Spikes (obstacle)


 * This article is about set of annoying obstacles in the series. To see original badnik with same name, see Spikes and to badnik from Sonic the Hedgehog 4, see here.

Spikes (スパイク Supaiku in Japan) are annoying, sharp obstacles in video games, that are set on places where the player would not expect to see them. - Anywhere. If the player touches the spiky points of obstacles, it damages the player or in worse situation, the player will lose a life by touching spikes as being weak.

In Sonic the Hedgehog games, this is no exception. However as the the playable character has rings or shield, it only temporally hurts the player. Like hitting enemies or other obstacles, the player can collect rings that can lose after hitting spikes and as having invisibility, the player cannot get hurt by spikes at all. Despite that, there is usually no possibility to destroy spikes in any means.

Description
Usually one grey base has set of five white spikes, more or less in some games. In 2D games, spikes are sharply Depending of zones, there can be different colored spikes to fit zone's atmosphere or even different obstacles that have same method as spikes in various, different forms. When the player hits spikes, usually losing rings or shield, the player gets few seconds invulnerability, as the playable character flashes until it returns to its normal state and being vulnerable again.

As being mentioned earlier, spikes are set mostly seen at inconsistent places that player mostly don't want to see. Spikes are located on floors, walls or ceilings. There can be more than one set of spikes and even deep or less deep chasms can be filled with number set of spikes. Spikes can also pop out of ground and then go down for few seconds. Spikes also can be seen part of platforms that may move or not in the air or part of crushers top or bottom section. Even many enemies, especially badniks or other robots created by Doctor Eggman defend themselves by using spikes as arm weaponry or even can be set as part of the badnik's body, for example Orbinauts having four spike balls.

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
Spikes first appear in 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, as being seen widely in every zone of the game. Unlike in later games, there are no bases for spikes, as every single spike is erected separately on rows with small gaps. The original Sonic the Hedgehog also features unexpected method that is usually refereed as the spike bug, as the player touches spike one time, he / she would not get few seconds invulnerability and gets hit again, causing to lose rings or even life.

In third act of Green Hill Zone, there can also be found rotating tree trunks with sharp points that hurt the player similarly. Marble Zone features crushers that have spikes on the bottom. Crushers move to up with chain connected between crusher and ceiling and fall down at high speed. Spring Yard Zone features badniks with same name, that have spikes on its top. Labyrinth Zone and third act of Scrap Brain Zone features spike balls that spins around and are attached to walls with bondage. There can also be found spiky spears being set on tunnel walls and ceilings on underwater sections. Star Light Zone has large platforms connected with chain, as platforms bottoms have large spikes. Scrap Brain Zone has large spike balls swinging and also connected with chains. Both two types of Orbinauts used spike balls to defend themselves or attack to the player.

Spikes are also seen in 8-bit version of the game with same name, as having separate spikes like in 16-bit counterpart. However unlike 16-bit counterpart, the spike bug is non-existed as the player got few seconds invulnerability after getting hit. Most of other spiky obstacles from 16-bit counterpart are also seen in the 8-bit version. Game Gear port also features "!" signs that warns the player about spike pits.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sets of spikes are featured in 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 at almost every zone (with few exceptions). There are now four spikes per one base and spike bug from previous 16-bit game is removed. These sets of spikes can be located separately alone and can also pop out at ground. Mystic Cave Zone has pits of spikes as even infamous one, where can be no escape. Badniks of Metropolis Zone called Shellcrackers have big left claw with spikes. Wing Fortress Zone boss machine has rotating platforms with spikes on under bottom of them. Death Egg Robot also got three spikes on each hand, as it fires arms towards the player, which cause the death. As Super Sonic, spikes don't hurt at all.

The 8-bit version of the game with same name features sets of spikes in every zone. It is first game to feature different colored spikes. Underground Zone has mostly dark yellow spikes on ceilings, as even some of them can fall onto the player as being close enough. Sky High Zone has yellow spikes on small ravines and deep pits. White spikes can be found at underwater sections of Aqua Lake Zone and ravines and deep pits of Green Hills Zone. Cyan spikes are seen on ravines and hall walls of Gimmick Mountain Zone. White spikes are generally seen in Scrambled Egg Zone, while Crystal Egg Zone has pink and light yellow colored spikes.

