Zip Line


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

The Zip Line is a reoccurring gimmick in the Sonic the Hedgehog series that first appeared in Sonic Adventure. It is a basic zip line the can be used as an easy and quick way to reach far away areas.

Description
The Zip Line's appearance is exactly the same as those in real life, but with some design differences between each game. It consists of a pulley (usually in the color red) suspended on a long cable stretching over a certain 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 riding the cable through midair. When using it, the user grabs a hold of the pulley which will automatically cause the user to ride down the cable from one end to the other at high speed. In some chases it can serve as a shortcut while in others it is necessary to proceed through a level.

To use it in gameplay, the player just has to touch the Pulley, though for some games, the player can even lock onto it with the Homing Attack. Once a Zip Line has been used, it cannot be used again.

Sonic Adventure
The Zip Line first 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.

Shadow the Hedgehog
The Zip Line appears in Shadow the Hedgehog as a pulley in levels such as Circus Park, Cosmic Fall, Space Gadget and The ARK where it was used as a high speed transport mechanism. The player can tilt left or right while grabbing the pulley.

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 Colors
In Sonic Colors, the Zip Line's coloration is red. When using it, Sonic will holds the pulley with both 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 and it can be used again after using it. As Sonic or Metal Sonic, they can also be targeted with the Homing Attack.

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 also be targeted by the Homing Attack.