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Chao (Sonic the Hedgehog)

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Chao
Sonic the Hedgehog race
Left to right: a Hero Chao, Normal Chao and Dark Chao
First appearanceSonic Adventure (1998)

Chao (/tʃaʊ/)[a] are fictional life-forms in the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series published by Sega. They are small, childlike creatures that go through a complex life cycle and exist in several visual forms depending on how they are raised. Developer Sonic Team incorporated Chao into the games to encourage players to explore levels and support the good–evil dichotomy of Sonic Adventure 2.

Chao have appeared in many games in the series, beginning with Sonic Adventure in 1998. They usually take the form of digital pets, but have also played parts in the story and figured into other gameplay elements. Most notably, the character Cream the Rabbit has a Chao named Cheese, whom she uses to attack enemies. They have also appeared in games outside the series, the Sonic the Hedgehog comics, and the Sonic X anime, as well as being featured in promotions and merchandise. Critics have given overall positive opinions on Chao and their integration into Sonic gameplay, generally praising their worth as a diversion.

Conception and characteristics

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Chao are based on a special technology known as A-Life (originally created for Sonic Team's 1996 release NiGHTS into Dreams) where it was used for similar virtual pets called Nightopians.[according to whom?]

Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka stated in an interview with video game publication 1UP.com that Chao were incorporated into Sonic Adventure "so that new players would be forced to go out, explore the action sections, and find Flickies and things."[1] Chao were designed as a "relative neutral entity" in this game. However, to remain consistent with the good–evil dichotomy of Sonic Adventure 2, they were designed so that the player could raise them as "Hero Chao" or "Dark Chao". Chao were given the ability to socialize and interact in Sonic Adventure 2 in order to make the game unique,[2] and to more resemble "a real artificial life form."[3]

Chao are small creatures with a pudding-like body and behave much like human infants,[4] with pleasant and relaxing personalities.[5] Professor Chao, a minor character in Sonic Adventure 2, states that Chao are cute,[6] and enjoy toys[7] and being held or petted.[8] However, they dislike being held while the player jumps, spins around, or throws them.[9] A Chao's diets consist of tree fruit[4] and coconuts.[9] They hatch from eggs found in Chao Gardens. When the player spends enough time with a Chao in the Chao Garden, it eventually develops into a cocoon and hatches from this as an adult. Eventually it develops into another cocoon. If the Chao has been treated well, the cocoon is pink and the Chao is then reincarnated as an egg; the cycle then restarts and the Chao remembers the player. If, however, it has been treated poorly, the cocoon is gray and the Chao dies, removing every trace of itself from the game.[4] Chao can breed to produce fertile eggs.[10][11]

Appearances

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In video games

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Chao have appeared in numerous Sonic the Hedgehog video games as digital pets. They made their first appearance in the 1998 Dreamcast game Sonic Adventure. The player can raise them, enter them in races,[12] and export them to Chao Adventure, a game for the Dreamcast's VMU peripheral. The player can also trade Chao or post their high scores online using the Dreamcast's Internet capabilities.[13] The Chao raising feature was expanded in Sonic Adventure 2; Chao may become "Hero Chao", "Dark Chao" or "Neutral Chao" depending on whether the game's "hero" characters (Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna) or "dark" characters (Shadow the Hedgehog, Doctor Eggman, and Rouge the Bat) are nicer to them. Chao can enter karate competitions in this game, as well as racing.[2] The Game Boy Advance (GBA) games Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2, and Sonic Pinball Party feature a "Tiny Chao Garden", similar to the Chao Gardens of Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 but with minigames in place of racing and karate competitions.[14][15][16] Chao can be transferred between Sonic Adventure 2 Battle and Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut—GameCube ports of Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Adventure—and the GBA games featuring a Tiny Chao Garden.[17][18] Unusually, a generic Chao is an unlockable character in the party game Sonic Shuffle.[19]

