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[[Image:Ring.gif|right|noframe|48px]]
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[[File:Sonic1 MD Rings.png|right|thumb|320px|Sonic collecting rings in [[Green Hill Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 16-bit)|Green Hill Zone]].]]
The golden '''rings''' featured in nearly every Sonic game are one of the series' most recognizable features. Found everywhere from [[Doomsday Zone|outer space]] to [[Polly Mt. 2|deep underground]], in [[Voxai Colony Beta|pocket universes]] and [[Digital Circuit|the core of the Internet]], these golden hoops are of great and varied utility to Sonic and friends.
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'''Rings'''{{fileref|Sonic1 MD US manual.pdf|page=6}} (リング){{fileref|Sonic1 MD JP manual.pdf|page=20}} are collectable items found in most [[:Category:Games|''Sonic the Hedgehog'' games]]. Typically large, golden and accompanied with a distinct collection sound, they are perhaps the most recognisable element of a ''Sonic'' game other than [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] himself.
  
[[Image:Lavareef.png|right|thumb|250px|Floating rings in [[Lava Reef Zone]].]]
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==Typical functions==
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===Points===
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Perhaps the primary reason for collecting Rings in the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' is for points. If Sonic finishes a [[Zone]] with Rings in hand, the number collected will be multiplied to create a "Ring Bonus", which is added to the player's score. The concept of arcade-style "scoring" has become less widespread in more modern video games, however most ''Sonic'' games continue to reward the player in some way for finishing a level with Rings.
  
==Function==
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===Damage control===
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If a character is holding at least one Ring, this acts as a hit point, preventing death at the hands of enemies or obstacles. In the original game, if Sonic is hit by something dangerous (while not protected with a [[Shield]]), he will drop all of his Rings, causing them to scatter across the screen. During this brief period, it is possible to recollect any scattered Rings before they disappear, thus as long as Sonic can keep collecting, he will not die (although this does not apply to drowning, being crushed, falling into a pit or getting a Time Over).
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Most ''Sonic'' action games use a system wherein getting hit causes the Ring count to drop to 0, however some games differ—provided the player has 40 or more Rings in ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'' as only half will be lost when hit; a set loss of 10 Rings occurs in some games such as ''[[Sonic Blast]]'' and ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]''; while ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble]]'' has a set loss of 50 Rings from [[Spikes (obstacle)|spike]] damage and 30 for other types of damage; and [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] loses varying numbers depending on the severity of the hit in ''[[Tails Adventures]]''.
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===Accessing new levels===
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Collecting 50 Rings in the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' causes a [[Giant Ring]] to appear at the end of the Act, in turn allowing Sonic to access the [[Special Stage (Sonic the Hedgehog 16-bit)|Special Stage]] (and a further 50 Rings in said stage grants Sonic a [[Continue]]). Most ''Sonic'' games since have used Rings to access either [[Special Stage]]s or [[Bonus Stage]]s, either mid-way through or at the end of a level.
  
While they usually act first and foremost as a sort of shield against damage, rings' uses are many and varied, and their precise role in gameplay varies from title to title.
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===Extra lives===
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Collecting 100 Rings in most ''Sonic'' games grants the current character an extra life. This is repeated for 200 Rings and 300 Rings (although not all games continue the pattern for 400, 500, 600 etc.). This system was first seen with the coins in ''[[mariowiki:Super Mario Bros.|Super Mario Bros.]]'', though was copied in ''Sonic'' and has appeared in most of his games since.
  
===Damage control===
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===Becoming "Super"===
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Rings also serve as fuel for characters' [[Super transformation]]s. In the older games, one of the conditions for attaining [[Super Sonic]] was to collect 50 Rings and tap the jump button twice. Once in his golden form, Sonic's Ring count falls steadily, and he reverts to his normal blue self once it reaches zero. The decreasing Ring count is a general feature across many player-controlled super forms.
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===Currency===
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Starting with games such as ''[[Sonic R]]'', where Rings can be exchanged for unlocking shortcuts, Rings have been used as a form of currency. This can also include unlocking new items or movesets. In games where Rings can be used to buy items, any Rings held at the end of a level are added to a reserve for the player to spend.
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Rings functioned as slot-machine prizes as far back as [[Casino Night Zone]] in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''.
  
