Big the Cat
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Big the Cat |
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First seen: Sonic Adventure (1998) |
Species: Cat |
Gender: Male |
Age: 18[1][2] |
Height: 200cm (6'6")[2] |
Weight: 280kg (616lbs)[2] |
Likes: Froggy[3], fishing |
Created by: Yuji Uekawa, Takashi Iizuka, or Naoto Ohshima |
Big the Cat (ビッグ ・ザ ・キャット) is a character in the Sonic the Hedgehog universe who was introduced in the video game Sonic Adventure.
Contents
Character conception
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Personality and traits
Big is a simple-minded, 18-year-old purple tabby cat who lives in the jungle surrounding the Mystic Ruins. Though physically strong and imposing of stature, Big is a gentle and easy-going, though somewhat dim-witted, person with a heart of gold. He seems to be a fisher for a living, and he lives in tranquility with his friend/pet, Froggy (Kaeru-kun). Quite frequently, Froggy goes missing, and Big has to set out to find him with his trusty fishing rod. Big is not one for going on grand adventures, preferring his peaceful and quiet lifestyle in the jungle. However, should his friends be in danger or in need of his aid, Big will not hesitate to help out and protect them in any way he can.
History
Sonic Adventure
The plot of Big's levels in Sonic Adventure was that Froggy was possessed by Chaos' tail. The possessed frog sprouted a tail of his own, stole Big's lucky charm, the yellow Chaos Emerald, and ran away. Big chased after him and eventually wound up on the Egg Carrier. Dr. Eggman gave Froggy to Chaos, both for Chaos' tail and the Chaos Emerald, but Big, with Sonic's help, rescued Froggy. Big took his friend and found the remnants of Tails' crash-landed Tornado II, and managed to fly it home to the jungle.
Big the Cat's gameplay revolves around fishing in bodies of water to catch Froggy, clearing the stage once the amphibian is caught. Besides Froggy, there are plenty of other fish for Big to catch and increase his score, though they are not necessary to complete stages unless the mission requires catching a large-enough fish. Big's gameplay mode is considered by many to be one of the strangest in the game. Simply put, he's the only Sonic character before or since that has had fishing levels, and such inclusion has contributed to the character's unpopularity among critics and fans.
Sonic Shuffle
Big appears as a playable character that can be unlocked for Versus Mode in Sonic Shuffle. If he plays a 6 on the board, then he can stop on any space between those 6 spaces. When this happens, he will chase Froggy to the space that the player selected. If Big plays a Special Card in battle, he will use Power Rod. When initiated, he must select another card to attack with, and that card's attack power will be increased by 1.
Sonic Adventure 2
Big is not playable in the main game, but he makes several cameo appearances in Sonic Adventure 2, where he can be found hiding in stages and bosses if the player looks around hard enough, as well as in certain cutscenes. He can also be unlocked as a playable character for the two-player mech-shooting battle, where he humorously replaces Eggman in his Egg Walker and uses Froggy to punch the opposing player.
In the GameCube remake, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, almost all of Big's cameos were removed from the game, and he was replaced by a Dark Chao Walker in the 2P Battle mode. However, some of his cutscene cameos remain intact, and can still be activated by pressing repeatedly during certain cutscenes. Many of the missing cameos were restored in the 2012 re-release of Sonic Adventure 2, though Big is still absent from the 2P Battle mode.
Sonic Heroes
Big is the Power Type member of Team Rose in Sonic Heroes. His mission is the same as Sonic Adventure: to rescue Froggy. As Froggy was kidnapped alongside Chocola, the fat cat travels alongside Amy and Cream to save him. His moves in this game include Fire Knock (his equivalent of the Fire Dunk), Big Fishing, Umbrella Descent and Body Press.
