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Drop Dash

From Sonic Retro

SonicMania DropDash.png
Drop Dash
First seen: Sonic Mania (2017)
Users: Sonic the Hedgehog, Metal Fighter
Type: Movement, attack

The Drop DashMedia:SM PC DIGITAL MANUAL UK V10 LR.pdf[1] (ドロップダッシュMedia:SonicMania consoles JP manual.pdf[2]) is a technique used by Sonic in various Sonic the Hedgehog games, first introduced in Sonic Mania.

Overview

As its name suggests, the Drop Dash is best described as a "midair Spin Dash". By pressing and holding any jump button in midair after jumping, Sonic will charge up the move, and will instantly dash off in a short burst upon landing. However, the move cannot be performed if Sonic takes damage before landing, or if an elemental Shield is active. If the player lets go of the button before landing, the charge will be cancelled. If the move is executed by Super Sonic, a mini-earthquake is set off and the boost will be greater.

According to The Taxman in an interview, the Drop Dash was designed with new players in mind.[3]

Game appearances

Sonic Mania

After collecting enough medallions in Sonic Mania's Bonus Stage, this move can be replaced with the Super Peel-Out or the Insta-Shield by selecting the appropriate option from the Secrets menu. These options were originally only available on a "No Save" playthrough; however, as of v1.04 they are also available for use on saved files. The player can also use all three moves at once by inputting a cheat code on the secret level select screen.[4]

Sonic Forces

The Drop Dash made a return for Sonic Forces, where it can only be used by Classic Sonic. When used in this game, Classic Sonic is enveloped in a blue aura to indicate that the move is being charged.

Sonic Frontiers

Sonic the Hedgehog using the Drop Dash in Sonic Frontiers.

The Drop Dash returns for Sonic Frontiers, making it the first time the move is used in a 3D space and by Sonic's modern counterpart. Unlike the previous games though, the execution for the Drop Dash is different, requiring the player to perform a double jump before holding the A button to charge the move.

Sonic Superstars

The Drop Dash is once again part of Sonic's moveset in Sonic Superstars, however the move can also be used by the Metal Fighters in Battle Mode.

Back-ports to older games

Following its introduction in Sonic Mania, the Drop Dash was later ported to the original Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in their respective Nintendo Switch re-releases, Sega Ages Sonic the Hedgehog and Sega Ages Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It is available in all four games included in Sonic Origins for all modes except Classic Mode, although the implementation varies slightly between games.

A move similar to the Drop Dash was at one point planned for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as evidenced by its inclusion in a prototype of the game[5].

References