Chao have also appeared in the series as minor characters and gameplay elements. Two Chao—one Neutral and one Dark—who drive Chao-styled mechas are playable characters in the two-player battle mode of Sonic Adventure 2: Battle.[20][21] On the Sonic the Hedgehog-styled pinball board in Sonic Pinball Party, one of the player's objectives is to hatch several Chao eggs.[16] Each world in the 2004 GBA game Sonic Advance 3 features Chao-inspired minigames to earn extra lives for the player, and a sidequest that involves finding Chao to obtain Chaos Emeralds.[22] 2007's PlayStation Portable installment Sonic Rivals 2 hides Chao throughout levels to be found in a free play mode.[23] In the 2008 Nintendo DS role-playing game Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, Chao eggs are hidden throughout the in-game universe for the player to find and hatch.[24] The resulting infant Chao can be equipped to characters. This affects the characters' performance in battle; for example, one kind will increase the character's hit points. The game features a multiplayer mode in which Chao can be traded between players who each have a copy of the game.[25] Chao take the form of an item in the "Panel Flip" party game of the 2009 Wii and DS game Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Each player's object is to claim as many panels as possible in a six-by-six grid; finding a Chao upon flipping a panel claims all panels in a given row or column for the player.[26] One mission in Sonic Generations (2011) involves racing against Cream the Rabbit to collect lost Chao in a city location.[27]

Cream, a prominent character in the series, has a Chao named Cheese as a partner, who wears a red bowtie to distinguish himself from other Chao. In a move to keep her image safe, she often uses him to attack enemies instead of doing so herself.[28] Other notable Chao include Chaos, guardian of the Chao, who serves as an antagonist in Sonic Adventure;[13] Omochao, a robotic Chao who appears in several games as a means of player tutorial;[29] and Chocola, Cheese's twin whom Cream, Amy Rose, and Big the Cat search for over the course of Sonic Heroes.[30]

Chao have also made appearances in video games outside the Sonic the Hedgehog series. In the 2004 PlayStation 2 game Sega Superstars; the player uses points earned during the game to please a pet Chao.[31] Marking the introduction of the character Sonic the Hedgehog to the 2008 Wii game Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Chao and other characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series appear as collectible trophies[5] and stickers.[32] Chao also make a cameo appearance in the 2001 GameCube port of Phantasy Star Online within a questline called "The Fake in Yellow". Through the completion of the quest and a few other steps involved, it can allow the player to gain access to a Game Boy Advance Machine which gives you an option to download the otherwise unobtainable Tails Chao.[33]

They also appear as trophies in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U and as spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[34]

In other media

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Chao were recurring characters in the Sonic X anime that ran from 2003 to 2006. In the episode "Little Chao Lost", Cheese becomes lost while swimming in a stream. The main characters find him at the stream's end, in a Chao colony, where Doctor Eggman shows up to steal a supposed Chaos Emerald from them until he is defeated.[35] Later on, in "Flood Fight", a colony of Chao appears after a battle with Chaos; they turn out to be Chaos' old friends and embrace it as it leaves with Tikal the Echidna to return to the past.[36]

Chao have also made occasional appearances in Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series. They debuted in an Sonic Adventure-based story arc, where they work together with Tikal to defeat Chaos.[37] At one point, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles find a Chao garden and one Chao followed Sonic home, and after spending time around his Roboticized father came to resemble Omochao.[38] However, Eggman destroys the garden, and the Chao migrate to a lake.[39] Much later, Cream and her mother Vanilla protect a frightened but incompetent group of Chao from Eggman's assistant, Snively. Cream's friend Amy Rose realizes they are the same group from the lake and, to Cream's delight, suggests that the lake can be converted to a Chao garden.[40] Following the comic reboot, Cheese continued to accompany Cream while Chocola was revealed to live with her mother Vanilla and Gemerl (from Sonic Advance 3). The heroes would also discover a Chao Garden hidden in an undersea cavern whose inhabitants included an ancient Chao named Aquarius and a guard dog-like Chao named Crusher.[citation needed]

Chao were prominently featured in the official web short "Chao in Space". The premise references billboard props in the Sonic Adventure series, which appeared to advertise a fictional movie of the same name. The short alternates between a Chao's dream in which it is piloting a space ship, and between Sonic trying to keep the aforementioned Chao under control as it sleepwalks.[41] The short was accompanied by the release of some related merchandise through the official Sega Shop website.[42]

