Battle Race

The Island Map. Any point labeled "JOHNNY" is where a Special Stage may be accessible.

The Special Stages in Sonic Rush Adventure are stretches of ocean in which Sonic, piloting the Wave Cyclone, must race Johnny to a Chaos Emerald. Controls are the same for normal Wave Cyclone excursions.

Accessibility

Unlike in Sonic Rush, the player cannot access the Special Stages in Sonic Rush Adventure from the game's levels. Instead, they are triggered at certain points on the game's ocean map (indicated by an icon of Johnny's head once found) which must be traveled to using any watercraft. Once such a point is reached, Tails will ask if the player wants to challenge Johnny to a race. Answer affirmatively to enter the Special Stage.

Strategies

Without boosting, Johnny is usually about as fast as the Wave Cyclone. If you can get close behind him, Johnny leave behind glowing rings that you can weave through for small boosts of speed. Use them to keep pace with Johnny without depleting your Boost Gauge. Johnny will also occasionally launch damaging missiles when you trail him, so watch out for those as well.

Gathering rings and completing tricks off of ramps will refill your Boost Gauge (rings will also gradually repair damage to the Wave Cyclone), so acquire them if you can without losing speed or running into obstacles. Also aim for the occasional Dash Panel. Enemies and mines in regular Wave Cyclone excursions are present in the Special Stages as well, and damage your ship and sap your speed. Try to steer around them instead of boosting through them, as boosting will deplete the valuable Boost Gauge. Avoid rocky crags at all costs, as they will immediately stop you.

In some Special Stages, a sudden abundance of rings and lack of obstacles will indicate the approaching end of the Special Stage. It is here that you want to boost ahead as much as possible and pass Johnny, if you haven't done so already.