]

|-

|[[Yuuki Masuda]]

|Bill Corkery

|[[Espio the Chameleon]]

|-

|[[Kenta Miyake]]

|Marc Biagi

|[[Vector the Crocodile]]

|-

|[[Etsuko Kozakura]]

|Emily Corkery

|[[Charmy Bee]]

|-

|}

==Trivia==

*In the opening scene of the story of Team Chaotix, there are pinned papers on a notice board behind [[Vector the Crocodile|Vector]], showing concept drawings of the robots used in the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' game.

*Unlike some previous games, and despite the fact that the game was made in Japan, there is no option to play with the Japanese voices intact in the [[GameCube]] English version. This is likely due to the more limited disc space on the GCN media. The complete Japanese language text '''is''' in the GameCube version, however. The upcoming Sonic games will no longer have an option of Japanese voice setting (when released in America).

*This is the first of three games featuring Shadow where he does not mention [[Maria Robotnik|Maria]] (the others being ''[[Sonic Riders]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (2006 game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''), although this can be explained by the fact that he has [[amnesia]].

*Several levels feature [[foreshadowing]] to the final story featuring Metal Sonic. In the "Hang Castle" stage, Sonic and Rouge question [[Eggman]]'s decorative taste after seeing a gigantic Eggman statue. However, when the stage flips upside-down, the Eggman statue transforms into a Metal Sonic statue in his Neo form, hidden underneath the Eggman one. Later in the game, the level "Final Fortress" features a deadly storm, which Metal Sonic will later use to destroy part of the flagship, and is mentioned as an omen by Shadow.

*This was the first of only two games (thus far) to feature Rouge the Bat wearing an outfit other than the one she originally wore in ''Sonic Adventure 2'', the other being ''Sonic Riders''.

*As Team Sonic or Team Dark, if you are playing as Tails or Rouge alone, pressing the B button will allow them to throw exploding dummy rings at the enemy, but they cannot be collected. This may be a reference to an attack in the cancelled game, [[Sonic X-Treme]].

*Three of the English voice actors of the game have the last name "Corkery".

*While digging through the Sonic Heroes ROM Data, the data for the [[Badnik]] Nebula (or Unidus in [[Japanese language|Japanese]]) was found.

*The game was one of Sonic Teams' first for the PS2 and Xbox. The companies' lack of experience developing for the platforms resulted in some infamous performance issues, especially in the PS2 version where there was a reduced framerate from 60 frames per second to 30 frames per second, frequent framerate drops, sound issues, and lack of Progressive Scan support.

==External links==

{{Wikiquote}}

*[http://www.sega.com/gamesite/sonicheroes/ Sonic Heroes official site]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041213092904/http://www.sega.com/games/game_temp.php?game=sonicheroes#/ Official website]

*{{moby game|id=/windows/sonic-heroes|name=''Sonic Heroes''}}

* [http://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/sonic-heroes-ps2/ Official minisite]

*{{imdb title|id=0395767|title=Sonic Heroes}}

* {{moby game|id=/sonic-heroes}}

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* {{IMDb title|id=0395767}}

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