User:Ultrasonic9000/Sandbox


 * For the power-up in the Sonic Boom video games, see Shield (Sonic Boom).

The Shield (バリア), also known as the Barrier (バリア) and Blue Shield (バリア), is an Item Box power-up that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. When the player obtains this power-up, the playable character receives a shield that can negate one instance of damage.

Since its introduction, the Shield has become one of the most recurring Item Box power-ups in the Sonic series. The effects of the Shield have remained mostly untouched, like the Super Rings and Power Sneakers. In several games though, it has possessed different features. The Shield is also the first and original of all the shield-type power-ups.

Description
Item Boxes containing Shield usually either contain or display an icon depicting a sphere that is colored either green or blue. When the player obtains the Shield, a protective bubble will typically appear around the playable character. This bubble will prevent the playable character from losing Rings, or even a life if they hold no Rings, when they get hit by an enemy attack, touches an enemy, or runs into a damage-inducing hazard. When taking damage with the Shield equipped, the Shield disappears and the player is usually knocked slightly backwards without taking damage while gaining temporary invulnerability for a few seconds. However, the Shield cannot protect the playable character from losing a try when falling into a bottomless pit, being crushed, drowning, or in case they get a Time Over. Also, in contrast to its successors, the Shield does not grant the player any additional abilities, although, unlike certain elemental shields, it will stay in place in case the player goes underwater.

Under normal circumstances, a familiar sample will play when the Shield is obtained from an Item Box. Usually, the Shield will also remain active until the playable character takes damage or the level ends. In some games (particularly those released on mobile devices) though, the Shield only lasts for a limited time.

The color of the Shield's protective bubble has varied over the course of the Sonic series without any logical reason; while it is translucent in most games, it is typically either light blue or green. In one instance, it has even been known to be a transparent white.

Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)
The shield power-up made its first appearance in the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, where it is referred to as Shield (バリア). In this game, Video Monitors containing the Shield display an icon that shows a blue sphere with a light blue center.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a washed-out blue bubble. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly.

Due to the "Spike Bug" in the original version of Sonic the Hedgehog, spikes are able to bypass the playable character's protection and can cause them to lose their Shield, Rings, and life in rapid succession.

Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
In the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, the shield power-up is called Shield (バリア) once again. In this game, video monitors containing the Shield display an icon that shows a blue sphere with a light blue center.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a translucent bubble with bright blue edges. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly. In comparison to their 16-bit counterparts, the Shields in this game are smaller and brighter.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
In the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the shield power-up is once again called Shield (バリア) In this game, monitors containing the Shield display an icon that shows a blue sphere with a light blue center.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a bubble with a tint of dark blue that constantly displays ripples across its surface. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly. In Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (the lock-up version between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3) however, the Shield is colored grey instead of blue.

While playing as Super Sonic, the Shield's icon on the monitor changes to a golden-yellow, matching Super Sonic's color scheme; if the player obtains this Shield, it will be the same golden-yellow color. This is due to Sonic and the Shield sharing the same color palette in the game. The same thing can happen in Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where the Shield starts glowing pink just like Super Knuckles does.

Sonic the Hedgehog CD
In Sonic the Hedgehog CD, the shield power-up is called Shield (バリア) once more. In this game, monitors containing the Shield display an icon that shows a blue sphere with a light blue center.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a washed-out and swirling blue bubble. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly.

Knuckles' Chaotix
In Knuckles' Chaotix, the shield power-up is named Shield (バリア) yet again. In this game, Monitors containing the Shield display an icon that shows a blue sphere with a light blue center.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a solid blue bubble that possesses a spinning effect. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly. However, the Shield is only given to whichever of the two player-controlled characters breaks the Monitor, leaving the other vulnerable to attack. Also, while the Shield is in effect, its Monitor icon can be seen on the bottom of the screen, which indicates that the Shield is active.

Sonic Blast
In Sonic Blast, the shield power-up is once again named Shield (バリア). In this game, TVs containing the Shield display an icon that shows a blue sphere with a light blue center. Alternatively, the player can obtain the Shield from ??? TVs at times.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, two small white starts begin circling around the playable character instead of a bubble-based shield appearing around them. In terms of gameplay, the Shield is featured from Red Volcano Zone and onwards.

Sonic Adventure
In Sonic Adventure, and its remake Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, the shield power-up is referred to as Shield (バリア) yet again. It also marks the Shield's first appearance in a 3D Sonic title. In this game, Item Boxes containing the Shield hold an icon that shows a green bubble.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a translucent dark green bubble.

Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure
In Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, the shield power-up is once again called Shield (バリア). In this game, the item boxes containing the Shield display an icon that shows a light blue bubble.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, Sonic gets enveloped in a bubble with a tint of dark blue that constantly displays ripples across its surface. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly.

Sonic Adventure 2
In Sonic Adventure 2, and its remake Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, the shield power-up is named Shield (バリア) once again. In this game, Item Boxes containing the Shield hold an icon that shows a green bubble.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a translucent dark green bubble akin to the one that appeared in Sonic Adventure.

Besides obtaining the Shield from Item Boxes, the player will also automatically obtain a Shield (or a Magnetic Shield) when they pass through a point marker while holding 90 Rings or more.

Sonic Advance
In Sonic Advance, the shield power-up is referred to as Barrier (バリア). In this game, boxes containing the Barrier display an icon that shows a green bubble.

When obtaining the Barrier in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a swirling dark green bubble. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly.

Sonic Advance 2
In Sonic Advance 2, the shield power-up is referred to as Shield (バリア) yet again. In this game, boxes containing the Shield display an icon that shows a green bubble.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a swirling dark green bubble. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly.

Sonic Advance 3
In Sonic Advance 2, the shield power-up is called Shield (バリア) once more. In this game, Boxes containing the Shield display an icon that shows a green bubble.

When obtaining the Shield in gameplay, the playable character gets enveloped in a swirling dark green bubble. Its animation also shows it blinking in and out of existence constantly.

Sonic Heroes
In Sonic Heroes, the shield power-up is known as Barrier (バリア) once again. In this game, Item Boxes containing the Shield display an icon that shows a green bubble. Alternatively, the player can obtain the Barrier from Floating Item Boxes.

When obtaining the Barrier in gameplay, the playable character gets surrounded by a rainbow-colored bubble, although only the sides of the bubble can be seen. In addition to this, the bubble retains its earlier incarnations' green tint. Also, when obtained, the Barrier is always placed on the lead playable character so if the player changes their team's leader, the new leader will have the Barrier transferred over to them.

When Team Rose uses their Team Blast, Flower Festival, they will grant themselves a Barrier power-up.