Bobsled (Sonic Heroes)

Bobsleds (ボブスレー・トロッコ) are vehicle gimmicks that debuted in Sonic Heroes.

Sonic Heroes
Bobsleds allow extremely quick transportation through stages, although they can only be used at certain points and cannot be used anywhere else. They are found in Seaside Hill, Bullet Station. Before hopping in, it is seen standing on the Dash Panel, as it doesn't move anywhere until the speed-type of character has started to gain speed behind the vehicle.

During the ride, each character in the team will grant an ability for the bobsled, such as manoeuvring, jumping or accelerate to a great speed. Once the the bobsled makes contact with an obstacle, one of these abilities will be lost, eventually leaving the Flight character, allowing the Bobsled to only jump. Taking three hits while on the bobsled will cause it to crash, which counts as a life lost so the player will have to start over the stage again. The trolley which is the haunted version of the bobsled is found in Mystic Mansion in certain areas. Their controls are identical to that of the bobsled but it mainly moves along a rail.

Each type allows an ability to the bobsled:
 * Speed - Makes it accelerate (if it hits anything, usually Speed types fall off first; it will slow down if so).
 * Power - Allows it to steer (if the character falls off, the player will have great difficulty to manoeuvre the bobsled ).
 * Flight - Allows it to jump (the last character to die; if so, the player will have to start over).

2P Battle
Bobsleds are the main gimmick used in Bobsled Race like a racing car in the 2P Battle mode of Sonic Heroes.

Sonic Rivals
Bobsleds only appeared in Crystal Mountain Zone Act 2 of Sonic Rivals although in this game, the bobsled receives a completely new design and are motor-powered and the player just needs to jump onto the bobsled to start moving, making them somewhat more of a resemblance to motor snow-skis. They transport the player's character throughout one large section of the act fairly quickly.

Trivia

 * In the Sonic Generations version of Seaside Hill, the bobsled is replaced by a go-kart.