Super transformation

Super transformation is a frequently recurring gameplay 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. The player can also collect the Sol Emeralds, activate the Super Emeralds, or break open an Item box with an "S" on it.

Features
Super transformation generally gives the character enhanced speed, similar to using a "High Speed" power up. The transformation also originally gave the character the same effect as the "Invincible" power up. As of Sonic & Knuckles (and all games since), taking damage while using super transformation will result in the character being thrown back a small distance. Even with the transformation enabled, during gameplay the character can still die by falling in a bottomless pit, being crushed, or drowning. Also, in various games, the final boss is capable of damaging characters even when they are under a super transformation.

The compromise in super transformation is that the power is sustained by Rings during gameplay. It originally took 50 Rings to enable the transformation, which are then gradually drained over time. Starting with Sonic R, players are no longer allowed to manually transform, but are simply given the ability through the story. The rings are only used as a gameplay mechanic to limit how long the form can last. The exception to this was Sonic Riders, where only one Ring is needed. Running out of Rings in a final boss battle results in an instant loss of a life, usually due to the character being in unsurvivable conditions such as over a flooded city street or in the cold of space.

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. The air can also act as the ground as shown in Sonic Heroes, enabling the player to use the same controls as if in a regular level.

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 an ability to instantly kill all enemies on screen (excluding boss battles). This was seen only in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles.

In the original games, this feature was used by collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds in "Special Stages". However, in almost all games since Sonic Adventure, it has been saved mainly for the final boss battle.

Users
Much like the "Power 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 are listed below, along with their various transformations.

Sonic the Hedgehog
The most frequently seen transformation in the series since its introduction in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog becomes Super Sonic with the aid of the seven Chaos Emeralds. Sonic's blue fur becomes a golden yellow color and his green eyes become red. Originally, Sonic had black eyes which would turn green while transformed. A varying number of Sonic's quills now stand on end, usually pointing upwards. His back quills are given an angled slant and become more pointed. Other special effects include sparkles as well as cracks of electricity and afterimages.

When Sonic transforms into his "Super State", he is able to move extremely fast, jumps higher than normal, and break barriers that usually require the Spin Dash. Additionally, Sonic gains an attack called "Sonic Rumble" where he is able to damage an enemy by quickly flying directly into them from a distance and then retreating. Sonic gains an added level of resilience to enemy attacks to the extent depending on the game. However, in the early Sonic games, he is still vulnerable to death by crushing, drowning, falling off the screen or running out of time. In Sonic the Hedgehog, when he is transformed by the Chaos Emeralds when Elise uses them to resurrect him, he also demonstrates the power to transfer the powers of the Chaos Emeralds to others, as he does with Shadow and Silver.

In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, Sonic Advance, and Sonic Advance 3 Super Sonic is invulnerable to most enemy attacks. In other games, Super Sonic loses fewer Rings if he's hit. Super Sonic also plays a part in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, as Sonic's Final Smash where he damages his opponent by ramming into them. His appearance in Brawl is the first time since Sonic 3 & Knuckles that Sonic has been able to become Super Sonic on any level instead of just in a final battle (not including fanmade hacks and spin-off games where Super Sonic is a separately selectable character.)

Super Sonic is widely viewed as a homage to Dragon Ball Z and the Super Saiyan transformations within it. When asked if comments about this were received from Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, former Sega executive producer Yuji Naka smiled and said no. Super Sonic was also originally to appear in the Hidden Palace Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. However, the idea and the zone were scrapped due to time constraints.

With the power of the Super Emeralds, Sonic becomes Hyper Sonic. Sonic glows with the colors of the Chaos Emeralds, becomes surrounded by flashing sparks, and leaves afterimages. 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. It is also noted that when Sonic is in Hyper mode, certain objects glow multiple colors like him, such as Flickies, and Level boxes. Also, while Super Sonic is near invincible, Hyper Sonic is fully invincible.

