Bladed Spinner

The E-06 (Bladed) Spinner, called Spina (スピナ) in Japan, is one of Eggman's most recurring robots in the Sonic series; its first appearance was in Sonic Adventure.

Appearance
They are bat-like E-Series enemies that float in mid-air with giant spinning blades. There are more dangerous variations known as the E-15 Spiky Spinner or the E-16 Electro Spinner. Although the color varies, they are mainly purple. Since Sonic Advance 3, they have been absent from the games, but they then return in Sonic Unleashed with an upgraded appearance and retain their appearance in Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations. They actually act as one of Sonic's assets. By creating an Action Chain via Homing Attack, Sonic can access hidden locations.

Sonic Adventure
In Sonic Adventure, Spinners are rather useless robots that float around. However, by using the Homing Attack on them in a chain, Sonic is able to access hidden areas. They appear in Casinopolis, Speed Highway, Red Mountain, Sky Deck and Final Egg. In this game, it is officially known as the E-06 Bladed Spinner. They seem to be replaced in Sonic Adventure 2 by a similar G.U.N. robot called the Mono Beetle.

Sonic Unleashed
The Spinner returns to home consoles in Sonic Unleashed, with a less-menacing appearance that resembles an upgraded E-06 Bladed Spinner, though it is now simply known as Spinner. The E-16 Electro Spinner is now considered the same robot, except it is yellow and green. They are found in nearly all daytime stages.

Sonic Colors
The Spinner reappears in Sonic Colors. In this game, its appearance is a hybrid of Spina (from Sonic Advance 2 and Sonic Advance 3) and Spinner (from Sonic Unleashed). Its behavior is the same as in Sonic Unleashed. There is also a steel version that cannot be destroyed by any means, and it is very useful for advancing upwards in 2-D.

Sonic Generations
Spinner appears once again in Sonic Generations, where it is featured at Seaside Hill, the returning stage from Sonic Heroes, even though it never appeared in this game. It also appears in Speed Highway, as it was in the original variation of this stage. However, the Spinner does not appear in Rooftop Run or Planet Wisp, even though it was present in the original versions of these levels.

Sonic Jump (2012)
Spinner appears again in (the 2012 version of) the mobile game Sonic Jump. It behaves the same as it did in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors. As with all other enemies in the game, it can only be destroyed from below.

Sonic Lost World
Spinners make their next appearance in Sonic Lost World. The Spinners in Sonic Lost World will have a cartoon-like design than their previous models, just like most of the badniks in the video game. During the game, it turns out that badniks, Spinners included, got hijacked by Deadly Six. It will appear as an enemy in both Windy Hill and Desert Ruins.

Trivia

 * Spinner appears along with a figure of Sonic the Hedgehog with a background of Speed Highway. It was released along with other notable enemies for Sonic's 20th Anniversary.
 * Spinner could actually be based off of the Ball Drone badnik from the cancelled Sega Saturn video game, Sonic X-treme.