Fast Facts on Tails' Skypatrol
Publisher: Sega Developer: SIMS, JSH System(s): Sega Game Gear Genre: Shoot 'em Up Release Date RRP Code JP 1995-04-28 ¥3,800 G-3368 ESRB PEGI USK OFLC CERO GRB

Tails' Skypatrol (テイルスのスカイパトロール) is a Sonic 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 joins a "Sky Patrol" in hope of saving an island by defeating the evil villainess Witchcart, whom turns any that oppose her into crystals with her magic. This is the only appearance by Witchcart and her companions in any Sonic or Sonic related game. Dr. Robotnik, 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.

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. 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 throws as a projectile. 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.

After taking a hit from an enemy or projectile Tails starts descending, rapidly pressing or will stop the descent. The screen is fixed and constantly moves along with him. In order to stay afloat Tails' flight meter, which slowly drops to zero, must be replenished by collecting candy bars scattered in each level. Extra lives can be gained by earning 10,000 and 30,000 points.

Controls

In Tails Skypatrol, 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. He can also toss the golden ring he holds by pressing or . Holding or before releasing will strengthen the throw and make the ring go farther, similar to how the spindash move works on traditional Sonic games. If Tails is hit by an enemy attack, he will begin spiraling out of control. Rapidly pressing or before he runs into the ground or a wall will regain control of Tails, but it will cost a portion of the flight meter.

Levels

• 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 Canyon: 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, Fockewulf, who is a blue wolf on a flying bike that throws bombs at Tails.

• Ruin Wood: 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: 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: 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.

Items

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

• Mint Candy: Replenishes the power gauge. Candy can be found in sets of 1, 2, or 3.
• Crystal: Adds 1,000 points at the end of the level.
• Bell: Same effect as a Checkpoint marker in the traditional Sonic games. It saves the position and Tails will return to this point if the player loses a life.
• 1up: Gives Tails an extra life.
• Star: Temporary invincibility from all obstacles, including walls.

Production Credits

Character Design: ©Sega
Game Design: K3, LR
Graphic: Mt. Emerald, Show
Sound: Chikayo, Kazunechan
Programming: AT-AT, Captain Alice, Bryan
Thanks to: Monty, Ezachan, Mr. Rental, Fine-Twig, SIMS All Staff, JSH All Staff, and You.

Manual

• Tails Adventure JP Manual (pdf)

Also Released On

• Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut for the GameCube (2003)
• Sonic Mega Collection Plus for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox (2004)
• Sonic Gems Collection for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2 (2005)
• Sonic PC Collection for the PC (2009)

Resources

Physical Scans

Game Gear, JP
Cover
Cart

Artwork

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Tails' Skypatrol
Tails' Skypatrol Main Article Levels Enemies Bosses Cheat Codes	Levels: Training Area Rail Canyon Dark Castle Ruin Wood Metal Island Enemies and Obstacles: Balloon Gun Bee Fly Bound Head Capture Berry Carronade Dorigame Gon Haneruton Minokichi Tashiya Tobikoshi Crow Bosses: Focke-Wulf (RC) Bearenger (RW) Carrotia (MI) Witchcart (DC)