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 state, Sonic's body becomes a deep indigo color, and his muzzle, stomach, and ears become white. His shoes turn indigo and white. His pupils, irises, mouth, and gloves 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 and down his middle quills, 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. His voice is somewhat deeper and more menacing, but his personality remains mostly unchanged, albeit much more aggressive. Unlike Super Sonic, Darkspine Sonic is not invincible, and loses 20 of his Rings if he's hit. In exchange, he can remain in this state for probably an indefinite amount of time. He disengages this form at his own will.

While he is able to fly, his ability to sustain the transformation does not depend on Rings. He does not power down if he runs out of Rings. If the player shakes the Wii Remote, the soul gauge fills, and Darkspine Sonic can use Speed Break and Time Break. Other abilities enable Sonic to deflect Alf Layla wa-Layla's attacks by using a barrage of kicks. He also has higher attack power and speed.

Sonic has an unconfirmed Super State in Sonic and the Black Knight, where he is shown in full-body golden armour.

Miles "Tails" Prower
When Tails uses the transformation, he becomes Super Tails. This started in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, where the player needs the seven Super Emeralds to transform. Tails does not change color, but instead glows and is surrounded by four Super Flickies. The Flickies surrounding him instantly attack 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 Super Flickies. Tails is invulnerable in this form and gains an enhancement to his normal "Thunder Shoot" and "Dummy Ring Bomb" abilities.

Knuckles the Echidna
First appearing in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and in Sonic & Knuckles as a playable character, Knuckles 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 State looks the same, but leaves afterimages. Hyper Knuckles gains the ability to destroy all on screen enemies by gliding into a wall.

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). 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 unscratched.

Mecha Sonic
In Sonic & Knuckles, Mecha Sonic achieves a form of super transformation by simply absorbing energy directly from the Master Emerald into a red power core in his chest. During its final battle against Knuckles, Mecha Sonic attains a super transformation in which it simply has a golden-orange hue. Its attacks include spinning toward Knuckles's current position, firing three charged balls of energy, and firing a series of rings. However, it is unable to sustain its power for very long, and can be attacked during such weakened moments. It would lose its super transformation and revert back its blue state after firing three charged energy balls, at which point it would roll back to the Master Emerald and recharge. Also it would momentary lose its super transformation after firing rings a small number of times. It is totally destroyed at the end of the battle, unless the player does not have all the Chaos and Super Emeralds, in which case he appears after the credits sparking with glowing red eyes.

Shadow the Hedgehog
When Shadow the Hedgehog uses the transformation, he can become Super Shadow. When in a "Super State", his black fur changes into a shiny lemon chiffon color, while his red fur stays solid and non-shiny. He also radiates an aura of either black and red or golden light. In addition to standard transformation gameplay enhancements, Shadow keeps his normal abilities, including his Chaos powers, and they increase in potency. Using his hand, he is able to fire Chaos Spears as either rapid small blasts, or a single charged-up blast of energy. He may also use the "Spear of Light", in which he fires a swarm of more powerful Chaos Spears. This actually serves to resemble the gunplay mechanic of Shadow the Hedgehog. Super Shadow first appears in the final battle of Sonic Adventure 2. Interestingly, in Sonic Adventure 2, Super Shadow's fur has the exact opposite color scheme as his normal fur coloration (from black to metallic silver). The same applies to Sonic only his coloration stays inverted throughout the whole series.

Blaze the Cat
By using super transformation via the Sol Emeralds, Blaze the Cat can transform into Burning Blaze only in the Sonic Rush series. 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.

Burning Blaze's gameplay is similar to that of Super Shadow's. Players can either rapidly press the attack buttons to launch a series of small fireballs, or hold down the attack button to launch a larger more powerful fireball. Players may also use charged dashes by pressing the jump buttons. However, these dashes are only for speed as she will still take damage if she dashes into an object. Blaze is the first and currently the only female Sonic character with a super transformation.

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 gains a new ability called the "Shield of Light". This allows him to put a circular force field around himself and grab and throw any object (or objects) in that field. He is also able to use charged dashes.