Dash Rail

The Dash Rail,^[1] also known as the Grind Booster (グラインドブースター^[2], Guraindo Būsutā^?), is a gimmick that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a variant of the Dash Panel which grants the user a boost of speed on Grind Rails.

Description

The Dash Rail is a variant of the Dash Panel which is only found on Grind Rails. Like the Dash Panels, the Dash Rails' primary function is to send the playable character forward with a burst of speed. However, instead of increasing their user's running speed, they increase their grinding speed. As soon as the playable character grinds into a Dash Rail, they will automatically initiate a sliding dash away from the Dash Rail at the playable character's maximum grinding speed. However, Dash Rails can only launch the playable characters in one direction.

In terms of appearance, the Dash Rails have two basic designs. The first closely mirrors the Dash Panels' "Booster" design, resembling two lines of two-three rolling engines on each side of the rail that move continuously. The more "modern" Dash Rail looks like a pair of red engine-shaped devices, with each part hovering on one side of the Grind Rails. Each of these devices have cyan lights on the rear, black light displays around the front that display cyan arrows, and two smaller engine-like components connected to them.

Game appearances

Sonic Heroes

Debuting in Sonic Heroes, the Dash Rails had their "Booster" design in this game. This design featured three engines per row and a rusty look. When used in gameplay, the playable character's aura will appear ahead of them. They are only encountered in Rail Canyon and Bullet Station.

Sonic Rush series

Sonic Rush

In Sonic Rush, the Dash Rails retained their "Booster" design. In this game though, they only have two engines per row. Their wheel rods are also blue, and they have hazard stripes on the sides. They also only appear at the beginning of the Grind Rails.

Sonic Rush Adventure

In Sonic Rush Adventure, the Dash Rails look exact like they did in Sonic Rush. Like in Sonic Rush, they only appear at the beginning of the Grind Rails.

Sonic Unleashed

In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version and Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed, the Dash Rail gimmick is referred to as the Grind Booster (グラインドブースター^[2], Guraindo Būsutā^?). In this game, they were given their first modern design. In gameplay, they only appear in the daytime stages. Also, by using the Sonic Boost while or after passing through a Dash Rail, the player can increase their grinding speed even further.

Sonic Colors

In the Wii version of Sonic Colors and the remaster Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the Dash Rails retain their modern design from Sonic Unleashed. In the Nintendo DS version of the game, however, their design look identical to how it appeared in the Sonic Rush series. Physically different appearances aside, their mechanics are the same as in previous games.

Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, the Dash Rails are only available to Modern Sonic, meaning that they only appear in Act 2 of the stages. In this game, they feature their modern design.

Sonic Lost World

In the Wii U version, PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, the Dash Rails make a reappearance. To accommodate the classic feeling of the game, the Dash Rails were given their original "Booster" design. In this game, they only have two engines per row and black wheel rods.

Sonic Forces

In Sonic Forces, the Dash Rails returned as a gimmick exclusive to the stages for Modern Sonic, the Avatar, and the Tag gameplay mechanic. In this game, they feature their modern design.

Sonic Frontiers

In Sonic Frontiers, the Dash Rail appears as a gameplay gimmick in both Open Zone areas and Cyber Space stages. In this game, Dash Rails in Open Zone area received altered variation of their current design of purple engine-shaped devices with cyan details. In Cyber Space stages though, their design is closely the same as seen previously in Sonic Forces.

Gallery

Screenshots

Sonic Generations (Nintendo 3DS)

Sonic Frontiers

References