By far the most recognizable and prevalent attribute rings display is their function staving off loss of lives. In general, the rings a character holds prevents them from dying when hit by the spikes or claws or kill-bolts of foes. If an (un[[shield]]ed) character is hit by an enemy and is holding rings, he drops the rings and is usually rendered flickering and invincible for a short period. Being hit with no rings in pocket, on the other hand, will cause the character's death.
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===Energy===
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Collected Rings can be used to pay for using special moves during gameplay, like [[Dr. Eggman]]'s rocket attack in ''[[Sonic R]]'', or the racer's signature moves in ''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''. In ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'', collecting Rings fills up the ''Ring Energy'' gauge as well as the Ring count itself; Ring Energy powers the [[Sonic Boost]] move. ''[[Sonic Heroes]]'' also uses Rings to fill up a gauge, in this case the [[Team Blast]] gauge. Collecting Rings in ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s mech-shooting levels will slightly fill the health meter.
  
In the great majority of [[:Category:Games|Sonic games]], a hit causes the character to drop ''all'' their rings, regardless of how many they are holding in total. There are exceptions, however: for example, 50% of rings are dropped when hit in ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'' (provided you have 40 or more); a set loss of 10 rings occurs in ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]''; while [[Tails]] loses varying numbers depending on the severity of the hit in ''[[Tails Adventures]]''.
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Rings are essential to perform the [[Light Speed Dash]] in games such as ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'', however here the Rings are collected during the move (as Sonic travels down a line of Rings), rather than being a requirement before performing it. In some games, lines of Rings may be used repeatedly even after already being collected.
  
===Super states===
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===Badnik power===
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In both ''[[Chaotix]]'' and ''[[Sonic Advance 3]]'', Eggman's [[Badnik]]s would disgorge a Ring instead of an [[Animals|animal captive]] when destroyed. In the former case, the rings were Eggman's artificial [[Dark Ring]]s, and not collectible, but in the latter case they were standard Rings. In ''[[Tails Adventures]]'', [[Battle Kukku]] troops would sometimes drop Rings when defeated; carrying the [[Fang the Sniper|Fang]] item on adventures would increase the chances of defeated Kukkus dropping Rings.
  
Rings also serve as fuel for characters' [[super transformation]]s. In the older games, one of the conditions for attaining [[Super Sonic]] was to collect 50 rings and tap jump twice. Once in his golden form, Sonic's ring count falls steadily, and he reverts to his normal blue self once it reaches zero. The decreasing ring count is a general feature across many player-controlled super forms, including the [[Hyper Knuckles|Hyper]] transformations and [[Burning Blaze]].
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===Bonded Rings===
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''Chaotix'' featured a pair of very unusual Rings as a central gameplay element, which bound the player character and partner character together with an energy called "Ring Power". In ''[[Tails Skypatrol]]'', the flying fox has a similar Ring which he uses to throw at enemies.
  
===Other uses===
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===Dummy Rings===
The great ubiquity of the rings as the series' generic 'collectible item' has seen them serve a variety of additional minor purposes over the years, including:
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Tails and [[Rouge the Bat|Rouge]] use fake Rings as an anti-robot explosive in ''[[Sonic Heroes]]''. In ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (2006 game)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2006]]'', Tails uses an [[Item Box]] full of fake Rings.
  
*'''Extra Lives:''' Originally, Sonic received an extra life for getting 100 rings, and another extra life for 200 rings. In later games, extra lives are also awarded at 300, 400 and further multiples. However, in ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'', only the first 100 rings provide an extra life, and even then, only in the PS3/XBOX 360 version.
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===[[Ring Gate]]s===
*'''Currency:''' From ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' onwards, the anthropomorphic animals have frequently been able to exchange rings for items in various overworld boutiques. Rings functioned as slot-machine prizes as far back as [[Casino Night Zone]].
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Rings can also be used to unlock certain barriers which need Rings to open. Sometimes the player needs to have to pay the Rings in order to open these gates (such as in ''Sonic R''), but in other games the player just needs to keep collecting Rings until the gate opens.
*'''Badnik power:''' In both ''[[Knuckles' Chaotix]]'' and ''[[Sonic Advance 3]]'', [[Eggman]]'s robots would sometimes disgorge a ring instead of an [[Animals|animal captive]] when destroyed. In the former case, the rings were "depleted"; grey instead of gold, and not collectible. In ''[[Tails Adventures]]'', [[Battle Kukku]] troops would sometimes drop rings when defeated.
 
