Knuckles
- This article is about the Sonic the Hedgehog character named Knuckles. For the Saturday Supercade character of the same name, see Knuckles (Saturday Supercade).
| Knuckles | |
|---|---|
 Knuckles as he appears in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games | |
| Full name | Knuckles the Echidna |
| Species | Echidna |
| First appearance | Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (1994, Sonic the Hedgehog franchise) Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) (2007, Super Mario franchise) |
| Latest appearance | Sonic Dream Team (2023, Sonic the Hedgehog franchise) Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition (2020, Super Mario franchise) |
| Latest portrayal | Dave Mitchell (2019-present) Nobutoshi Canna (Japanese; 1998-present) |
Knuckles the Echidna, commonly known as simply Knuckles, is a red echidna from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. The only time he appears in the Super Mario franchise is in every Mario & Sonic series installment, as one of the playable competitors during the Olympic events.
In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Knuckles was voiced by Dan Green, who also voiced Vector in that game. He was voiced by Travis Willingham from Sonic Free Riders up until Team Sonic Racing, where he is instead voiced by Dave Mitchell.
History
Mario & Sonic series
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Knuckles appears as a playable character in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. He is a Power type character, so he excels at events that require strength, such as Hammer Throw. He focuses less on stamina compared to other Power type characters, and instead has the highest speed out of any Power type character in the game.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
Knuckles reappears as a Power character. In the DS version's story mode, Knuckles is found in Frostown. After Mario and Sonic defeats him in a mission, he joins them and helps them in their quest to free the snow spirits. At Polastraits, he helps Cream open a chest which contains a Fighter's Stick. After completing the Luge mission, Cream will give the Fighter's Stick to Knuckles. Later at Cubyrinth, the team come across a lever that is too rusty to pull. After Knuckles pushes the lever, the floor falls and everyone falls down to Polastraits. After realizing where they are, they come across a large wall of ice. Not wanting to swim, Knuckles punches the large wall of ice in 45 seconds.
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Knuckles returns as a Power-type character in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where he appears in the opening with all of the other athletes and competing in Canoe Sprint 1000m and Football. A Mii outfit based on Knuckles can be unlocked, and he also appears as a character that can be spoken to in London Party mode in order to play minigames and earn stickers.
In the Nintendo 3DS version, Knuckles is part of the Wild Ones group, so he can only be played in certain Events. In the Story Mode, Knuckles first appears with Vector chasing Bowser at Horse Guards Parade, and challenges him when Sonic shows up. When he and Vector win, Knuckles destroys the fog machine and clears the Phantasmal Fog form the area on Sonic's request, and then stays behind with Vector to interrogate Bowser, though it later turns out to be a hologram of him. Knuckles also calls Mario, Luigi, Sonic and Tails when they face Bowser and Dr. Eggman to support them and tell then that they have cleared the fog from Horse Guards Parade, and later appears at the opening ceremony. Knuckles also appears in the bonus episode The Life of a Minion, where he and Vector are tricked into competing in a match with Bowser, which they end up losing. A badge of Knuckles can also be obtained from the badge machine.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Knuckles is playable once again in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, and is yet again classified as a Power type character.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Knuckles returns once again in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In the Nintendo 3DS version, he is exclusive to Javelin Throw and Boxing.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Knuckles reappears in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as a playable character. Like many other Super Mario and Sonic characters in the game, Knuckles wears outfits that are event-appropriate. In addition to being playable in the Tokyo 2020 events, he is among the eight characters also playable in the Tokyo 1964 events, using his appearance from Sonic The Hedgehog 3.
He is also playable in the arcade version, as a Power-type character. Here, he has excellent power, above average speed, and low technique.
Super Smash Bros. series
- SmashWiki article: Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles' first physical role in the Super Smash Bros. series is appearing in the background of the Green Hill Zone stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where he runs through the loop along with Tails and Silver. He keeps this same role in the stage's returning appearances in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The Super Smash Bros. series includes collectible items featuring Knuckles, including a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, another trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and a spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, a hat and outfit based on Knuckles appears as a wearable costume for Mii Brawlers. The Knuckles hat was released on February 3rd, 2016, alongside other Mii Fighter hats, including a Tails hat. The Knuckles Mii Hat and Outfit both return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as DLC released on April 16th, 2019.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was Knuckles' first interactive role, particularly from being an Assist Trophy. He can attack enemies by punching them, using Homing Attacks like Sonic, or burrowing underground and reappearing with an uppercut at a different location. He cannot be summoned with an Assist Trophy on Green Hill Zone his background appearance. Some other stages where Knuckles cannot be summoned include Corneria, Venom, Brinstar Depths, Spirit Train and Pilotwings.
