Power-Up

Power-up items are items that are fundamental to the gameplay of Sonic Rivals and its sequel, Sonic Rivals 2. Basically, they are used to help the player to give him/her a boost or hinder his/her rival.

Description
Power-ups range in a variety of elements such as fire and ice which have their own effects. Power-ups are used in two different ways: offensively (if the user is behind his/her rival) and defensively (if the user is ahead of his/her rival). Offensive power-ups generally shoot throughout the Zone until they hit the opposing rival or create an obstruction with an enemy. Power-ups used defensively are generally used as decoy traps that remain stationary in the stage until the opposing rival runs directly into them.

Sonic Rivals
Power-ups made their debut in Sonic Rivals. They appear as rounded icons that constantly changes their element and color. The power-up the player receives will depend on which icon the player touches it at. Note that some of these power-ups will not appear in earlier zones. To use the power-up in gameplay, the player must press.

Sonic Rivals 2
In Sonic Rivals 2, unlike Sonic Rivals, the player will not know what power-up they will receive. The power-up item has received a new design, somewhat resembling an emblem. Offensive power-ups now generally appear in the form of an energy ball which will chase the leading rival before unleashing its effects. The method of using a power-up is exactly the same as it was in Sonic Rivals. As there is a different method of executing Signature Moves, Signature Moves are no longer power-ups.

Trivia

 * The fire shield power up has a similar function to the Shield power-up from the earlier Sonic the Hedgehog series games except that it will wear off after some time using it.
 * The Magnet shield has the same function as the Thunder Shield.