Super transformation
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Super transformation is a frequently recurring feature and story element within the fictional universe of the Sonic the Hedgehog series that allows the player to play as a powered up version of the character. The resulting powered up characters are given a name according to the method used to transform. The ability is traditionally obtained by collecting all of the Chaos Emeralds in addition to 50 Rings, as was the case in the Genesis games starting with Sonic the Hedgehog 2.[1] The player can also collect the Sol Emeralds, activate the Super Emeralds, or break open an Item box with an "S" on it.[2]
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[edit] Features
Super transformation generally gives the character enhanced speed, similar to using a "Speed Shoes" power up. The transformation also originally gave the character the same effect as the "invincibility" power up.[1] As of Sonic Adventure (and all games since), taking damage while using super transformation will result in the character being thrown back a small distance.[3] Even with the transformation enabled, the character can still die by falling in a bottomless pit, being crushed, or drowning.[4]
The compromise in super transformation is that the power is sustained by Rings. It takes 50 Rings to enable the transformation, which are then gradually drained over time. When the character runs out of Rings, the transformation will be undone and can not be re-enabled unless 50 additional Rings are collected.[1][5] Running out of Rings in a final boss battle results in an instant loss of a life regardless of the battlefield.
Another general super transformation ability is flight. This was originally unique to Super Sonic as he would fly above the ground at maximum speed, and take to full flight at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The ability is now shared by all transformations and is a defining trait. A character can also hover in midair as, beginning with Sonic Adventure 2, the transformation is usually used in areas high above the ground.[6] The air can become a "virtual ground" as shown in Sonic Heroes, enabling the player to jump and use the same abilities as if in a regular level.[7]
Although it is a power up in itself, the super transformation can be powered up further. To do this, the player must collect all seven of the Chaos Emeralds and reactivate them in their powered up state as the "Super Emeralds." Once transformed, the character will then leave afterimages in its wake and be given a "nuke move" of sorts. This was seen only in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles.[8]
[edit] Users
Much like the "Level Up" enhancements of the Sonic Adventure games, super transformations are character specific. The visual appearance of the transformation and the attacks enabled are character dependent. The characters that can use the ability with are listed below, along with their various transformations.
[edit] Sonic the Hedgehog
The most frequently seen transformation in the series, Sonic the Hedgehog becomes Super Sonic[9] with the aid of the seven Chaos Emeralds.[1] Sonic's blue fur becomes a golden color and his green eyes become red. Originally, Sonic had black eyes which would turn green while transformed. Sonic's quills now stand on end, usually pointing upwards. His back quills are given a sharper slant and become more pointed. Other special effects include sparkles as well as cracks of electricity and afterimages.
When Sonic transforms into his "super" form, he is able to move extremely fast, jumps higher than normal, and break barriers that usually require the spin dash.[8] Additionally, Sonic gains an attack called "Sonic Rumble" where he is able to damage an enemy by quickly flying directly to them from a distance and then retreating.[10]
With the power of the Super Emeralds, Sonic becomes Hyper Sonic. Sonic glows with the colors of the Chaos Emeralds, and becomes surrounded by flashing sparks. He is also able to breathe underwater, and has the added ability of a devastating lightning attack. This can be used to "double jump" in any direction and, when performed, destroys all enemies on-screen (except bosses) with a bright flash.[8]
In Sonic and the Secret Rings, if the player collects all seven World Rings and clears the game, an extra battle can be unlocked in which the player will take control of Darkspine Sonic. Instead of the Chaos Emeralds, he is powered by the aforementioned World Rings. In this form, Sonic's body become a deep indigo color, and his muzzle, stomach and ears become white. His pupils, irises, mouth, gloves and shoes disappear, and he gains four big glowing rings around his wrists and ankles. He also has two thick, white parallel stripes going up his forehead, a white stripe around his feet and wrists, and has an orange fiery aura. In a sort of inverse situation from his other transformations, his quills do not point upwards, but instead downwards.
While he is able to fly, his ability to sustain the transformation does not depend on Rings (Darkspine Sonic is able to carry 999 rings). If the player shakes the Wii remote, the soul gauge fills, and Darkspine Sonic can use Speed and Time Break. Other abilities enable Sonic to use Alf Layla wa-Layla's own powers against him.[11]
[edit] Miles "Tails" Prower
When Miles "Tails" Prower uses the transformation, he becomes Super Tails. This originally occurred in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, where the player needed the seven Super Emeralds to transform.[8] Tails did not change color, but instead glowed and was surrounded by four Flickies. The Flickies surrounding him instantly attacked any nearby mechanical enemies, including bosses.
