Dig
From Sonic Retro
| Dig |
|---|
| First seen: Sonic Adventure (1998) |
| Users: Knuckles the Echidna, Rouge the Bat, Tikal, Chaos |
| Type: Finding items |
Dig[1], also known as Digging[2] (穴掘り[3][4]), is a move in the Sonic the Hedgehog series where the user digs into surfaces to find hidden items. It is commonly one of Knuckles the Echidna's moves, though other characters are also capable of digging.
Contents
Overview
When using Dig as a move during gameplay, the user will dig into the surface of the ground or a wall for a few seconds, then re-emerge. Digging can only be done in surfaces that can be dug into, such as grass, dirt or stone. If the player attempts to dig in a surface that cannot be dug into, such as metal panels or a street pavement, the user will exclaim that they can't dig there. The primary purpose of the move is a means of locating pieces of the Master Emerald or other important collectibles that may be buried underground in treasure-hunting stages, however by digging into random spots will the player find other items, such as Rings or Item Boxes with random contents.
When used for narrative purposes, digging typically serves as a means for Knuckles to burrow underground to reach a destination quickly or to ambush opponents, such as when he ambushed Super Sonic in Angel Island Zone at the beginning of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Game appearances
Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure is the first game in which Digging[2] can be performed during gameplay as Knuckles, and he will be able to dig once he has found the Shovel Claw. To dig in this game, Knuckles must be standing on a surface he can dig in, then the player must press both the Jump and Action buttons simultaneously. In some cases in the Mystic Ruins, Knuckles is required to use the move to find items needed to enter some of his Action Stages. Knuckles cannot dig on walls in this game.
Sonic Adventure 2
In Sonic Adventure 2 and its re-releases, Knuckles is not only capable of digging, but so can Rouge the Bat, however both characters are still required to get their respective upgrade to be able to do so, those being the Shovel Claw and the Pick Nails. Knuckles digs using his fists as usual, while Rouge digs using her legs.
Digging in this game has been made simpler to perform compared to Sonic Adventure - the player can cycle through actions while on the ground, then press 
to dig when "Dig" appears in the action window, and can also dig quickly by diving into the ground with Drill Claw and Drill Drive respectively. Additionally, characters are now capable of digging into walls by pressing while climbing them. If the user digs into certain walls, they can pass through them to access hidden rooms. Rouge is also required to use this move to open unlocked safes in Security Hall.
In the 2P Battle mode, Tikal and Chaos are also capable of digging, and due to their nature as bonus characters don't need to get an upgrade item to be able to do so.
Sonic Generations
In the console/PC versions of Sonic Generations, the player is required to use Knuckles's ability to dig to find Medals in the Challenge Act "Knuckles: Buried Treasure" in Sky Sanctuary. When Sonic is standing over a spot that contains Medals, the player should press 
/
to make Knuckles dig there.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Digging is one of the moves Knuckles can use when he is summoned as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In this game, Knuckles will burrow underground, then reappear under an opponent to strike them with an uppercut.
In other media
Sonic the Comic
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Sonic the Hedgehog (anime)
During the climactic fight between Sonic and Hyper Metal Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles uses his ability to dig in order to redirect the flow of the magma away from the ice bridge after receiving affectionate encouragement from Sara in order to do so, digging tunnels beneath the magma so it's safely re-routed. He succeeds, though his hat catches fire from doing so.