Meteorite

The Meteorite^[1][2] (メテオ^[3], Meteo^?, lit. "Meteor") is an obstacle/gimmick that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are extraterrestrial rocks which can either damage the player or be used to the player's advantage under special circumstances.

Description

Meteorites, like the objects in real-life, are rough boulders of extraterrestrial origin which have fallen from the sky. In gameplay, they can typically be found floating around in the playable environments where the player can interact with them. Under certain circumstances, the Meteorites can used by the player for special purposes, which differ between games. In other cases, they have been known to serve as obstacles that can harm the player.

Game appearances

Sonic Drift 2

First appearing in Sonic Drift 2, Meteorites can be found flying above the race track of Milky Way. When racers are sent into midair by gimmicks or special abilities, there is a chance that they can get smashed by a Meteorite, causing them to spin out and lose ground.^[2]

Sonic Adventure 2

In Sonic Adventure 2 and its enhanced port Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, the Meteorites appear in Meteor Herd, Mad Space, and during Sonic and Shadow's final battle. In this game, the Meteorites are either falling down from space to impact the ground, floating in midair, or connected to some asteroids. Such Meteorites will damage the playable character in case they touch them. In some cases, they can also destroy breakable objects.

In Meteor Herd, a special form of Meteorite appears: the Meteorech.^[4] These Meteorites float on platforms for Knuckles to sent them flying with a Punch Attack. By running into the Meteorechs and punching them at the same time, the Meteorechs will fly farther than when hit by a Punch Attack thrown from a stationary position. If sent flying into indestructible doors or Containers, the Meteorechs will bust them open. Also, after being sent flying, the Meteorechs will respawn in the same spot the player found them when the playable character turns their back on them.

Shadow the Hedgehog

In Shadow the Hedgehog, Meteorites appear in the stages onboard the Space Colony ARK, where they float around in space. In this game, when touched, the Meteorites will create a massive explosion that will inflict damage on the unprotected player. However, they can be intercepted in midair with attacks or guns to avoid the explosion they produce.

Sonic Colors

In the Wii version of Sonic Colors, and the remaster Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the Meteorites can be found in Asteroid Coaster where they float around in space as parts of small asteroid belts. In gameplay, the player can skip across the Meteorites by Homing Attacking from one Meteorite to another. This allows the player to cross otherwise impossible gaps. However, the Meteorites will break after getting hit by a Homing Attack.

During the boss battle with the Frigate Skullian, the boss will open portals that will deposit multiple Meteorites at Sonic. Touching them will result in Sonic taking damage. These Meteorites are best avoided with ground movements or by Homing Attacking them.

Sonic X Shadow Generations

Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the Meteorites appear exclusively during the rival battle against Shadow. The Meteorites here come in two variants: blue and purple. The blue Meteorites are encountered normally along the rival battle's course. When breaking them with the Boost, they will provide the Boost Gauge with energy. However, they will halt the player if they simply run into them. In addition, they are completely absent in the rival battle's Hard Mode. The purple variant of Meteorites is only encountered when Sonic has gathered enough Energy Cores for a special attack. When boosting into these Meteorites, they will split into three shards and fly into Shadow, slowing him down so the player can attack him.

In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, Meteorites appear in Tropical Resort Act 2, during the Grind Rail section that comes before the Goal Ring. During said section, several inflamed Meteorites will fall from the sky and ram into the Grind Rails. In order to avoid them, the player must stay away from the red circles that appear on the Grind Rails (which mark where the Meteorites will land) by using the Grind Step. If the player gets hit by one of the Meteorites, they will fall off of the Grind Rail and lose a life.

Shadow Generations

This section requires an expansion.

Sonic Forces

In Sonic Forces, Meteorites appear exclusively in Egg Gate. In this game, they are pale beige in color and almost spherical in shape. In gameplay, they are found along the trajectory of some Springs. When Sonic is sent flying by these Springs, he will smash through the Meteorites in his path. However, they do not affect Sonic or his trajectory negatively.

Trivia

• In Sonic Adventure 2, Meteorites have purple air streams stemming from them. In later versions of the game, this effect was removed.

References