Quick Step

The Quick Step (クイックステップ) is one of the signature moves of Sonic the Hedgehog which was first introduced in Sonic Unleashed. When using this technique, Sonic moves swiftly to the sides.

Description
Fitting with its name, the Quick Step allows Sonic to make a swift strafing movement to the left or right when running at high speeds in 3D sections. If it is used while standing still, Sonic will simply perform a dodge roll to the left or right. In gameplay, the Quick Step is primarily used to avoid incoming obstacles, such as spikes or walls, that will impede Sonic's movements. It can also be used to make precise movements into narrow pathways or to move to another runway in order to avoid falling into a bottomless pit. It's speed can be increased when the Sonic Boost is used.

Sonic Unleashed
In Sonic Unleashed, it is a regular move that can be used everywhere in the daytime Stages. It is very useful for evading Aero-Chasers and the Interceptor's lasers and many other enemies. Its speed can as well be increased by used the Sonic Boost at the same time. To use it in gameplay, the player has to use the following controls:

Sonic Colors
In Sonic Colors, it can only be used in specific areas in the Acts like when encountering Moto Bugs and Egg Chasers. When a Quick Step area is encountered, a Control Stick icon will appear on the upper side of the screen that shows Sonic where direction he must move to. To use it, the player has to move the control stick when encountering the Quick Step areas. It can be used with the Sonic Boost and in Super Sonic form. It can also be used destroy enemies. Every Quick Step gives the player 100 points per-use, with a maximum of 100.000 points for each Act.

Sonic Generations
In Sonic Generations, the Quick Step returned to its basic mechanism from Sonic Unleashed, allowing the player to use it anywhere in Act 2 of every Stage. To use it in gameplay, the player must press / on the Xbox 360 and / on the PlayStation 3.

Trivia

 * This style of move has become very popular with mobile games like Temple Run, Subway Surfers and Agent Dash. In 2013, Sega released its own take on these quick step focused games with Sonic Dash.
 * In Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, a move similar to the Quick Step can be performed with any of the playable characters while racing through the Speed Sections of a level.