Shellcracker

Shellcracker is one of the crab-based Badnik enemies in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. They are a larger successor to Crabmeat, and have first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Genesis.

Physical appearance
Shellcrackers are based on red. They each have a red and white carapace with a white abdomen, two pair of white legs and a pair of eye stalks with large yellow eyes. Shellcrackers also have two different-sized red claws. Their right claw is tremendous and has three spikes adorning the upper joint, as well as having the ability to extend over a limited range, while the left one is much smaller. For the original models, the left claw was connected to the Shellcrakers' body with four orbs.

The Shellcrackers' design in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I received a few changes changes. Here, they have blue feet joints and the lower section of their claws are yellow on the outside and grey inside.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
In Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and its reissues, their name is spelled Shellcraker. They are encountered in Metropolis Zone. Here, Shellcrakers walk back and forth slowly, while also blocking the narrow paths to the High-speed elevator. They can attack with punches by extending their spiked claws out at the playable character in a straigth line when they get nearby, before retracting them. The player can destroy these Badniks by Spin Jumping on them from above or behind, but they have to be very precise with their aim; their large claws often block their hits from the front. Also, upon their destruction, they release an Animal.

Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure
In Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, Shellcrackers appear in Gigantic Angel Zone. They behave and attack in the same manner as they did previously in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Also, upon their destruction, they release an Animal.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, Shellcrackers appear in Mad Gear Zone. Despite their upgraded design, Shellcrackers behave like they did in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The Shellcracker's claw attack is also now easier to predict, as it raises its left claw before thrusting its right one.

Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics)
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, the Shellcrackers were parts of Dr. Eggman's Badnik Horde who were guarding the Metropolis Zone during Operation: Clean Sweep. After the Super Genesis Wave rebooted the timeline, Shellcrackers became nearly identical to their game counterparts. In this reality, they are Badniks under the command of the Metropolis Egg Army.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog issue 229 story "Genesis Part Four: Reset," a group of Shellcrackers are guarding the Metropolis Zone when Sonic successfully tried to get past them during his mission to get to the core of Dr. Eggman's base.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog issue 255 story "Countdown to Chaos Part Three: The Rabbot," a Shellcracker guarding the Metropolis Zone faced Sonic and Bunnie D'Coolette when the duo tried stealing the city's shield generator. After Sonic destroyed the Shellcracker, Bunnie used its remaining claw to take down Egg Soldiers.

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW Publishing)
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, the Shellcrackers are Badniks created by Dr. Eggman. Their past is virtually identical to their game counterparts', up until after the events of Sonic Forces.

After Sonic the Hedgehog thwarted Dr. Eggman in their last encounter during the Eggman War, the doctor disappeared while his Shellcrackers and the rest of his Badnik army remained. Without a leader, however, the Shellcrackers were directionless and no longer a unified threat. Even so, they would still randomly attack anyone they came across (although such incidents were more accidental than aggression-based). Eventually though, the Shellcrackers came under the control of Dr. Eggman again. These events are showcased in the Sonic the Hedgehog #1 story "Fallout, Part 1" and the Sonic the Hedgehog #2 story "Fallout, Part 2."

Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence
In Sonic Frontiers prequel comic Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence, a group of Shellcrackers along with Crabmeats are found attacking Amy Rose on a tropical island with "Dr. Eggman" piloting a large Shellcracker-like mech as well. The mech along with the Shellcrackers and Crabmeats, were destroyed by Amy, Sonic and Tails.

Profiles

 * Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I website: "Hailing originally from Metropolis Zone, Shellcracker has returned to make Sonic lose as many rings as possible, if not finish him off entirely. Watch out as this Badnik's main weapon is a quick-moving claw that packs a serious punch!"

Trivia

 * In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Shellcrakers can sometimes, for an odd reason, disappear from certain places where they should be in Metropolis Zone. This can also happen to the Slicers.
 * As with the Slicers, the Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I website points out their annoyance because of their placement and attack pattern in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.