Power-Ups[1][2] are objects that appear in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are elemental items used to help the player to give them a boost or hinder their rival in an Act.
Description
Power-Ups range in a variety of elements such as fire and ice which have their own effects. Power-Ups are used in two different ways: offensively (if the user is behind their rival) and defensively (if the user is ahead of their rival). Offensive Power-Ups generally shoot throughout the act until they hit the opposing rival or create an obstruction with an enemy. Defensive Power-Ups are generally used as decoy traps that remain stationary in the act until the opposing rival runs directly into them.
When the player's rival is attacked by the Power-Up, their character icon will briefly appear on the screen covered with the element of the Power-Up.
Game appearances
Sonic Rivals
Power-Ups made their debut in Sonic Rivals, being called Power-ups.[1] They appear as rounded icons that constantly changes their element and color. The Power-up the player receives will depend on which icon the player touches it at. The player can only hold one Power-up at a time and must use it up in order to obtain another. Note that some of these Power-ups will not appear in earlier zones. To use the Power-up in gameplay, the player must press 
.
The following Power-ups are present in Sonic Rivals:
| Power-up | Image | Effect | Zones | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offensive | Defensive | |||
| Fire[1] | 
|
Rolling Fireball:[1] Shoots a fireball that speeds through the track to hit the opponent. | Fire Shield:[1] Creates a fire shield that protects the user from one hit. | All |
| Ice[1] | 
|
Snow Blast:[1] Shoots a blast of ice through the track that freezes the opponent. | Ice Cube:[1] Drops an ice cube that freezes the opponent if they run into it. | |
| Illusion[1] | 
|
Confusion:[1] Distorts the opponent's vision. | Drops a small orb of Illusion that distorts the opponent's vision. | Zone 3 and above |
| Lightning[1] | 
|
Zaps the opponent, paralyzing them for a short while. | Decoy Zapper Rings:[1] Drops several lightning decoy rings that paralyse the opponent if they touch one. | Zone 2 and above |
| Ring Magnet[1] | 
|
Ring Magnet[1] Attract nearby Rings. | Zone 3 and above | |
| Mine[1] | 
|
Floating Homing Mine:[1] Shoots a mine that homes in on the opponent and explodes on contact. | Stationary Mine:[1] Drops a stationary mine that explodes if the opponent runs into it. | |
| Star[1] | 
|
Signature Move:[1] Uses the Signature Move. | All | |
| Wind[1] | 
|
Shoot Tornado:[1] Shoots a tornado that trails through the track and scoops the opponent up into the air. | Drop Tornado:[1] Drops a tornado that scoops the opponent into the air. | Zone 3 and above |
Sonic Rivals 2
Power-Ups reappear in Sonic Rivals 2, though under the title Power Up[2] now. They have received a new design, which is a light yellow round plate with a question mark in the middle and white wings on its side, resembling an emblem seen in previous Sonic the Hedgehog games. Unlike Sonic Rivals, the player will always receive a random Power Up. Also in Sonic Rivals 2, most Power Ups returning from Sonic Rivals have different offensive-usage effects to that of their previous appearance; generally they appear in the form of an energy ball which will chase the leading rival. The method of using a Power Up is exactly the same as it was in Sonic Rivals. As there is a different method of executing Signature Moves in Sonic Rivals 2, Signature Moves are no longer Power Ups in the game. To activate a Power Up in gameplay, the player must press .
The following Power Ups are present in Sonic Rivals 2:
| Power Up | Icon | Effect | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offensive | Defensive | ||
| Fire[2] | Flying Fireball:[2] Shoots out a floating fireball that homes in on the opponent and damages them. | Fire Shield:[2] Protects the user against one attack. | |
| Glue Trap[2] | Glue Dripper:[2] Shoots a blob of glue that homes in on the opponent and sticks them to the ground, rendering them temporarily immobile. | Glue Trap:[2] Drops a puddle of glue that sticks the opponent to the ground if they run into it, rendering them temporarily immobile. | |
| Ice[2] | Ice Bolts:[2] Shoots a floating bolt of ice that homes in on the opponent and freeze them. | Snow Bank:[2] Drops a solid ice cube that will freezes the opponent if they run into it. | |
| Illusionary Energy[2] | Vision Scramble:[2] Instantly distorts the opponent's vision. | Illusionary Trap:[2] Drops an orb that distorts the opponent's vision if they run into it. | |
| Lightning[2] | Ball Lightning:[2] Shoots a tetherball of lightning that zaps the opponent. | Lightning Ring:[2] Drops a zapper ring that zaps the opponent if they run into it. | |
| Ring Magnet[2] | Attract Rings:[2] Attracts nearby Rings. | ||
| Mine[2] | Homing Mine:[2] Shoots a mine that homes in on the opponent and bursts on impact. | Proximity Mine:[2] Drops a homing mine that bursts when the opponent runs into it. | |
| Oil Slick[2] | Oil Dripper:[2] Shoots a blob of oil that will cause the opponent to slip if they are within range. | Oily Puddle:[2] Drops a puddle of oil that will cause the opponent to slip if they run into it. | |
| Wind[2] | Trailing Twister:[2] Shoots a tornado that swoops the opponent into the air. | Drop Twister:[2] Drops a tornado that swoops the opponent into the air if they run into it. | |
Trivia
- The Fire Shield Power-Up has a similar function to the Shield power-up from most other games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series except that the effect is temporary.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 Sonic Rivals (PlayStation Portable) United States instruction booklet, pg. 17.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 Sonic Rivals 2 (PlayStation Portable) United States instruction booklet, pg. 18.