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Tails' Skypatrol

From Sonic Retro

"Tails Sky Patrol" redirects here. For the McDonald's LCD game, see Tails Sky Patrol (LCD game).

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Tails' Skypatrol title.png
Tails' Skypatrol
System(s): Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action[1], Shooting[2]
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code Rating
Sega Game Gear
JP
1995-04-28[1] ¥3,800 G-3368
Sega Rating: All Ages

Tails' Skypatrol (テイルスのスカイパトロール) is a Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off game for the Sega Game Gear which was released exclusively in Japan. Players assume command of Miles "Tails" Prower in a permanent flying state, who must save an island by defeating the evil villainess Witchcart. This is the only appearance by Witchcart and her companions in any Sonic or Sonic-related game. Dr. Eggman, the villain of most Sonic games, is not featured in the game nor referenced.

The game appears designed for younger audiences but is extremely difficult, as Tails falling, bumping into an object or touching the ground makes the player lose a life.

It is partially unknown who has made the game, since the credits of the games are full of abbreviated names and pseudonyms. Very few "real" names actually exist, and whether there are one or two people is also never confirmed.

Story

TailsSkypatrol GG Opening.png
Tails and Witchcart in the opening sequence.

One day, Tails decides to go on an adventure of his own, independent from Sonic, and explore in the sky with no destination in mind. During his flight, he discovers a lone island in the middle of the ocean, and decides to make a landing there, where he discovers steel tracks stretching across the land and not a single animal in sight. This doesn't appear to be the work of Dr. Eggman, but is the work of Witchcart, a mysterious human figure who has taken over the island and intends to turn anyone who opposes her into crystals, and sends her minions out to patrol the various areas of the island. Even if Sonic isn't around, Tails is determined to stop her and save the island.

Gameplay

Tails' Skypatrol is not a traditional platformer and instead is more similar to a shooter. There are no Rings or Chaos Emeralds to be collected and Tails is constantly "suspended" in flight mode. Tails cannot stop moving during gameplay, unless the game is paused, and he cannot turn around to move in the opposite direction at will. He can, however, move up and down by pressing Up or Down on the D-Pad. He can also slow down by holding Left or speed up by holding Right.

The objective of the game is to fly to the end of the stage, avoiding obstacles and destroying enemies with a golden Ring, which he can throw as a projectile by pressing 1 or 2. Holding 1 or 2 before releasing will make the Ring spin around Tails, strengthening the throw and making the Ring go farther, similar to how the Spin Dash move works in traditional Sonic games. The Ring can also be used to latch on to any number of devices the player will encounter in each stage, ranging from gymnastics bars to railcarts, however the Ring cannot latch on to objects while it is spinning around Tails.

The screen is fixed and constantly moves along with Tails. In order to stay afloat, Tails' flight meter, which slowly drops to zero, must be replenished by collecting Mint Candy scattered in each level. After taking a hit from an enemy or projectile, Tails will begin spiraling out of control. Rapidly pressing 1 or 2 before he runs into the ground or a wall will stop the descent and regain control of Tails, but will cost a portion of the flight meter. If Tails collides with the terrain or runs out of flight meter, he will lose a life. Extra lives can be gained by earning 10,000 and 30,000 points.

Items

Scattered throughout each level are several items which can be picked up for bonuses:

TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Items.png

TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Items.png
Mint Candy (ミントキャンディ)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[3]
Replenishes the power gauge. Candy can be found in sets of 1, 2, or 3, replenishing a quarter, half, or all of the flight gauge respectively.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Items.png
Crystal (クリスタル)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[3]
Adds 1,000 points at the end of the level.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Items.png
Bell (ベル)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[3]
Same effect as a Checkpoint marker in the traditional Sonic games. When activated, Tails will return to this point if the player loses a life.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Items.png
1UPMedia:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[3]
Gives Tails an extra life.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Items.png
Muteki Star (ムテキスター)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[3]
Temporary invincibility from all obstacles, including walls.

Level objects

Throughout the game, the player will come across a number of common objects that the player can interact with in some way. The player may avoid some of these by holding 1 or 2 to spin Tails' Ring.

TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Pole (ポール)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[4]
When Tails' Ring latches onto it, he will swing up/down the pole and be launched forward.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Bar (バー)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[4]
Catapults Tails in the direction of the arrow next to it.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Catapult (カタパルト)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[4]
Catapults Tails forward at high speed.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Daruma Block (だるまブロック)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[4]
A wall that can be broken down by hitting the blocks with Tails' Ring. Hitting the gold block destroys the wall instantly.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Balloon (バルーン)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[4]
A balloon that Tails can hang on to to float upwards without draining his flight gauge.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Kurukuru Panel (くるくるパネル)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[5]
A rotating wall. The player must avoid contact with it while it's rotating.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Switch Bolt (スイッチボルト)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[5]
A switch with a spike ball orbiting around it. Hitting it will make the spike ball change direction.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Truck (トロッコ)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[5]
Moves forward when Tails' Ring latches on to it, carrying him along the track.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Omori (おもり)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[5]
A heavy weight that weighs Tails down to the ground. It can be pulled off ledges.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Bonmetal (ボンメタル)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[5]
Strange round blocks that suddenly appear to block Tails. They can be destroyed piece-by-piece by tossing the Ring at them.
TailsSkypatrol GG Sprite Objects.png
Switch (スイッチ)Media:TailsSkypatrol GG JP manual.pdf[5]
A switch that toggles objects such as walls.

Levels

Training area sky patrol.png
Training Area
The first level and, as it suggests, the tutorial level, though it gives no instructions on how to play the game. It is more like a very easy example of the rest of the game, not including enemies or other level specific gimmicks.
Rail CanyonTSP.png
Rail Canyon Area
The first 'true' level in the game. Level features many pine trees and graphics seen throughout more traditional Sonic games. It's the first level in the game to feature enemies such as turtles that throw projectiles and balloons that try and blast you out of the sky. Destroying the bottom half offers Tails a free balloon. At the end of the level, the player will face the game's first boss, Hocke-Wulf, who is a blue wolf on a flying bike that throws bombs at Tails.
TSP ruin wood.png
Ruin Wood Area
The second level in the game takes place in what looks like an old mine, later in the level the player will enter a mountainous area. Enemies for this level include skeleton-like creatures that spring up from the ground and throw their bones at the player and 'capture berries' which will clamp onto Tails' ring if he gets too close, holding him in place momentarily. The boss at the end of the level, Bearenger, will throw projectiles at Tails, three at a time.
Metal Island TSP.png
Metal Island Area
The third level takes place in the sky, supposedly on an airship of sorts, and features fans that create strong gusts that can blow Tails into hazards or enemies. The level enemies feature bird-like robots that swoop down to attack, then retreat. At the end of the level Tails will confront the third boss, Carrotia, which is a very feminine rabbit on a flying carrot.
Dark castle.png
Dark Castle Area
The last level in the game. This level features, along with an unforgiving difficulty and a surplus of traps, octopus-like robots that will hurl beach balls at you and the game's final boss, Witchcart, who will constantly cast magic sparks at Tails.

History

Development

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Tails' Skypatrol/Development

Legacy

Tails' 30th Anniversary Special, cover B.

Due to its nature as a spinoff title released exclusively in Japan, Tails' Skypatrol had become one of the more obscure titles in the Sonic franchise, and would not see an official Western release until its inclusion as an unlockable game in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut in 2003.

The game would not be adapted into any comics until 2016 when Archie Comics' Sonic Universe featured the "Eggman's Dozen" story arc that ran from issues #83 to #86, adapting Witchcart and her minions with different names, designs and backgrounds as well as having the events of Tails' Skypatrol take place immediately after the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in flashbacks. In 2022 the IDW Publishing one-shot Sonic the Hedgehog: Tails' 30th Anniversary Special was published, featuring a story that serves as a spiritual sequel to this game and Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island, where Witchcart and her minions had taken over Flicky Island and captured Sonic, thus Tails must defeat them again with the help of the Flickies.

Versions

Also released on

Production credits

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: sega:Tails' Skypatrol/Production credits

Manuals

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Tails' Skypatrol/Manuals

Magazine articles

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: sega:Tails' Skypatrol/Magazine articles

Artwork

Physical scans

Segaretro-round.svg Reception »
Game Gear, JP
TailsSkypatrol GG JP Box Back.jpgTailsskypatrolBox jp.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 88618afa
MD5 ffb364bbaf72881cf7571e7ec388490d
SHA-1 9cb440611e9e3a7957438698fede0978d568a807
256kB Cartridge (JP)

References


Tails' Skypatrol
Tails' Skypatrol title.png

Main page
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Credits


Manuals
Magazine articles
Reception


Development
Hidden content
Bugs

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
 1991  Sonic the Hedgehog     1992  Sonic the Hedgehog 2     1993  Sonic Chaos | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     1994  Sonic Drift | Sonic Spinball | Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble     1995  Sonic Drift 2 | Tails' Skypatrol | Tails Adventures | Sonic Labyrinth | Sonic 2 in 1     1996  Sonic Blast    
 Unreleased  Sonic's Edusoft