Power-Up

Power-up items are items that can assist the user to win a stage in Sonic Rivals and its sequel, Sonic Rivals 2 as speed alone for the player or his/her rival is merely not enough to win. They 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 his/her rival) and defensively (if the user is ahead of his/her rival). Offensive power-ups generally shoot throughout the stage until they hit the user's rival or create an obstruction wi. Power-ups used defensively are generally used as decoy traps that remain stationary in the stage until the user's rival runs directly into them.

Sonic Rivals 2
The player will not know what power-up item they will receive as opposed to Sonic Rivals where the power up they receive is in the element the player receives at. Offensive power-up items now generally appear in the form of an energy ball which will chase the leading rival before unleashing its effects. As there is a different method of executing Signature Moves, Signature Moves are no longer power-ups.