Tag Action

A Tag Action is a special ability used in Sonic Advance 3 and Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode II. Tag Actions are performed by two characters and give the player an unique ability.

Sonic Advance 3
Tag Actions first appeared in Sonic Advance 3, the player could use the Tag Action to perform special abilities based of the partner character. Each character has two different Tag Action abilities depending on whether the Tag Action is performed on the ground or the air. In order to perform a Tag Action, the player must press and hold the R button to summon the partner character, when summoned, the player will hold the partner character in a ball and once the R button is released, the player will perform the Tag Action. Each character's Tag Actions are as follows:

Sonic the Hedgehog

 * Ground Tag Action: The player gains a quick boost of speed and automatically enters Boost Mode.
 * Air Tag Action: Same as the ground Tag Action, however, the player gains a boost of speed in the air.

Miles "Tails" Prower

 * Ground Tag Action: The player leapfrogs Tails, gaining an immense ascention into the air.
 * Air Tag Action: The player will be carried by Tails' Flying ability for a short time.

Knuckles the Echidna

 * Ground Tag Action: The player launches Knuckles forward, allowing the player to destroy special walls that can only be otherwise deatroyed by a Power Type team.
 * Air Tag Action: The player will ride on Knuckles' back whilst using his Gilding ability, however, the player will fall off if Knuckles connects with a wall.

Amy Rose

 * Ground Tag Action: The player is launched into the air with use of Amy's Piko Piko Hammer.
 * Air Tag Action: The player gains extra hight in the air with use of Amy's Piko Piko Hammer

Cream the Rabbit

 * Ground Tag Action: Cream's Chao, Cheese turns into a Chao version of the player character, allowing the player to perform Cream's Chao Attack move for a limited time.
 * Air Tag Action: Same as the ground Tag Action, however, the player also gains a slight height increase to their jump.

Dr. Eggman
Dr. Eggman has his own special Tag Action when partnered with Super Sonic in the Nonaggression boss fight with Gemerl. When the R button is held, Super Sonic charges Eggman with energy, when released, Eggman will ram into Gemerl, exposing his weak spot allowing the player to damage Gemerl. How long the weak spot stays open is determined by how long the player holds the R button.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode
Tag Actions return in the second episode of the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 saga. Tag Actions are utilised by Sonic and Tails, who both share the same Tag Actions. As with Sonic Advance 3, there are different types of Tag Actions depending on where the Tag Action is performed, however, unlike Sonic Advance 3, the player simply has to press the square/X button to perform a Tag Action. When performed on the ground, the character will perform a Rolling Combo, and whn performed in the air, the Tag Action will allow Tails to carry Sonic in the air for a limited time.

Performing an Tag Action whilst not on the ground when underwater allows Tails to carry Sonic, this grants the player the ability to propel themselves underwater and move freely in any direction. Unlike the standard air Tag Action, Tails will not tire and can swin indefinitely.

In Act 1 and the Boss of Sky Fortress Zone, the player can use the Tag Action to perform a Tornado Boost whilst stood on the Tornado. The Tornado Boost allows the player to smash through containers that may be in the way.