Zip Line


 * For the gimmick in Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, see Ener-Rail.

The zip line is a gimmick in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a basic pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline that can be used as a quick and easy way to reach far away areas.

Description
The zip line's appearance is exactly like their real-life counterparts', but with some slight design differences occurring between each game. Overall, they consist of a pulley (which is typically colored red) suspended on a long cable mounted on an incline. These cables usually stretch across a long distance through midair. The pulley on an unused zip line can always be found at the cable's beginning.

The zip line's purpose is to help the player reach far away areas by letting them ride down the zip line's cable with the aid of its pulley. When using it in gameplay, the user grabs a hold of the pulley which will then cause said pulley to automatically roll down the zip line's cable from one end to the other at high speed. In some chases, the zip line serves as a shortcut, and in others cases, it is necessary to proceed through a level.

To use a zip line in in gameplay, the player just has to touch its pulley. In some games, the player can even zero in on it with the Homing Attack. Also, once a zip line has been used, it (usually) cannot be used again.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3
The zip lines made their first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. In this game, they appear in Angel Island Zone and Launch Base Zone Act 2, with the zip lines' appearance and functionality differing between the two Zones.

In Angel Island Zone, zip lines are long, horizontal rope-rides set over long gaps. To ride it, the playable character must touch the wooden handle at the top left end of the zip line. After reaching the bottom end, the playable character swings around 360 degrees on it before jumping off it. In Angel Island Zone Act 2 however, one zip line has fire on the rope that makes it break, causing the player to fall off before reaching the end. In Launch Base Zone Act 2, there are different, steel-based zip lines which use hooks. When the playable character hops into the hook, it will settle and then move straight forward to the end. While riding it, the player can also move the playable character left and right.

Sonic Adventure
The Zip Line also appeared in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut where it was only used in Sonic's version of Red Mountain. In this game its color is grey and when using it, Sonic holds onto it with his right hand.

Sonic Advance
In Sonic Advance, Zip Lines appear in Secret Base Zone and Ice Mountain Zone. In this game, the playable character automatically catches onto the Zip Line's pulley once entering it and rides down it while accelerating. In some cases, one Zip Line connects to a transverse Zip Line, causing the player to ride down the latter in the opposite direction upon touching it.

Sonic Heroes
Different type of Zip Lines are seen in Sonic Heroes, where they can be found in the Bonus Challenges for the Special Stages. These Zip Lines move in certain patterns inside the circular tube tunnels. The player can move the playable team left and right with the analog stick to swing while collecting Power Spheres in the air.

Shadow the Hedgehog
In Shadow the Hedgehog, the Zip Line is occasionally referred to as "coaster". In this game, the Coaster is encountered in Stages such as Circus Park, Cosmic Fall, Space Gadget and The ARK where it is used as a high-speed transport mechanism. The player can also tilt left or right while holding the pulley in this game.

Sonic Rivals
In Sonic Rivals, the Zip Line is used to travel across bottomless pits safely. Unlike in the previous games however, the player cannot change the direction of it.

Sonic and the Secret Rings
In Sonic and the Secret Rings, the Zip Line resembles a real-life axe-like carriage attached to a long rope. Their mechanics are the same as in Shadow the Hedgehog. When riding it in gameplay, the player has to tilt the Wii Remote left or right to move it.

Sonic Unleashed
In Sonic Unleashed, the Zip Line's coloration is red and it appeared in both versions. When using it, Sonic will hold the pulley with both of his hands.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4
The Zip Line also appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, II and Metal where it can be used by all playable characters. Its coloration is the same as it was in Sonic Colors. In this game though, the player can control one's speed when moving along the Zip Line by moving left or right. It can also be used again after using it. As Sonic or Metal Sonic, they can also be targeted with the Homing Attack.

Sonic Colors
In Sonic Colors, the Zip Line's coloration is red. When using it, Sonic will holds the pulley with both his hands.

Sonic Generations
The Zip Line also appeared in Sonic Generations. In this game, its coloration is red and it has all of its standard functions. Once again, they can be targeted by the Homing Attack. They usually appear in the game's Act 2 stages, although they also appear in the game's Act 1 stages on a few occasions.

Sonic Mania
The Zip Line reappears in Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus. It only appears in Green Hill Zone Act 2.

Sonic Forces
The Zip Line makes another appearance in Sonic Forces. It appears and functions exactly as it did in Sonic Generations.