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Tails Adventures

From Sonic Retro

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Ta title.png
Tails Adventures
System(s): Sega Game Gear, Virtual Console
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action[2][3]
Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:
  • English
  • 日本語
  • Release Date RRP Code Rating
    Sega Game Gear
    JP
    1995-09-22[3] ¥3,800 G-3372
    Sega Rating: All Ages
    Sega Game Gear
    US
    1995-11 $? 2583
    ESRB: Kids to Adults
    Sega Game Gear
    EU
    1995-09 €? 2583-50
    ELSPA: 3+ OK
    Sega Game Gear
    UK
    1995-09 £29.99[4] 2583-50
    ELSPA: 3+ OK


    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    JP
    2013-04-03[5] ¥286 (300)[5] ?
    CERO: A
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    US
    2013-06-20[6] $4.99[6] ?
    ESRB: Everyone
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    EU
    2013-06-20[7] €4.99[8] CTR-N-GAVP-EUR
    PEGI: 3+
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    UK
    2013-06-20[9] £4.49[8] CTR-N-GAVP-EUR
    PEGI: 3+
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    DE
    2013-06-20[10] €4.99[8] CTR-N-GAVP-EUR
    USK: 6

    Tails Adventures (テイルスアドベンチャー), also known as Tails Adventure, is a spin-off adventure game for the Sega Game Gear. The game was developed by Aspect Co. Ltd and released in 1995. It was Tails' first lone adventure game released in the West (with Tails' Skypatrol not seen outside Japan until 2003) and a departure from the usual high speed action common in many games of the Sonic franchise.

    Story

    The different language manuals give different accounts of Tails' Adventures' place in the Sonic storyline, with the Japanese version citing it as as a prequel to Tails' first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2Media:TA JP Manual.pdf[11] (explaining why he lacks his spinning attacks throughout the game). Conversely, the Western versions tell that Sonic and Tails are simply taking a break from dual adventuringMedia:TailsAdventures GG US SonicGems manual.pdf[12]Media:TailsAdventures GG EU manual.pdf[13], and Tails has come to Cocoa Island to relax.

    Cocoa Island is a beautiful little paradise that rests atop a coral reef and cannot be found on any map. It's said that the legendary Chaos Emeralds rest here...

    It's a sunny afternoon on Cocoa Island, and Miles Prower is taking a nap just outside his research lab, Tails House. His slumber is interrupted by a huge explosion, and before Tails can say "stop, drop, and roll" the whole place is ablaze. A frantic Flicky bird reports the bad news to a confused Tails: the imperial Battle Kukku army has invaded Cocoa Island. The dictator Great Battle Kukku 15th has discovered the Chaos Emeralds on the island, and intends to use them to conquer the entire world. Tails is the only one who can put a stop to the imperial army, but he has never faced this kind of danger before... is he up to it?

    Gameplay

    Poloy forest.png
    Tails making his way through the first level, Poloy Forest.

    Contrary to the classic speedy gameplay in the Sonic series, Tails Adventures is a puzzle-based platformer with a strong emphasis on item collecting and backtracking, like a side-scrolling adventure RPG.

    Tails can walk, jump (but he doesn't spin), duck, look up, fly, hang on ledges, and throw all manner of bombs. His health is measured numerically by a Ring Item Box at the top left corner of the screen, and the game is over if the number drops to zero. HP is replenished by collecting Rings, which can be found by blowing up some walls or defeating enemies. He starts with a maximum of 10 HP, but that number can be increased by collecting the six Chaos Emeralds. His flight time is limited by the flight gauge, which starts at about 3 seconds and maxes out at about 15, but there is a technique in the game where the player can gather as much air time as they want simply by pressing 2 to make Tails fall in mid-flight, then quickly pressing 2 again before Tails has the chance to descend too far. It is possible to master this technique so that the player barely loses any altitude, but due to the nature of the gameplay in that there are obstacles that prevent Tails from simply 'flying over' them, this technique is only useful for evading small challenges or just for fun.

    In total there are 12 stages to complete. There are also 32 items to collect over the course of the game. Each one serves a different purpose, but Tails can only bring 4 items with him into any stage, which can all be equipped at Tails' House. This adds a strategical mechanic to the gameplay, as sometimes the player might need all 4 items to explore one area, but might not be properly equipped to explore another. Memorization is key.

    Essential to complete the game in most parts however is the Remote Robot (Mecha Tails in Japan). The Remote Robot is a tiny, all-terrain robotic fox who can squeeze into a lot of places Tails himself can't. When using the Remote Robot, Tails stands in place while player control is switched to the robot. The robo fox can walk, jump, fly, and squeeze into tiny places, it is also invincible to most hazards. Pressing 1 will send it back to Tails. Nearly all of the game's puzzles involve maneuvering the robot to open the path for Tails himself. Under water, the Remote Robot changes into the Sea Fox (Sea Tail in Japan), a small submarine that moves in much the same way the Remote Robot does when flying.

    The player's progress is saved via a 16-digit password that is generated based on the stages cleared and items found. If the player gets a Game Over, they can immediately continue from where they left off by selecting "CONTINUE" from the title screen, which will have their most recent password automatically generated. The latest password can be viewed at any time by selecting "CONT." when in Tails' House.

