Super transformation
From Sonic Retro
Super transformation refers to the ability of various characters in the Sonic franchise to use powerful items to alter their physical appearance, either slightly or completely, as well as become more powerful. The concept has been used in virtually all Sonic media since the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
In Sonic 2 and Sonic 3/Sonic & Knuckles, super transformation may be used anywhere there is 50 Rings. In these games, Rings are lost at a rate of 1 per second, and upon reaching 0 rings, characters will revert back to normal. However, all future games feature super transformation as more of a plot point, only appearing towards the end of the game, such as in Sonic Adventure.
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"Super States" are generally much faster than the character's normal form, and are also invincible to many enemies. However, they are still susceptible to being crushed, falling down a bottomless pit, or drowning, as well as certain other things. In addition certain games offer alternatives to Super States, or allow them to be powered up further.
Super States
Multiple characters have been shown to be able to transform into a Super State. Since then, other forms have been revealed in various games and other media. They are listed here in the order which the character was first revealed to have a Super State.
Sonic
Sonic the Hedgehog was first shown to be able to transform in the game Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Since then, he has become the most frequent user of super transformation, and has the most transformations in the series.
Super Sonic
Main article: Super Sonic
From Sonic 2 onward, Sonic has the ability to transform into Super Sonic upon collecting all 7 Chaos Emeralds and 50 rings. In this form, Sonic takes on a golden, glowing appearance, invincible to many obstacles to which Sonic is normally susceptible. Super Sonic is the most recurring super transformation, appearing nearly everywhere Sonic does, including cameos.
Dark Super Sonic
Main article: Dark Super Sonic
Only appearing in the Sonic X TV series, "Dark Super Sonic" is a more anger filled version of Super Sonic. he becomes completely black except for his gloves and shoes. Sonic powered down when his rage subsided, and this Super State has not been seen since.
Hyper Sonic
Main article: Hyper Sonic
Only appearing in Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Hyper Sonic is a more powerful form of Super Sonic, available once Sonic collects the 7 Super Emeralds. He glows the colors of the 7 Emeralds, moving so quickly that mirages of himself appear behind him. He can perform a "double jump" and breathe underwater, traits Super Sonic does not possess. He loses rings at the same rate as Super Sonic.
Darkspine Sonic
Main article: Darkspine Sonic
At the end of Sonic and the Secret Rings, Sonic becomes Darkspine Sonic upon absorbing the power of 4 of the 7 World Rings. He is darker, and has various other physical changes. He can fly, but is not invincible, and does not deplete Sonic's rings.
Tails
Miles "Tails" Prower was first shown to be able to transform in the game Sonic 3 and Knuckles.
Super Tails
Main article: Super Tails
Appearing only in Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Super Tails is faster, glows golden and is surrounded by golden flickies, which attack any enemies on screen. Tails must obtain all 7 Super Emeralds and 50 rings to achieve this form. He attains the same invincibility as Super Sonic.
A newer version appears in Sonic Heroes. Playing as Team Super, Tails is enclosed in a golden sphere, and has the same abilities as Super Sonic, including invincibility, flight, and Sonic's "light attack". This form however is not surrounded by flickies.
Interestingly, in the May 17 1994 prototype of Sonic 3, Super Tails does not have flickies, and a second form, analogous to what would be "Hyper Tails", does.
In the American Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, this form is referred to as Hyper Tails; his Super form was named Turbo Tails, see below.
Turbo Tails
Main article: Turbo Tails
Featured in the American comic book series, Turbo Tails wears a cape and can fly. This State is in the same class as Super Sonic as only the Chaos Emeralds are needed.
Knuckles
Knuckles the Echidna was also first shown to be able to transform in the game Sonic & Knuckles.
Super Knuckles
Main article: Super Knuckles
Upon collecting the Chaos Emeralds, Knuckles can become Super Knuckles. Knuckles glows with a pink energy field and gains enhanced gliding ability in addition to the standard Super State effects.
A newer version appears in Sonic Heroes as a part of "Team Super", in which he simply appears to be surrounded by a golden sphere. Knuckles gains the traditional Super State effects, in addition to "Light Attack" and a much more powerful combo move.
In the American Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, this state was renamed "Hyper Knuckles". It was thought to have been retconned back into "Super Knuckles", but the comic's current writer says this was a misprint.
Hyper Knuckles
Main article: Hyper Knuckles
By collecting the Chaos Emeralds, and powering them up into the Super Emeralds, Knuckles can become Hyper Knuckles. Like Hyper Sonic, he leaves after images, and is unable to drown. He can also destroy all on screen enemies by gliding into a wall.
Shadow
Shadow the Hedgehog has been able to use super transformation since his debut in Sonic Adventure 2. Since then, he has become the second most frequent user of the ability.
Super Shadow
Main article: Super Shadow
With the aid of the Chaos Emeralds, Shadow can become Super Shadow. He generally just becomes a lemon cream color, and has mostly has the same abilities as Super Sonic.
Blaze
Like Knuckles and Shadow, Blaze the Cat was also given a transformation in her debut playable appearance.
Burning Blaze
Main article: Burning Blaze
With the aid of the Sol Emeralds Blaze can become Burning Blaze. Despite the different name, the form is most similar to other Super States. Blaze is the first and so far only character whose clothes change color when transformed.
Silver
Silver the Hedgehog continues the trend of prominent story characters going super in their debut playable appearance.
Super silver
Main article: Super Silver
Silver's Super State, Super Silver is the only Super State to not have been shown to be accessed by any items of power. Instead, he was given the power to transform by Super Sonic. He has been shown to have enhanced psychokinesis, and the ability to fly.