Out of all the playable characters in this game, Big is the only one who did not make an appearance in Shadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic and the Secret Rings
Just like in Sonic Adventure 2, Big makes numerous cameo appearances throughout the stages of Sonic and the Secret Rings. Although most of Sonic's friends are represented by their Arabian Nights counterparts in Sonic and the Secret Rings, it seems that Big is the only other creature besides Sonic who gets sucked into the book as his classical self. The cat cameos in each level of Sonic and the Secret Rings twice (except Lost Prologue, where he only appears once). To find him, the player is required to halt for a few seconds in a specific location to unlock a short cutscene involving the purple cat. These cutscenes add a new page to the game's Special Book as well.
Stage | Mission | Location | Entry No. | Detail |
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Lost Prologue | Mission 16 (Splash Jump) |
This is the Splash Jump practice mission, unlocked after Sonic learns the skill at level 42. Splash Jump onto the top platform bearing a platinum ring, then wait for a few seconds to see Big appear swimming through the air. | 1 | “A fairy told me “So you’re the blue hedgehog.” I’ve ended up somewhere strange. Where is this place?” It has a picture of Big with his arms crossed, standing on the pathway in Lost Prologue. |
Sand Oasis | Mission 1 (Go for the goal) |
On the strip of land where pillars are rising out of the ground, brake for a few seconds before you jump over the second falling pillar. You’ll see Big waving at you behind a shrubbery. | 2 | “I’ve come to a beautiful oasis. It’s so clear I can see everything, but it seems like there are no fish.” It has a picture of Big sitting on a toppled pillar, fishing. |
Sand Oasis | Mission 4 (No Pearls) |
When the four pillars start to fall, brake for a few seconds in front of the first one on the right (It has a genie on it.). You’ll see Big swimming around with a Frog. | 3 | “I was fishing and I saw Froggy’s friend swimming. It looks like fun. I think I’ll swim too!” It has a picture of Big diving into the water. |
Dinosaur Jungle | Mission 6 (Stealth Attack) | After running down the dinosaur, brake for a few seconds on the grassy area as you get near the flower spirit. You’ll see Big holding his head. | 4 | “Well there weren’t any fish. Not one. Monsters must have eaten them. That’s not good.” It has a picture of Big with his hands on his waist, looking out at the lake. |
Dinosaur Jungle | Mission 9 (Smash genie eggs) | When you get to the river, ride the log into the flying pot. Fly as high as you can, jump and do a Homing Attack into the spring. You’ll jump automatically for a bit and then land on a grassy, circular platform with a genie egg. Brake for a few seconds, and you’ll see Big waving at you under a dinosaur. | 5 | “What…? I was chased all the way by a giant lizard! Which way did I come from…?” It has a picture of Big holding his head, with a confused expression. |
Evil Foundry | Mission 2 (Diehard Challenge) | As you start the level, do a Homing Attack into the tank the Golem’s holding, then attack it’s head, and then attack the magic carpet. Brake for a few seconds after getting onto the pathway, and you’ll see Big on a torch lamp on the ceiling. | 6 | “It’s a little hot but it seems like a good place to fish. Come out, come out, little fish!” It has a picture of Big sitting on a ledge, fishing…in lava. OK...? |
Evil Foundry | Mission 8 (Perfect Challenge) | When you see the Golem, jump onto the cylinder and brake for a few seconds. You’ll see big sitting on the edge of a pit of lava. | 7 | Big’s Travel Diary Entry 7: “Uh-oh! That’s not fish! Sorry…!” It has a picture of Big running away from the Golem. |
Levitated Ruin | Mission 5 (Open Sinbad’s cage) | As you approach the lever to switch the second mirror, brake for a few seconds. You’ll see big balancing on top of a tower. | 8 | “W-what’s this? I’ve been carried here by the wind! Somebody help! Actually, this feels pretty good.” It has a picture of Big stuck on a mirror by his belt. |
Levitated Ruin | Mission 10 (Beat the clock) | As you get near the series of gargoyle’s, brake for a few seconds. You’ll see Big behind an empty pedestal. | 9 | “I got in line… but I don’t seem to be fitting in, maybe I need to sit differently?” It has a picture of Big sitting on a pedestal like the gargoyle’s. |
Pirate Storm | Mission 1 (Go for the goal) |
