‘Without the time stones?’ Fans laugh as Sonic 4 is rumored to include “time travel elements"

Sonic the Hedgehog is no stranger to surprises. Whether it's running at lightning speeds or battling the nefarious Dr. Robotnik, Sonic's adventures have kept fans on the edge of their seats for decades.

However, a recent rumor about Sonic 4 has turned the gaming world upside down not just because of the blue blur's trademark speed. The latest rumors say it's going to include time travel.

If that sounds like something straight out of a science fiction novel, it should, it practically is. What really makes this rumor interesting is the fans' reactions to it. Because if there's one thing the internet loves more than a new Sonic movie, it's an absurd rumor that sends everyone into a tailspin of jokes and memes.

However, one should know this rumor has not been confirmed by Paramount or SEGA.

Sonic 4 and the time travel craze: How the rumor went viral

It started as a rumor about Sonic 4 having time travel, beginning with a tweet by one popular entertainment account on social media. That tweet claimed the new movie was going to involve time travel and introduce, of all things, a "Metal Sonic" from the future.

Immediately, the fans were divided, with some being thrilled and others scratching their heads about whether this was another fan theory gone way too far. But what really sent the post viral wasn't the idea of time travel-it was how the fans began reacting.

It didn't take long before hilarious responses, memes, and one-liners were practically writing themselves on the Twitter thread, but a few fans brought up the point that time travel is basically required for every blockbuster movie these days.

"Every movie relies on time travel and multiverses now," snarked one fan (@SheFell4Russia).

One X user (@shrunkenpants) joked it'd be Sonic and friends going back in time to save a couple of humpback whales to repopulate the species. Because, of course, that’s where Sonic is headed.

It didn't take long for the fanbase to dive deep into the Sonic lore, with some bringing up classic Sonic references that others might not fully appreciate.

“Bruh, it’s Sonic CD,” one fan wrote (@MrFungii)

In case you're not familiar, Sonic CD is a game where time travel is a key plot point, making the fan's comment not only hilarious but also a nod to the older, more hardcore fans of the franchise.

The post quickly became a treasure trove of these tongue-in-cheek references, with many fans pretending to be disappointed about how “predictable” the time travel twist is.

"Without the time stones??? 😂" one fan responded (@SmmOan).

“Oh no… okay, it was a good run 😪😪😪,” one fan said (@Juanlsidro).

as if they’d already seen the future and it involved a ridiculous time-travel plotline.

Some fans even poked fun at the growing trend of Sonic movies and their seemingly inevitable dive into alternate universes and timelines.

"Can really tell who has and hasn’t played classic 8-bit Sonic by their replies," said one sharp-eyed commenter (@TensaDg2).

For some, these fan interactions were a funny reminder of how Sonic has evolved or perhaps devolved over the years. It’s not just about saving animals from Robotnik anymore; now it’s about saving the entire multiverse if the rumors are to be believed.

As with all rumors, only time will tell whether these fan predictions about Sonic 4 are actually true. But one thing is for certain: be it time travel or something else altogether, one thing that can always be expected from the Sonic franchise is a surprise, and it is that which brings the fans crawling back.

Ultimately, it just goes to prove that Sonic is far, far more than just a game about a blue hedgehog who runs really fast: it is a cultural touchstone source of perpetual delight, invention, and quite a lot of time-travel jokes. Maybe the real adventure's just seeing where the rumors go next.