Sonic CD
Spikes are featured wildly at every round at every timeline of Sonic CD. Each base has four spikes and are mostly set separately over the zones. Spikes can be generally on the way during building momentum to time travel. Sometimes even two set of spikes are connected to each other from both sides. In Collision Chaos there can be blocks with side walls pop out from the ground. Also tunnel sections have spike ball chains spinning around. The boss machine of Wacky Workbench has spinning set of spikes on top of it. Stardust Speedway features floating purple spike balls. Metallic Madness features wheel moving pole with four swinging blades. There are also halls of with falling plates that has spikes at bottom of them.

There are badniks like Taga-Taga, Kemusi, Noro-Noro and Minomusi, that defend themselves with spikes at their bodies. Badniks like Mosquis, Mecha-Bu and second variations of Poh-Bees tries to attack with spike-related weaponry.

Sonic Chaos
Sonic Chaos features different colored sets of four spikes in every zone (expect Sleeping Egg Zone). Dark yellow spikes are seen in Turquoise Hill Zone, Gigalopolis Zone has light blue spikes, Mecha Green Hill Zone has white and dark yellow spikes, Aqua Planet Zone has white spikes and Electric Egg Zone has orange and white spikes at one set. Spikes also normally pop out on the ground and go back.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
Spikes make appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and its add-on continuation Sonic & Knuckles, as being featured in every main zones in two games on floors, walls and ceilings. There are four spikes per one base. Flying Battery Zone has slightly different looking spikes that move at one point of the base. It is possible to push the spike base to the lateral direction to find hidden passages under of obstacles.

There are also different set of other obstacles. Spike balls are featured generally such as rotating around while being attached to the pole in Marble Garden Zone, mid-bosses Twin Hammers and Gapsule have swinging spike balls as weapons and spike balls are rotating around in Lava Reef Zone. Mid-boss machine Bowling Spin has spinning plate that has spikes on its side, Ice Cap Zone has icy spheres with spiky points that also floats in the air. Half split spike ball with chain gets to the air by magnet in Flying Battery Zone. Moving carrier with chains in Sky Sanctuary Zone have spikes bottom of it. Second phase of mid-boss at Death Egg Zone has spinning platforms with spikes under bottom of them and Death Ball drops small rolling bombs with spikes on top of them which can damages the machine.

Many badniks in both games are armed with spike-related weapons such as Bloominators, Rhinobots, Dragonflies, Sandworms, Fireworms and Chainspikes. Pointdexters and Bubbles have spikes around their body. Another variants of Orbinauts have four spinning spike balls, while also Skorps and Spike Bonkers utilized spike balls. Some Robotnik's vechiles Freezer Mobile Big Arm Hang Mobile, Egg Golem and Hot Mobile have spike weaponry.

Sonic Triple Trouble
Sets of four spikes appear in every zone of Sonic Triple Trouble. White spikes are located on floors, walls and ceilings, while also popping out of floors. Bombaberry badniks also carry spike balls in the air and drop them onto player's neck at Great Turquoise Zone and Sunset Park Zone.

Knuckles Chaotix
Spikes make appearance in Knuckles' Chaotix, as being featured every zone of the game. Like in previous games, there are four spikes per one base. However, one set of spikes are featured generally separated rather than being in group. Many badniks in the game are armed with spikes such as Mosqui, Zakku and Balru.

Sonic 3D
Sonic 3D Blast (also known as Sonic 3D: Flickies Island) features two types of spikes. First type spikes are featured more generally in the game, as they are located on grey and red plates with four holes popping out of them. Spike plates are usually located on in two rows. If the player steps on these plates, spikes come out to harm the player.

In Gene Gadget Zone, these set of spikes are also electrocuted. In the same zone, there are also second type of spikes that are more taller and are in a row. Rusty Ruin Zone features spike balls on chain connected to poles. Many badniks in the game also are armed with spikes as well.

Sonic Adventure
Spikes make appearance in Sonic Adventure, as they are featured on every action stage of the game. There are usually four thick spikes on one plate. Like in Sonic 3D, these spike plates are set as row carpets. The spikes pops out from plates, although plates are easy to recognize on the ground.

Sonic Adventure introduces to gates called Spiked Traps, that have spinning spike trap, which can fall down and then move up, repeating the same method. The game also features spike balls with different methods. Some spike balls are are spinning around with chains and without of them. Some spike balls are moving up and then fall down to the ground. Some robots from E-series are armed with spikes.