When you reach the catapult after flying on a cannon rocket thing, raise the catapult halfway and flick the Wiimote to (hopefully) land in the crow’s nest. Brake for a few seconds and you’ll see Big sitting on a mast farther away. | 10 | “Whoa! Climbing up here was fun and all but now how do I get down…?” It has a picture of Big standing on top of a crow’s nest. |
Pirate Storm | Mission 5 (Rampage) |
When you come to an area with two very tall platforms, attack the disappearing-reappearing genie on the first tall platform, and then land and brake on it for a few seconds. You’ll see Big far away, looking at some type or fort or something. | 11 | “Whoa! This’ll be my hideout. I won’t tell anyone, except for maybe Froggy….” It has a picture of Big sitting in his new hideout. |
Skeleton Dome | Mission 5 (Rampage) |
When you enter the air launcher that fires you into a double-file line of pearls, wait in it for a few seconds. You’ll see Big sitting in the middle of the arena. | 12 | “I befriended the old skeleton. He said he used to be a huge fish. That’s amazing!” It has a picture of Big next to a giant fish skeleton. |
Skeleton Dome | Mission 8 (No Pearls) |
When you land on the group of rock platforms before the swinging axe things, brake for a few seconds. You’ll see Big sitting on a giant skeleton in the area, waving at you. | 13 | “Before the old skeleton turned to bone, he was a colorful fish who could sing too! I wish I could have caught him.” It has a picture of big sitting on the aforementioned giant fish skeleton. |
Night Palace | Mission 9 (Diehard Challenge) | Don’t bother with the turbo start here. Back up as soon as you start the level to the staircase, and brake for a few seconds. You’ll see Big lying down on the ground. | 14 | “I’ve come all the way to the Milky Way… I heard this is where I can find Pisces. I’d like to meet him.” It has a picture of Big standing on one foot swinging his fishing pole around. |
Night Palace | Mission 11 (Beat the clock) | In the room that turns upside-down, don’t grind along the rail. Drop onto what used to be the ceiling, past the first line on the ground, spike ball, and stand next to the first pillar thing on the second line. Brake there for a few seconds. You’ll see Big between two pillars. | 15 | “When I look up at the sky I miss Froggy. I’ve got to go now. Wait for me Froggy!” It has a picture of Big staring up into the stars. |
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series
Throughout the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series, Big has made numerous appearances. In the first game, Big acted as one of the referees. In the second game, Big is a VIP character who the player can meet, and plays a part in the Adventure Tours in the DS version. In the third game, he appears during the story mode in the Nintendo 3DS version. Finally, he appears on the beach amongst other characters from both series in the fifth game.
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
Big appears as the fourth party member to join Sonic in Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. He still maintains his somewhat slow and dim nature, but is an invaluable ally due to his ability to safely make it through harsh environments with his Invulnerability. He has a side-quest revolving around finding Froggy's friend Norton. In battle, he is in the Support class and has superior strength, but slow speed, being granted only one turn per round.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
Big is also a racer in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, where he can be unlocked by spending 7,500 SEGA Miles in the console version, and 40,000 SEGA Miles in the DS and iOS versions. He drives the Green Hopper, a bike which looks like a grasshopper. His All-Star Move, Giant Froggy, involves Froggy becoming huge and trampling over the competition.
In the sequel, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Big is relegated to a cameo appearance in Ocean View, where he can be seen fishing behind one of the cliffs that stick out of the water.
Sonic Runners
Big was a playable Power Type "Easy" character in Sonic Runners who could be unlocked for 150 Red Star Rings or 1,500,000 rings. When playing as Big, game speed would be cut by 10%, but the player's total score would be cut by 20%. Big appeared as one of the party guests who were kidnapped by Eggman during the "Happy Birthday Sonic!" event, and had a role in the "Tropical Coast" event where he fished up something that turned out to be Eggman, having accidentally fallen into the water.
Team Sonic Racing
Big returns to Team Rose as the team's Power Type racer in Team Sonic Racing, driving the Frog Cruiser. During the story, Big thinks Dodon Pa is a nice guy straight from the get-go, purely on the basis that he gave everyone cars to race in, and does not understand why every other character is suspicious of the tanuki. He also helps the heroes learn more about Dodon Pa when he points out that he is working with the Wisps, since Wisps only help nice people, and reports having seen Zavok lurking in the shadows, hinting towards the Zeti's eventual appearance.
Sonic Frontiers
A digital illusion of Big the Cat, created by Sonic's memories, appears inside Cyber Space. Specifically, in places called Fishing Spots. In this game, Big acts as a shop owner and also offers Sonic a chance to fish if the hedgehog has Purple Coins in order to be rewarded with Treasure Tokens to be spent on the shop. When Sonic learned that the real Big wasn't in the digital dimension, he was relieved knowing Big was safe somewhere else.[4]
In other media
Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics)
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, Big was originally a member of the Felidae warriors from the Mysterious Cat Country. Finding his people's customs too complicated and violent, Big chose a quiet life in the jungle with his friend Froggy. At one point, he got involved in the Chaos incident, and a year later he was exiled from his home due to his friendliness towards outsiders. However, he found a new home in New Mobotropolis where he became a member of Team Freedom city defenders.
After the Super Genesis Wave that followed the events of Worlds Collide, Big became a member of the Freedom Fighters, where he served as the team's muscle.
Sonic the Comic
Big has only made a single-panel appearance in the 184th issue of Sonic the Comic when Chaos, drained of power and restored to his original Drakon form, landed in a pond next to Big, who was fishing in those waters, prompting him to notice the creature's arrival.
Sonic X
Big is also a somewhat minor character in Sonic X. At the start of the series, he was apparently caught in the Chaos Control explosion that transported the main characters from their world to Earth, though he would not make any other appearances until a second Chaos Control event brought several locations from their world to Earth. His story is nearly identical to his story in Sonic Adventure. Only this time, he has the help of Chris Thorndyke while searching for Froggy.
Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW comics)
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Sonic Prime
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List of appearances
Video games
- Sonic Adventure
- Sonic Shuffle
- Sonic Adventure 2
- Sonic Heroes
- Sonic and the Secret Rings
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
- Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
- Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
- Sonic Colours (Nintendo DS version only)
- Sonic Generations (statue)
- Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
- Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (cameo)
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (trophy)
- Sonic Runners
- Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
- LEGO Dimensions
- Sonic Forces: Speed Battle
- Team Sonic Racing
- Sonic Frontiers
- Sonic Speed Simulator
- The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
Television series, shorts and film
Comic books
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics, US)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW Publishing, US)
- Sonic the Comic (Fleetway, UK)
Theme songs
Voice actors
- Jon St. John (English game voice (Sonic Adventure, Sonic Shuffle, Sonic Heroes))
- Pete Zarustica (Sonic X - English)
- Kyle Hebert (English game voice (Sonic Colours, LEGO Dimensions, Team Sonic Racing, Sonic Frontiers))
- Ian Hanlin (Sonic Prime)
- Shun Yashiro (Japanese game voice (Sonic Adventure only))
- Takashi Nagasako (Japanese game voice (Sonic Heroes-present) plus Sonic X)
- Antoine Nouel (French game voice (Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games-present) plus Sonic X)
- Viktor Pavel (German game voice (Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games-present) except Team Sonic Racing)
- Andreas Sparberg (German game voice (Team Sonic Racing)
- Santi Lorenz (European Spanish game voice (Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games-present))
- Andrea De Nisco (Italian game voice (Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games-present))
References
- ↑ File:SonicHeroes GC US manual.pdf, page 13
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://sonic.sega.jp/SonicChannel/character/big.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-05-25 14:14)
- ↑ Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing/Collection
- ↑ Sonic_Frontiers#The_Final_Horizon