Actions

Difference between revisions of "Checkpoint"

From Sonic Retro

(mv category to end of article; copy-edit: fix "redisigned" misspelling & correct 45 deg. to 90 deg.)
(Later games)
(28 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
A '''checkpoint''', first introduced as a lamppost in [[Sonic 1]], will save the player's progress through a level—the player can restart from that point if they die. Checkpoints also serve as the entrance to a [[special stage]] in [[Sonic 2]], and the entrance to a [[bonus stage]] in [[Sonic 3]] and [[Sonic & Knuckles]].
+
[[Image:S2StarCircle.png|thumb|right|320px|An activated Star Post checkpoint with orbiting Star Circle in ''[[Sonic 2]]'s'' [[Emerald Hill Zone]].]]
  
==Sonic 1 Lamppost==
+
A '''checkpoint''', first introduced as a lamppost in ''[[Sonic 1]]'', will save the player's progress throughout a level.  The player can restart from an activated checkpoint if they die. Checkpoints also serve as the entrance to a [[special stage]] in ''[[Sonic 2]]'' and the entrance to a [[bonus stage]] in ''[[Sonic 3]]'', ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' and ''[[Sonic Mania]]''
In this very first Sonic game, Sonic runs past a lamppost, causing the color of the bulb to change from blue to red. The bulb uses the same [[palette]] line as Sonic, and the pole uses the same palette line as [[rings]].
 
  
==Sonic 1 Arrow Monitor==
+
==Lampposts==
In the 8-bit version of [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear)|Sonic 1]], monitors are used instead of lampposts. Destroying the monitor has the same effect as touching a lamp post.
+
In the original [[Sega Mega Drive]] ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]'', the position in the level is saved by Sonic running past a '''lamppost'''{{fileref|Sonic1 MD US manual.pdf|page=7}}{{fileref|SonicCD MCD US manual.pdf|page=12}} (or '''restart marker''' (再スタート・マーカー) in Japan{{fileref|Sonic1 MD JP manual.pdf|page=20}}{{fileref|SonicCD MCD JP manual.pdf|page=17}}), causing the color of the bulb to change from blue to red. The bulb uses the same [[palette]] line as Sonic, and the pole uses the same palette line as [[rings]].
  
==Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 & Knuckles Star-Posts==
+
==Arrow Monitors==
These look quite similar to lampposts, except the bulb is replaced by a star disc and the pole design is slightly different. When Sonic runs past the star-post, the disc starts flashing and (if you have enough rings) a torus of stars appears which you can use to enter a special stage or bonus stage.
+
The [[Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)|8-bit version of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'']], uses '''arrow monitors'''{{fileref|Sonic1 GG US manual.pdf|page=8}} ('''point markers''' (ポイントマーカー) in Japan{{fileref|Sonic 1 GG JP Manual.pdf|page=13}}) as checkpoints. Destroying the monitor create a checkpoint however, the current time is not recorded and you start with 1:30 minutes after your death. ''[[Sonic Blast]]'' uses the same system, the only difference being that the pictured arrow is red as opposed to yellow.
 +
<gallery>
 +
Blast_Monitor.PNG|Arrow monitor in ''[[Sonic Blast]]''.
 +
</gallery>
  
==Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 Lampposts==
+
==Star Posts==
Both games use a redesigned versions of the 16-bit version [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)|Sonic 1]] lamppost; in these games, two double-lampposts are bent at 90-degree angles, with their tops touching each other. Running through the double-lampposts causes them to spin quickly and bend to a standing straight-up position.
+
The Mega Drive version of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' introduced the '''star post'''{{fileref|Sonic2 MD US manual.pdf|page=13}} (again called '''point markers''' (ポイントマーカー) in Japan{{fileref|Sonic2 MD JP manual.pdf|page=18}}), with a look quite similar to ''Sonic 1''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s lampposts, except that the bulb is replaced by a star disc. When Sonic runs past the star post, the disc starts flashing and, if the player has enough rings, revolving stars appear which enable access to a [[special stage]]. ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' and ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' also use star posts to access the [[bonus stage]], as does ''[[Sonic Mania]]''.
  
[[Category:Items]]
+
In ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'', three different types of bonus stages can be entered. The bonus stage offered by a given star post is indicated by the color of the stars:
 +
* [[Bonus_stage#Rotating_Maze|Rotating Maze]]: Yellow stars with red border.
 +
* [[Bonus_stage#Gumball_Machine|Gumball Machine]]: Silver stars.
 +
* [[Bonus_stage#Glowing_Spheres|Glowing Spheres]]: Red stars.
 +
 
 +
In ''Sonic Mania'', the player is teleported to a [[Bonus Stage (Sonic Mania)|bonus stage]] of Blue Spheres.
 +
 
 +
The next game in the Classic series, ''[[Sonic 4]]'' also uses this version of the checkpoint without the revolving stars.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
S2StarCircle.png|Star post in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Point markers==
 +
''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' introduced the 3D '''point marker''' (ポイントマーカー){{fileref|SonicAdventure DC US manual.pdf|page=11}}, two double-lampposts bent at 90-degree angles, with their blue tops facing each other. Running through point markers causes these tops to spin quickly, turn yellow, and bend to a standing straight-up position. For the first time the name of this style of checkpoint was consistent in both Japan and overseas.
 +
 
