Air Boost (Sonic Boost)

The Air Boost is a move used by Sonic the Hedgehog that first appeared in Sonic Unleashed. It is an airborne variation of the Sonic Boost that Sonic can use to fly immense distances through the air.

Description
When performing the Air Boost, Sonic surrounds himself in a blue energy shield and propels himself forward at speeds beyond the sound barrier, turning himself into a highly destructive midair projectile and do some distortion in the air. This moves not only enables Sonic to plow through midair enemies, but also gives him limited flight, allowing him to fly immense distances through midair.

In gameplay, the Air Boost is both an offensive maneuver for Sonic and a method to traverse the environment, allowing the player to move across gabs or reach midair objects and gimmicks. However, it is rather reckless to use as Sonic does not immediately stop moving when landing from an Air Boost which brings the player at risk at moving into unwanted areas, like hazardous obstacles or bottomless pits. Additionally, the player can only perform the Air Boost once for every ascension into midair, as the player cannot boost again until they land on the ground, and if there is energy in the game's respective gauges to power the Air Boost.

Sonic Unleashed
The Air Boost's first appearance was in both versions of Sonic Unleashed. In the PlayStation 2/Wii version, the player can perform it anytime, while in the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 version, the player must have obtained the Air Boost Shoes before being able to use it. In this game, Air Boost's range is very high, and using it on the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 creates a brief distortion. To use it in gameplay, the player has to press the following buttons when in midair while there is energy in the Boost Gauge:

Sonic Colors
In both versions of Sonic Colors, the Air Boost retains its range from Sonic Unleashed, but Sonic is instead surrounded by a multicolored aura. In the Wii version, the Air Boost can be used continuously, but on the Nintendo DS version it cannot. To use it in gameplay, the player has to press the following buttons when in midair while there is energy in the Wisp/Boost Gauge:

Sonic Generations
In Sonic Generations, the Air Boost has the same appearance and distortion effect as in Sonic Unleashed when performed, but its range is shorter and not recommended to use on enemies as it is less controllable. To use it in gameplay, the player must press / when in midair while there is energy in the Boost Gauge, though it depletes approximately 20% of the Boost Gauge when used. Super Sonic can use the Air Boost without depleting the Boost Gauge, though it will increase the Ring consumption.

Trivia

 * In the opening scene of Sonic's Episode in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), Sonic is seen with an midair aura around him when he was fighting Eggman's robots. It is unknown if this is the Air Boost or just a vapor cone.
 * If the player was using Super Sonic in Sonic Generations and was turning back and performs the Air Boost, then the result will make Super Sonic Dash in the air, but to the other side. This is most likely does in gameplay, because of the ability to use the Super Sonic Boost which has the same button to activate in gameplay which will give the player the ability fly in the air throughout the stage, but without the ability to control directions.