The Knuckles TV show is finally here, and the series just caused the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise’s oldest Knuckles joke to get way funnier in 2024. Knuckles the Echidna is one of the main characters of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, with Sonic, Tails, and himself making up the video game’s most commonly seen trio of heroes. Despite this, one of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise’s most prominent jokes comes at the expense of the red echidna, with the Knuckles TV show paying off a fantastic 2024 video game gag setup.

Paramount+ has finally released the Knuckles TV show, with the highly anticipated spinoff of the Sonic the Hedgehog live-action movie series now released in full on the streaming service. Knuckles follows the titular red echidna as he goes on a journey to train Deputy Sheriff Wade Whipple to become the ultimate warrior, preparing him for his greatest battle yet. The Knuckles TV show puts a new spin on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and while it is mostly disconnected from the main study, one iconic Sonic the Hedgehog tradition is carried on by the TV series.

2024 Paid Off The Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles Joke

2024 Saw The Release Of Sonic 3 & Knuckles

2024 was a great year for Sonic the Hedgehog fans, as the year finally paid off the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles joke. Knuckles the Echidna made his video game debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which had a unique release pattern. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were originally two games that were released separately, although a specialized cartridge adapter allowed the two games to be combined into Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The latter part of this title has become a meme among Sonic fans, framing Knuckles as a tacked-on supporting character.

The live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie series actually managed to reference this meme in 2024 with its release pattern. Both Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the Knuckles TV show have 2024 release dates, meaning that their releases are finally paying off the Sonic 3 & Knuckles jokes that have been going on for 30 years. The 2024 release dates of Knuckles and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 may not have been intentional, but they definitely mirror the unique release timing of the various video games that led to the creation of Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

Knuckles’ “Supporting Role” In His Show Made The Sonic 3 & Knuckles Jokes Even Funnier

Continuing The Title Trend

The Paramount+ Knuckles TV show has been subject to a lot of criticism, but these flaws actually make the Sonic 3 & Knuckles jokes even funnier. One of the most commonly pointed-out flaws with Knuckles is that the titular echidna seems to be barely in the show, with large chunks of the series not focused on him. Some viewers have even claimed that Knuckles is a supporting character in his own show, with him instead playing second fiddle to Wade Whipple.

Although these criticisms are debatable, it is undeniably hilarious that there is a debate surrounding Knuckles playing a supporting role in his eponymous TV show during the middle of a gag about Knuckles playing a supporting role in his eponymous game. Although Knuckles season 2 could change things, heavily centering the show’s main story around Wade’s journey to reconcile with his father means that Wade & Knuckles could be a more apt title, proving that Knuckles has gotten upstaged once again.

Knuckles Was Not Really A Supporting Character In His Show

It Is Mosty Just Episode 4

Despite the criticisms of Knuckles, Knuckles wasn’t really a supporting character in his own show. Wade did have a big part in the series, but much of the show was still centered around Knuckles, with the main antagonists attempting to rob him of his powers. Knuckles was essential in Wade’s character arc as well, with Knuckles’ main story involving him being a mentor to the deputy sheriff.

Most of these criticisms come from Knuckles episode 4, which does exclude the titular brawler from most of the episode. Instead, it focuses on a dream sequence in which Wade learns to be like Knuckles. Tons of TV shows have episodes that are centered on side characters, and even within Wade’s dream, the legacy of Knuckles plays a massive role. Thus, it is unfair to pretend like Knuckles isn’t the main character in the Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff series, which is obviously why the show is called Knuckles.