Sonic Pocket Adventure
Spikes make appearance with Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure with having set of four spikes. Some of spikes will pop out the ground and possibly hit the player. Spikes are featured at most of main zones in the game with the exception of Secret Plant, Sky Chase and Aerobase. However the Eggman's vehicle in Secret Plant uses two platforms with spikes under bottom of them.

Sonic Adventure 2
Spikes make another appearance in Sonic Adventure 2, as these obstacles are only seen in unlockable Green Hill. Because the action stage is 3D variation of zone from original Sonic the Hedgehog, spikes are located exact same places like in 16-bit counterpart. Although having different appearance and methods from Sonic Adventure, spikes are set in row at action stage. Spike balls are seen in normal action stages. G.U.N. has robots called Rhino Spikes that has spikes on top of them to defend itself.

Sonic Advance games
Spikes make appearance in three Sonic Advance games, as having similar appearance and methods from earlier games. However there are now five spikes in one set. Spikes can also pop out from ground or even ceiling. Casino Paradise Zone and Angel Island Zone features moving platforms that have spikes at top or bottom of them. Music Plant in Sonic Advance 2 has yellow and white colored spikes, while Techno Base features set of three thick, electric spikes that can also disappears and comes back few seconds later. Ocean Base in Sonic Advance 3 has crushers that activates spikes on top of it, if the player tries to move above it, while Toy Kingdom features colorful set of spikes.

There are several other spike obstacles, including moving yellow spike balls and spinning wheels with spikes on them in Egg Rocket Zone, box that include spring or spikes at Toy Kingdom and spike balls on seesaws. Several Eggman's robots are armed with spikes as well as many Eggman's vehicles have also armed with spikes.

Sonic Rush games
Spikes are generally featured in both Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure games, as there five spikes on one set. Spikes are located as separated obstacles or on large spike pits, that player must cross numerous times with different gimmicks. Several boss machines used spikes as weaponry.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
Spikes make appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), as four spikes will pop out from black plate like in Sonic Adventure and spikes are also set on a row. The game also features spike balls as separate obstacles that Silver can use to fire enemies with them. Spiked traps also are featured at certain action stages.

Sonic Storybook games
Spikes are widely featured in both Sonic and the Secret Rings and Sonic and the Black Knight, as there are now five narrower spikes on one set. Mostly spikes are seen on floors and walls. As the player has to balance on walls at certain stages, he/she has to watch out, how spikes come out of plates. Spike balls also are seen moving in the air to certain directions.

Sonic Unleashed
Spikes make appearance in Sonic Unleashed, as being one of general obstacles that appear in the game. Plates have five narrower spikes and are featured only in day stages. Spikes can now also appear in rails, as the player has dodge spikes by jumping to another rail. Some of spikes also are set as spiked fences, that are featured at Quick Step sections. Spike balls also appear and spiked traps also return in the game.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Spikes make appearance in both episodes of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, as one set has five spikes like in Sonic Advance games. Spikes are located every zone of the game and having same methods from previous games, including popping out of ground.

Sonic Colors
Spikes make another appearance in both versions of Sonic Colors, as the Nintendo DS version features sets with five spikes on them, similar from Sonic Rush games. Nintendo Wii version features similar set of spikes from Sonic Unleashed with same methods. Spike balls are also featured in the game as being moving around with chain or without it.

Sonic Generations
Spikes are seen in both versions of Sonic Generations, as obstacles are featured at both classic and modern acts of zones. Like in Sonic Unleashed, there are five spikes on one black plate. In modern acts, the player can also face spikes being set in rails, like in previous games. In Nintendo 3DS version, as the classic acts of three levels are identical to original counterparts, spikes are set on same places as obstacles are seen in the zone's original counterpart. Emerald Coast features spiked traps like in original action stage of Sonic Adventure.

Other Appearances
Several spike sets are featured at few levels of Sonic Labyrinth, where there are four spike on one set. Spikes are also featured in every zone of Sonic Blast. The game does only feature three spike on one set.

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
Spikes make brief appearance at one of Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie. As Sonic and Tails travel through Land of the Darkness to reach the Robotropolis, they come across numerous sets of white spikes in deep forest. As Sonic dodges many of them while moving forward at same time, he oddly manages also to destroy few of them by doing fast Spin Jump.