In IDW Publishing's Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series, Chao have a prominent role in the "Chao Races & Badnik Bases" arc, in which Rouge competes in Chao races with Cream's Chao, Cheese, to defeat champion Chao racer Clutch and obtain parts for a nearly-destroyed E-123 Omega from him.[43] However, Clutch demands Rouge surrender Cheese to him if he loses. Shadow reveals Clutch to be abusive to his Chao, locking up his losing ones in a cage. The group eventually frees and rescues Clutch's losing Chao with help from their new friend Belle and her built-in lockpicker.[citation needed]

Chao will appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as mascots of the Chao Garden restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.[44]

Reception and impact

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Chao and the Chao-raising system have received generally positive reviews. In a review of Sonic Adventure, GameSpot's Peter Bartholow stated that "with the Chao-breeding simulation and the minigames, Sonic offers much more beyond the completion of its story."[45] IGN stated that "SA more than has the extras department covered."[12] This enthusiasm was extended to IGN's reviews of Sonic Adventure 2,[46] Sonic Advance,[14] and Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut.[18] GameSpot's Shane Satterfield was critical of the Chao raising feature in Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, stating that "there's little in the way of interactivity" and that "the Chao training aspect using the Game Boy Advance is little more than a novelty."[17] However, GameSpy's Shane Bettenhausen praised the feature in the game, comparing Chao to Tamagotchi digital pets.[47] GameSpot's Frank Provo noted the appeal to "those people who might only enjoy pinball in passing" that Chao brought to Sonic Pinball Party.[16] 1UP.com's Chris Baker called the Chao feature in Sega Superstars "ultimately worthless... but some might find it amusing."[31] In a review of Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, GameSpot's Shiva Stella praised the level of strategy that the game's Chao system added.[25] Destructoid's Jim Sterling voiced a similar opinion, though they said that Chao had been "rubbish" in previous games.[24]

A Chao keychain was released as part of a Sonic X character keychain series.[48] Between July 27 and September 8, 2002, Sega hosted events at Tokyo-based department stores to promote upcoming Sega video games. Attendees could download "Chao Mini Garden"s and exclusive Chao to their copies of Sonic Advance. Chao clothing clips, along with accessories based on other Sega characters, were available.[49]

Mary Jane Irwin of IGN used "Chao program" to describe Pokémon Channel in her review of the game.[50]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: チャオ