Super Mario-kun
Knuckles briefly appears in the Super Mario-kun crossover for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, where Luigi, Yoshi, and Bowser are worried they will be replaced by Knuckles, Tails, and Shadow if the manga gets rebranded into a Sonic version.
Profiles and statistics
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
- Profile: "Knuckles is an echidna that shows exceptional versatility despite his overall strength in Power events. He'll perform best at events like throwing and rowing, but can also provide solid competition in many other competitions that aren't as power-based."
- Stats
| Speed | |
| Power | |
| Skill | |
| Stamina |
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
- Profile: "Knuckles the Echidna has been friend and foe to Sonic for years. He has protected the Master Emerald on Angel Island, but now has his eye on a new prize: being #1 in the Olympic Winter Games! Powerful and determined, Knuckles will be going for gold with his Screw Driver ability on the Wii and DS, and Spiral Uppercut ability on the DS."
- Wii stats
|
- Nintendo DS stats
|
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
| Trophy Knuckles | ||
| ||
| Appears in: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 | ||
| A powerful red echidna also known by his full name, Knuckles the Echidna. Knuckles resides on Angel Island, where he guards the Master Emerald. Both friend and rival of Sonic, Knuckles is a martial-arts expert who can break through rocks with his spiked fists. In addition, he can climb walls and use the wind to glide through the air. | ||
| Sticker Knuckles the Echidna | ||
| ||
| Artwork from: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | ||
| Effects in The Subspace Emissary: [Electric] - Resistance +23 | ||
| Usable by: Sonic | ||
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
| Trophy Knuckles the Echidna | ||
3DS: Wii U: 
| ||
| Game(s): Both games | ||
| Category: Series Related | ||
( ) Appears in:Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (02/1994) Sonic & Knuckles (10/1994) | ||
| () Trophy Box: 83: Sonic & Friends
| ||
| Knuckles the Echidna is the dedicated guardian of the Master Emerald, rarely leaving his post on the floating Angel Island. His serious, one-track-minded approach puts him at odds with his rival, Sonic, but the two somehow manage to be friends all the same. | ||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
| Spirit #781 Knuckles | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Series/game | Sonic the Hedgehog Series |
| Type | Primary | |
| Slots | 2 | |
| Class | Ace | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Grab Fist Attack ↑ | |
| How to obtain | Summoned with a Gordo, Muddy Mole, and grab-type core |
List of Super Mario appearances
Portrayals
- Dan Green (2003-2010)
- Travis Willingham (2010-2018)
- Dave Mitchell (2019-present)
- Nobutoshi Canna (Japanese; 1998-present)
- Sébastien Desjours (French; 2011-present)
- Maurizio Merluzzo (Italian; 2011-present)
- Claus-Peter Damitz (German; 2011-present)
- Sergio Mesa (Spanish; 2011-present)
Quotes
- Main article: List of Knuckles the Echidna quotes
- "Heh heh heh, how's that?" - Mario & Sonic series
- "That was perfect!" - Mario & Sonic series
- "Greatest feeling in the world!" - Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Gallery
- For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Knuckles (Sonic the Hedgehog).
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Voice samples
 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - "Yo!" - Knuckles appearing (Travis Willingham, 2018; recycled from Sonic Generations) | File info |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - "Later!" - Knuckles disappearing (Travis Willingham, 2018; recycled from Sonic Generations) | File info |
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ナックルズ・ザ・エキドゥナ[?] Nakkuruzu za Ekiduna |
Knuckles the Echidna | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 纳克・魯斯[?] Nàkè Lǔsī |
Knuckles | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 納克・魯斯[?] Nàkè Lǔsī |
Knuckles | |
| Dutch | Knuckles the Echidna[?] | - | |
| French | Knuckles l'Echidna[?] | Knuckles the Echidna | |
| German | Knuckles die Echidna[?] | Knuckles the Echidna | |
| Italian | Knuckles il Echidna[?] | Knuckles the Echidna | |
| Korean | 너클즈 디 에키드나[?] Neokeuljeu di Ekideuna |
Knuckles the Echidna | |
| Portuguese | Knuckles o Equidna[?] | Knuckles the Echidna | |
| Russian | Ехидна Наклз[?] Yekhidna Naklz |
Knuckles the Echidna | |
| Наккурудзу дза Экидуна[?] Nakkurudzu dza Ekiduna |
Cyrillization of Japanese name | ||
| Spanish | Knuckles the Echidna[?] | - |
External links
- Mammals
- Martial artists
- Third-party characters
- Playable characters
- Assist Trophy characters
- Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games characters
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games characters
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 characters
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games characters
- Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games characters
- Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games characters
- Sonic the Hedgehog series
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl stickers
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophies
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS trophies
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophies
- Super Smash Bros. series characters
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirits
