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Boost Mode

From Sonic Retro

Advance2BoostCream.PNG
Boost Mode
First seen: Sonic Advance 2 (2002)
Users: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Cream the Rabbit, Blaze the Cat
Type: Movement

Boost ModeMedia:SonicAdvance2 GBA US manual.pdf[1]Media:SonicAdvance3 GBA US manual.pdf[2] (ブーストモードMedia:SonicAdvance3 WiiUVC manual.pdf[3]), sometimes known simply as Boost (ブーストMedia:SonicAdvance2 GBA JP manual.pdf[4]) in Japan, is a technique best described as a high-speed dash state which various characters are able to perform in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, most notably Sonic the Hedgehog. The mode is generally accompanied by some sort of visual distortion to emphasise the eye-blistering velocities involved.

Overview

When travelling forward at a significant speed for long enough, Boost Mode will activate, giving the player's character a large increase in speed, leaving a pursuing afterimage in their wake (similar to Hyper Sonic and Hyper Knuckles). However, Boost Mode has its disadvantages in that it can make a character harder to control due to the breakneck speeds. Slowing down or being stopped by an obstacle cancels the effect, restoring the character's speed to normal levels.

Boost Mode may also be instantly activated by using a Dash Panel or some horizontal Springs, and in some games can be activated by using certain moves.

Game appearances

Sonic Advance 2

Boost Mode is introduced in Sonic Advance 2 and is available to all characters. Collecting Rings will also affect how long it takes to enter Boost Mode in this game - the more Rings the player collects, the quicker they can activate Boost Mode. Also, some of the character's moves change slightly, into high-speed forms which can be used without breaking stride by pressing B while in Boost Mode:

Character Ground Tag Action Mid-Air Tag Action
Sonic Super SkidMedia:SonicAdvance2 GBA US manual.pdf[5] Allows Sonic to use the Skid Attack and continue running.
Cream Step AttackMedia:SonicAdvance2 GBA US manual.pdf[6] Cream takes a long stride and Cheese circles around her as a shield. This destroys any enemies it comes into contact with.
Tails Super Tail SwipeMedia:SonicAdvance2 GBA US manual.pdf[7] Allows Tails to use Tail Swipe while keeping speed.
Knuckles Spiral AttackMedia:SonicAdvance2 GBA US manual.pdf[8] Knuckles spirals forward with his fists while keeping speed. This is similar to the move Knuckles performs in Sonic Adventure 2 when he punches while running.
Amy Head SlideMedia:SonicAdvance2 GBA US manual.pdf[9] Similar to the move of the same name from the first Sonic Advance, except Amy can keep speed afterwards.

Sonic Advance 3

Boost Mode in Sonic Advance 3 is activated in and functions the same way as in Sonic Advance 2, however Sonic is required to be on the team in order to use it, and Boost Attacks cannot be used. If Sonic is assigned as the partner character, then the other character can instantly activate Boost Mode anywhere by using Sonic's Tag Action.

Sonic Rush series

Sonic Rush, Sonic Rush Adventure and the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colours all have Boost Mode, which can be used by Sonic and Blaze and is instantly activated by performing a Super/Fire Boost then disengaging the Boost while continuing to move forward, although there are no special Boost Attacks for Sonic or Blaze in either game. In Sonic Colours, Sonic has rainbow afterimages when Boost Mode is active, which will turn blue when running across water.

References