*'''Move assists:''' Some of [[Sonic]]'s upgraded moves, like the [[Light speed dash]], see him fly along a chain of rings to get a speed boost or access otherwise unreachable areas.
 
*'''Move costs:''' Collected rings can be used to pay for using special moves during gameplay, like [[Eggman]]'s rocket attack in ''[[Sonic R]]'', or the racer's signature moves in ''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''. In ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'', collecting rings fills up the ''Ring Energy'' gauge as well as the ring count itself; Ring Energy powers the [[Sonic Boost]] move. [[Sonic Heroes]] also uses rings to fill up a gauge, in this case the Team Blast gauge.  
 
*'''Special Stage access:''' In the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)]]'', Sonic needed to have 50 rings or more upon reaching the [[signpost|goal signpost]] for a [[Giant Ring]] to appear as an entrance to the [[Special Stage (Sonic the Hedgehog 16-bit)|Special Stage]]. In ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)]]'', a similar number opened up Star Circles above [[Star post]]s to provide access.
 
*'''Bonded rings:''' On top of its odd "depleted" rings, ''Knuckles' Chaotix'' also featured as a central gameplay element a pair of very unusual rings held by the player character and partner, which were bound together with some kind of magical elastic. In ''[[Tails Skypatrol]]'', the [[Tails|flying fox]] has a similar ring which he uses to throw at enemies.
 
*'''Dummy ring bomb:''' Tails uses a [[monitor]] full of fake rings as an anti-[[badnik]] explosive in ''[[Sonic '06]]''. Sonic also uses an explosive fake ring as his trap move in ''[[Sonic Battle]]''.
 
*'''[[Ring Gate]]s:''' Rings can also be used to unlock certain barriers which need rings to open.
 
  
==Other continuities==
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==Description in the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Bible]]''==
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According to [[Sega of America]]'s ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Bible]]'', rings make up [[Dr. Ovi Kintobor]]'s Amazing Transformation Machine (ATM), flowing "good karma around the machine's core"{{fileref|SonicBibleDraft2 Document.pdf|page=26}}. When the ATM explodes, turning Kintobor into [[Dr. Ivo Robotnik]], the rings inside are scattered across the zones of the planet Mobius{{fileref|SonicBibleDraft2 Document.pdf|page=27}}. When picked up, they help to protect Sonic{{fileref|SonicBibleDraft2 Document.pdf|page=33}}.
  
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==In other media==
 
Rings seem to have a higher purpose in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie)|Archie comics]]. In one issue Sonic is able to use a ring to teleport himself, in another he uses one as a sort of fortune teller.
 
Rings seem to have a higher purpose in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie)|Archie comics]]. In one issue Sonic is able to use a ring to teleport himself, in another he uses one as a sort of fortune teller.
  
In the Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon [[Satam]] and anime [[Sonic X]], Sonic used rings to give him a power boost.
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In both the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' animated series and ''[[Sonic X]]'', Sonic used rings to give himself a power boost.
  
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
*In ''[[Sonic and the Black Knight]]'', rings seem to be hoarded by the [[Grand Kingdom]]'s fairies, as it is golden, glowing fairie clouds that [[Sonic]] collects in-game. Nonetheless the [[HUD]] counter shows a picture of a ring, and rings explode out of the hedgehog when he takes a hit. Rings can, however, be seen in their normal form during the '''Legacy''' missions.
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{{trivia}}
*Rings almost never appear in isolation, instead being found in clusters, like the standard 3-ring horizontal line in ''[[Sonic 1]]'', or in circular arrangements in ''[[Sonic '06]]''.
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*In ''[[Sonic and the Black Knight]]'', rings seem to be hoarded by the [[Grand Kingdom]]'s fairies, as it is golden, glowing fairy clouds that [[Sonic]] collects in-game. Nonetheless the [[HUD]] counter shows a picture of a ring, and rings explode out of the hedgehog when he takes a hit. Rings can, however, be seen in their normal form during the '''Legacy''' missions.
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*In the opening of ''[[Sonic Colors]]'', right before Sonic turns into the rocket, you can see some rings around him as a cube. Apparently, this is the only time rings have appeared in a CG cutscene.
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*In the games for the Genesis, 32X and Sega CD, the ring collection sound effect alternates between the left and right speaker every time a ring is collected.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*[[Goal Ring]]
 
*[[Goal Ring]]
 
*[[Giant Ring]]
 
*[[Giant Ring]]
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*[[Special Ring]]
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*[[Number Ring]]
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*[[Red Star Ring]]
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*[[Silver Moon Ring]]
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*[[Chaos Rings]]
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*[[World Rings]]
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==References==
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<references/>
  
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{{Items}}
 
[[Category:Items]]
 
[[Category:Items]]

Revision as of 12:52, 23 March 2020

Sonic collecting rings in Green Hill Zone.

