Humming Top

The Humming Top^[1] (ハミングトップ, Hamingu Toppu^?) is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. When performing this technique, the users thrust themselves forward while attacking with their legs.

Description

When performing the Humming Top, the users thrust their body forward through midair while sticking their legs outward to attack foes (often while spinning), thereby increasing their horizontal speed to gain distance.

In gameplay, the Humming Top is useful for crossing larger areas when sent flying into the air or preserving the playable characters' momentum when falling to the ground, all while allowing the playable characters to damage any foe in their flight path. Additionally, the move will not cancel the momentum the user receives from the Boost Mode. However, the Humming Top can only be pulled off after the user has been launched into midair by gimmicks like the Spring or Ramp.

Game appearances

Sonic Advance series

Sonic Advance 2

The Humming Top made its debut in Sonic Advance 2 as Sonic and Amy's Long Wind Jump maneuver. When using the Humming Top in this game, Sonic spins around with one of his legs in a tornado-like manner, stirring up blue winds. Amy on the other hand spins around herself at less speed while leaving a trail of pink hearts.

To perform the Humming Top in gameplay, the player must press right/left on and the R Button at the same time after being launched into midair by gimmicks. The direction the user heads in is determined by the direction pressed on .

Sonic Advance 3

In Sonic Advance 3, the Hop Jump returned as Sonic and Amy's Long Wind Jump maneuver, and one of their Special Actions.^[2][3] Here, Sonic's Humming Top look like it did in Sonic Advance 2, except its winds are white instead of blue. Amy's is visually unchanged.

In this game, Sonic can only use the Humming Top when having Tails as his partner. Similarly, Amy must have Cream as her partner. To perform the Humming Top in gameplay, the player must press the R Button after being launched into midair by gimmicks. To launch the Humming Top in a certain horizontal direction, press left/right on when pressing the R Button. Pressing the R Button without selection a direction launches the Humming Top in the direction the playable character faces.

Sonic Rush series

Sonic Rush

In Sonic Rush, the Humming Top acts as one of Sonic's Trick Actions. This time around, the Humming Top's performance has been altered; when using it, Sonic does not spin and a blue aura surrounds his leg.

In this game, the Humming Top can break through barriers in addition to damaging enemies. Like in Sonic Advance 3, to use the Humming Top in gameplay, the player must press after being launched into midair by gimmicks. To launch the Humming Top in a certain horizontal direction, press left/right on when pressing . Pressing without selection a direction launches the Humming Top in the direction Sonic faces.

Sonic Rush Adventure

In Sonic Rush Adventure, the Humming Top reprised its role as one of Sonic's Trick Actions. Sonic's execution of the move also returned to how it was in Sonic Advance 2 and 3.

In this game, the Humming Top works just like it did in Sonic Rush, except it here serves the additional function of a combo finisher to a Trick Action chain. Its controls are also the same as its predecessor: press after being launched into midair by gimmicks to launch the Humming Top, and to launch it in a certain horizontal direction, press left/right on when pressing . Like before, pressing without selection a direction sends the move in the direction Sonic faces.

References