Common features Sonic the Hedgehog

1 common features

1.1 rings
1.2 chaos emeralds
1.3 special stages
1.4 super transformation
1.5 item boxes
1.6 giant rings
1.7 checkpoints
1.8 springs
1.9 animals

common features
rings

rotating rings, similar used in series

one distinctive feature of sonic games collectible golden rings spread throughout levels. gameplay device allows players possessing @ least 1 ring survive upon sustaining damage enemy or hazardous object; instead of dying, player s rings scattered. in sonic games, hit causes player lose of rings, although in games hit costs set number of rings such ten or twenty. when rings scattered, player has short amount of time re-collect of them before disappear.

some causes of death cannot prevented holding ring, including being crushed, falling bottomless pit, drowning, , running out of time.

in many titles, collecting 100 rings rewards sonic or other playable character life. games in series reward collection of 50 rings chaos emeralds, access special stages in chaos emeralds may obtained, or utilization of character s super transformation.

rings have had other uses in various games well, such currency (sonic adventure 2), restoring health bars (sonic unleashed), or improving statistics (sonic riders).

chaos emeralds

the 7 chaos emeralds

the chaos emeralds are, in games, 7 emeralds mystical powers; recurring feature of sonic games. emeralds can turn thoughts power, warp time , space technique called chaos control, give energy living things , used create nuclear or laser based weaponry.

they basis of many of games plots, , player required collect them defeat doctor eggman , achieve games endings, super forms, or both. methods used acquire emeralds , end-results after collecting them differ between titles in series. games require player find emeralds in special stages, while modern games implement emeralds plot element. in games, such sonic r , 8-bit versions of sonic hedgehog , sonic hedgehog 2, player required find chaos emeralds within zones themselves.

the master emerald introduced in sonic & knuckles plot element. resides in shrine on angel island , guarded knuckles echidna, of echidna tribe able control it. power of master emerald keeps angel island afloat in sky. can control power of chaos emeralds, including neutralizing or amplifying energies. in both sonic adventure , sonic adventure 2, master emerald becomes shattered, requiring knuckles find scattered pieces during levels.

special stages

usually, special stages employed means of earning chaos emeralds. special stages take place in surreal environments , feature alternate gameplay mechanics standard platforming of main levels. 16-bit sonic hedgehog consisted of giant rotating maze, many considered major technical achievement. common special stages, however, segments character running through long tunnel collect items. 3d collect item levels, in sonic 3 , sonic & knuckles, used same perspective had sonic collecting blue-colored orbs on surface of giant sphere. finally, sonic advance 2 employed 3d ring-collecting stage, , sonic chaos (sonic , tails in japan) used variety of gimmicks levels. since emeralds of 8-bit version of sonic hedgehog hidden in main stages, game s spring-filled special stages merely used means of adding variety, increasing score , earning continues. similarly, sonic 3 & knuckles, in addition main special stages, featured entirely optional bonus stages, 1 of combined rotating maze of sonic hedgehog pinball gambling of sonic hedgehog 2. sonic heroes contained alternate special stage chance of earning additional lives.

super transformation

a super transformation state characters go gives them incredible speed, near-invincibility , change in color. in games, characters still vulnerable being crushed, drowning, falling pit or running out of time. depending on type of transformation, condition attain such form individual making contact of chaos emeralds, sol emeralds, or master emerald.

super transformations first appeared in sonic hedgehog 2, sonic transforms super sonic if 7 chaos emeralds , fifty or more rings held @ same time. while in super sonic form, sonic gains invincibility (except instant-kill obstacles) , has increased speed. 1 ring lost every second passes, , sonic reverts normal if number of rings drops zero. in sonic 3 & knuckles, tails can transform after gaining 7 chaos emeralds , super emeralds. sonic , knuckles can transform hyper counterparts super emeralds. hyper sonic, hyper knuckles, , super tails have unique abilities aside invincibility , increased speed.

in 3d sonic games starting sonic adventure, chaos emeralds collected in non-interactive cut scenes part of story, super sonic , other super characters appearing in final boss fights. 2d sonic platform games, advance , rush series, have retained gameplay-based emerald collecting, still have super sonic playable in boss battles. recent games such sonic hedgehog 4, sonic colors, sonic generations, , sonic lost world once again allow players play super sonic during normal stages, provided have chaos emeralds.

sonic, tails, knuckles, metal sonic, shadow, blaze, , silver characters known able perform super transformations. metal sonic can use master emerald or chaos emeralds turn super, , blaze, instead of using chaos emeralds, uses sol emeralds (her dimension s equivalent).

item boxes

these containers hold power-ups , appear throughout stages. icon on each box indicates contains, , player releases item destroying box. in games, item boxes resembled television sets , destroyed attack; in later titles, became transparent capsule-like objects destroyed 1 touch. common items in boxes include rings, barrier (or shield), invincibility, high speed (or power sneakers) , 1-ups.

the barrier spherical energy shield surrounds , protects player s character 1 attack; when hit, barrier lost instead of rings or life. in sonic 3, additional barriers introduced gave player special abilities, such ability magnetically attract rings , double jump, breathe underwater, resist fire.

invincibility temporarily protects against damage done enemies , obstacles, , allows player destroy enemies touching them , not lose rings. death crushing, falling, drowning , time-ups, however, still possible.

high speed boxes give player character enhanced speed limited time.

1-up boxes display face of player s character , give player 1 life. in event player loses stage, enables player restart level @ starting point, or, if 1 has been passed, close last checkpoint. multiple lives can collected, 99.

other item boxes featured include box robotnik s face on it, cause damage whoever opens it, teleport box (sonic 2 s 2-player mode only), swapped both players positions, , skateboard box (sonic generations only), allows player ride skateboard short time.

giant rings

giant rings (warp rings) featured in few sonic games, 16-bit era. rather collecting them, case smaller ones, served portal enter special stage, player collect 1 of chaos emeralds. in sonic hedgehog 3, if emeralds have been found, touching them rewards player fifty rings. in games since sonic adventure 2, these giant rings serve end level marker, ends level upon touching it.

checkpoints

checkpoints items placed throughout stages in sonic games serve progress markers. if player runs through one, progress through level saved . if player loses life on same stage, start on @ last checkpoint passed. checkpoints serve other uses in various games, such entering special stages in sonic hedgehog 2, , leveling in sonic heroes. in 2d games, checkpoints take appearance of posts, while in 3d games either small gates or pads on ground.

springs

springs staple in sonic series. scattered throughout levels , serve catapult player @ high speeds in particular direction. allow player proceed further in level, while other times used hinder player, sending sonic towards dangerous area. sonic unleashed in particular features springs dr. eggman s face on them launch sonic towards danger or hinder progress. springs serve 1 of sonic s special moves in super smash bros. brawl.

animals

in addition anthropomorphic animals, sonic universe populated more conventional animals. these small animals used dr. eggman organic batteries power robot armies. trapped animals can freed hitting robot , destroying metal case. in sonic adventure , sonic adventure 2, small animals can given chao, altering appearance , attributes.

a flicky 1 of prominently used animals in eggman s experiments. small bird s first appearance in game predates sonic. flicky , respective game alluded in sonic 3d blast.