 +
Point markers were also used in ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''{{fileref|SonicAdventure2 DC US manual.pdf|page=19}} and the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)|2006 ''Sonic the Hedgehog'']]{{fileref|Sonic06 360 US manual.pdf|page=12}}.
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Sadx_point_marker.jpg|''[[Sonic Adventure DX]]''
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Later games==
 +
Most later ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' games gave checkpoints which serve little else than to save progress. They take a variety of forms and use different names, but the result is the same.
 +
 
 +
''[[Sonic Heroes]]'' uses '''check points''' (チェックポイント){{fileref|SonicHeroes GC US manual.pdf|page=27}} indicated by a floating yellow star enclosed in a red circle. These return as '''checkpoints''' in ''[[Sonic Rush]]'' in the West{{fileref|SonicRush DS US manual.pdf|page=20}}, but are once again called point markers in Japan.
 +
 
 +
''[[Sonic Advance]]'', ''[[Sonic Advance 2]]'' and ''[[Sonic Advance 3]]'' simply have '''checkpoints''' which function similarly to how they did in the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog''. Japan calls them point markers.
 +
 
 +
''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'' and ''[[Sonic Colours]]'' have "check points" which behave similarly to those found in ''Sonic Adventure''.
 +
<gallery>
 +
Sh Checkpoint.png|''[[Sonic Heroes]]''
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references />
 +
 
 +
{{Items}}
 +
[[Category:Level objects]]

Revision as of 07:16, 14 April 2019

An activated Star Post checkpoint with orbiting Star Circle in Sonic 2's Emerald Hill Zone.

A checkpoint, first introduced as a lamppost in Sonic 1, will save the player's progress throughout a level. The player can restart from an activated checkpoint if they die. Checkpoints also serve as the entrance to a special stage in Sonic 2 and the entrance to a bonus stage in Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic Mania

Lampposts

In the original Sega Mega Drive Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog CD, the position in the level is saved by Sonic running past a lamppostMedia:Sonic1 MD US manual.pdf[1]Media:SonicCD MCD US manual.pdf[2] (or restart marker (再スタート・マーカー) in JapanMedia:Sonic1 MD JP manual.pdf[3]Media:SonicCD MCD JP manual.pdf[4]), causing the color of the bulb to change from blue to red. The bulb uses the same palette line as Sonic, and the pole uses the same palette line as rings.

Arrow Monitors

The 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, uses arrow monitorsMedia:Sonic1 GG US manual.pdf[5] (point markers (ポイントマーカー) in JapanMedia:Sonic 1 GG JP Manual.pdf[6]) as checkpoints. Destroying the monitor create a checkpoint however, the current time is not recorded and you start with 1:30 minutes after your death. Sonic Blast uses the same system, the only difference being that the pictured arrow is red as opposed to yellow.

Star Posts

The Mega Drive version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduced the star postMedia:Sonic2 MD US manual.pdf[7] (again called point markers (ポイントマーカー) in JapanMedia:Sonic2 MD JP manual.pdf[8]), with a look quite similar to Sonic 1's lampposts, except that the bulb is replaced by a star disc. When Sonic runs past the star post, the disc starts flashing and, if the player has enough rings, revolving stars appear which enable access to a special stage. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles also use star posts to access the bonus stage, as does Sonic Mania.

In Sonic 3 & Knuckles, three different types of bonus stages can be entered. The bonus stage offered by a given star post is indicated by the color of the stars:

In Sonic Mania, the player is teleported to a bonus stage of Blue Spheres.

The next game in the Classic series, Sonic 4 also uses this version of the checkpoint without the revolving stars.

Point markers

Sonic Adventure introduced the 3D point marker (ポイントマーカー)Media:SonicAdventure DC US manual.pdf[9], two double-lampposts bent at 90-degree angles, with their blue tops facing each other. Running through point markers causes these tops to spin quickly, turn yellow, and bend to a standing straight-up position. For the first time the name of this style of checkpoint was consistent in both Japan and overseas.

Point markers were also used in Sonic Adventure 2Media:SonicAdventure2 DC US manual.pdf[10] and the 2006 Sonic the HedgehogMedia:Sonic06 360 US manual.pdf[11].

Later games

Most later Sonic the Hedgehog games gave checkpoints which serve little else than to save progress. They take a variety of forms and use different names, but the result is the same.

Sonic Heroes uses check points (チェックポイント)Media:SonicHeroes GC US manual.pdf[12] indicated by a floating yellow star enclosed in a red circle. These return as checkpoints in Sonic Rush in the WestMedia:SonicRush DS US manual.pdf[13], but are once again called point markers in Japan.

Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2 and Sonic Advance 3 simply have checkpoints which function similarly to how they did in the original Sonic the Hedgehog. Japan calls them point markers.

Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colours have "check points" which behave similarly to those found in Sonic Adventure.

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