The game introduces many new gameplay elements. As opposed to playing as a single character at a time in past games, players will control 3 characters together, switching control between them at any time in a stage. This game also marks the return of the Chaotix, a group last seen in Chaotix (aka Knuckles' Chaotix) on the Sega 32X. It also confirms that Shadow did not die at the end of Sonic Adventure 2, much to the joy of many fans and disappointment to others.