References

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  1. ^ "Afterthoughts: Sonic Heroes". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  2. ^ a b IGN Staff (June 4, 2001). "Interview With Sonic Adventure 2 Director Takashi Iizuka". IGN. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  3. ^ Torres, Ricardo (July 2, 2001). "Sonic the Hedgehog turns 10". GameSpot. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "CHAO Laboratory". Sega/Sonic Team. Archived from the original on August 1, 2003. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  5. ^ a b Sora Ltd. Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Chao trophy: A type BIG BOI creature that can absorb and learn skills and traits from other life-forms, adapting its shape as it does. This results in vast variations in appearance, behavior, and personality. Chao are generally very cute, and their mannerisms are pleasant and relaxing. Chao Gardens are a good place to find them, but they also inhabit areas with freshwater.
  6. ^ Sega Studio USA. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Professor Chao: Chao are small, cute and mysterious creatures who live in the Chao garden. Everyone loves Chao. If you go to the Chao garden, you can raise your own Chao.
  7. ^ Sega Studio USA. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Professor Chao: Toys are the prizes you get for winning Chao Races or Chao Karate tournaments. Chao loves toys, so raise your Chao to win a grand prize!
  8. ^ Sega Studio USA. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Professor Chao: Chao love to be held or petted.
  9. ^ a b "Chaos". Official Dreamcast Magazine. No. 1. September 1999. p. 114.
  10. ^ Sega Studio USA. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Professor Chao: You will be able to tell it's mating season when you see flowers blooming around your Chao. Mate them and they may lay eggs.
  11. ^ Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (24 August 2017). "Why did 3D Sonic struggle?". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Sonic Adventure Review". IGN. September 8, 1999. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Marriott, Scott Alan. "Sonic Adventure - Overview". Allgame. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2009.
  14. ^ a b Harris, Craig (February 5, 2002). "Sonic Advance Review". IGN. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  15. ^ Provo, Frank (April 7, 2003). "Sonic Advance 2 Review for Game Boy Advance". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  16. ^ a b c Provo, Frank (June 25, 2003). "Sonic Pinball Party Review for Game Boy Advance". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  17. ^ a b Satterfield, Shane (February 15, 2002). "Sonic Adventure 2 Battle Review for GameCube". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  18. ^ a b Casamassina, Matt (June 20, 2003). "Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut Review". IGN. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  19. ^ Sonic Shuffle instruction manual, p. 22. (PDF)
  20. ^ "Character Introduction: Hero/ characters for 2P battle". Sonic Team. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  21. ^ "CHARACTERS: DARK SIDE". Sonic Team. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  22. ^ Provo, Frank (June 23, 2004). "Sonic Advance 3 Review for Game Boy Advance". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  23. ^ Anderson, Lark (January 9, 2008). "Sonic Rivals 2 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  24. ^ a b Sterling, Jim (September 29, 2008). "Destructoid review: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  25. ^ a b Stella, Shiva (October 10, 2008). "Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Review for DS". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  26. ^ Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games instruction booklet, p. 13.
  27. ^ Sonic Team. Sonic Generations. Mission description: Compete with Cream to find more Chao than her and reach the goal.
  28. ^ "Sonic Central". Sega. Archived from the original on May 26, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  29. ^ Sega Studio USA. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Omochao: Hi, I'm Omochao! I'm here to help you!{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Sonic Heroes (GameCube) instruction manual, p. 10.
  31. ^ a b Baker, Chris (November 16, 2004). "Sega Superstars Review from 1UP.com". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  32. ^ "Sticker List". Smash Bros. DOJO!!. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  33. ^ "Tails Chao Guide". Chao Island.
  34. ^ "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Best spirits by rank & type". Nintendo Enthusiast. 21 December 2018. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Little Chao Lost". Sonic X. Season 1. Episode 22. August 31, 2003.
  36. ^ "Flood Fight". Sonic X. Season 2. Episode 32. November 9, 2003.
  37. ^ "Night of Chaos" Sonic the Hedgehog, no. 82 (February 2000). Archie Comics.
  38. ^ "See Ya Later Chao! - Part One" Sonic the Hedgehog, no. 173 (March 2007). Archie Comics.
  39. ^ "See Ya Later Chao! - Part Two" Sonic the Hedgehog, no. 174 (April 2007). Archie Comics.
  40. ^ "Welcome Back, Chao!" Sonic the Hedgehog, no. 217 (September 2010). Archie Comics.
  41. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Chao In Space" (Video). Youtube: Sonic the Hedgehog. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  42. ^ "SEGA CHAO IN SPACE". SEGA Shop. SEGA of America, Inc. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  43. ^ Meyer, Evelyn (23 October 2020). "Your Favorite Sonic Adventure Mini-Game Just Made an ADORABLE Comeback". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  44. ^ Zotomayor, Carlos (28 August 2024). "Sonic the Hedgehog 3 finally adds Chao in some shape or form to the movie franchise". Automation. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  45. ^ Bartholow, Peter (December 31, 1998). "Sonic Adventure Review for Dreamcast". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  46. ^ "Sonic Adventure 2 Review". IGN. June 22, 2001. Archived from the original on June 1, 2002. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  47. ^ "Reviews: Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GCN)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  48. ^ "IGN Toy Test: Sonic Adventure Key Chain Figures". IGN. June 20, 2000. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  49. ^ Harris, Craig (July 23, 2002). "Download Sega GBA Games for Free". IGN. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  50. ^ Irwin, Mary Jane (December 4, 2003). "Pokemon Channel: Watch TV thanks to your GameCube". IGN. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
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