Tails's next use of super transformation occurs in Sonic Heroes. Here, the player only needs to obtain the seven Chaos Emeralds and complete the game to transform. His appearance is slightly modified from the original "Super" Tails, with the addition of a golden energy sphere and the removal of the Flickies. Tails is invulnerable in this form and gains an enhancement to his normal "Thunder Shoot" ability.[7]
[edit] Knuckles the Echidna
First appearing in Sonic & Knuckles, Knuckles the Echidna can transform into Super Knuckles with the power of the Chaos Emeralds, and Hyper Knuckles with the power of the Super Emeralds. Knuckles does not change color, but merely glows while surrounded by a pink aura; his Hyper form looks the same, but leaves afterimages. Hyper Knuckles gains the ability to destroy all on screen enemies by gliding into a wall.[8]
Knuckles's next use of super transformation is in Sonic Heroes. His appearance is slightly modified from the original Super Knuckles, with the replacement of the pink and white energy field by a golden energy sphere (a la Sonic Adventure).[7] His "dreadlocks" float as if he were standing above a large fan. He can effortlessly punch air with enough force to create explosions, and destroy battleships while remaining unscathed.
[edit] "Mecha" Sonic
In Sonic and Knuckles, "Mecha" Sonic achieves a form of super transformation by simply using the Master Emerald. During its final battle against Knuckles, Mecha Sonic attained a super transformation in which it simply had a golden hue. Its attacks included spinning toward Knuckles's current position, firing three charged balls of energy, and firing a series of rings.[8] It was totally destroyed at the end of the battle, unless you did not have all the Chaos and Super Emeralds, in which case he appears after the credits sparking with glowing red eyes. This has been the only occurrence of a boss battle against another super transformation.
[edit] Shadow the Hedgehog
When Shadow the Hedgehog uses the transformation, he can become Super Shadow. In this form, his black fur changes into a lemon cream color. He also radiates an aura of either black and red or golden light, and the flames from his shoes turn purple. In addition to standard transformation effects, Shadow retains all of his normal abilities including his Chaos powers. He can also make the same powered dashes as Super Sonic. Using his hand, he is able to fire Chaos Spears as either rapid small blasts or a single charged-up blast of energy.[12] Super Shadow first appears in the final battle of Sonic Adventure 2.[6]
[edit] Blaze the Cat
By using the transformation via the Sol Emeralds, Blaze the Cat can transform into Burning Blaze.[13] Blaze's lavender fur becomes pink, and the details on the tip of her ponytail are erased. Her jacket and the tip of her tail become red, and the bottom rim of her jacket turns yellow. The cuffs on her gloves and shoes are engulfed in pink flames, and she is surrounded by an aura of fire. Blaze gains the same abilities as Chaos Emerald users. She can use charged dashes, and can generate and throw fireballs.
[edit] Silver the Hedgehog
Silver the Hedgehog is the latest character to use super transformation. While transformed, Silver's fur becomes a white gold color, and his quills float in the same fashion as Knuckles's second transformation. In addition to the standard super transformation power ups, Silver's telekinetic powers also have an improved range. This allows the player to grab objects from a farther distance. He is also able to use charged dashes.[14]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ a b c d Sonic the Hedgehog 2: The Official Solid Gold Guide by Tony Takoushi
- ^ This item is accessed through the use of codes in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, and the combined game Sonic 3 and Knuckles.
- ^ Sonic Adventure: Official Strategy Guide by BradyGames
- ^ Sonic 3 - Secrets of the Games - Official Play Guide by Carlton Books
- ^ The exception to this was Sonic Riders, where only one Ring is needed
- ^ a b Sonic Adventure 2: Prima's Official Strategy Guide by Kaizen Media Group
- ^ a b c Sonic Heroes: Prima's Official Strategy Guide by Kaizen Media Group
- ^ a b c d e f Sonic & Knuckles by Michael Teitelbaum and Ron Zalme
- ^ Sonic channel/character/character data/supersonic (HTML). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
- ^ Sonic Shuffle Instruction Manual, Page 23
- ^ Sonic & The Secret Rings by David Hodgson
- ^ Shadow the Hedgehog: Prima Official Game Guide by Kaizen Media Group
- ^ Sonic channel/character/character data/blaze (HTML). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
- ^ Sonic the Hedgehog: Prima Official Game Guide by Fletcher Black
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