The highly anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Happy Meal toys have officially arrived at McDonald’s locations across North America, following leaks last month. This promotion features collectible figures of the film’s main characters: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow. Each Happy Meal includes a non-posable figure and a plastic ring for it to roll on, along with decorative stickers. While an official start date isn’t listed on the McDonald’s website, the toys should be available at participating restaurants now.
McDonald’s has released a promotional commercial showcasing Sonic and his friends delivering Happy Meals, further fueling excitement for the promotion. Interestingly, the commercial doesn’t display the toys themselves. The North American promotion differs slightly from international versions. While other regions received 12 toys, North America gets 8—two figures for each character. Notably, international promotions included Super Sonic and Super Shadow variants, whereas North America receives one standard and one Super form for both Sonic and Shadow.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Happy Meal toys at McDonald’s
The timing of this promotion coincides perfectly with the theatrical release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 later this week. The sequel heavily features Shadow the Hedgehog, who was teased in the previous film. Shadow’s prominence in the movie’s marketing, including merchandise, video game tie-ins, and this Happy Meal promotion, suggests a significant role. Paramount and Sega are clearly emphasizing Shadow, making his reception by audiences a point of interest. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow is voiced by Keanu Reeves.
Shadow’s Rise and Other Potential Promotions
With the Sonic promotion underway, speculation turns to the potential arrival of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) promotion in North America. This promotion, celebrating the Year of the Dragon, launched in other regions earlier this year but hasn’t yet reached North America, even as the Year of the Dragon nears its end. Given McDonald’s history of offering Pokémon cards, the promotion may arrive with slight modifications. Hopefully, these cards will appear next month or perhaps in February to coincide with Pokémon Day.
Conclusion: Speeding to Your Nearest McDonald’s?
This Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Happy Meal promotion offers fans a chance to collect figures of their favorite characters while celebrating the movie’s release. The variations between regional promotions add a layer of intrigue for collectors. With the film hitting theaters soon, these toys are sure to be a popular item.
Let us know what you think about this promotion! Are you planning to collect these Sonic toys? Share your thoughts on Twitter @Marcdachamp, Bluesky @Marcdachamp, or Instagram @Dachampgaming!