RingsMedia:Sonic1 MD US manual.pdf[1] (リング)Media:Sonic1 MD JP manual.pdf[2] are collectable items found in most Sonic the Hedgehog games. Typically large, golden and accompanied with a distinct collection sound, they are perhaps the most recognisable element of a Sonic game other than Sonic himself.

Typical functions

Points

Perhaps the primary reason for collecting Rings in the original Sonic the Hedgehog is for points. If Sonic finishes a Zone with Rings in hand, the number collected will be multiplied to create a "Ring Bonus", which is added to the player's score. The concept of arcade-style "scoring" has become less widespread in more modern video games, however most Sonic games continue to reward the player in some way for finishing a level with Rings.

Damage control

If a character is holding at least one Ring, this acts as a hit point, preventing death at the hands of enemies or obstacles. In the original game, if Sonic is hit by something dangerous (while not protected with a Shield), he will drop all of his Rings, causing them to scatter across the screen. During this brief period, it is possible to recollect any scattered Rings before they disappear, thus as long as Sonic can keep collecting, he will not die (although this does not apply to drowning, being crushed, falling into a pit or getting a Time Over).

Most Sonic action games use a system wherein getting hit causes the Ring count to drop to 0, however some games differ—provided the player has 40 or more Rings in Sonic Unleashed as only half will be lost when hit; a set loss of 10 Rings occurs in some games such as Sonic Blast and Shadow the Hedgehog; while Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble has a set loss of 50 Rings from spike damage and 30 for other types of damage; and Tails loses varying numbers depending on the severity of the hit in Tails Adventures.

Accessing new levels

Collecting 50 Rings in the Sonic the Hedgehog causes a Giant Ring to appear at the end of the Act, in turn allowing Sonic to access the Special Stage (and a further 50 Rings in said stage grants Sonic a Continue). Most Sonic games since have used Rings to access either Special Stages or Bonus Stages, either mid-way through or at the end of a level.

Extra lives

Collecting 100 Rings in most Sonic games grants the current character an extra life. This is repeated for 200 Rings and 300 Rings (although not all games continue the pattern for 400, 500, 600 etc.). This system was first seen with the coins in Super Mario Bros., though was copied in Sonic and has appeared in most of his games since.

Becoming "Super"

Rings also serve as fuel for characters' Super transformations. In the older games, one of the conditions for attaining Super Sonic was to collect 50 Rings and tap the jump button twice. Once in his golden form, Sonic's Ring count falls steadily, and he reverts to his normal blue self once it reaches zero. The decreasing Ring count is a general feature across many player-controlled super forms.

Currency

Starting with games such as Sonic R, where Rings can be exchanged for unlocking shortcuts, Rings have been used as a form of currency. This can also include unlocking new items or movesets. In games where Rings can be used to buy items, any Rings held at the end of a level are added to a reserve for the player to spend.

Rings functioned as slot-machine prizes as far back as Casino Night Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Energy

Collected Rings can be used to pay for using special moves during gameplay, like Dr. Eggman's rocket attack in Sonic R, or the racer's signature moves in Sonic Drift 2. In Sonic Unleashed, collecting Rings fills up the Ring Energy gauge as well as the Ring count itself; Ring Energy powers the Sonic Boost move. Sonic Heroes also uses Rings to fill up a gauge, in this case the Team Blast gauge. Collecting Rings in Sonic Adventure 2's mech-shooting levels will slightly fill the health meter.

Rings are essential to perform the Light Speed Dash in games such as Sonic Adventure, however here the Rings are collected during the move (as Sonic travels down a line of Rings), rather than being a requirement before performing it. In some games, lines of Rings may be used repeatedly even after already being collected.

