Sonic Heroes Profiles: Team Chaotix

Likely the only mascot character in videogames history that can legitimately be mentioned in the same breath as Nintendo's Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the industry's most enduring and beloved personalities. From the moment he first burst onto the scene as a rambunctious speedster on the Sega Genesis to his re-appearance on Nintendo GameCube only recently, the spiny blue rodent has seen his fair share of digital incarnations over the years -- but rarely on multiple platforms. That trend, however, is definitely about to end.

For the first time in franchise history, Sonic the Hedgehog is being released across all three major consoles at the same time. Due for release this coming January, Sonic Heroes invades the Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2 with 12 of the Sonic universe's most popular characters. Divided into four teams and given their own unique storyline and move set, Team Dark, Team Rose, Team Chaotix, and Team Sonic will band together and switch characters on the fly in an effort to defeat the challenges and puzzles that lay ahead. And it's presented in classic Sonic the Hedgehog style for the entire experience.

To celebrate its forthcoming release, Sega and IGN have joined forces to bring you a four-part series detailing the available quartet of characters ready for play in Sonic Heroes. A daily feature that will conclude this Friday, our team profiles will give you the skinny on each team's background information, their purpose, their individual character attributes, and show you exactly how they work with an exclusive video and screenshots. In short, it's a Sonic fan's database dream and should serve as an exciting precursor to our Sonic Heroes coverage further down the line.

So without any further ado, let's begin with the first Sonic Heroes Profile: Team Chaotix!

Team Chaotix's Background Team Chaotix is made up of three crafty detectives who are always at your service if the price is right. One day a package arrives containing a transceiver that promises a hefty payment if the Chaotix Detective Agency will take on a mysterious case. Charmy Bee is excited and Espio the Chameleon doesn't trust the shady offer, so it's up to the boss, Vector the Crocodile, to decide. With dollar signs in his eyes, he wastes no time accepting the lucrative opportunity and a chance to outsmart Dr. Eggman. All three of them were kidnapped by the conniving Dr. Eggman in Knuckles Chaotix and they are determined to outsmart the evil genius this time around.

Espio the Chameleon: In true chameleon fashion, Espio can blend into his environment that makes him invisible to the enemy eye. He is fearless and likes to face danger head-on due to his flawless ninja skills. He is quick on his feet and keeps Team Chaotix running full tilt.

Vector the Crocodile: This charming headphone-wearing crocodile heads up the Chaotix Detective Agency and few question his brute strength. He is fixated on money and he'll take nearly any job for the promise of good pay, as long as it's legal. Don't let his dazzling smile fool you; he can effortlessly crush enemies with his razor-sharp teeth.

Charmy Bee: He is small and scatterbrained but his powers of flight are crucial for the success of Team Chaotix. He's best at following hunches and tracking down hidden objects that help the team along. He is never without his trademark helmet and his happy, upbeat nature keeps the team thinking positively.

Gameplay Tidbits With an eye on the cash, Team Chaotix zips through levels in high-speed formations unleashing surprise attacks on their many enemies. Team Chaotix is geared toward players with medium to high skill levels and therefore more challenges await these cunning detectives throughout each course. With the brand new Team Action control system, you'll control all three characters at once, taking advantage of Espio's speed, Vector's strength, and Charmy's ability to fly up and over obstacles. The new Team Blast feature devastates encroaching enemies far and wide. Pit Team Chaotix against other teams with the new and improved Battle Mode geared for two to four players.

Team Rose's talents include:

• Speed Formation Attacks: Espio throws shuriken stars or combines the Tornado Attack with his Ninja Leaf Swirl so enemies can't detect him. Also, with the Triangle Jump, Espio has the ability to hang on a sheer surface without falling.

• Flying Formation Attacks: Enemies will recoil after receiving a vicious sting from Charmy Bee.

• Power Formation Attacks: Vector turns his teammates into veritable fireballs and rains them down on enemies. If more firepower is needed, he overwhelms rivals with a blast of his putrid, fiery breath.

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Does Team Chaotix sound like a team you want to play with? Then click on our media page below to check out our exclusive video and screenshots of the team in action. When you're done, don't forget to come on back tomorrow to check out the next triad in our series, Team Sonic. See you then.

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