********** (colloquially known as Wechnia by fans) is a glitch character featured in Knuckles' Chaotix. He is a recolored version of Knuckles the Echidna, with silver-white fur, red strands in his dreadlocks and red eyes. The character is referred in the hidden stage select menu as "**********". The term "Wechnia" (a portmanteau of "white" and "echidna") was coined by Sonic Cult webmaster PACHUKA.^[1]

Quick Answers

How does ********* differ from Knuckles in appearance?

*********, a glitch character in Knuckles' Chaotix, has silver-white fur, red dreadlock strands, and red eyes, differing from Knuckles' red fur and purple eyes.

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What inspired the creation of ********* in Knuckles' Chaotix?

********* is a glitch character in Knuckles' Chaotix. They were created from leftover data for Tails, who was initially planned as a playable character. The unofficial name 'Wechnia' merges 'white' and 'echidna'. Accessing Wechnia through the hidden stage select menu can crash the game due to corrupt sprites.

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Why is ********* referred to as a glitch character?

********* is called a glitch character due to being created from leftover data meant for Tails and their corrupt sprites that can crash the game. They are not playable through normal gameplay, instead being exclusively accessible in the hidden Stage Select.

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What role was ********* originally intended to fill in Knuckles' Chaotix?

*********, a glitch character in Knuckles' Chaotix, was initially intended to be Tails. Tails was supposed to be a playable character along with Sonic, but were both scrapped. ********* being leftovers of Tails is shown by being second after Mighty (who is made up of Sonic's leftover data) in the in the level select menu and a Tails life icon being present in the Knuckles' Chaotix 1207 Beta.

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How did the name 'Wechnia' originate within the Sonic community?

The name 'Wechnia' was created by Sonic Cult webmaster PACHUKA, combining 'white' and 'echidna.' This glitch character in Knuckles' Chaotix is a recolored version of Knuckles, known for its silver-white fur and red eyes, and is listed in the hidden stage select menu as '**********.'

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Overview

********** is the leftover data that would have belonged to Tails, who was originally meant to be playable in the game (since he is listed in the second slot of the level select after Mighty.^[2]) This was later confirmed with the release of the 1207 Beta prototype version of the game, which contains a Tails life icon in the ROM.

To play as or have ********** as a partner, the player must go to the Options menu and select "Color Test". Three pairs of 00 should be surrounded by "<>". The player must then hold and press until the first pair is 06, then release, hold, and press until the second pair is 0B. The player must release, hold, and press until the third pair is 11, then release and press once more. Three pairs of 04 should now be highlighted. The player must hold and press until the second 04 is 00, then release, press, and proceed to the main menu. The "Stage Select" should now be below Options. The player should select it, then choose their character or combi as **********. The player will have **********, but once he touches the ground, the game will crash outside of certain levels. Even then, the game can crash if certain triggers occur, such as being damaged.

********** may have the appearance of Knuckles, but he utilizes Mighty's move set. In the 1207 Beta prototype, ********** had the ability to fly rather than Mighty's Wall Jump. He would tire after a while exactly like Tails, and contained a similar palette consisting of colors suitable for him, such as shades of orange and red.

Trivia

• If Sonic Mania is played in "& Knuckles" mode, reaching the end of the game without collecting the full set of Chaos Emeralds will cause the AI-controlled Knuckles to briefly flash into **********s color scheme while the red strobe lights blanket the area once the boss is defeated.
• Many characters have been inspired by this glitch.
  • Doctor Zachary from Sonic the Comic may have been inspired by ********** though due to Knuckles' Chaotix only having released earlier that year, this is unlikely.
  • Dr. Finitevus from the Archie comics Sonic the Hedgehog comic series was likely inspired by **********.
  • Ian Flynn has stated on his podcast that the character of Dr. Starline from the IDW Publishing Sonic the Hedgehog comic series took direct inspiration from this glitch. Similarities include the shared white and red color palette, the platypus being a monotreme like the echidna, and Starline's name itself coming from the "line of stars" of the original glitch character.^[3][4]

References