Badnik power

In both Chaotix and Sonic Advance 3, Eggman's Badniks would disgorge a Ring instead of an animal captive when destroyed. In the former case, the rings were Eggman's artificial Dark Rings, and not collectible, but in the latter case they were standard Rings. In Tails Adventures, Battle Kukku troops would sometimes drop Rings when defeated; carrying the Fang item on adventures would increase the chances of defeated Kukkus dropping Rings.

Bonded Rings

Chaotix featured a pair of very unusual Rings as a central gameplay element, which bound the player character and partner character together with an energy called "Ring Power". In Tails Skypatrol, the flying fox has a similar Ring which he uses to throw at enemies.

Dummy Rings

Tails and Rouge use fake Rings as an anti-robot explosive in Sonic Heroes. In Sonic the Hedgehog 2006, Tails uses an Item Box full of fake Rings.

Ring Gates

Rings can also be used to unlock certain barriers which need Rings to open. Sometimes the player needs to have to pay the Rings in order to open these gates (such as in Sonic R), but in other games the player just needs to keep collecting Rings until the gate opens.

Description in the Sonic the Hedgehog Bible

According to Sega of America's Sonic the Hedgehog Bible, rings make up Dr. Ovi Kintobor's Amazing Transformation Machine (ATM), flowing "good karma around the machine's core"Media:SonicBibleDraft2 Document.pdf[3]. When the ATM explodes, turning Kintobor into Dr. Ivo Robotnik, the rings inside are scattered across the zones of the planet MobiusMedia:SonicBibleDraft2 Document.pdf[4]. When picked up, they help to protect SonicMedia:SonicBibleDraft2 Document.pdf[5].

In other media

Rings seem to have a higher purpose in the Archie comics. In one issue Sonic is able to use a ring to teleport himself, in another he uses one as a sort of fortune teller.

In both the Sonic the Hedgehog animated series and Sonic X, Sonic used rings to give himself a power boost.

Trivia

Information icon.svg
Trivia sections are bad
Try and incorporate this information into the main article. See the manual of style to find out why.
  • In Sonic and the Black Knight, rings seem to be hoarded by the Grand Kingdom's fairies, as it is golden, glowing fairy clouds that Sonic collects in-game. Nonetheless the HUD counter shows a picture of a ring, and rings explode out of the hedgehog when he takes a hit. Rings can, however, be seen in their normal form during the Legacy missions.
  • In the opening of Sonic Colors, right before Sonic turns into the rocket, you can see some rings around him as a cube. Apparently, this is the only time rings have appeared in a CG cutscene.
  • In the games for the Genesis, 32X and Sega CD, the ring collection sound effect alternates between the left and right speaker every time a ring is collected.

See also

References

Items in the Sonic the Hedgehog Game Series
Collectibles   Ring | Special Ring | Rich Ring | Heal Ring | Red Star Ring | Number Ring | Silver Moon Ring | Sonic Medal | Sun Medal | Moon Medal | Sun Tablet | Moon Tablet | Planet Tablet | Secret Item | Red Orbs | Blue Orbs | Green Orbs | Emblem | Chaos Drives | Special Stage Key | Material | Portal Gear | Memory Token | Vault Key | Red Seed of Power | Blue Seed of Defense | Dream Orb
Power-ups   Shield (Water, Lightning, Fire, Gold, Magnetic) | Invincibility | Power Sneakers | Rocket Shoes | Propeller Shoes | Hyper Heli-Tails | Eggman Mark | Super Ring | Combine Ring | Forcejewel | Power Core | Light Cores | Special Combination
Level Objects   Item Box | Dark Energy Key | Spring | Spikes | Checkpoint | Time Warp Plate | Signpost | Goal Ring | Hidden Treasure Ring | Giant Ring | Dash Ring | Rainbow Ring | Capsule | Button | Door | Bumper | Speed Booster | Crane Lift | Air bubbles | Chao container | Item Panel
Powerful Items   Chaos Emeralds | Super Emeralds | Master Emerald | Time Stones | Chaos Rings | Precioustone | Sol Emeralds | Jeweled Scepter | World Rings | Excalibur | Phantom Ruby | Reverie | Dream Core
Weapons   Piko Piko Hammer | Chaos Energy Cannon | Caliburn | Wispon
Devices   Remote Robot | Combi Confiner | Mother Computer | Nega's Camera | Arks of the Cosmos | Miles Electric
Other   Chili Dog | Fortune Cards | Speed Down Boots | Chao Egg | Scepter of Darkness | Cacophonic Conch