    Items

    Name Sprite Description Location
    For Use on Land
    Regular Bomb
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Useful against enemies and basic stone barriers. Blows up when it hits something. Starting item
    Large Bomb
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Kills all enemies on screen and is the only way to destroy stronger barriers. Explodes several seconds after being placed. Polly Mt. 2
    Remote Bomb
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Bomb that does not explode until detonated by pressing 1, but will explode automatically if it hits an enemy. Useful for sending through small spaces and doorways as the bomb slides towards targets. Volcanic Tunnel
    Napalm Bomb
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Creates a flame wave that destroys everything in its path, including enemies several feet off the ground. It's the only way to clear through dense grass. Cavern Island
    Triple Bomb
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    An enhanced version of the Regular Bomb with a wider explosion radius. Caron Forest
    Wrench
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Reverses the direction of the conveyor belts in Battle Fortress 2. Battle Fortress 2
    Helmet
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Holding 1 with this equipped will grant invulnerability as Tails ducks under a helmet. Unfortunately, Tails cannot move while using this. Polly Mt. 1
    Remote Robot
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    A tiny all-terrain robot that can squeeze into tight passages and retrieve items for Tails. Press 1 to activate, Up+2 to fly, and 1 again to return to Tails. The robot is invincible to almost all forms of damage but can fall into pits. This item also transforms into the Sea Fox, allowing access to the submarine stages. Poloy Forest
    Hammer
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    A short-ranged mallet weapon to attack enemies and destroy barriers with. Volcanic Tunnel
    Teleport Device
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Press 1 to warp back to Tails' House. Coco Island
    Night Vision
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Lights up the pitch-black passages of Polly Mt. 2 using infrared technology. Press 1 to activate. Green Island
    Speed Boots
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Allows faster ground travel by pressing 1 while walking. Poloy Forest
    Super Glove
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Allows Tails to lift and place rocks by pressing 1 and throw them with 2. Polly Mt. 1
    Fang
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    This good luck charm requires no activation. Simply bringing it on adventures will increase the chances of defeated enemies dropping Rings. Polly Mt. 2
    Knuckles
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Allows Tails to perform a short-ranged punch by pressing 1. Polly Mt. 1
    Sonic
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Allows Tails to perform the Spin Dash. Hold 1 to charge, then release to blast forward at high speed, smashing through barriers and enemies in Tails' path. It can also be performed in mid-air. Caron Forest
    Item Radar
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Helps Tails locate unacquired items remaining in a stage. Polly Mt. 2
    Radio
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Changes the background music. Each time 1 is pressed, a different song plays. Poloy Forest
    Chaos Emerald
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    There are 6 Chaos Emeralds hidden throughout the game. Each one extends Tails' maximum Ring capacity by 10 and his flight gauge by a few seconds. Procuring the sixth Chaos Emerald will max out Tails' Ring capacity at 99.

    Poloy Forest (Red)
    Volcanic Tunnel (Green)
    Polly Mt. 1 (Purple)
    Green Island (White)
    Caron Forest (Blue)
    Coco Island (Yellow)

    For Use at Sea
    Proton Torpedo
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    A powerful torpedo that is fired in front of the Sea Fox. Caron Forest
    Vulcan Gun
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    The Sea Fox's basic weapon. Press 1 repeatedly for a barrage. Starting item
    Extra Speed
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Hold 1 to build up speed, then release 1 and press 2 for a super jump. Required to get through Lake Crystal. Green Island
    Extra Armor
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Makes the Sea Fox invincible when activated and lasts until Tails reaches a screen transition. Volcanic Tunnel
    Anti-Air Missile
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    A missile that attacks enemies and stone barriers above the Sea Fox. Cavern Island
    Spark
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    Electrifies the water around the Sea Fox, zapping all onscreen enemies and mines. Poloy Forest
    Mine
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    A mine that can be dropped on enemies and stone barriers below the Sea Fox. Cavern Island
    Rocket Booster
    TailsAdventures GG Sprite Items.png
    This allows the Sea Fox to fly. Required to access Battle Fortress 1. Polly Mt. 1

    Versions

    Also released on

    Production credits

    Source: In-game credits[14]

    Manuals

    Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Tails Adventures/Manuals

    Artwork

    Physical scans

    Segaretro-round.svg Reception »
    Game Gear, JP
    TailsAdventures GG JP Box Back.jpgTA JP Boxart.jpg
    Cover
    Game Gear, US
    Tails Adventure Game Gear US Cover.png
    Cover
    Ta gg us cart.jpg
    Cart
    Game Gear, EU
    TA EU Boxart.jpg
    Cover

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Game Gear
    CRC32 5bb6e5d6
    MD5 a8bdb1beed088ff83c725c5af6b85e1f
    SHA-1 da3df145b8e9f2a2e680d2c92939084d4530ed90
    512kB 1995-07-21[15] Cartridge
    Sega Game Gear
    CRC32 a354ea49
    MD5 c2fe111a6e569ec6d58b9ecc32de0e12
    SHA-1 8a3c327b328def981779ce436df7857578c01883
    512kB 3DS Virtual Console (World) VirtualConsole TailsAdventures 3DS World Icon.png

    External links

    References


    Tails Adventures
    Ta title.png

    Main page
    Maps


    Manuals
    Magazine articles
    Reception


    Development
    Hidden content
    Bugs
    Technical information

    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